First track day help

[Jonnymaz]

Hi guys,

Been a while since I have been on so just been catching up. Thinking of doing my first track day when the weather gets a bit nicer. Have never taken my own car on a track before and it would be a travesty not to take the CSL on. I don't think the previous owner tracked it so it's been deprived!

Would really like some guidance from those more experienced. Any help with the following would be much appreciated:

1. Which track is good for beginners. Would prefer one that isn't too far away (Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Midlands area).

2. How is best to book. Do companies organise track days or do you book direct with the track?

3. I will need to get insurance and a helmet. Where's best to get those from?

4. What sort of overall cost would you expect?

5. Have I missed anything obvious??

I am also thinking of taking my brother in law along as he has a rally car and more track experience than I do!

Cheers hope you can help.

[Trawler]

I suggest you have some lessons before hand & then pick a track where they have novice sessions. Also some organisers run less cars & run the event strictly to the rules to try & avoid incidents. Take advantage of the instructors available on the track day.

Others will be along to answer your specific questions

[CraigMillwardCroft]

Open Track have great track days, tea and doughnuts, free instruction Mike Wilds is one of them and one of the best, all track days need helmets so do hire them out, if your insured with CCi they have free cover for recognised track day companies.

[0836whimper]

- Get Insurance (CCI provide 5 days included it as mentioned)
- Choose a track with plenty of run-off. Bedford is great as it's huge, flat (takes out a whole dimension for you to have to think about) and has no barriers, gravel etc, it's not a race track. Don't choose a narrow track with humps and overhanging trees etc....
- Think about an airfield day first, just to get a feel for the car at the limit of traction
- Be wary of days that basically allow race cars to test at the same time, they don't take any prisoners and find it hard to get out of 'race' mode
- Try a marque/owners club day first if there is one planned
- Keep Traction control on, then put MDM on if you feel like it. Don't turn it all off unless you are very experienced no matter how much Shimmy looks down on you :hahaha:
- Most incidents happen in the morning as everyone rushes on with cold tyres, be patient.
- Build speed slowly, it doesn't matter that MX5's and Novas are overtaking you as you warm up
- Back off and give the car a cooling lap or two
- Don't leave handbrake on in the pits once parked following some hot laps
- You'll probably find half of the attendees have left by 3pm, so you'll have a much quietier time then
- Get some AP's if it's not a one-off. It's so worth it.
- Don't go on a the track in a CSL and then expect to want to sell it....they are epic on track and you will love your car more than ever

[73CSL]

I dont' really do trackdays as always enjoyed road driving more ( living on the edge of some epic driving roads helps .... but, my one & only trackday in the CSL was the BMWOC trackday @ croft.

TBH, this was the 1st trackday I've actually enjoyed. The CSL was a revelation ( once I sorted tyre pressures ) . Everyting came together :)

Croft is a great track. especially with a bit of instruction to help you make the most of it ,

[Rick H]

- Get Insurance (CCI provide 5 days included it as mentioned)
- Choose a track with plenty of run-off. Bedford is great as it's huge, flat (takes out a whole dimension for you to have to think about) and has no barriers, gravel etc, it's not a race track. Don't choose a narrow track with humps and overhanging trees etc....
- Think about an airfield day first, just to get a feel for the car at the limit of traction
- Be wary of days that basically allow race cars to test at the same time, they don't take any prisoners and find it hard to get out of 'race' mode
- Try a marque/owners club day first if there is one planned
- Keep Traction control on, then put MDM on if you feel like it. Don't turn it all off unless you are very experienced no matter how much Shimmy looks down on you :hahaha:
- Most incidents happen in the morning as everyone rushes on with cold tyres, be patient.
- Build speed slowly, it doesn't matter that MX5's and Novas are overtaking you as you warm up
- Back off and give the car a cooling lap or two
- Don't leave handbrake on in the pits once parked following some hot laps
- You'll probably find half of the attendees have left by 3pm, so you'll have a much quietier time then
- Get some AP's if it's not a one-off. It's so worth it.
- Don't go on a the track in a CSL and then expect to want to sell it....they are epic on track and you will love your car more than ever

As someone reasonably new to trackdays myself, I worship at the alter of these words.

