Booking first track day, questions on car

Booking first track day, questions on car

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TheLoraxxZeus

Original Poster:

384 posts

25 months

Tuesday 13th September 2022
quotequote all
First post here but been reading on and off for a few months smile.

I bought an MX-5 a few months back and I want to track it, I am looking to book my first track day at Knockhill circuit and I will be splitting the entry cost with a friend, should bring the cost per person to £150 rather than just £200 for myself.

How exactly do I deal with on site issues with my vehicle? I'm new to working on cars so have a small set of tools (breaker bar, socket set, jack + axel stands, that kind of stuff) but nothing crazy, I've already fit discs + pads + tires (tires are a bit cheap though but rolleyes). I don't expect to cook pads and destroy my tires on the first track day since I'll be taking it easy.

Do most tracks have a place I can park up and work on the car if I need it? Lets say the car literally dies and I can't fix it, do I just call a tow and get it taken home? Not sure what happens...lol.

Is my stock MX-5 going to be out of place, I know it's a pretty common beginner track car but it's....stock and slow frown.

narbles

119 posts

79 months

Tuesday 13th September 2022
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I'm about to do my third track day. I drive there in the car, I secure some choice tools in the boot/frunk (well away from me in any case). "Touch wood" I've not had to do any work, but there have always been areas/plenty of space to do the work if you need to. If it goes really wrong I'm trusting my breakdown cover to take me home...

Don't worry about the car, MX5 ... well Miata is always the answer, as they say. I currently drive a Mk3 MR2, previously drove a BMW 130i. Just have fun.

Diesel_Nick

48 posts

57 months

Tuesday 13th September 2022
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TheLoraxxZeus said:
Do most tracks have a place I can park up and work on the car if I need it? Lets say the car literally dies and I can't fix it, do I just call a tow and get it taken home? Not sure what happens...lol.

Is my stock MX-5 going to be out of place, I know it's a pretty common beginner track car but it's....stock and slow frown.
If it's a decent sized track (eg a BTCC circuit) there'll be covered pit garages you can use, with plenty of open tarmac space to work on your car. There'll also likely be other guys that have brought trolley jacks or a tool you might need.

Also likely to be other MX5 drivers there, who I'm sure would be happy to help you diagnose an issue.

For anything you can't fix - such as where a replacement part is needed - stewards would probably tow you to the main car park, where your breakdown provider could collect the car.



QBee

21,332 posts

150 months

Tuesday 13th September 2022
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Have fun.

MX5s, as said above, are common on track days, and I suggest you park amongst them (they tend to congregate) and say hello.
They are usually a friendly lot.

Go to sign in and be noise tested when you are supposed to. Listen carefully to the briefing. Wach your mirrors when on track and be sure you know which side and where people are supposed to pass. There are rules for your own safety.

Check your fluid levels are all properly topped up, and your tyres properly inflated.
Do you have helmets, or are you hiring them?
I dont know about Knock Hill, but down south all MSV circuits insist on full face helmets for open topped cars.

Don't stay on track for more than 20 minutes at a time - there's a reason why club racing is usually not more than 20 minutes duration, it's because concentration tends to waver after that wmount of time.

Your car will most likely last the day easily. I have done over 40 track days in my 23 year old TVR (think MX5 with a 4.6 litre engine) and never had to leave the track on a lorry. If it does inexplicably fail, be aware that most recovery services like the RAC etc won't collect you for free from a track day, so you may need to be towed to somewhere clear of the circuit,

Relax, but concentrate, and have fun. If they have tuition on offer, take it. It is usually around £20 for 15 minutes and will be the bext £20 you can spend.

mmm-five

11,389 posts

290 months

Tuesday 13th September 2022
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Firstly, don't forget to have fun. If you're not finding it fun then stop...maybe take a(nother) instructor session, or have a coffee/chat for 30 mins with the other attendees if you're constantly finding a particular part of the track frustrating.


To add to what QBee has said:

When 'allowing' a faster car to overtake, make sure you do it when it's comfortable/safe to do so. These areas may well be mentioned during the briefing, so don't feel pressured to jump out the way in a braking zone, or around a bend...and don't brake suddenly to force someone 'up your arse' to overtake where they are not expecting you to...as it causes confusion and may result in a warning to both you and the overtaker!

Ensure you have enough fuel to last the day, and check where the nearest fuel is, and that you have enough fuel left to get there when you need it.

It's not a very long circuit (about 1.3 miles), but there's a good change in elevation which makes it really fun.

