Abzdon

Well got my first ever trackday looming at Knockhill next Saturday and so would appreciate any comments on anything I need to do for the day. Any special points I need to bear in mind?

I have heard I need to increase tyre pressure but what to? I have seen fuel surge mentioned on here as well but what is it?
Anything else I should know?

SCOsaltire's post hasn't inspired me with confidence though
I will definetly be slower than some of you up as like John, my limit is much less than the car's - I apoligise in advance for holding anyone up! - not intentional.

Thanks in advance,

Duncan..
P.S. Probably in the wrong forum but thought I would get better track specific response here.

AlanG

I've only been on once.

I used std tyre pressures on mine but be aware that they *will* go up as you do more and more laps.

T-uk can recommend what pressures to set your tyres to as he has had more experience than me but need to know if you are running on slicks or road tyres.

Apart from the usual things like making sure your levels are okay, water, oil etc, make sure you have plenty brakes. maybe best to start with a fresh set of pads cause you will go through them.

Bring fuel with you as well if you can, cause the dreaded fuel surge can create havoc.

Consensus at the moment seems to be if your car has the std fuel pump fitted, you may experience the fuel surge at the hairpin with around 1/4 tank of fuel but some folks have been experiencing fuel surge at about 1/2 tank or more but this is with the uprated pumps.

A

Miles

Make sure that:
a) Your car has been recently serviced.
b) You have a full tank of SUL.
c) Your brakes are tip-tip.

Apart from that, as a not too confident driver myself (done 3 Knockhills days now), it's scary up until the last second before you get out on the track, and <boff> you're away around the track and it is *amazing* fun.

Honestly, as long as your car is in decent tune, you've got no worries. Highly recommended.

john banks

You'll love it. Don't feel under pressure - and be careful about the speed you go into corners until you know the track - I was sliding about surprisingly on my first ever lap yet I never do this on the road. Was completely unintentional but the speed is deceptive, and makes the car feel "slow" unless it is heavily modified.

I would suggest 38 PSI front, 34 PSI rear for tyre pressures. I bought some second hand 16" wheels so I can wear out those - I have a set for sale if you are interested.

Check your brake pads have plenty of material on them, if in any doubt get new ones this week.

Remove the drivers floor mat, secure everything down. Remove any fuses for any heavy stereo equipment as a precaution.

Be careful about warming up and cooling down the car sympathetically, don't do too many laps or your brakes if standardish will pay and crack something. Do a very sympathetic cool down lap whilst trying to keep out other people's way. Don't sit on the brakes in the pits. Be careful when you go back out after a break in the pits because the brakes will probably be soft.

Use the best fuel you can put in (Optimax is in Rosyth nearest to Knockhill), and if you are running any methods for higher boost, consider carefully if they are up to it as you may overboost silly when you drive it hard on track.

skyenet

Duncan

This will be my third track day at Knockhill. The main advice I could give you is to take things at your own pace. I still remember pulling onto the track for my warm up session with no idea what the track even looked like. Ten minutes later I pulled into the pit lane and still had no idea as I had been too busy watching cars right up my backside in the corners. Don't worry about the cars behind you, they will find a safe way past you. Some cars can fairly shift through the corners where passing is not recommended therefore you can feel you are holding people up but it is not long to the next straight where you can move over to the left to allow them by. I tend to indicate and then move over if letting cars past. I made one mistake on my first session which resulted in a spin at Duffas. I came out on my first lap and was so busy watching the cars behind me comming down the pit straight that I forgot to brake in time for Duffas. Bit of a panic and round I went. Car was fine and from then on I just stopped worrying about what was behind me and started concentrating on waht was in front of me. Never looked back since!!!!

A four hour session is quite long so once people start to get a few sessions in then the track will get quieter. I take it you have had passenger laps around Knockhill. If not then certainly do that after your warm up session. Also get one of the instructors to come out with you. They will give you tips on positioning, speed, braking etc. I am sure you will enjoy yourself, I certainly have.

Iain
Yellow Lotus Elise S2

sasim

It's a good idea to put your tyre pressures up this protects the side walls from damage when they flex, I used to run 38r/40f on the 16" wheels

Turn up with a full tank of fuel, check all of your fluid levels before during and after, make sure that your brake disks and pads are tip top and bring a spare set of front pads and some oil if you can. Empty the car of all loose items or store away securly the ones you need to keep.

I would recommend that you go out for the warm up with either an instructor or as a passanger with someone who has been out before, you can come out with me if you want.

If you are on standard brakes then only do a few laps at a time (5 - 6) and back off at the first sign of excessive brake pedal travel or fade, don't hope that the brakes will recover before the next corner, they won't !!, do at least one slow out lap to warm things up and an in lap to cool things down. Do not put your handbrake on when you come into the pits instead put a stone or stick behind a wheel.

Just remember that you are there to have fun so just go at the speed you are comfortable with, it's not a race, pull over on the straights and let the faster car past, but remember to lift off a bit so that they can.

I gaurante you will be bricking it at the start but by the end of the first lap

John will send out an info pack which has a lot of good info in it, read it carefully there will be a quiz before you get to go on track

Stuart

Andy.F

"the next straight where you can move over to the left to allow them by."

Ian Do you mean pull over to the right and let them pass on the left

My advice would be to set your own pace and don't feel pressured into going 'racing fast' just because it's a race track. Don't think that just because the similar car if front can get round at that speed that you can too, he may be on hot sticky slicks !!

skyenet

Andy

That's why I had a problem with everybody behind me. Yes I meant pull over to the RIGHT. Will put that one down to not enough sleep this weekend. Took my wee girl away camping up North and she thinks 4:30 in the morning is the best time to get up. Just because all the sheep, cattle, birds in the surrounding area were also awake. Not so sure I will take her camping at Kames now.

Iain

John Stevenson

It's Rabbits you need to worry about at Kames !!!

Dougster

Scoty has a good tip for saving your brakes. Apparently you stick a small plastic irn-bru bottle under your middle pedal, therefore saving you from excess pressure on the pads!!

In all seriousness though, clear the car out of anything that 'aint bolted down as once you get the hang of it you can get your car really moving about.

Don't think I'll make it along as I've got a wedding in the afternoon.

Little Miss WRX

I went on Knockhill for the first time out in someone elses car!!!

Now that is unerving, I have only ever been round Knockhill as a passenger. So, although I *knew* the track, I didn't know it to drive it and in someone else's car, I never like to drive it as I would mine.

Anyway, Iain (timmsky) offered to let me have a few laps in his McRae.
I grew very confident and had the car squealing round most corners much to the horror of Iain who was obviously wondering how much rubber I was leaving behind
I jus kept an eye out for faster cars and moved to the right, backing off a tad when they loomed in the rear view mirror.

My advice for faster cars is when you are going into a corner, just do it as if no one is behind you. When you get to a straight or a section where you can move over and back off, let them overtake then.

Don't let them bully you. I think most, if not all of the drivers who frequent KH have done so before, know of the track etiquette and are very sympathetic to newbies, so you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Michelle.

Abzdon

Thanks to all for the great advice and encouragment!

Car has godspeed brakes at front so 'should' be better than standard. No boosty mod thingys so shouldnt have a problem there either.

Stuart, thanks for the offer I will take you up on that!

Cheers,

Duncan..

sasim

No probs Duncan, are you going to meet up with us on Saturday Morning http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/threa...hreadid=113402

Can't remember if I've met you before (hazy memory) I have a green wagon with anthracite Superlegerras