Newbie question - Hot Track Day Attire
Discussion
Got my first ever track day coming up next week at Bedford (was advised to do Bedford first as apparently lots of run off!) and just seen that the weather forecast is predicting close to 30 Degrees!
I've looked through the documents that were sent to me as part of booking it and it states that Long Sleeves and Trousers that cover your legs are required. (i.e no shorts and t-shirt - I understand the safety aspects to it etc.)
Just wondering if they have some leeway for this on hotter days like this or if I should expect to loose some weight through sweating on the day?!
I'll pack for both eventualities, just seeing if anyone has any experience on this as I don't have anyone else to ask - Everyone else I know that do track days do them on motorbikes - so their obviously in full leathers etc.
TIA!
I've looked through the documents that were sent to me as part of booking it and it states that Long Sleeves and Trousers that cover your legs are required. (i.e no shorts and t-shirt - I understand the safety aspects to it etc.)
Just wondering if they have some leeway for this on hotter days like this or if I should expect to loose some weight through sweating on the day?!
I'll pack for both eventualities, just seeing if anyone has any experience on this as I don't have anyone else to ask - Everyone else I know that do track days do them on motorbikes - so their obviously in full leathers etc.
TIA!
Steve's right, and while they do sometimes allow a little leeway, you cannot rely on it, so go prepared. And try not to wear synthetic fabrics.
Whilst I am here:
Are you in a tin top or open top car? You need a full face helmet if the latter, but you will at least have God's airconditioning.
You will be expected to keep your windows nearly closed as well, to stop your arms flailing around outside the car and getting crushed in the rare event that you roll the car.
Enjoy, do short max 15-20 minutes sessions on track and make sure you watch your car's cooling, brakes etc through the day. Unlike on the road, you are on full throttle or full brakes m,uch of the time you are on track. And if the brakes start to feel spongy, come into the pits immediately, don't wait to see if it improves, as you may be only half a lap from boiling the brake fluid and losing all braking - been there, had a code brown turning into a bend at 120 mph.
Whilst I am here:
Are you in a tin top or open top car? You need a full face helmet if the latter, but you will at least have God's airconditioning.
You will be expected to keep your windows nearly closed as well, to stop your arms flailing around outside the car and getting crushed in the rare event that you roll the car.
Enjoy, do short max 15-20 minutes sessions on track and make sure you watch your car's cooling, brakes etc through the day. Unlike on the road, you are on full throttle or full brakes m,uch of the time you are on track. And if the brakes start to feel spongy, come into the pits immediately, don't wait to see if it improves, as you may be only half a lap from boiling the brake fluid and losing all braking - been there, had a code brown turning into a bend at 120 mph.
Thanks for the reply guys, I'm in an enclosed car but have a full face helmet anyways so should be good, car is totally stock as well so hopefully they'll let me wear short sleeves! I'll have to make sure that I have the air con blasting!
The day is apparently in sessions anyways, so hopefully wont get too carried away with it, got some instruction booked for the day as well to help me get to grips with it all - Looking forward to it!
The day is apparently in sessions anyways, so hopefully wont get too carried away with it, got some instruction booked for the day as well to help me get to grips with it all - Looking forward to it!
Everything that has been said above.
Make sure you pack and wear your lightest loosest trousers. The longsleeved T-shirt needs to be thin and comfortable.
I did Thruxton yesterday in an enclosed car and wore the above and was still hot even with the windows cracked open 2 inches all round. It was only a warm day, not hot!
A slight regret that I’ve binned the air conditioning on my car.
Make sure you pack and wear your lightest loosest trousers. The longsleeved T-shirt needs to be thin and comfortable.
I did Thruxton yesterday in an enclosed car and wore the above and was still hot even with the windows cracked open 2 inches all round. It was only a warm day, not hot!
A slight regret that I’ve binned the air conditioning on my car.
If you have AC, use it. Most people are faster in a car they are not cooking in, even if they have 0.5% less power to play with*.
- 0.5% was a figure I just made up. If you are a power and AC guru (“In my 40 years as an air conditioning expert working for all the major manufacturers, I have never read so much rubbish in all my life…”) please replace that figure with whatever you believe it to be. Love this place sometimes.
phazed said:
I took my air-conditioning out because it wasn’t working. With hindsight I probably should have repaired it.
