setting up S1 for track day
Discussion
Ok, I have hired an elise before to do a track day but I now want to use my own. I understand I need better brakepads, possibly adjustible suspension, harnesses, and an open face helmet.
1.I understand you can fit a bar behind the seats to provide fixing for the belt. Are Willans good, where do I buy these? Is this the best fitting arrrangement?
2.Mintex pads, I have heard of but what should I choose
3.Suspension, I have seen some for £1000!!
Please can someone give me an idea which make are good. My pockets are not full of money and I will only do 5 tract days this year.
Track I am doing: le circuit Bugatti-Le Man, Circuit de Lurcy-Lévis, "Les Grands Cols" in the Alpes. All in France with Club LOTUS France.
1.I understand you can fit a bar behind the seats to provide fixing for the belt. Are Willans good, where do I buy these? Is this the best fitting arrrangement?
2.Mintex pads, I have heard of but what should I choose
3.Suspension, I have seen some for £1000!!
Please can someone give me an idea which make are good. My pockets are not full of money and I will only do 5 tract days this year.
Track I am doing: le circuit Bugatti-Le Man, Circuit de Lurcy-Lévis, "Les Grands Cols" in the Alpes. All in France with Club LOTUS France.
Other than good brakes and making sure your car is sound, you don't really need anything else. The Elise's abilities are very high as standard already.
Brake pads yes, because the original ones will fade with repetitive use. Recommend something like Pagid RS4-2.
And a helmet as required by the trackday organizers (but in most cases a cheap nike helmet will suffice).
Do a good service to your car: fresh oil, clean air filter and making sure the suspension is sound, tight and all good. Tyres are a consumable item so whenever you finish them go for good rubber like at least Toyos T1-R or if serious, Yokohama A048R.
Then slowly upgrade as things wear out and you need them.
Take somne oil with you to the track as you may find out that the Rover K engine drinks oil when pushed hard.
After many trackdays you may feel you want better shocks or your disks have worn (then change to alloy belled ones), but money better spent is on tuition. Pay for soem track instruction, and you will improve enormously!
As AC/DC said: For those about to track, we salute you!
Brake pads yes, because the original ones will fade with repetitive use. Recommend something like Pagid RS4-2.
And a helmet as required by the trackday organizers (but in most cases a cheap nike helmet will suffice).
Do a good service to your car: fresh oil, clean air filter and making sure the suspension is sound, tight and all good. Tyres are a consumable item so whenever you finish them go for good rubber like at least Toyos T1-R or if serious, Yokohama A048R.
Then slowly upgrade as things wear out and you need them.
Take somne oil with you to the track as you may find out that the Rover K engine drinks oil when pushed hard.
After many trackdays you may feel you want better shocks or your disks have worn (then change to alloy belled ones), but money better spent is on tuition. Pay for soem track instruction, and you will improve enormously!
As AC/DC said: For those about to track, we salute you!
Uldis is pretty much spot on other than the helmet IMHO you should get a good quality Arai full face. You only have one head so look after it...
I'm sure you will want to upgrade more and more in the future but its always best to do one thing at a time so you can learn how the car works.
I'm sure you will want to upgrade more and more in the future but its always best to do one thing at a time so you can learn how the car works.
Ooops, I just re-read it, I meant bike helmet 
As in your case, most people have already a bike helmet and that's what I meant to use.
But yes, good quality is always best, and for competition I would use the best.
Bear in mind that in a trackday you are not supposed to be competitive and should not be taking great risks but practicing and learning.
Contrary to the bike, if you get a turn wrong you're most likely to spin, not fall off so helmet or gloves or suit wouldn't be as critical.
Now, if you're going for the win, you'll need to be well preotected, and the helmet is only part of the kit.
See, in a trackday, if you're getting to a turn together with somebody else, and you see a conflict in lines, you should let him pass, nothing to win there.
Doing that, you're already bringing down the risks...
As in your case, most people have already a bike helmet and that's what I meant to use.
But yes, good quality is always best, and for competition I would use the best.
Bear in mind that in a trackday you are not supposed to be competitive and should not be taking great risks but practicing and learning.
Contrary to the bike, if you get a turn wrong you're most likely to spin, not fall off so helmet or gloves or suit wouldn't be as critical.
Now, if you're going for the win, you'll need to be well preotected, and the helmet is only part of the kit.
See, in a trackday, if you're getting to a turn together with somebody else, and you see a conflict in lines, you should let him pass, nothing to win there.
Doing that, you're already bringing down the risks...
uldis said:
See, in a trackday, if you're getting to a turn together with somebody else, and you see a conflict in lines, you should let him pass, nothing to win there.
Doing that, you're already bringing down the risks...
Easier said than done when your not in the car. Usually that little red devil comes out and sits on your shoulder shouting 'take him! take him!'
ayjay said:
don't forget braided brake hoses with your new pads... no point in keeping going with those nasty rubber jobs!
Hmmm, braided brake hoses are a bit like Marmite, a love 'em or hate 'em kind of thing. Quite a few of the guys on seloc who do sprints and other motorsport don't use them as they make the brakes less forgiving and more likely to lock up. The upside being that they remove some sponginess from the pedal.
Agree with Uldis - just put Pagids on, the difference is tremendous. The standard car is plenty of fun, I would only bother with other stuff when you're sure. Braided hoses might be nice, but not required IMHO. I'm sure plenty of people will warn you that continuous upgrading is an expensive and addictive process! I wouldn't even recommend stickier tyres - it will just show up the softness in the suspension and put more strain on it, and isn't necessarily more fun.
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