Discussion
I know this should really go in the Trackdays forum, but I thought I'd rather get some Vette-specific thoughts from you guys...
I'm thinking of doing a trackday this year in the C6. I've done a fair amount of outdoor karting and a few single-seater days at Thruxton a very long time ago, but never taken a road car on track. I'm not planning on shaving the last few 10ths off my lap-times or riding every kerb, just having a bit of fun.
With that in mind, I have a few questions:
- If I'm only driving at 9/10ths, will I be OK with standard whees/tyres/pads (tyres will be due for replacement later this year so could be a fitting swansong)
- Do trackdays allow convertibles without roll-bars/cages?
- Do you guys tape over or remove number plates? (just thinking about evidence falling into the wrong hands!)
- Do trackday organisers really check helmets? (I've seen loads of stuff about needing SA2005, etc)
- What do you guys do about insurance?
- Anything else I might have forgotten...
Ta,
Gary
I'm thinking of doing a trackday this year in the C6. I've done a fair amount of outdoor karting and a few single-seater days at Thruxton a very long time ago, but never taken a road car on track. I'm not planning on shaving the last few 10ths off my lap-times or riding every kerb, just having a bit of fun.
With that in mind, I have a few questions:
- If I'm only driving at 9/10ths, will I be OK with standard whees/tyres/pads (tyres will be due for replacement later this year so could be a fitting swansong)
- Do trackdays allow convertibles without roll-bars/cages?
- Do you guys tape over or remove number plates? (just thinking about evidence falling into the wrong hands!)
- Do trackday organisers really check helmets? (I've seen loads of stuff about needing SA2005, etc)
- What do you guys do about insurance?
- Anything else I might have forgotten...
Ta,
Gary
Godzilla should be the best to ask on this topic I think.
All the trackdays I have done in mine were either here on the Isle of Man or in Dubai where they are more "relaxed" about such things.
Standard tyres, brakes etc should be fine for 9/10ths driving, you'll just have to modulate things if you get brake fade etc
All the trackdays I have done in mine were either here on the Isle of Man or in Dubai where they are more "relaxed" about such things.
Standard tyres, brakes etc should be fine for 9/10ths driving, you'll just have to modulate things if you get brake fade etc
I'd be tempted to upgrade the pads. Not just for fade resitance but for durability. I don't know about the C6, but it's surprising how quickly most standard pads wear once used on the track. You'll probably be fine for the first few sessions, but as your confidence grows I would expect them to fade quite rapidly, unless you force yourself to come in every 4-5 laps (which is very difficult to do once you're in the groove!) and let them rest.
Tyres will be fine - the hard rft sidewalls will not roll over. You won't get the same grip level as a trackday tyre, but I wouldn't expect them to delaminate/breakup.
I think that the roll bar/cage is dependant on track day organiser. I expect that a full face helmet will be mandatory for all though.
My helmet has never been checked in 10+ track outings.
I've never driven one of my own cars on the track that would be an issue to me should I write it off, so insurance has depended on whether I could afford it at the time (when I was a student...).
With something like a new vette I'd be inclined to buy some insurance.
As said above I'm sure that David will give you a more accurate response.
Tyres will be fine - the hard rft sidewalls will not roll over. You won't get the same grip level as a trackday tyre, but I wouldn't expect them to delaminate/breakup.
I think that the roll bar/cage is dependant on track day organiser. I expect that a full face helmet will be mandatory for all though.
My helmet has never been checked in 10+ track outings.
I've never driven one of my own cars on the track that would be an issue to me should I write it off, so insurance has depended on whether I could afford it at the time (when I was a student...).
With something like a new vette I'd be inclined to buy some insurance.
As said above I'm sure that David will give you a more accurate response.
Good advice from all so far!
I would also suggest going with Goldtrack for your first outing. Sensible drivers, with nice machinery & mutual respect. Maybe Silverstone GP circuit for your first outing, and definitely book an instructor for your first session, as this will lessen the load on your brakes/tyres. He/she will show you how to carry speed, reducing the need for unnecessarily heavy braking.
I would also suggest going with Goldtrack for your first outing. Sensible drivers, with nice machinery & mutual respect. Maybe Silverstone GP circuit for your first outing, and definitely book an instructor for your first session, as this will lessen the load on your brakes/tyres. He/she will show you how to carry speed, reducing the need for unnecessarily heavy braking.
Edited by roughrider on Thursday 2nd April 13:34
- If I'm only driving at 9/10ths, will I be OK with standard whees/tyres/pads (tyres will be due for replacement later this year so could be a fitting swansong)
You'll need to drive within the limits of those things. Brakes will probably be the first weakness,
- Do trackdays allow convertibles without roll-bars/cages?
Think so - normally they specify that you must have the roof up and wear a helmet...
- Do you guys tape over or remove number plates? (just thinking about evidence falling into the wrong hands!)
I don't/don't see it done that often, up to you
- Do trackday organisers really check helmets? (I've seen loads of stuff about needing SA2005, etc)
Never seen it done in detail - as long as you have one on I think you'll be okay by their checks
- What do you guys do about insurance?
Either be prepared for a full loss, just take the risk or try someone like Competition car Insurance in Nottingham - they insure by level of insurance of cover for the day.
- Anything else I might have forgotten...
Don't forget to take docs like your driving license, and if applicable, your MOT certificate etc.
PS You may need to tape up your lights in case of breakage.
You'll need to drive within the limits of those things. Brakes will probably be the first weakness,
- Do trackdays allow convertibles without roll-bars/cages?
