Track day Etiquette
Discussion
I backed off and it was all good fun, but I thought this was approaching the limits of acceptability on a track day.
What do you think?
https://youtu.be/MHhv5KVK32o
What do you think?
https://youtu.be/MHhv5KVK32o
Yes that was my first thought too, I know how poor the mirrors are in track cars with all the vibration, there was a lot more blocking on track though to make me realise that he was certainly aware of me being there, or if not he should have been.
Anyway I chose to keep well clear, it’s never worth risking an accident, so no harm done.
Anyway I chose to keep well clear, it’s never worth risking an accident, so no harm done.
Tobermory said:
I backed off and it was all good fun, but I thought this was approaching the limits of acceptability on a track day.
What do you think?
https://youtu.be/MHhv5KVK32o
To me, looks like Caterham has tunnel vision forwardWhat do you think?
https://youtu.be/MHhv5KVK32o
I'd probably have a friendly word in the pits - then again I don't do track days for this kind of reason, too expensive and too many idiots!
You were in the wrong car.
Should’ve been in a Clio or something sensible then you wouldn’t have this trouble
In all seriousness, many drivers on track don’t pay any attention to their mirrors and even I in my humble car have this problem occasionally. Just be patient and wait for a sensible opportunity even though it is annoying.
Obviously, you are in a very quick car and will come across this all the time but unfortunately for you, there are more slow to medium paced cars on a track day, people enjoying themselves and not rarely paying attention to the few faster cars that are out there.
Maybe restrict yourself to more focused days for your vehicle?
As for having a word with the guy in the pits, the etiquette is to speak to the organisers who are always very helpful and will have a quiet word in their ear.
Should’ve been in a Clio or something sensible then you wouldn’t have this trouble
In all seriousness, many drivers on track don’t pay any attention to their mirrors and even I in my humble car have this problem occasionally. Just be patient and wait for a sensible opportunity even though it is annoying.
Obviously, you are in a very quick car and will come across this all the time but unfortunately for you, there are more slow to medium paced cars on a track day, people enjoying themselves and not rarely paying attention to the few faster cars that are out there.
Maybe restrict yourself to more focused days for your vehicle?
As for having a word with the guy in the pits, the etiquette is to speak to the organisers who are always very helpful and will have a quiet word in their ear.
In the second example, it might've been better for you to stay on line and give yourself a really good exit onto the Wellington straight so you'd be alongside the Caterham long before the following corner. I do this in situations where I'm faster over an entire lap but the car in front is faster on straights - if I secure a much better corner exit (and therefore am closing on the car as we begin the straight) they are more likely to let you past.
These situations can be frustrating on track (especially when it's always the same offenders) but just keep calm, find some space if you feel it's getting dangerous
These situations can be frustrating on track (especially when it's always the same offenders) but just keep calm, find some space if you feel it's getting dangerous
Tobermory said:
All good advice, thanks.
(Mind you the F40LM that was at the last track day probably felt the same about me, he was flying into the corners with all that downforce!)
Well done for taking the advice and critique on the chin. Have seen a few of these threads where the OP is at best 50/50 in the right and has a full on f(Mind you the F40LM that was at the last track day probably felt the same about me, he was flying into the corners with all that downforce!)
king melt down when they are told as such.As an aside, how is the Mono? I am extremely jealous!
Too many folk in fast cars have a manner that suggests others should get out of the way immediately as they approach, which is as rude as blocking for 2 or 3 corners.
Caterhams have pretty poor visibility too, both restricted and blurred from vibrations.
Everyone should chill and behave.
Caterhams have pretty poor visibility too, both restricted and blurred from vibrations.
Everyone should chill and behave.
I always like to err on the side of caution, and really be sure people are aware / letting me past.
Everybody has slightly different perceptions on a track day. If anything I may sometimes be too hesitant, as even if someone is off line I sometimes prefer to wait for a proper signal.
This video of mine from Snetterton on Wednesday is probably a good example of the two extremes.
The Exige in front of me felt comfortable overtaking well into what I'd considered to be the braking zone. I would never have considered doing that. I on the other hand was reluctant to pass after the bomb hole, even though the MX5 was clearly off line to the right. The straight is short, and I didn't want to risk them moving across if they were off line for some other reason.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imkhuvwNI_k
Everybody has slightly different perceptions on a track day. If anything I may sometimes be too hesitant, as even if someone is off line I sometimes prefer to wait for a proper signal.
This video of mine from Snetterton on Wednesday is probably a good example of the two extremes.
The Exige in front of me felt comfortable overtaking well into what I'd considered to be the braking zone. I would never have considered doing that. I on the other hand was reluctant to pass after the bomb hole, even though the MX5 was clearly off line to the right. The straight is short, and I didn't want to risk them moving across if they were off line for some other reason.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imkhuvwNI_k
Paul_M3 said:
I always like to err on the side of caution, and really be sure people are aware / letting me past.
Everybody has slightly different perceptions on a track day. If anything I may sometimes be too hesitant, as even if someone is off line I sometimes prefer to wait for a proper signal.
This video of mine from Snetterton on Wednesday is probably a good example of the two extremes.
The Exige in front of me felt comfortable overtaking well into what I'd considered to be the braking zone. I would never have considered doing that. I on the other hand was reluctant to pass after the bomb hole, even though the MX5 was clearly off line to the right. The straight is short, and I didn't want to risk them moving across if they were off line for some other reason.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imkhuvwNI_k
That guy was driving beyond his skill set. The fact he is off line and totally blows through the corner speaks volumes. Unnecessary overtake. Everybody has slightly different perceptions on a track day. If anything I may sometimes be too hesitant, as even if someone is off line I sometimes prefer to wait for a proper signal.
This video of mine from Snetterton on Wednesday is probably a good example of the two extremes.
The Exige in front of me felt comfortable overtaking well into what I'd considered to be the braking zone. I would never have considered doing that. I on the other hand was reluctant to pass after the bomb hole, even though the MX5 was clearly off line to the right. The straight is short, and I didn't want to risk them moving across if they were off line for some other reason.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imkhuvwNI_k
JP__FOX said:
Yes he should have moved over on the straight but you did try to overtake him on the outside as he was exiting a corner and then on the inside as he was turning into a corner. I'd have been expecting him to go exactly where he did and there's meant to be no overtaking in corners?
geeks said:
Tobermory said:
All good advice, thanks.
(Mind you the F40LM that was at the last track day probably felt the same about me, he was flying into the corners with all that downforce!)
Well done for taking the advice and critique on the chin. Have seen a few of these threads where the OP is at best 50/50 in the right and has a full on f(Mind you the F40LM that was at the last track day probably felt the same about me, he was flying into the corners with all that downforce!)
king melt down when they are told as such.As an aside, how is the Mono? I am extremely jealous!
There's usually fault on both sides as has been pointed out, best not to be too high and mighty about it.The Mono is incredible, I've had Caterham's and various 'sporty' cars before but the Mono is on a completely different level, it's hard to imagine how it is road legal. The defining thing is the feeling that all the weight (and there's not much of it) is in the centre of the car where you are, and the drivetrain with the pneumatic sequential box is just savage. There's no roll of course and masses of grip even without resorting to slicks.
I'm very much still on the learning curve with it but you get masses of feedback which makes it a great tool to improve your technique.
The designers wisely chose not to give it lots of downforce so it is way more accessible to non-pro drivers than an F3 car which is essentially what it is otherwise.
New they're pretty pricy and they rarely come up for sale used, but if you get the chance to own one snap it up, you won't regret it.
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff