kechup

i've just recieved confirmation of my place at Brands for the afternoon session on the 02nd December. Just got my first scoob (standard 2003 STi Uk with PPP) and i wanted a better feel for what the car is like than iam likely to get on the roads. Now its only a novice session and being a noob in a scoob iam guessing it will not be to hairy but ...
having spoken with a couple of people i've recieved quite a negative response from ... you'll roll it! ... you'll get through a set of pads and tyres ... the oil will slosh about causing the engine to sieze ....
Now iam a complete noob to this trackday game and i don't think anything major or serious will happen ...
... Ill check oil, tyres belts, pads day before but basically i'll burn a tank of fuel and have a good time - thats all that will happen ... won't it ?
Does anyone have any info i should know about and can share - iam just after a bit of reassurance thanks for any info you can pass on.

davyboy

No....you'll get through 2 tanks of fual

catmeat

Your oil might well slosh around abit if u rolled it! never heard of an engine seizing while driving around a track,u will be giving the tryes and brakes abit of stick,just enjoy yourself build your speed up lap after lap,you need to get to no your car and the track,enjoy!

Neilo

do it, youll love it, simple as that, ignore people. Just make sure your cars in good health, correct oil level and coolant, job done.

supertouring

Driving your car on the track is a great experience and I think is safer than driving on the roads.

It allows you to explore more of the performance of your car in a reasonably safe environment. This does not mean the speeds have to be very high, but there is less of a worry of tractors around the corner or mud on the road etc.

I have found that it has also improved my road driving as I now know the limits of the car in lots of different conditions, which is hard to learn on the road. And if I do get into difficulty I know what the car is likely to do and not to pannic at the wheel.

As long as you drive to your limits and not everyone else's, you should have no problems at all. But always watch out for the tackday idiots - let them go past, they will soon be black flagged off anyway.

"MADDOG"

iTrader: (3)

kechup, do a few track days, then join us over at "The Ring" next year

regards "MADDOG"

Lee D T

iTrader: (1)

I'm guessing you have got insurance cover for the day then?

My local track is Cadwell park, it is pretty demanding as it was originally designed for bikes.
I've been twice to watch a track day this year, the first time it was the EVO club, I blagged a passenger ride in an EVO 6 Running 370bhp fitted with Porsche GT3 calipers and slick's.

It was my first track ride, I'd just had my dinner (sausage pie, gravy, carrots) when I'd got in.
The guy told me someone barfed in his car earlier and I just laughed never giving it another thought.
I've never felt braking and cornering as brutal as that, I thought I was going to hurl by the fourth lap it was excellent.

I last went two week's ago and there where six off's, a guy wiped the side out on his new Honda Civic, another Civic driver was taken off by ambulance, a classic Scooby nearly lost it.

I'd love to do a trackday, but could'nt live with bending my car so a group of us are clubbing together to buy an old RS2000 and strip it out just for tracking.

Buckrogers

Increase your tyre pressure, all round. I up mine from 31psi to 37 / 38, some say thats a bit high, but its all down to your own driving style. I'd suggest increasing by 4 / 5psi all round. Dont forget to let the air out after you have finished!

As above, drive within your own limits increasing slowly and have fun.


Maddog, when are you going over? I will be doing a good few trips next season.

Buck

kechup

thanks for the feedback guys

i thought the horror stories where all bull - you know extreme examples of what could happen
i've only just got my scoob so iam not going to go silly and i'll be well within my limits - at lot less than what the car can do - for sure.

definately looking forward to it - i've had a few track day experiences - Formula Ford 1600 at Silverstone, Lotus Elise and an STi (non PPP) at Rockingham before they switched to beemers and thay where all great fun
ill check everything over a few days before i go but my scoob has just had a 30k service when i bought it so everything looks pretty good
... roll on 02nd December ...

RRH

As above. Check your fluids regularly, watch for flags, watch your mirrors, and stay within your limits and you'll have a great day out, the first of many.

