Folembray + Tyres...
Discussion
I'm taking on Folembray, but it's my first trackday.
I've got almost new bridgestone S03's on the car.
Am I likely to completely trash a complete set of tyres on the day? (bearing in mind I'll be taking it easy as I've not done this before....)
So do I need to bring spare tyres / brake pads, or is this overkill?
I've got almost new bridgestone S03's on the car.
Am I likely to completely trash a complete set of tyres on the day? (bearing in mind I'll be taking it easy as I've not done this before....)
So do I need to bring spare tyres / brake pads, or is this overkill?
It's doubtful you'll kill the tyres in one trackday unless you're a complete loon. You will get some noticeable wear though, probably most on the nearside front tyre but I wouldn't think it's going to be a problem.
I've just posted on the Folembrey is go thread about my rears - it's looking like it's going to be a warm dry trackday so even if you have fairly worn tyres you should be OK - you won't need the tread pattern (hopefully).
However, I would check you're brake pads to ensure they've got enough left for the weekend.
cheers,
Mike.
I've just posted on the Folembrey is go thread about my rears - it's looking like it's going to be a warm dry trackday so even if you have fairly worn tyres you should be OK - you won't need the tread pattern (hopefully).
However, I would check you're brake pads to ensure they've got enough left for the weekend.
cheers,
Mike.
Tyre wear depends on alot of things such as driver style, weather conditions, track condition and surface etc.
If you hoon about spinning the wheels and power sliding through every corner then you will quite easily do a set of tyres on the day, and if it's dry you're far more likely to see significant tyre wear. If it's wet you'll see very little wear at all.
I would have thought if your tyres are new (hopefully run in a bit to take the top surface off) then you'll be fine.
If you take a road tyre down beyond the thread you will come to a nasty compound that looks slick but offers absolutely no grip at all and it'll be like driving on an ice rink!
It's probably also worth remembering that track days can be tough on tyres and if any of your current tyres have a defect, it'll certainly be obvious by the end of the day If you're lucky)
. Quite rare these days, but it can happen. Check for meat on your brake pads, bring spare brake fluid, engine oil, spare pads if your are anywhere near low, sticky tape, and someone will probably have a foot pump on the day.
Oh, and bringing a big grin is mandatory
If you hoon about spinning the wheels and power sliding through every corner then you will quite easily do a set of tyres on the day, and if it's dry you're far more likely to see significant tyre wear. If it's wet you'll see very little wear at all.
I would have thought if your tyres are new (hopefully run in a bit to take the top surface off) then you'll be fine.
If you take a road tyre down beyond the thread you will come to a nasty compound that looks slick but offers absolutely no grip at all and it'll be like driving on an ice rink!
It's probably also worth remembering that track days can be tough on tyres and if any of your current tyres have a defect, it'll certainly be obvious by the end of the day If you're lucky)
. Quite rare these days, but it can happen. Check for meat on your brake pads, bring spare brake fluid, engine oil, spare pads if your are anywhere near low, sticky tape, and someone will probably have a foot pump on the day. Oh, and bringing a big grin is mandatory
quote:
If you take a road tyre down beyond the thread you will come to a nasty compound that looks slick but offers absolutely no grip at all and it'll be like driving on an ice rink!
Not at all. I drove all the way back from Prague with slicks on the back of my Merc, and there was an unbelievable amount of grip there. Luckily I didn't hit any wet roads until 5 miles from home. Then it was like driving on ice, but then purpose designed slicks are like that
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sounds like I'll be ok then. I've ordered new pads and will pick up some brake fluid too. Tyres are nicely scrubbed but otherwise new.
You shouldn't need to top up your brake fluid during the day. You may need to bleed a few drops out if you boil it, but I'd be surprised if you did that on your first track day.
However, it's worth making sure that the fluid in your brakes is pretty fresh before you go. Even the fluids that say that they aren't hydroscopic will soak up some water over time, and that will lower the boiling point of your fluid significantly.