I have had a recent eyesight check up and it isn’t 20–20.
I have had a recent eyesight check up and it isn’t 20–20.
My late lamented Mum had 20-20 hindsight - she knew my brother and I were doing something naughty without even turning round.
She transferred those skills to her teaching career.....a much needed asset in that profession, especially in a chemistry lab
Edited by QBee on Tuesday 5th July 08:50
The marshalls at Bedford tends to be fairly strict, which is why some people can get annoyed with them (I'm always well behaved and my car isn't too noisy, so i like them!)
But with that in mind I'd make sure you're appropriately dressed.
As above, when it's that hot your tyres, brakes, and all fluids are going to take a beating, so do short trips, make sure you do a cooldown, and keep an eye on all your fluids levels throughout the day. Don't forget power steering fluid.
Also remember to check your tyre pressures.
Bedford has a lot of heavy braking zones, so if the brakes feel a bit "funny" back off immediately. There's nothing worse than thinking "That didn't feel right" then at the next corner the pedal goes to the floor, and the car doesn't slow down...
But with that in mind I'd make sure you're appropriately dressed.
As above, when it's that hot your tyres, brakes, and all fluids are going to take a beating, so do short trips, make sure you do a cooldown, and keep an eye on all your fluids levels throughout the day. Don't forget power steering fluid.
Also remember to check your tyre pressures.
Bedford has a lot of heavy braking zones, so if the brakes feel a bit "funny" back off immediately. There's nothing worse than thinking "That didn't feel right" then at the next corner the pedal goes to the floor, and the car doesn't slow down...
braddo said:
On a hot day I'll wear a t-shirt and just before I start a session, put a long sleeve buttoned shirt over the top to drive, then take it off as soon as I'm back in the pits.
Air con on track days is great.
This seems like quite a good idea, I might do this. Turn up in a t-shirt and then put a button shirt over the top when driving, I assume it doesn't have to be buttoned all the way up so can have some ventilation holes! Air con on track days is great.
My cars got fairly new Cup 2's on it, so should last the day (touch wood) done around 1400 Road miles on them so far, not sure on their current tread depth.
Also hoping that the brakes shouldn't fair too badly, they're carbon ceramics so hopefully they stand up to the test otherwise they were a waste of money!
As I picked my car up new in March, hoping that the OPF filters etc on it mean I don't breach noise limits, sounds pretty muted to me anyways.
Parking in gear should be fine as my car is manual!
The vehicle pictured on my profile would probably get similar lap times to me!
F12DDE said:
Also hoping that the brakes shouldn't fair too badly, they're carbon ceramics so hopefully they stand up to the test otherwise they were a waste of money!
Proper cool-down laps are very important for ceramic brakes (from what I've read) so make sure you do at least one full lap of cool down (just hang right with your indicator on and keep an eye your mirrors). If you have to come in suddenly because of a red flag for example, I keep going out of the pits and keep driving slowly for another couple of minutes so that the brakes still get some cooling air before parking.
braddo said:
Proper cool-down laps are very important for ceramic brakes (from what I've read) so make sure you do at least one full lap of cool down (just hang right with your indicator on and keep an eye your mirrors).
If you have to come in suddenly because of a red flag for example, I keep going out of the pits and keep driving slowly for another couple of minutes so that the brakes still get some cooling air before parking.
Yes, asked some owners of the same car with ceramics what they do and they said that they do a minimum of 2 cooldown laps just to be safeIf you have to come in suddenly because of a red flag for example, I keep going out of the pits and keep driving slowly for another couple of minutes so that the brakes still get some cooling air before parking.
I've bought some light linen trousers and a variety of long sleeve tops, some of the walking / training tops can be quite thin and breathable. I sometimes take a short sleeve top to change into when I'm out of the car but I wouldn't want to put an extra layer on to go out on track.
Also, if you've got AC then use it! Turning it off or removing it just isn't worth the difference unless you're racing.
Also, if you've got AC then use it! Turning it off or removing it just isn't worth the difference unless you're racing.
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