However, if you drive out of the pits like a complete t it (like far too many people do) on cold brakes, cold tyres, and limited experience, you'll have a very expensive day out that will probably end in tears.

lawson101

Wont the pressures go up anyway with the heat generated with the harder driving??

I thought you should drop the pressure, to keep it as close to normal, after a few hot laps.

I could be wrong tho lol.

Sport160

I don't think all of the horror stories are bull, I'm sure there are a few people about who regret their trackday experience, however following the advice above will help minimise these.

It is still possible (and does happen) to get caught out either yourself, or in someones else's off, accidents do happen. Only takes 1 idiot, 1 mistake + a bit of bad luck. You have to ask yourself can I afford the downside risk of damaging the car. If yes Ok if no then you need to mitigate these.

Best advice if your new to the track is to get some early laps in with a instructor or someone experienced, Brands indy is a fun circuit, but there are areas where you don't want an off.

Start slow, build up, don't try to chase/race anyone else, keep am eye on brakes and tyres throuhout the day, most of all enjoy it, but be aware for some the horror stories do come true

Rgds
Neil

Moley

iTrader: (9)

Hi mate

I am up there on that day. Am not driving my car, passenger in my mates Escort Cosworth.

Will keep an eye out for you!!!!

Have done Castle Coombe, awesome experience, you'll love it

Steve777

iTrader: (8)

I do know of an engine that went pop at Dono.

Personally having driven my old scoob around Donno I was disappointed with it on track compared to a 'proper' track car such as a 7 or Westie.

Until you have driven a car that is set-up for a track and a car that is nibble it is not a fair comparison and yes you do get through tyres, brakes and fuel.

I weighed this up sometime ago and found that it was cheaper to hire a Caterham off book a track for the day between two of you and have no worries about fuel, wear to components on the car. You just pays yer money, get in and drive. Ask yourself why you don't see many Scoobs at open track days that the likes of Book a track run and you will get frustrated when 7's and Westies are climbing all over the back of you regardless of the power you are running.

But have fun and make your own mind up, but try both

Anyway only my opinion


Steve

Scooby Roo

Kechup

My word of warning is know YOUR limits first then the cars. Don't go hairing round the track following a Caterham into their braking zone.... cos you'll go straight on without following the blackstuff.

Just enjoy at your own pace nobody's going to get upset unless you don't pull over to let people overtake when they want to.

Roo

davyboy

True they dont make great track cars, but I think it's also the way the Subaru "owner" has changed too.

Dave

JTaylor

I can only speak from experience and will be as honest as possible.

I wanted a better feel for what the car is like than iam likely to get on the roads.This is a given, you'll never be able to safely push the car on the road the way you can on the track - you'll be amazed at what you're able to acheive.

Now its only a novice session and being a noob in a scoob iam guessing it will not be to hairy Nice one - you'll be with others with a similar level of experience.

You'll roll it! Well you might, but it's not that easy even if you were trying.

you'll get through a set of pads and tyres ... 1/4 of a set of tyres on you're first outing and maybe half a set of pads. This is entirely dependant of course on how you use them. A particularly quick Plymuth P1 owner/ driver goes round Coombe all day and puts very little wear on consumables because he's so smooth. Others kick the **** out of their machines.

the oil will slosh about causing the engine to sieze .... My RA has had a baffled sump fitted for this reason but there are plenty of lads Trackdaying their Scoobs without complaint. I'd suggest that the possible wear from starvation wouldnt always show up until later in the cars life. Make sure your level is max'd

Check the db level of your exhaust against the course requirements.

If you can afford it, invest in a set of harnesses. Not just from a safety perspective, but in terms of connectedness to the car.

Use the instructors as much as possible, get passenger rides with smooth drivers and nick their lines, follow (don't chase) competant drivers and follow their lines.

The best advice will be offered at the brief.

Once you've popped your cherry, you'll find the next session you do you'll develope your own style in line with growing confidence. Keep the bad habbits in check and you'll be off.

