Whoops - first track day - croft.

[ED209]

Whoops I appear to have got drunk last night and have booked a trackday in the mazda at croft circuit. I think on the 19th Oct I will probably go through the pearly gates backwards in a ball of flames.

Now i need to source a couple of helmets.

Anyone got any tips bearing in mind i am a total beginner.

[Chrisw666]

I have a brand new XL helmet that should be suitable if you're interested, velly cheap

[Defcon5]

You will be fine.

Just don't crash like I did the first time there

[djroadboy]

Watch some onboard vids on YouTube and if possible book some instruction for early in the day.

This would be a decent one to watch for lines and stuff as this guy is a pretty good driver and it's in an Mx5.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQiwf8BmCZs&fea...

HTH

Dan

Edited by djroadboy on Saturday 15th September 19:12

[Rick101]

Might try and get up to spectate.

[MonkeyHanger]

Don't go through the Jim Clark Esses sideways at a speed higher than recommended

Do use your "out" lap to warm everything up.

And don't end up in the field up at Tower Bend.....many have

Edited by MonkeyHanger on Saturday 15th September 19:53

[ttcool]

ED209 said:

Whoops I appear to have got drunk last night and have booked a trackday in the mazda at croft circuit. I think on the 19th Oct I will probably go through the pearly gates backwards in a ball of flames.

Now i need to source a couple of helmets.

Anyone got any tips bearing in mind i am a total beginner.

ED

Have you booked with Javelin Track Days for Saturday the 13th of October? I might be driving on that day. See you there is so, but you quote the 19th, so not sure if I have my dates mixed up.

Don't fret about the day's driving, it's more of a procession than a 'race' day, a bit of a badger parade!! Enjoy yourself and take it just seriously enough to stay safe!!

Make sure you have enough petrol with you and a few essentials. I always check my car over at home, in my own time beforehand.

Joe

[ED209]

Nah im booked in on a mx5 only day on 19th, this one

http://www.mazdaontrack.co.uk/croft-trackday---fri...

Is there anywhere to fill up if necessary at croft ? or alternatively do I take a jerry can and store it safely somewhere whilst we are on the track? Obviously i would start with a full tank and would hope it would last a day.

[ttcool]

ED209 said:

Nah im booked in on a mx5 only day on 19th, this one

http://www.mazdaontrack.co.uk/croft-trackday---fri...

Is there anywhere to fill up if necessary at croft ? or alternatively do I take a jerry can and store it safely somewhere whilst we are on the track? Obviously i would start with a full tank and would hope it would last a day.

There's nowhere at Croft Circuit itself to fill up. I started with a full tank of Shell V-power and took a jerry can filled with V-Power. I didn't use much from the jerry can. A lot depends how far you are away from the circuit to start with. Don't forget you have to drive home! It will be nice for you to be on circuit with all the same MX5 marque. Is Craig Hope involved in organizing this meet?

Joe

[Some Gump]

Advice? Easy!
On't think of it as a race track, think of it as a road with no oncoming traffic, and no police.
Do it tat way, and you'll not bend anything, and have a ball.

Other than that, don't take liberties at barcroft,respect the chicane, and don't go mad in the first session after lunch.

[Scrambled]

ttcool said:

There's nowhere at Croft Circuit itself to fill up. I started with a full tank of Shell V-power and took a jerry can filled with V-Power. I didn't use much from the jerry can. A lot depends how far you are away from the circuit to start with. Don't forget you have to drive home! It will be nice for you to be on circuit with all the same MX5 marque. Is Craig Hope involved in organizing this meet?

Joe

You do need jerry cans. Just leave the circuit, go the petro station a few minutes away, fill up, return.

If OP goes on his own, what is he supposed to do with the jerry cans? Leave them in the car park? You would be ill advised to carry them in the boot on circuit as well.

OP, take the first four or five laps easy to get used to the circuit and then if you are comfortable up the pace a bit at a time. Don't try to keep up with experienced people just because they get their lines right. First lap out each session warm the car through and do a cool down lap as well; but not at a snails pace.

Most of all, enjoy yourself.

[andy rob]

make sure you are flat from of tower corner all the way to sunny in, this does work unless you are drving a monster.

[ttcool]

Forgot to mention, my wife is always with me in her own car. That's where we keep the jerry can, hydraulic jack, tyre pressure gauge, electric tyre inflater/deflater, wheel bolt tool, spare wheel, torque wrench and engine oil (you could use more oil than usual on a track day) and my tool box; all essentials IMO.

It's possible to take out insurance, but where does the expense stop? The main areas of wear will be brake pads and tyre tread, even if you do not push. Main thing IMO is to make sure the car is fit for purpose beforehand and take it easy until you become more proficient. You'll find it can become addictive!!

Lots of pics and a write up, please.

Joe

[ED209]

ttcool said:

Forgot to mention, my wife is always with me in her own car. That's where we keep the jerry can, hydraulic jack, tyre pressure gauge, electric tyre inflater/deflater, wheel bolt tool, spare wheel, torque wrench and engine oil (you could use more oil than usual on a track day) and my tool box; all essentials IMO.

It's possible to take out insurance, but where does the expense stop? The main areas of wear will be brake pads and tyre tread, even if you do not push. Main thing IMO is to make sure the car is fit for purpose beforehand and take it easy until you become more proficient. You'll find it can become addictive!!

Lots of pics and a write up, please.

Joe

I think this will be the best plan, mrs in her car with a tow rope in case the mx5 breaks as well as the other stuff.

Due to my dad recently sticking some crap halfords alloys and nangkang ditchfinders on the car (against my wishes) i have a spare set of oem alloys with perfectly good dunlops on them i can ruin on track.

[Some Gump]

andy rob said:

make sure you are flat from of tower corner all the way to sunny in, this does work unless you are drving a monster.

Really? A sorted 944 turbo on p zero c's cant manage that feat, on normal road tyres, it'd be even sketchier!

[djroadboy]

Some Gump said:

andy rob said:

make sure you are flat from of tower corner all the way to sunny in, this does work unless you are drving a monster.

Really? A sorted 944 turbo on p zero c's cant manage that feat, on normal road tyres, it'd be even sketchier!

Pretty sure Andy's quote was mainly tongue in cheek but it is possible in a standard Mx5 on road tyres if you know what you're doing. Certainly wouldn't recommend it on your first track day.

I can't do it in my Elise on A048s (accelerating right through but not flat out) but maybe I just don't have the balls. Still doing ~110 mph through Barcroft though.

Dan

[andy rob]

djroadboy said:

Some Gump said:

andy rob said:

make sure you are flat from of tower corner all the way to sunny in, this does work unless you are drving a monster.

Really? A sorted 944 turbo on p zero c's cant manage that feat, on normal road tyres, it'd be even sketchier!

Pretty sure Andy's quote was mainly tongue in cheek but it is possible in a standard Mx5 on road tyres if you know what you're doing. Certainly wouldn't recommend it on your first track day.

I can't do it in my Elise on A048s (accelerating right through but not flat out) but maybe I just don't have the balls. Still doing ~110 mph through Barcroft though.

Dan

can in my XR2, just ! long lift in the falcon but no brakes, I think