I'll have my usual selection of bits and bobs with me, so if you run into any trouble, give me a shout and we can probably sort something out. It's odd. I used to turn up to a track day with a tyre pressure gauge and a pump. Since I started racing, I feel naked if I don't have a complete boot full of tools and spares with me
James
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Not at all. I drove all the way back from Prague with slicks on the back of my Merc, and there was an unbelievable amount of grip there. Luckily I didn't hit any wet roads until 5 miles from home. Then it was like driving on ice, but then purpose designed slicks are like that
Now you tell me!!!! I became overcome with paranoia this morning, to the point that I actually went and checked the rears twice before breakfast. I eventually decided to be cautious and whipped the wheels off and left them at the local tyre fitters (pick them up tonight).
When I've looked at the tread depth before it's been lowest in the centre but looked to be just on the wear bars (i.e down to 1.6mm). Well when I took the wheels off this morning and rolled them across the garage floor I realised that in some places the central tread was virtually non-existant now. So I thought to myself "well done you made the right decision to change them" - that is until I came in this morning are saw this post
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So I thought to myself "well done you made the right decision to change them" - that is until I came in this morning are saw this post
You should have asked earlier
Actually, if they were as worn as you say, there's a good chance you'd have got through to the steel belting by the end of the track day, and that has very poor grip characteristics
Hmm well last minute as usual, but I'm up to scratch with spare brake fluid / pads and RAC European Cover.
Booka track seems to be down and I'm still considering getting insurance. Whats the general consensus among those going - is it worth spending 200 quid to cover the car, or do most of you not bother and plan very carefully on staying out of the armco?
>> Edited by mr_tony on Thursday 12th September 16:14
Booka track seems to be down and I'm still considering getting insurance. Whats the general consensus among those going - is it worth spending 200 quid to cover the car, or do most of you not bother and plan very carefully on staying out of the armco?
>> Edited by mr_tony on Thursday 12th September 16:14
quote:
ban cameras from the circuit (wink wink)
JimboCam will be in attendence on Saturday (www.jimbocam.com) and I will have MattCam clamped to my Elise too so be aware that any gooning through/around/over armco et al will be plastered all over the net faster than you can say "lift off oversteer". LOL
Seriously I don't actually think there is any armco to hit - I've not been before but the BaT boys have told me its a nice flowing circuit with good visability and runoff so there shouldn't be any problems. But don't forget just because you aren't planning on hitting anything, if something or someone hits you, you have to pay for the damage to your car (ie. track insurance doesnt work like road insurance).
So take it easy and lets have fun! I've got friday off work so see you guys at Dover! If not see you in the bar!
It's generally a good idea to make sure that your insurance covers you. Especially if any damage to the car may be expensive to fix.
If it's your first track day, you _should_ be taking it easy, and driving well within your limitations, so an accident should be fairly unlikely. In a letter to the current issue of Circuit Driver, Jonny Leroux said that only a tiny proportion of accidents on Bookatrack track days involve novices. It's usually idiots like me with our race licences and cocky attitude who cause the trouble
James
If it's your first track day, you _should_ be taking it easy, and driving well within your limitations, so an accident should be fairly unlikely. In a letter to the current issue of Circuit Driver, Jonny Leroux said that only a tiny proportion of accidents on Bookatrack track days involve novices. It's usually idiots like me with our race licences and cocky attitude who cause the trouble
James
quote:
Seriously I don't actually think there is any armco to hit - I've not been before but the BaT boys have told me its a nice flowing circuit with good visability and runoff so there shouldn't be any problems.
Just watch that £$%^&*% chicane on the back of the circuit.
Sorry, couldn't stay silent any longer, I'M JEALOUS!!!!! Hope you guys have a great time though. I'll just have to put up with running-in and watching the GTs and Tuscans at Thruxton
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