I sit in the caf for an extra coffee to let the cold-tyre gang slip and slide then go out slow letting oil get to ~100 degrees before ramping the pace. Last half hour before lunch is usually hectic as is first one back after and the final hour too.

Check your tyre pressures before going out.

No-one's judging and ultimately, any price paid is paid by you so take your time and build it up slowly.

APs will probably sell for what you pay for them so they are very worthwhile - as are Alcons etc. They make a world of difference.

Shimmy et al will help you to the ends of the earth.

Above all, get proper tuition sooner rather than later. I trained with Colin and Paul at CAT and enjoyed every minute in the car and out so I can recommend them, and others will have their own recommendations also.

Nick at BMWUK car club runs trackdays and although he'll twist your arm for a raffle ticket, these days are extremely well run, the nutters are elsewhere and there's some free tuition thrown in sometimes - although it's basic, it'll give you proper lines and a bit on balance.

iRacing has a lot of UK tracks - it's cheap and a good heads-up.

That all sounds a bit self-richeous - but that's not hows its meant :hahaha:

[shimmy]

depends what sort of driver/person you are but


1. Which track is good for beginners. Would prefer one that isn't too far away (Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Midlands area).Bedford, Rockingham, Snetterton, Donington all good

2. How is best to book. Do companies organise track days or do you book direct with the track? Opentrack, MSV, Circuit days, Goldtrack, RMA etc

3. I will need to get insurance and a helmet. Where's best to get those from? Online GPR or Demontweeks.

4. What sort of overall cost would you expect? £750-1000 A TRACKDAY

5. Have I missed anything obvious?? BRAKES!!!

[Rick H]

depends what sort of driver/person you are but


1. Which track is good for beginners. Would prefer one that isn't too far away (Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Midlands area).Bedford, Rockingham, Snetterton, Donington all good

2. How is best to book. Do companies organise track days or do you book direct with the track? Opentrack, MSV, Circuit days, Goldtrack, RMA etc

3. I will need to get insurance and a helmet. Where's best to get those from? Online GPR or Demontweeks.

4. What sort of overall cost would you expect? £750-1000 A TRACKDAY

5. Have I missed anything obvious?? BRAKES!!!


Helmets usually rented out for a tenner at MSV days, didn't know about others. £750-£1,000 - ouch - but taking everything into account then 'fraid so, the harder you go, the harder your wallet is hit.

Has anyone mentioned brakes yet?

[Jonnymaz]

Thanks very much for the help, very useful tips!

I like the idea of getting tuition so Open Track looks to be a good option, or is the tuition likely to be minimal seeing as it's free?

Bedford seems like a safe option! How does Cadwell Park compare as that's quite near to me?

Brakes, hhhmmm... might wait to see if I end up keeping it before I take the plunge.

Came across the old Book a Track thread when looking for info... gave me 10 minutes of amusement!

[0836whimper]

Forgot tyre pressures - as Rick said they are critical. I run 25-28 PSI when hot, means taking quite a lot of air out after some warm up laps.

I have used Javelin most, they are good, very relaxed, good for beginners.

Not driven Cadwell

Brakes

[shimmy]

Cadwell is not the best place to start tbh. Ok for some but a bit to narrow to relax for others.

[73CSL]

I did my 1st ever trackday at Cadwell .. in the wet in a 40 year old 911

It was an experience, but not neccesarilly an enjoyable one

[billyboysm3]

I prefer Opentrack.

Snetterton and Bedford have plenty of run off.

What brake pads are on the car?

[Jonnymaz]

Thanks for continued messages. Have had a good look at the various companies, Javelin seems to have the most options for the tracks that would be best, with MSV next.

I have OEM discs and pads, but they were all replaced about a year ago so I would be reluctant to swap them for something better so soon. If I decide not to sell and want to keep doing track days then I will probably upgrade then.