Think so - normally they specify that you must have the roof up and wear a helmet...
- Do you guys tape over or remove number plates? (just thinking about evidence falling into the wrong hands!)
I don't/don't see it done that often, up to you
- Do trackday organisers really check helmets? (I've seen loads of stuff about needing SA2005, etc)
Never seen it done in detail - as long as you have one on I think you'll be okay by their checks
- What do you guys do about insurance?
Either be prepared for a full loss, just take the risk or try someone like Competition car Insurance in Nottingham - they insure by level of insurance of cover for the day.
- Anything else I might have forgotten...
Don't forget to take docs like your driving license, and if applicable, your MOT certificate etc.
PS You may need to tape up your lights in case of breakage.
IMO for a serious trackday outing in a road car you can budget about £1,000 for wear and tear on tyres and brakes. The Corvette is a fairly heavy car (light for its size but still heavy for track work) and will use a set of front brakes quite quickly in a heavy work-out. At least your tyres are coming up for a change so you won't have too much cost in that department. Remember they need to remain legal for your drive home afterwards!
roughrider said:
Good advice from all so far!
I would also suggest going with Goldtrack for your first outing. Sensible drivers, with nice machinery & mutual respect. Maybe Silverstone GP circuit for your first outing, and definitely book an instructor for your first session, as this will lessen the load on your brakes/tyres. He/she will show you how to carry speed, reducing the need for unnecessarily heavy braking.
How was your track day on 30th?I would also suggest going with Goldtrack for your first outing. Sensible drivers, with nice machinery & mutual respect. Maybe Silverstone GP circuit for your first outing, and definitely book an instructor for your first session, as this will lessen the load on your brakes/tyres. He/she will show you how to carry speed, reducing the need for unnecessarily heavy braking.
Edited by roughrider on Thursday 2nd April 13:34
Hi James. Only did a 20 minute outing as my brother was with me & he got called into work. I can say that for some reason, the 2008 chassis is remarkably improved over the 2007 i had. No understeer, perfect tyre usage, more predictable/stable on turn-in, and better change of direction! Whether it was just a quirk of my particular car or not, i'll never know. My brother was shocked at how much force 1.2g creates, especially when sat in an American armchair 
These are an incredible piece of engineering!
Craner Curves tomorrow, wowee!
These are an incredible piece of engineering!
Craner Curves tomorrow, wowee!
5 USA said:
IMO for a serious trackday outing in a road car you can budget about £1,000 for wear and tear on tyres and brakes. The Corvette is a fairly heavy car (light for its size but still heavy for track work) and will use a set of front brakes quite quickly in a heavy work-out. At least your tyres are coming up for a change so you won't have too much cost in that department. Remember they need to remain legal for your drive home afterwards!
Good point, but it is actually the lightest car in the category! EBC front discs & yellow stuff pads for under 350 quid.Hi Gary, sorry a bit tardy replying to this!
I would absolutely agree with the suggestion you get an instructor for the first session, the single best upgrade anyone can make.
You should be fine with everything else. It's only your first road car track day, so just take it easy and enjoy yourself, the car is more than capable.
The weakest links on any road car are the brake pads and fluid. If you think you might be driving hard, look at changing the brake fluid for a higher temp competition one like Motul RB600.
You should have no issues with roof, helmet or plates with the vast majority of trackday organisers.
BTW, my preferred venue for testing the limits of a new car is Bedford Autodrome. Big run-offs in the main and no barriers.
I'm going there with Trackdays (www.trackdays.co.uk) on the 27th April.
Gives me 18 days to run-in the new Datsun, which should be plenty...
I would absolutely agree with the suggestion you get an instructor for the first session, the single best upgrade anyone can make.
You should be fine with everything else. It's only your first road car track day, so just take it easy and enjoy yourself, the car is more than capable.
The weakest links on any road car are the brake pads and fluid. If you think you might be driving hard, look at changing the brake fluid for a higher temp competition one like Motul RB600.
You should have no issues with roof, helmet or plates with the vast majority of trackday organisers.
BTW, my preferred venue for testing the limits of a new car is Bedford Autodrome. Big run-offs in the main and no barriers.
I'm going there with Trackdays (www.trackdays.co.uk) on the 27th April.
Gives me 18 days to run-in the new Datsun, which should be plenty...
Well, my lovely girlfriend gave me a Thruxton "personal instruction" session for my Birthday - an hour in my car on a virtually deserted track with an instructor. Good timing as my standard exhaust should walk the 90db (!) noise limit, whereas the one I'm going to order most certainly won't!
Think I'll treat myself to a shiny new helmet - the bike helmet I used to use for karting is a bit long in the tooth (just realised it's over 20 years old!)
Think I'll treat myself to a shiny new helmet - the bike helmet I used to use for karting is a bit long in the tooth (just realised it's over 20 years old!)
GW65 said:
Well, my lovely girlfriend gave me a Thruxton "personal instruction" session for my Birthday - an hour in my car on a virtually deserted track with an instructor. Good timing as my standard exhaust should walk the 90db (!) noise limit, whereas the one I'm going to order most certainly won't!
Think I'll treat myself to a shiny new helmet - the bike helmet I used to use for karting is a bit long in the tooth (just realised it's over 20 years old!)
Yeah watch out for that! Getting the trackday bug whilst getting a loud exhaust is not the best plan...Think I'll treat myself to a shiny new helmet - the bike helmet I used to use for karting is a bit long in the tooth (just realised it's over 20 years old!)
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