Track Day Advice

[Bobby Dandruff]

I have never taken my own car on a track day but I am sorely tempted by the event being run at Goodwood on 18th April for a host of reasons. (I have done the 2 day Masersati driving course in Italy but that is using THEIR cars!!)

That said.....what should I look out for and does anyone have any advice?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[mjheathcote]

I've done a few, in the Maserati and my Elise before.
Make sure you have track day insurance!!
I always have, and it covers if someone crashes into you....you can't claim from them remember.
Maserati's aren't really track day cars as such being big and heavy, so just don't over do it, plenty of short stints rather than longer ones, to allow time to cool down, both engine and brakes.
Avoid the rush at the morning session, and after lunch.
Avoid the last hour again when it can be busy and some drivers can get carried away.
Most of all, enjoy, at your own pace!

 

[ChrisQP09]

Insurance and know your limits

 

[Blondie]

Can anyone recommend a company that does individual track day insurance? Is it for third party only or can you get comprehensive?

 

[c4sman]

Follow the above advice about multiple short stints. If you overheat your road tyres by staying out too long you can destroy a set in an hour where as you could do twice as many laps in short stints and have minimal wear with just slight feathering which disappears after a few weeks of normal driving.

 

[Andyk]

Done a few in my time..All advice above good....

Drive within you limit don't over do it. Your confidence will grow as the day goes on.
Short stints better for you and your car.
Check all fluid levels before you go.
Obvious one but make sure you have a full tank of fuel before you begin.
Insurance - Ummm - Your choicer really. I have never had it but for piece of mind get it. I would say 50% have had it on the days I have organised for the forum at Llandow.
Track days are a safe way to see what you and your car can do. Safer than driving fast on the road and I have only ever seen one accident on a track day and I have done about 15 over the years.

 

[Mr.Cambio]

Helmet is a must, of course.

 

[allandwf]

Can anyone recommend a company that does individual track day insurance? Is it for third party only or can you get comprehensive?

I use Mannings, but it comes as part of my overall policy, carries a £1500 excess for the track.

 

[zagatoes30]

Drive at your pace, you will get quicker during the day. Watch out for other traffic and if their quicker let them pass - good track etiquette makes for a good day for all.

Most of all enjoy it, they are great fun

 

[highlander]

Can anyone recommend a company that does individual track day insurance? Is it for third party only or can you get comprehensive?

I used Morris insurance for brunty last year. Full comp and agreed value. Was 70 for marci but guessing it would be quite a bit more for your fleet!

 

[Bobby Dandruff]

Follow the above advice about multiple short stints. If you overheat your road tyres by staying out too long you can destroy a set in an hour where as you could do twice as many laps in short stints and have minimal wear with just slight feathering which disappears after a few weeks of normal driving.

Thanks for this - just what I was looking for.

Apparently the sessions are 12-15 minutes long with around 4 or 5 possible throughout the day, so that should be OK?

(I was worried about shredding a set of types as I have no idea what level of wear they would endure! Also, do you have any comments on suspension wear as Granturismos are heavy cars, or am I over worrying, as it will be neglible?! ;-) )

 

[alfacorse]

with such a weigth my scare would be mostly for the brakes...

 

[Bobby Dandruff]

with such a weigth my scare would be mostly for the brakes...

Yes I meant to add that- and I note that discs are not cheap to replace, although hopefully they will survive! :-/

 

[safrane]

Remember your cool down laps which prevent the car getting too hot after a spirited drive esp to prevent the brakes warping. Leave the handbrake off as well when you are at rest. ..not sure if the GT has an auto one???

Goodwood is well maintained so little grit/stones about to pepper the front. The corners are nice and long so you should not suffer too much on the front LH side tyre, but that ones shoulder should be checked after to make sure its OK for the drive home.

Their noise limit is tight so check beforehand to avoid wasting your money if you have a moded one.

Remember the airfield cafe is open if you want something better than a bacon roll etc...aslo good for those who come with you to warm up if its cold outside.

 

[Chrisbassett]

I did a track day lesson in my own car, as much to learn the cars capabilities and limits as my own, and was pleasantly surprised by how well she behaved.