Will definitely pay for tuition, and now I know to check tyre pressure...

Will let you know once I get booked on one and may see some of you there.

[billyboysm3]

Even though its your first TD be careful as the brake fluid will be standard and if you are hooooning it your brakes might go of in a couple of laps.

[Rick H]

Even though its your first TD be careful as the brake fluid will be standard and if you are hooooning it your brakes might go of in a couple of laps.

Agreed, I went round in Oulton in our e46 325 resplendent with new budget pads and disks (by budget I mean normal, decent road pads not something like RS29s) plus standard fluid. 2 laps tops (full circuit) and a 3rd to cool down :bigcry:

Standard CSL brakes are now "resting" in the loft - BEST PLACE FOR 'EM.

Standard discs should be ok, but may be worth shelling out for some pads to put in for the day and then remove (not forgetting to bed them in).

[Jonnymaz]

OK, brakes starting to concern me a little! Despite the obvious benefits of upgrading brakes, was hoping that for a first track day where I am unlikely to be pushing it to extreme, I could get by with the standard fairly new set that is on there.

Is this going to end in disaster, or is it likely to be fine if I don't push it too hard and have regular cool downs?

Anyone had successful track days using standard brakes??

Would simply changing the fluid to one with a higher boiling point be worth doing?

[0836whimper]

OK, brakes starting to concern me a little! Despite the obvious benefits of upgrading brakes, was hoping that for a first track day where I am unlikely to be pushing it to extreme, I could get by with the standard fairly new set that is on there.

Is this going to end in disaster, or is it likely to be fine if I don't push it too hard and have regular cool downs?

Anyone had successful track days using standard brakes??

Would simply changing the fluid to one with a higher boiling point be worth doing?

You'll be fine if you don't go crazy and are really sympathetic to the state of the brakes and tyres. These are the first to start complaining. Brakes go all soft and you'll lose confidence in them and tyres get squidgy/floaty, grip lowers siginficantly and they will then wear really fast. So, some warm up laps, a maybe 2 or 3 hot laps (depending on track) and then cool down, check everything and have a rest for a bit. Repeat until tyres are shagged.

Swapping the brakes and tyres will give you the ability to properly exercise the car and reveal it's full capabilities.

[shimmy]

I disagree, you will likely boil your brakes in 6 laps, especially at bedford and especially if you are going "easy" which normally results in less cooling and more brake hovering.


Minimum fluid and pad upgrade needed but even that may not be enough and you may well waste half the day.

[billyboysm3]

Personally, If you go to Bedford or Snetterton they are hard on brakes, if your new to track days then you might use the brake to much etc.

2 laps of Bedford GT or Snett and the below could happen.

You press the pedal at 120mph and the pedal goes to the floor and do not stop.

So, you get HEL braided hoses from Martin on here for about £85 ish
Set of RS29, say £400 +
Decent brake fluid £15

But it will not ruin your day or the car. OEM discs are fine.

You will always sell the RS29 even after 1 use for easily £300.

[Rick H]

I disagree, you will likely boil your brakes in 6 laps, especially at bedford and especially if you are going "easy" which normally results in less cooling and more brake hovering.


Minimum fluid and pad upgrade needed but even that may not be enough and you may well waste half the day.

I'd agree, the 325ci day was before my training with CAT so was braking like a lead footed "road" driver rather than a racing god (:clown:) so will have had an adverse effect on the system.

I remember lots of chatter and wobbling which ceased after cool down.

[Curly]

OK, brakes starting to concern me a little! Despite the obvious benefits of upgrading brakes, was hoping that for a first track day where I am unlikely to be pushing it to extreme, I could get by with the standard fairly new set that is on there.

Is this going to end in disaster, or is it likely to be fine if I don't push it too hard and have regular cool downs?

Anyone had successful track days using standard brakes??

Would simply changing the fluid to one with a higher boiling point be worth doing?

Fuchs (BM3w):whistle::hahaha: