RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

Hi all,
Although Iv done a track day before it was several years ago & in a rented Catheram. I plan on booking my first track day in my 96 STI.
I live in the Nottingham area, don't mind traveling a bit but not too far,where would be a good place to go for my first outing.
Also any tips & advice on what to take, car
preparation & driving style would be much appreciated.
Thanks, Richard.

Dave-W-

iTrader: (10)

next saturday at elvington it's a coned circuit so will be good for getting back in to it

http://www.javelintrackdays.co.uk/tr...chk=1&Itemid=1

dsemuk

Blyton Park, near Gainsborough a nice little venue, fresh tarmac, big runoff areas, cones to mark the apexes rather than curbs.

http://www.blytonpark.co.uk/

need4speeduk

iTrader: (26)

Blyton Park would be a good choice. Not to far and as above, plenty of run off.

Take a jack and some basic tools just in case and a few jerry cans of fuel. Dont forget your helmet, sleved top, & driving license.

Have fun

Oh, and tow straps.

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

Thanks guys,
I'll have a look at booking one of these venues later. If I tale tools & fuel is there somewhere safe to leave it all as I won't want to go on track with it all. How much fuel should I take?

stevie1982

iTrader: (16)

Get on a msv day at Bedford autodrome. Get venue, plenty of run off but they can be a little tight on noise restrictions. I normally go down and have a noise test, static and drive by before booking.

http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/tr...-calendar.aspx

Here is a list of the days at all the circuits but as I say I would hit a open pit lane at Bedford

Enjoy it what ever you do, would also suggest a oil / service before and after just to be safe but that's just me.

apac

iTrader: (2)

what will you need,, hmmm?

Long sleeves, long trousers, sensible shoes for driving.

Helmet

Water for drinking in glove box

Extra fuel? if it can't be sourced nearby.

Use higher octane fuel than what your car normally runs on to decrease chance of early det.

Tyre pressure gauge or tyre pump to check tyres once warmed to make sure all are same pressure. Some may need deflating , this will give better tyre wear and alleviate understeer.

Make sure you've got good brake fluid, and it's been changed in recent time.

Remember to let car cool down after a session. Leave engine run for five minutes with bonnet up and hand brake off.

Leave your ego in the paddock and don't push too hard in the afternoon as it's always nice to end the day driving home in the car you came in.

Scooby B

iTrader: (2)

Get your self a couple of jerry cans as quite often 1 tank of fuel is not enough and you dont want to be going flat out on a empty tank

Lord Marshall

Hi, Im going to donnington soon because it's the nearest to brum, I think. Anyway do you have to do an oil change before and after. I mean is it really absolutey necessary?

apac

iTrader: (2)

No it's not necessary. A bit old school really. Just make sure car is properly serviced and looked after

Arkwright

iTrader: (3)

Decent front brake pads or else you`ll be suffering brake fade after a couple of hot laps.

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

Thanks guys,
Lots of good advice here. Can I leave all this fuel & tools in the pit area when on track? Also what pads should I use? Iv got gold Brembos all round with non grooved discs.

apac

iTrader: (2)

you can usually leave things in the paddock area, try leaving stuff near a like minded group of people.
There are many pads that people will vouch for. I use Carbotech XP8 pads with my gold brembos. They are ace on the track, I've never had fade, fine on the road though they squeal for daily use so not for everyone. I would not change them for anything else! Not used by many scooby drivers. I believe they are more common with evo drivers.

DonNedly

iTrader: (10)

Investing in some proper track rubber made the biggest difference to my enjoyment at track days.
Get some dot 5.1 in there too.

Lord Marshall

Carbotech are worshipped on the Mlr! I'm gonna try ebc yellow stuff although the blue are very good for track I hear.

apac

iTrader: (2)

I agree 100% definitely makes the most difference fun and performance wise. The difference in experience between road and track tyres is immense.

IainMilford

iTrader: (15)

I run carbotech xp10's but like apac said they do squeal. Don't think that just because brake fluid is 5.1 it is going to be ok on track, many race/track spec fluids are 4.1

apac

iTrader: (2)

What are the xp10's like for road use? I'd upgrade from the xp8's if i knew they were also ok for day to day driving.

IainMilford

iTrader: (15)

fine mate, not that great when stone dead cold though but get better as soon as you get some heat into them

apac

iTrader: (2)

Thanks Iain. Could be worth a try on the fronts when the 8's need replacing

scatty

iTrader: (1)

blyton is a great track to start off with. and on your doorstep. worth checking donington also, they have a few evening sessions on this time of year. usually 5 untill 8. again close by and a good track.

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

I'm looking at blyton at moment. Is open pit lane best or should I consider a grouped day, & if so how do I gauge what group to put myself in?

Arkwright

iTrader: (3)

If your a beginner go in that group it`s better to be faster in your group than holding others up. And so constantly moving over for them.
I prefer open pit lane because if your session gets red flagged you can end up with a 5 min session maybe more than once and so tracktime is reduced.
Open pit lane come and go as you like on track just keep an eye in the mirror for faster cars. Indicate on the straights move to the right others pass on the left.
Most of all relax and enjoy.

Arkwright

iTrader: (3)

This is a very good read.

http://www.lancerregister.com/showthread.php?t=237900

It`s a lot to take in but once out there you`ll be addicted like the rest of us.

scatty

iTrader: (1)

if you decide blyton, go and book through javelin trackdays website and book through them. they operate an open pit lane, but they are pretty strict regarding overtaking etc. you can only overtake on the straights. i was very impressed with them. we are going on july 28th....

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

Thanks Scatty, I like the extra track time available at open pit lane events, but I'm not sure I'd be fast enough to not get in the way so I'm thinking about a grouped track day at the moment.

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

Thanks Arkright. A lot of good pointers for me here. I better book one soon & put all this info to good use.

scatty

iTrader: (1)

you will be quicker than me, you have a turbo!!!!......all about enjoyment at your own pace.you will be suprised at the different cars and abilities.

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

mate dont stress about trackdays. Most people on them are rubbish so just book one up and go. Bedford is great and donny too.

Dont worry too much about prep. Make sure you have new ish oil thats fully topped up, make sure your brake fluid is recent, and you have plenty of life left in the pads. if you want, EBC blue stuff are great cheap and easy.

First trackday i did i didnt check any of the above and it was great fun. brakes only lasted 3 laps at a time though hahaha.

Everyone on trackdays are just normal people. Anyone who is good enough to be fast is used to slower people on track and will largly drive around them.

So dont worry just go get yourself on an open pitlane day and have fun

IainMilford

iTrader: (15)

^^^^ agree with that, it can seem daunting but everyone wants to go home with their car in one piece. Even though it is an open pitlane, often organisers will limit the number of cars out on track at anyone time so you will have plenty of space