The flags will be mentioned in the briefing, but try not to worry if you are shown a black flag. Just return to the pits at the end of the lap and speak to one of the pitlane marshals (a member of the circuit staff may be waiting for you anyway). They may simply want to check on a mechanical issue that someone has spotted (e.g. your bonnet/exhaust is looking loose or you're losing fluid), or it might be to give you a friendly reminder about letting people past in the correct area.

Here's Knockhill's own FAQ for Car Trackdays:
Knockhill FAQ said:

Car Trackdays


What is the car requirements for a Trackday?
In the case of road cars - the vehicle must conform to MOT minimum standards for road use or MSA current safety regulations for track cars. All cars must have working seatbelts regardless of age. It must be in good condition both mechanically and bodily and suitable for its intended use on the track. It is your duty to ensure that the vehicle remains in this condition for the duration of the activity, in the interests of your safety and the safety of others at the circuit. Open wheels/single seaters are not permitted.

What is the format for Car Track Days?
On a Hot Hatch Trackday we operate up to 6 sessions with 25 vehicles allowed on track at any one time. The track is live from 9am to 5pm with an hour lunch break. We normally offer Road Car, Track Car and Mixed sessions, this allows you on track with similar vehicle types and like-minded drivers.
A ‘Car Trackday Open Session’ offers an open pit lane allowing you to enter and exit the track at your leisure throughout the duration of the trackday.

What type of licence do I need?
All drivers must hold one of the following licences and comply with the relevant regulations in order to take part in a track day:
1) DVLA road licence - must be a fully unrestricted (not provisional) valid driving licence issued by the DVLA (or the equivalent foreign licensing authority in the driver's country of residence) with the appropriate category clearly indicated.
2) MSA National B (or higher) race licence valid in current year (drivers must be 17yrs +).

Can I take a passenger?
Yes, one passenger in the front seat only. As per MSA regulations all passengers must be a minimum age of 14yrs and must sign a separate indemnity form. There is normally a £10 fee payable for each passenger.

Do I need to bring my licence?
Yes, this MUST be produced at registration. No licence = no track riding! If you forget to bring along your licence, it is possible for us to use the DVLA’s website based licence checking facility. To use this you must be able to provide us with the required information, this includes your driving licence number, National Insurance number and registered address details. Please be aware if we are unable to connect to this service or we cannot provide the DVLA with the required information you will not be able to take part in the trackday.

Do I need to pre-book my track day?
It's advisable to pre-book as places are limited. There is also a discount for booking in advance.

What happens if my car breaks down after a couple of laps?
It is your responsibility to ensure that your car will last the duration of the Track Day. No refunds or credit will be issued for mechanical or equipment failure.

Will my Track Day still go ahead if it is raining?
Yes, we are well prepared to run all track activities in the changeable Scottish climate. If the weather becomes severe and safety is an issue a trackday may be delayed or in some cases cancelled. If you are in any doubt, please call us prior to attending or chat to our operations team on the day.

What are the clothing requirements?
All drivers and passengers must wear a suitable crash helmet and have their legs covered at all times whilst on track. In the case of open top vehicles, drivers must wear a full face helmet. Helmets are available to hire from Knockhill Racing Circuit for a small fee.

Can I film on track?
Any filming equipment must be secured inside the vehicle and may be inspected prior to track session. Hand held or helmet cameras are NOT permitted.

What if I need to cancel my trackday?
If for any reason you are unable to attend your booked date, we will accept one change to an alternative date provided you give us 3 full days’ notice by telephone. For example, If your trackday is booked for a Saturday you must call us by 6pm on the Tuesday prior to advise us of the requested change. Cancellations made after this period will incur a 50% additional re-booking charge. Non-attendance will forfeit your booking. No refunds or credits will be made on the day of the Trackday.

Is there a noise limit?
Knockhill Racing Circuit has a noise limit of 105db.

What about fuel for my car?
We are unable to sell you fuel for your car, please ensure that you purchase fuel on route to the circuit.

Will my car be insured on track?
Most insurance policies do not cover your vehicle for any kind of track use, you should check your policy with your insurer.
Edited by mmm-five on Tuesday 13th September 17:17

NoBrakesWC

397 posts

55 months

Tuesday 13th September 2022
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You'll get addicted to it after 15mins. Lots of space to put your stuff in the garages or out the back. Everyone on track days is very friendly as we all share the same hobby so if you have an issue, they are always helpful to lend a hand or tools. If your first time and they have the X sticker at sign on you could put one on your car helps others know it's your first time. Check tyre pressures before and after going out, fuel, oil levels etc etc

Pebbles167

3,720 posts

158 months

Tuesday 13th September 2022
quotequote all
You'll have a blast, the mx-5 is an excellent track car.

