Here are some trackday hints for any 'ring newbies!!!
1) Pre-Event checks
a) Make sure the car is in a well maintained condition
b) Check ALL fluid levels
c) Replace the brake fluid if not changed at service specified interval
d) Check the condition/pressure of all your tyres, Make a note of the presures
e) Check your brake pads for condition/thickness, preferably put new fast road/comp pads.
f) Remove any accessories not securely fitted
g) Check the speed rating of your tyres, Make a note of this and never exceed it on track
h) Remove any floor mats from the drivers footwell
i) Remove the spare tyre if you have secure storage
j) Take some basic tools with you, enough to change brake pads at least
k) Take at least one axle stand for when you change the pads
l) Take some rags/swarfega for cleaning your hands etc
m) Fill up with OPTIMAX even on standard spec engine, you wont get more performance, just gives the engine more protection from detination.
n) Take a can of Red Bull, it gives you wings you know!
2) Spares etc to take
a) One set of brake pads at least, front and rear
b) One 5 litre can of oil
c) Some CLEAR protective film to cover your light lenses
d) Some thin soled sports shoe's, aids with brake feel
3) Pre-track checks
a) Recheck your tyre pressures, if one is down you may have a slow puncture which could blow when at high speed
b) Tape up your headlights
c) Ensure you understood the driver briefing, if you are not sure about any aspect, ask for clarification. Ensure you understood the passing rules in particular!
4) First lap on every run
a) Never thrash the car on the first lap, speed up gradually bringing the oil/water temperatures to normal working parameters
b) Gently bring the brake temperatures up to temperature
c) Use this lap to get familiar with your new, rather alien surroundings
d) Try and give yourself space front and rear, dont be tempted to follow the car in front too closely as you will be concentrating on him/her and not learning the track
e) Get used to checking your mirror before and after each corner, you will be amazed how quickly some cars will catch you if you are a track novice.
5) Rest of laps
a) Bring up the speed gradually if you are a novice, you will learn more
b) Learn and enjoy, remember your there for fun
c) If you experience brake fade/boiling dont think it will go away before the next corner, slow down, it is very likely to be worse the next time
d) If you feel a power loss coming out of a tight bend back off, dont keep it planted, you are probably getting the first sign's of fuel surge, if you keep it planted you are risking detonation due to a week mixture. Return to the pits and refuel. This can happen with half a tank of fuel on board, dont get fooled into thinking it cant be happening already, it can.
6) Last lap in
a) Do a slow last lap in
b) Try to avoid using the brakes at all to give the disks/pads some chance to cool down
c) Dont stop looking in your mirror, there might be some idiot still on max attack
7) Entry to pits/stopping
a) Enter the pits slowly, be aware of what's going on around you
b) DO NOT SWITCH OFF YOUR ENGINE
c) Allow the engine to idle for at least 2 minutes.
d) DO NOT PUT THE HANDBRAKE ON OR SIT WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL
e) The above is to stop the pads from being destroyed by the heat sink effect from your red hot brake disks, stop on a level surface or arange for someone to chock you wheel.
f) Let everything cool before you check the following
8) Post run checks
a) Check the brake pads for wear, you will be amazed how quickly they are used up.
b) Check ALL fluid levels. You may never use oil on the road, you are almost guaranteed to do so on a track day
c) Check your tyre pressures, if one has dropped you may be on the way to a blow out
d) Check the tyres for wear/cuts
e) Check you are still not wearing a silly cheesy grin
)
: :
Linear Mode
