Oulton Park First Timer
Discussion
Hi Oulton Park with TVRCC will be my first track day and I would really appretiate any advice on what to expect. Also I'am currently running on standard pads/discs (Chimaera) and thinking of upgrading both pads and discs prior to the track day. regarding the discs, should I go for grooved or drilled discs as I have heard that drilled discs tend to crack.
Thanks
Thanks
Never driven the place (passengered for a lap once) but have been going there for years, so I have a fairly decent idea. Firstly, it's VERY hilly, but quite smooth.
Cascades can catch you out if you go in too quick, and the grass on the exit is VERY rough, so you could take some chunks out of the bottom of the car if you have an off.
Watch on the exit of the Knickerbrook chicane, there is a fairly big rise in the track and a big bump where it rejoins the old circuit, can cause a big moment if you go in too quick.
Clay Hill is very steep, and the kink at the top is unsighted IIRC. I'm sure you've heard plenty about Druids, just treat it with respect, because if you get it wrong you WILL hit the barrier. Lodge is fairly straight forward, but again there's a big rise on the exit that gives a lot of people oversteer. Deer Leap is a hell of a lot steeper than it looks.
Basically, just treat it with respect. It's a very difficultbut rewarding circuit, but it does suffer from a lack of runoff in places.
Cascades can catch you out if you go in too quick, and the grass on the exit is VERY rough, so you could take some chunks out of the bottom of the car if you have an off.
Watch on the exit of the Knickerbrook chicane, there is a fairly big rise in the track and a big bump where it rejoins the old circuit, can cause a big moment if you go in too quick.
Clay Hill is very steep, and the kink at the top is unsighted IIRC. I'm sure you've heard plenty about Druids, just treat it with respect, because if you get it wrong you WILL hit the barrier. Lodge is fairly straight forward, but again there's a big rise on the exit that gives a lot of people oversteer. Deer Leap is a hell of a lot steeper than it looks.
Basically, just treat it with respect. It's a very difficultbut rewarding circuit, but it does suffer from a lack of runoff in places.
Oulton is a fantastic circuit, but one that I'd call a "commitment" circuit as many of the corners are blind, and you do need a lot of confidence in yourself and your car to go well there.
My advice would be:
a) get an instructor if you can, especially if this is your first track day as they should point out the best ways round the circuit, and also advise you on technique.
b) don't worry about being slow - take it easy to start with, and gradually build your speed as you get to know the circuit more and more.
Also, if you can, try to borrow a copy of the Autosport circuit guide beforehand - it will give you advice on how to take each corner, and give you pointers on braking/turn in points etc...
My advice would be:
a) get an instructor if you can, especially if this is your first track day as they should point out the best ways round the circuit, and also advise you on technique.
b) don't worry about being slow - take it easy to start with, and gradually build your speed as you get to know the circuit more and more.
Also, if you can, try to borrow a copy of the Autosport circuit guide beforehand - it will give you advice on how to take each corner, and give you pointers on braking/turn in points etc...
VINTY said:
Also I'am currently running on standard pads/discs (Chimaera) and thinking of upgrading both pads and discs prior to the track day. regarding the discs, should I go for grooved or drilled discs as I have heard that drilled discs tend to crack.
Have you got braided hoses fitted, bled through with new high dry boiling point fluid, such as Castrol SRF? Try pagid orange pads, which are also OK for street use, if a little noisy.
Most discs will warp or crack if they are one piece regardless of whether they're drilled or grooved. This tends to helpt eh gas built up from pad application to escape. You will need a seperate bell and rotor set up (i.e. the heat isn't transferred in the same way as per a conventional one peice disc). These still have problems with getting very hot unless you either duct them, or brake properly, i.e. get on the brakes VERY hard at the end of a straight, but not for long. Too many people are too soft on their brakes, or end up trail braking (whilst not needing to), hence overheating their pads and then boiling their fluid.
The other thing as has already been suggested is to make use of any instructors available, they will really help you out. Be humble.
Good luck.
PS just cos you have a fast car doesn't mean you will be the fastest on track, remember to pull to one side (after indicating) to let faster traffic through - although don't spend all day looking in your mirror either!!
I think furgus' advice on brakes may be a bit OTT if you're not intending to do lots of track days - standard brakes should be fine, and I'm not aware of drilled or vented disks being particularly prone to cracking.
One good way to avoid overheating your brakes is to limit your stints to shortish sessions (e.g., 15 minutes) to prevent them overheating and fading, and then always do a cool down lap before coming into the pits.
Cruise round reasonably slowly (keeping a look out for faster cars), and try not to brake too much.
Boiling fluid can often occur if you park up with hot brakes - the heat soaks up into the fluid which boils, and leaves you with no brakes when you head out next, even if you've left the car standing for a while - it's far more effective to do a cool down lap before coming in.
Also, when you do park up, don't use the handbrake - just leave it in gear. If you do use the handbrake, it can cause the disks to warp. Just remember it's in gear when you start the car up again!
One good way to avoid overheating your brakes is to limit your stints to shortish sessions (e.g., 15 minutes) to prevent them overheating and fading, and then always do a cool down lap before coming into the pits.
Cruise round reasonably slowly (keeping a look out for faster cars), and try not to brake too much.