Cheap tyres will be fine, you can modulate your driving to suit, brake fluid on the other hand, more important. If it's old, you'll boil it, and thats a more serious issue to stand in the way of the fun. Cheap and easy to bleed and replace.

Otherwise, have a great time!

QBee

21,332 posts

150 months

Tuesday 13th September 2022
quotequote all
Pebbles167 said:
You'll have a blast, the mx-5 is an excellent track car.

Cheap tyres will be fine, you can modulate your driving to suit, brake fluid on the other hand, more important. If it's old, you'll boil it, and thats a more serious issue to stand in the way of the fun. Cheap and easy to bleed and replace.

Otherwise, have a great time!
Wise comment about brake fluid.

I have only boiled mine once, when I fitted some agressive track pads and forgot to change the brake fluid.
The symptoms are that the pedal starts to go soft on braking. It will eventually go right down to the floor.
I was on an airfield track day at the time and decided to ignore it, as I was catching a TVR Griffith.
Got past him and approached the 90 left onto the runway at 120 mph and found I had no brakes.
2 complete revolutions, 1 change of underwear and I managed to stop without hitting anything.
But if it had been a race track i would have been in the barriers.
I had taken the old pads and spare fluid with me just in case, so all was not lost.

So just go back to the pits if you feel the pedal going soft.
It probably won't, IMHO standard road pads and a novice driver shouldn't boil the fluid, but having no brakes is not fun.

bigothunter

12,141 posts

66 months

Tuesday 13th September 2022
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TheLoraxxZeus said:
Is my stock MX-5 going to be out of place, I know it's a pretty common beginner track car but it's....stock and slow frown.
Since Covid, all my 18 track day briefings have been on-line, available from 8:00am the day before. However organisers should be willing to give personal briefing to novices before the sighting laps.

MX-5 is an excellent track day car. Constraining factor will be absence of circuit driving experience not the Mazda's power - it will be more than quick enough especially around a short circuit like Knockhill.

Don't drive past your limits, gain confidence progressively, stay on the tarmac and go fill your boots with lots of lovely laps. Circuit driving is great fun and very rewarding driving

Cambs_Stuart

3,057 posts

90 months

Tuesday 13th September 2022
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Put a tyre pump and pressure gauge in your kit, plus some engine oil.
I'd make sure it's well serviced before you get there, and chnage all the fluids. Heat is much more of an issue, so swap any coolant hoses that look a bit crusty and have a good look over for anything that is oozing.
As for working on the car, there are bound to be people with tools and MX5 owners are usually a good crowd. They'll help if you need it.

Throttle Body

450 posts

179 months

Tuesday 13th September 2022
quotequote all
QBee said:
If they have tuition on offer, take it. It is usually around £20 for 15 minutes and will be the bext £20 you can spend.
I recommend this. I took my 18 year old son to Brands today for his first track day. Early on, he had a 30 minute tuition session. Money very well spent - he gained confidence and a lot of basic skills in that time. And he didn't crash the car during the day.

Oh, and remember - have fun.

C70R

17,596 posts

110 months

Wednesday 14th September 2022
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Some excellent advice here. Check your fluids, check for leaks (cars that drop fluids are very 'unpopular'), make sure your brakes and tyres have plenty of life in them, and don't forget to have fun

As mentioned above, if you wanted to do one thing as 'preventative' maintenance, then dropping the brake fluid and replacing with something like Type200 is a cheap way to guard against brake fade. Not essential in such a light car on a small circuit, but nice to have if you have the time.

Jim Spencer

153 posts

228 months

Wednesday 14th September 2022
quotequote all
Some excellent advice above..

Nothing to add ref the car prep etc..
but worth thinking about what to do with all the bits an pieces we end up taking with us, ideally a corner of a pit garage works (if there's one available) but if you're on your own, or both travelling, in the one car, to the event;- I'd get hold of a simple Pop Up tent, pick your pit spot and empty everything out of the car into it.
You want nothing loose in the car while on track.
HTH





Cambs_Stuart

3,057 posts

90 months

Wednesday 14th September 2022
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For track days when I've not got a garage, or at cadwell were there isnt any cover I've got a big box for tools/spares/fluids/snacks.
Obviously, you'll need to find one that fits the space you've got in the MX5.
This one just fits the boot in my clio
https://www.homebase.co.uk/145l-heavy-duty-storage...

TheLoraxxZeus

Original Poster:

384 posts

25 months

Wednesday 14th September 2022
quotequote all
Every bit of advice here is fantastic! Thanks so much for all the replies.

