Trackdays tips and tricks

[CaptainMorgan]

Thought it might be useful to share suggestions for handy things to take with you on track days or tricks/tips to make life easier.

I've only been on a few and tend to just turn up with the car, so I'm hoping to pick some tips from others but a couple I've learnt a couple.

If there's a chance of rain, get a garage! Particularly if there's a few of you, it's worth it just to have somewhere dry to sit when you have a break. Split between a few of you and it only costs a few quid. Also a fold out chair, always hand for any event, either chilling in the garage or going to watch some action from around the track. Last one I keep forgetting, take a tyre pump for monitoring and adjusting pressures.

Anything else I should be taking with me to make the day easier?

[brillomaster]

Get there early, and you can normally nab a free garage, or if not, ask nicely and someone will usually let you put some stuff in their garage.

Learn how to replace consumables like brake pads, and bring any tools that are specific to your car.

Take spare brake pads, engine oil, and brake fluid. Check the fluid levels at the start of the day, and then maybe again at lunch if your car uses oil.

Get a torque wrench, Check wheel nuts are correctly torqued before you start your day.

[Mr MXT]

Loads of flasks of hot water and tea making facilities. (Kettle if you have a garage)

[nick_dastardly]

TIPS
Make a to-do list, pack bag & prep car
Packed lunch/snacks good idea if burgers not your thing
Check fluids etc beforehand
Rotate tyres if unevenly worn
Fuel up before you get there (don't brim since it might leak out)
Premium fuel can make a difference
A small box with velcro base can keep valuables in footwell when on circuit
Tarp/bag/tray to keep non-valuables in the garage
Add a tether to any dash or windscreen mount to stop device flying off
Take a balaclava if renting a helmet
Arrive early
Avoid booking instructor first thing (since track will be busiest) and after lunch (where you might be sluggish)
Get a paper schedule at the briefing, since it'll be useful to refer to throughout the day

WHAT TO BRING
Usual tools
Tyre pressure gauge
Spare fluids
Wheel wrench/torque wrench
Chocks (useful if having to park on a slope)
Small, car-appropriate fire extinguisher (secured in cabin just in case)
Glass cleaner

Driver 61 does a good article https://driver61.com/resources/track-day-guide/
AMMO did a good video on similar topic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsMMPHMEtL0

[Rob_R]

Great advise so far.

I tend to bring a jack just so that I can get underneath my car.

It has come in handy the few times I've gone to the Ring. Luckily though, not with my car but with friend's cars.

Mentally, you always want to go to a track day with a clear head and with a focus to enjoy yourself. Not to set lap times and be obsessed with 'gapping' people.

People out on track will do stuff that will annoy you, it's best to just let it go until you get back to the pits. If they are driving dangerously and flouting the rules then report them, chances are that they'll do it to someone else. Then get on with enjoying the rest of your day. Anger doesn't tend to mix well with high-performance track driving.

Take some time out to wander around the pits and enjoy the other fun stuff. Check out people's machinery, have a chat with like-minded petrol heads. Relax in between sessions. It's about quality and not quantity.

[Steve H]

Book instruction.

#justcosIhaveavestedinterestdoesn’tmeanI’mwrong

[grumpy52]

Ask the local marshalls for feedback on your lines .
They are a huge store of knowledge having watched thousands of laps close up .
They can also give feedback on how your car behaves on track .
Donations of snacks , sweets, chocolate and drinks to the marshalls is always welcome and many clubs actively encourage it .
Baby wipes are always useful in your kit , ideal for cleaning hands , they are often better than the mechanics wipes and certainly much cheaper .

[BenLowden]

I've started a PH community track guide Wiki here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I brain dumped a load of stuff into there but feel free to add your own tips in too and make sure you add your username to the contributor list at the bottom if you do

[Bertrum]

Don’t rush out in the morning, take your time and wait until later in the day, usually people start to go home late afternoon so you can get the track to yourself.

If you get stuck in a group of cars, come in and go back out.

[JTN358AT]

Always have a tyre option available that is good in the wet, ideally A rated. Many people turn up to track days with only semi slicks. Fine, if it is definitely dry but often you can’t tell until the day. Track days are fun in the wet, and a great way to learn the car, but only if your tyres are up to it.

[E-bmw]

Similarly, I always drive to track wearing a-rated wet grip tyres on road wheels which is my wet & road set up with s/slicks on separate wheels in the back.

[Mr MXT]

JTN358AT said:

Always have a tyre option available that is good in the wet, ideally A rated. Many people turn up to track days with only semi slicks. Fine, if it is definitely dry but often you can’t tell until the day. Track days are fun in the wet, and a great way to learn the car, but only if your tyres are up to it.

I respectfully disagree - I've found semi slicks (Nankang AR1) are fine on a wet track day if you change your line to find the grip and drive with enough confidence to get heat into the tyres. They are absolutely terrible if you tentatively drive round on the dry line, as many do.

[ukkid35]

Get some driving boots, you don't have to spend a fortune, I paid £20 for some Sparco boots a few years ago

Get a lanyard for your keys, nothing worse than dropping your keys in someone else's car, especially if they go home

[kaese]

Bertrum said:

Don’t rush out in the morning, take your time and wait until later in the day, usually people start to go home late afternoon so you can get the track to yourself.

If you get stuck in a group of cars, come in and go back out.

Couldn't agree more - the worst / busiest times tend to be first thing in the morning, and immediately after lunch.

I tend to avoid the first 20 minutes of the day, and the first session after lunch. Save your energy and car for 3-5pm, when most people are packing up and heading home. Quietest time on track in my experience tends to be 4.30pm 'till chequered flag.

[Steve H]

^^^^^^^^ got to say that’s a lot less true than it’s old reputation.

Get straight out after sighting laps and you might see the clearest track of the day.

[ginettajoe]

Steve H said:

^^^^^^^^ got to say that’s a lot less true than it’s old reputation.

Get straight out after sighting laps and you might see the clearest track of the day.

......for one lap if you are lucky!!!

[Bright Halo]

I always leave it half an hour before going out, let’s the hot heads get it out of there system.

[E-bmw]

I suspect the "first 20 min" advice could be track specific.

I tend to use Cadwell/Blyton Park for most TDs & due to the nature of the places (relatively short/middle length lap & lost of technical sections) it seems that more often than not someone will stuff it on the first/second lap at either the entrance to the mountain (Cadwell) or Bunga Bunga (Blyton)

So I always arrive, sign on, empty car, attend briefing, do sighting laps and then come in for the time it takes for me to check wheels/tyres/fluids/suspension/harnesses etc and by then the first accident has happened & those doing the first 20 mins have overcooked their brakes & the track is much quieter for the next hour.