Boiling fluid can often occur if you park up with hot brakes - the heat soaks up into the fluid which boils, and leaves you with no brakes when you head out next, even if you've left the car standing for a while - it's far more effective to do a cool down lap before coming in.
Also, when you do park up, don't use the handbrake - just leave it in gear. If you do use the handbrake, it can cause the disks to warp. Just remember it's in gear when you start the car up again!
hi vinty
you should expect a fantastic day with lots of like minded people!
of the 3 trackdays i've done, the TVRCC one was easily the best atmosphere and the best organised.
email / ask a more specific question here if u want more specifics - yes i can remember my first time!
totally standard road car will be fine, with the details the organisers ask for, you should be in a novices group whare most people are on their first or second track day.
Have fun, dean
you should expect a fantastic day with lots of like minded people!
of the 3 trackdays i've done, the TVRCC one was easily the best atmosphere and the best organised.
email / ask a more specific question here if u want more specifics - yes i can remember my first time!
totally standard road car will be fine, with the details the organisers ask for, you should be in a novices group whare most people are on their first or second track day.
Have fun, dean
ehasler said:
I think furgus' advice on brakes may be a bit OTT if you're not intending to do lots of track days - standard brakes should be fine, and I'm not aware of drilled or vented disks being particularly prone to cracking.
Ed,
I agree with everything you've said, but braided hoses, bled with decent fluid isn't really OTT in my opinion. Or am I being outrageous?!
Granted, an aftermarket bell and rotoe set-up is a chunk of cash, but is not always necessary anyway, depending upon your braking style (or lack of!) Cheers.
fergus said:Nope - braided hoses and decent fluid certainly isn't outrageous in anyone's book, but I would draw the line at bell and rotor setups!
Ed,
I agree with everything you've said, but braided hoses, bled with decent fluid isn't really OTT in my opinion. Or am I being outrageous?!
Having said all that, for a first track day - just go out and enjoy it. TVR's are supposed to be sports cars afterall. There is plenty of time for upgrades later if you think that you need it.
As Ed said - a cooling down lap with no braking
(travelling a little slower than usual is recommneded here) should keep everything in tip top condition and make sure that you're safe on your next session (or drive home).
I don't even use SRF fluid in the race car - it came with dot 5.1, and there has been no reason to change.
As Ed said - a cooling down lap with no braking
(travelling a little slower than usual is recommneded here) should keep everything in tip top condition and make sure that you're safe on your next session (or drive home). I don't even use SRF fluid in the race car - it came with dot 5.1, and there has been no reason to change.
I too am booked into TVR Track Day 14 Aug.
Did Castle Coombe in June with std 400 Chim. Didn't have any probs with brakes/tyres, shorter circuit, but not as smooth/straight as Oulton !!
New question: Will Track Day at Oulton include the Island Circuit ?? Or will it be Cascades then Knickerbrook chicane??
Tks
Trev McM
Did Castle Coombe in June with std 400 Chim. Didn't have any probs with brakes/tyres, shorter circuit, but not as smooth/straight as Oulton !!
New question: Will Track Day at Oulton include the Island Circuit ?? Or will it be Cascades then Knickerbrook chicane??
Tks
Trev McM
Last year it was the full circuit - 3 miles or so of total enjoyment! 
Re brakes: the sessions will be fairly short which combined with the advice to use the last lap as a cooling lap should mean standard brakes are fine. If you intend to push it pretty hard then you should consider Dot5.1 fluid (if you don't have it already) and fast road pads at least. Standard pads will probably get cooked and will never be quite the same again.
It is a fast circuit and can bite (it bit me last year!) Don't get drawn into driving faster than you are really comfortable with which is very easy to do when other cars are flying around or instructors are barking "power, power" when you feel you are already going fast enough! Oulton Park seems to attract some very fast drivers so don't be disappointed if you're not as fast as you would like to be.
I'm going too and I can't wait
Re brakes: the sessions will be fairly short which combined with the advice to use the last lap as a cooling lap should mean standard brakes are fine. If you intend to push it pretty hard then you should consider Dot5.1 fluid (if you don't have it already) and fast road pads at least. Standard pads will probably get cooked and will never be quite the same again.
It is a fast circuit and can bite (it bit me last year!) Don't get drawn into driving faster than you are really comfortable with which is very easy to do when other cars are flying around or instructors are barking "power, power" when you feel you are already going fast enough! Oulton Park seems to attract some very fast drivers so don't be disappointed if you're not as fast as you would like to be.
I'm going too and I can't wait
VINTY said:
Can't wait to get out there to see what the car and myself can acctually do.
Thanks again.
Vinty
I may be stating the obvious, but when you do the initial familiarization laps make a mental note of all the corners that have v. hard things nearby and those that would forgive a bit of exuberance!
andyvdg said:I agree with eveything that has been said here (again
I am wondering if it's your first track day why you want to upgrade the car at all ? I would have thought at Oulton park you would want to spend the whole day concentrating on learning the circuit rather than 10/10 braking ?
I'll be there again this year!
Cheers,
Andy.
). Brake fade is rarely a problem for light cars with big brakes. It is only the heavier saloons that can struggle. I don't think that Peter Wheeler would be very happy to hear that it is suggested that his cars can't hack it on the track. They are suppsed to be driven hard remember.
Also - no offence - but on a first track day it is unlikely that you will be going eleven tenths. Spend the money on instruction instead.
all IMVHO of course
Rich
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