So here is the list of things I'm going to do:

1. Replace brake fluid and coolant (I changed the oil when I got the car), seems cheap enough
2. Replace any nasty looking cooling lines, I've just ordered a new radiator (+ lines, may as well while I'm at it) and I noticed mine is all green/brown which apparently = bad plastic
3. Buy spare fluids to take on the day
4. Bring a small popup tent incase there is no garage space
5. Remove all the crap from the car that is loose

Am I right in thinking that I should disable the passenger airbag and unhook the driver airbag when I get to the track? I've heard that these can even crack the windscreen, incase I go off the track and the sudden bump (or worse bumper slam) sets it off?

My friend also offered to pick up some cheap wheels from the scrappy + 2 used but road legal tires so that's nice of him lol.

TheLoraxxZeus

Original Poster:

384 posts

25 months

Wednesday 14th September 2022
quotequote all
Cambs_Stuart said:
For track days when I've not got a garage, or at cadwell were there isnt any cover I've got a big box for tools/spares/fluids/snacks.
Obviously, you'll need to find one that fits the space you've got in the MX5.
This one just fits the boot in my clio
https://www.homebase.co.uk/145l-heavy-duty-storage...
Yah I got that covered for all my loose tools, socket set has it's own box and what not. However I'll maybe buy a new box that can fit everything + some spares, right now I just sorta chuck my spares in a bag (fuses, cable ties etc) lol.

C70R

17,596 posts

110 months

Wednesday 14th September 2022
quotequote all
TheLoraxxZeus said:
Every bit of advice here is fantastic! Thanks so much for all the replies.

So here is the list of things I'm going to do:

1. Replace brake fluid and coolant (I changed the oil when I got the car), seems cheap enough
2. Replace any nasty looking cooling lines, I've just ordered a new radiator (+ lines, may as well while I'm at it) and I noticed mine is all green/brown which apparently = bad plastic
3. Buy spare fluids to take on the day
4. Bring a small popup tent incase there is no garage space
5. Remove all the crap from the car that is loose

Am I right in thinking that I should disable the passenger airbag and unhook the driver airbag when I get to the track? I've heard that these can even crack the windscreen, incase I go off the track and the sudden bump (or worse bumper slam) sets it off?

My friend also offered to pick up some cheap wheels from the scrappy + 2 used but road legal tires so that's nice of him lol.
No need to worry about the airbag stuff. It's there for your safety, after all.

Don't worry about changing wheels and tyres. If the stuff on there is road legal, you'll be absolutely fine as long as you drive to their limits.

TheLoraxxZeus

Original Poster:

384 posts

25 months

Wednesday 14th September 2022
quotequote all
C70R said:
No need to worry about the airbag stuff. It's there for your safety, after all.

Don't worry about changing wheels and tyres. If the stuff on there is road legal, you'll be absolutely fine as long as you drive to their limits.
OK on the airbag, would just be a bit gutted if I went into an overspill and a large enough thud sends my windscreen flying out the way lol.

Yeah they are road legal, in fact they are new Pirelli P6000s which seem terrible in every possible scenario I've been in on the road, anything above 2k revs around a round about in the wet sends it side ways lol. Bringing the spare wheels isn't an issue, bit of a squash in the front with my passenger to the track so may as well prep for the worse biggrin

C70R

17,596 posts

110 months

Wednesday 14th September 2022
quotequote all
TheLoraxxZeus said:
C70R said:
No need to worry about the airbag stuff. It's there for your safety, after all.

Don't worry about changing wheels and tyres. If the stuff on there is road legal, you'll be absolutely fine as long as you drive to their limits.
OK on the airbag, would just be a bit gutted if I went into an overspill and a large enough thud sends my windscreen flying out the way lol.

Yeah they are road legal, in fact they are new Pirelli P6000s which seem terrible in every possible scenario I've been in on the road, anything above 2k revs around a round about in the wet sends it side ways lol. Bringing the spare wheels isn't an issue, bit of a squash in the front with my passenger to the track so may as well prep for the worse biggrin
Honestly, don't overthink it. My first day out was with a set of Chinese cheapy tyres on the back of a tail-happy hatch. You'll be grand.

TheLoraxxZeus

Original Poster:

384 posts

25 months

Wednesday 14th September 2022
quotequote all
C70R said:
Honestly, don't overthink it. My first day out was with a set of Chinese cheapy tyres on the back of a tail-happy hatch. You'll be grand.
Yeah all will be well, not too bothered about the the tires on the track first time on the track, doubt I'll even push them close to the limit (in the dry at least).

However will 100% be ripping these tires off in the coming months, I honestly can't take wet roundabouts at 20mph in them (they aren't even tight). Not sure if they are "old" new tires but honestly fk them right in the bin or will sell them on some drift forum for a 6 pack of beer.