The instructor covered the following care items
Wheel bolts : check them at least once during the day, preferably after your first really spirited drive, the expansion properties of the various bits of metal are different so you can end up with a wobbly wheel. Take a torque wrench with you if you have one (make sure it's secure in the boot or leave it in a locker), but most track days have someone you can borrow one from.

Stay hydrated : especially if it's a warm day, it's easy to get carried away and forget to take care of yourself.

Cool-down laps are important. Don't worry, as long as you stay aware of them, you won't bother others by driving slowly on the way back to the pits. It gives the brakes and fluids (including the boiling washer bottle!) a chance to get back to "normal"

Use driver aids to start with, turn them off when you're happy they are no longer the thing that's keeping you on the road.

Check tyres after every run. Stop if you're at all concerned about them.

 

[Blondie]

I used Morris insurance for brunty last year. Full comp and agreed value. Was 70 for marci but guessing it would be quite a bit more for your fleet!

Thanks Greg, just waiting for them to send me the quote. Shouldn't be more than a couple of pounds? HAHAHAHA

 

[TridentTested]

Apparently the sessions are 12-15 minutes long with around 4 or 5 possible throughout the day, so that should be OK?

All good advice above.

I haven't tracked any of my cars but I've done several track-days with my bikes. As far as possible I would try to find a day which isn't divided up into sessions. I know they're not easy to find as most seem to run in sessions but having the ability to go out in your own time, at your own pace, and not be caught up in the mob, makes a huge difference to the enjoyment of the day.

Once the track is open there will be a mad rush but half an hour later everyone will be tired out and the track will be empty. That is the time to really enjoy it.

The other advantage to a "no sessions" day is you can, and will, go out for one or two laps. You don't feel compelled to hammer the car for the full 15 minutes.

As others have said, start very slowly. Just keep reminding yourself this is your first track-day and there is no shame in starting slowly. You will build up speed over the day.

Not applicable here, I know, but I found the days I really enjoyed were the ones when I took the bike to the circuit in the back of a van. The thought that I had a van to drive the pieces home in if I binned it made the day much more relaxing and I was faster as a result. I know it was only a tenuous psychological advantage because the chances are if I did bin it I would probably be in the local A&E, not driving home.

 

[Ian3200]

I've done a couple of track days at Goodwood in my 3200, I haven't had any issues with brakes or tyres. The best advice I had was when new to it especially, only floor it when in a straight line, getting the back end out won't be difficult and you become quite unpopular if you cause the session to be paused (and no, I haven't done it myself ;o))
Even though he slowed me down to start with, taking the instructor out is the best thing you can do if there's one available. He'll just tell you the turn in points and braking zones, the local advice like that makes the rest of your time so much more valuable and much kinder on the car, as well as your shoulders and arms. If you start to ache, you're doing something wrong, but it happens if you're taking the wrong lines and going in too quick. Cliché, but slow in fast out is the best possible advice.
As it's your car, you'll be surprised how quickly you can go, while feeling pretty safe. The best thing is the surface and the fact there'll be no one coming the other way.
It's the best fun you can have with your clothes on!

 

[Ian3200]

Sorry, meant to say, I agree with what everyone else has been saying... and I'm sure I relaxed a little knowing I had insurance, even though the excess is about £1k

 

[RW3200]

My track experience comes mostly from motorcycles but the principles are the same.

Along with the advice given I'd just add, when starting off if you aren't sure of the track layout don't be worried about going out last. Find your place on the track and build slowly. This will build heat in your tyres and brakes and will become more responsive as your pace quickens.
If you are on with a few flyers don't worry too much about them, just stick to your lines and they will find their way around you.

I always tell people to talk themselves around ie, brake, down two, turn in, feed throttle etc.
This will help keep you calm and stop any panic braking/ steering. It will also help you breathe, you'll be amazed how many people hold their breathe when accelerating or braking hard.
Keep your actions as progressive as possible and keep things smooth. Once you get your head around where you're going and how the car's weight moves around you will naturally get quicker.

Lastly, enjoy it!