Apart from all the serious stuff - it's fantastic. It's virtually impossible to enjoy a performance car's potential on the roads and TDs solve this problem. If you can afford it, go and do it and try to avoid fannying about too much. You'll have a scream and be a better driver as a result.

J

JTaylor

Interesting.

The only things passing my RA at Coombe in October were Caterham R300s and 500 and by a large margin. To put this into perspective there was an ex-saloon car racer there in a fully prep'd Sierra Cosworth posting 1.19s. One of the Caterhams put in a best time of 1.16!! Fantastic motors that, mod for mod, will ALWAYS outbrake a scoob.

I love the way my car performs but then it is fully set-up. Passenger'd and driven a UK car and a P1 with standard chassis and the experience, for me, was watered down.

Zuby

spot on Roo.

My first track day was with my older bro in his Evo FQ330 at brands too. I was nervous cos some people were sayin i was suicidal to go there as a beginner and that tracks like snetterton were better suited . I still went...

It was an amazing experience, especially the downwards G which is generated after the first straight (u'll soon see what i mean). my advise would be to just take it easy. make sure you pit in every couple of laps to let the engine, brakes etc. all cool down. be sure NOT to put on your handbrake as you can warpe the brake disc. MAke sure to listen attentively at the briefing.

p.s. let us know how you got on. ive not taken my sti ppp on the track yet.

Enjoy

Scooby Roo

LOL yep unnerving the first time but you soon get used to it and end up never wanting to get off the track.

Last time I did Brands was in me mates Caterham 1.6 Supersport [150bhp]. Had a right blast they are an amazing car. EVO 330 running on slicks was put to some serious shame, better on the start finish straight then into Paddock and had to brake 50 yrds further back, after that all down hill for the poor fella. So light and awesome traction.

My scoobs was no where near as fast I was putting in times around 7 seconds slower [though he was running stickies at the time].

Like I say just take it at your own speed.

flat4_ire

damn right, brought my type r out, great fun

kechup

thanks guys this is really good info and great feedback

i really want to go so i can open up my scoob and get a feel through a few bends - but all with in what i can do.
I know scoobs are not generally setup for track use for that i think rear wheel drive is a must so i certainly will not be chasing Caterams etc... that would be plain stupid - after all its a plain STi with no mods apart from PPP.
I am thinking after this little adventure if i go again i'll car a 'track' car on site for the peace of mind that i dont have to drive it home.
One last question - Insurance
got a quote for a £100 with a £1500 excess for body work, suspension and mechanicals (engine, gearbox etc...) providing it is shunt damaged only
Does that make sense ?!?!?

stormy

Any car can be used on track long as a few preps are made for your first outing. keep the car as normal while you get used to the new environment.

Over the last five years I have been organising private trackdays for SIDC and other mixed car clubs/owners. Generally 50% of attendees are Scoobies in many different forms of modification.

All track organisers welcome Newbies and normally will help them on track and off as will other attendees.

For my days I normally group cars by make or experiance at the start of the day. Plus offer free ARDS instruction early in the day and later once you have settled in if you still need it. Most organiser due the same after all new customers become regulars if made to feel welcome.

In parallel I organise track driving courses at Bruntingthorpe for both newbies and experianced drivers to try things they would not normally do in a safe environment i.e. no chicanes other cars etc. Had 11 scoobies and a pug up last saturday. Running a few more days in the new year, will also give you a chance to meet other owners in a quiet environment and run your car with very few other cars. Some only drive at these events not wanting to take there pride and joy on a track with too many other cars etc.

Have a look at the track event section, only advice to you is pick you first event carefully, some organisers run too many cars etc etc, There are many on here on can offer good advice.

My advice is simple do it, you will never regret it. Track days will never be cheap but as long as your car is well maintained and you drive within your
limits at good events you will simply love it.

Try and cut corners to save money and you will get what you pay for. I have organised and run many track events in the last five years and there has only been two incidents where cars have come off track and hit the armco in very poor conditions.

Alternatively out of 350 cars attending my events only two have had incidents.