First Track Day
Discussion
Doing my first track day at Abingdon this Friday.
Just wondered if any of you more experienced people out there had any hints or tips for me?
Anything special I need to do the car? Or anything I need to take beyond the obvious helmet, licence etc?
What about noise - I have a bog standard Roadsport 125 with Sigma engine so am assuming it'll be fine (but I know I shouldn't assume anything!!)?
All help and advice gratefully appreciated.
Thanks
NGee
Just wondered if any of you more experienced people out there had any hints or tips for me?
Anything special I need to do the car? Or anything I need to take beyond the obvious helmet, licence etc?
What about noise - I have a bog standard Roadsport 125 with Sigma engine so am assuming it'll be fine (but I know I shouldn't assume anything!!)?
All help and advice gratefully appreciated.
Thanks
NGee
I generally take some basic tools, foot pump and oil with me when I go.
Take lessons, take it at your own pace. Let people quicker than you pass when safe. Pay attention at the safety briefing.
I stick with 15-20 mins on and 15 mins off, you may try the same, it keeps you from making mistakes when you get tired.
What is the noise limit? If it is around 100dB+ I think you should be fine.
Most importantly, have lots of fun!!
-FatVik
Take lessons, take it at your own pace. Let people quicker than you pass when safe. Pay attention at the safety briefing.
I stick with 15-20 mins on and 15 mins off, you may try the same, it keeps you from making mistakes when you get tired.
What is the noise limit? If it is around 100dB+ I think you should be fine.
Most importantly, have lots of fun!!
-FatVik
Easy out to warm the car up and easy in to allow it to cool.
Don't put your handbrake on after a session - your brakes may bind with the heat.
Take everything out of the boot to avoid things flying around inside and damaging the side-skin.
Mirrors well adjusted.
Identify nearest petrol station so you can fill-up during the day. Or take a fuel can.
Legs and arms covered.
Mostly it's common sense.
The Sigma 125 is IMHO a great place to start on track days from a performance point of view. I have the same car. You will want more power soon though.
Oh....and enjoy!
Don't put your handbrake on after a session - your brakes may bind with the heat.
Take everything out of the boot to avoid things flying around inside and damaging the side-skin.
Mirrors well adjusted.
Identify nearest petrol station so you can fill-up during the day. Or take a fuel can.
Legs and arms covered.
Mostly it's common sense.
The Sigma 125 is IMHO a great place to start on track days from a performance point of view. I have the same car. You will want more power soon though.
Oh....and enjoy!
Come and say hi. Red and Ali caterham on a trailer towed by silver BMW estate.
I take everything except the kitchen sink, so if you get stuck I am sure I can lend you a spanner or cable tie.
In terms of what to take. Steady, would be my answer. MSE run really good well behaved days. Be prepared for the track day bug to bite!
I take everything except the kitchen sink, so if you get stuck I am sure I can lend you a spanner or cable tie.
In terms of what to take. Steady, would be my answer. MSE run really good well behaved days. Be prepared for the track day bug to bite!
Don't think noise will be an issue with a standard Sigma, mine regularly recorded 91-92 dbs on the static test.
Take water and keep hydrated. Watch the lines others take but don't try and keep up with them just build up steadily and remember the car's ability is far greater than yours so enjoy feeling the extra grip.
Keep an eye on your mirrors and remember all overtaking is on the left so maybe adjust them to give better visibility on the left. Also everyone was a novice once so if you are lining up for a bend and another faster car comes up behind you, don't panic and think you have to move out of the way immediately. Complete your corner and move over when you have the chance. Most experienced drivers are courteous to recognise different levels of experience out there.
Enjoy the day and even if it rains, this is also good to get track time in. Just be smooth on all the inputs.
HTH
T
Take water and keep hydrated. Watch the lines others take but don't try and keep up with them just build up steadily and remember the car's ability is far greater than yours so enjoy feeling the extra grip.
Keep an eye on your mirrors and remember all overtaking is on the left so maybe adjust them to give better visibility on the left. Also everyone was a novice once so if you are lining up for a bend and another faster car comes up behind you, don't panic and think you have to move out of the way immediately. Complete your corner and move over when you have the chance. Most experienced drivers are courteous to recognise different levels of experience out there.
Enjoy the day and even if it rains, this is also good to get track time in. Just be smooth on all the inputs.
HTH
T
Having not long done my first track day at Cadwell I was given two bits of advice:
When you start to feel really confident, come in and have a rest. That's when you're most likely to make a mistake.
The best performance modification you can make is some driver training so if it's available, book a session.
I was a bit concerned I'd make a tit of myself but it was good fun and everyone was friendly and helpful. Mine was in an MX5, great fun but not enough power on the straights so a Caterham beckons.
When you start to feel really confident, come in and have a rest. That's when you're most likely to make a mistake.
The best performance modification you can make is some driver training so if it's available, book a session.
I was a bit concerned I'd make a tit of myself but it was good fun and everyone was friendly and helpful. Mine was in an MX5, great fun but not enough power on the straights so a Caterham beckons.
IF I'm there at all it won't be until the afternoon. Car needed a new bellhousing and Caterham delivered the part to the wrong address, so currently engine and gearbox still sat on the floor on the SPY unit. We'll see if I'm out this afternoon. Have fun and maybe see you this afternoon.
Had a great day today, learnt a lot and thoroughly enjoyed myself, .nice to meet some of you in person and would definitely recommend anyone who is thinking about a track day to go and get one booked!! Thanks for all your help and advice.
Noise was not a problem and car gave a reading of 97db
NGee
Noise was not a problem and car gave a reading of 97db
NGee
Murray993 said:
The limit on Friday was 98 
so you where quite close.
According to Motorsport-Events web site the limit was 100db and there were definitely a lot of cars there much nosier than mine! So I don't think anyone with a standard Sigma Roadsport should have anything to worry about. so you where quite close. NGee
Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I've just had my Sigma 125 noise tested at Goodwood.
I'm booked on a 98db day next month and as NGee was on 97, I thought I'd get my car checked before it was too late to do something.
At 5000rpm it was 93db, so well within the limit.
I've only done 1500 miles so the silencer is almost new, but 5db is a big difference between two cars of the same specification!
Duncan
I'm booked on a 98db day next month and as NGee was on 97, I thought I'd get my car checked before it was too late to do something.
At 5000rpm it was 93db, so well within the limit.
I've only done 1500 miles so the silencer is almost new, but 5db is a big difference between two cars of the same specification!
Duncan
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