Cold Track Days - Novice Question (Be Nice...)

[matthew.f.young]

Evening all,

Having only done one track day before in my M2 and it being lovely and warm whats the consensus to doing them in the proper cold?

I am booked in at Brands on Saturday and its gonna be baltic, is it worth going still?

Running Pilot Cup Super Sports if that makes any difference?

I dont want to spend the whole time slithering around!

Thanks!

[Dieci]

If it's any help ,the weather is going to be slightly warmer in the south east this weekend .

Would you get a refund this late ?

When I said slightly warmer ,a few degrees positive ,better than below zero .

[BertBert]

I'd still do it as your won't know what the grip will be like until you get there. I've driven some cold tracks (as in light snow coming down) on slicks and had a great time, and got great times.

Even if grip is less it can be great fun learning to drive a slippery track

[LennyM1984]

It'll be fine. Take it easy until you know what the grip is like and then build up from there. You can lower the tyre pressures right down to get the tyre moving and the heat building. On a heavy car like an M2 you might be able to get the tyres reasonably warm

[matthew.f.young]

Thanks guys!

[brillomaster]

All depends on if its dry. One of the best trackdays i did was donington in february. Dry and sunny, but temperature never got above 2 degrees. But start slow, build temperature in the tyres and youll be alright.

If i rains or snows, maybe reconsider. Though i also had a surprisingly fun day at snett a few years back when it was light snow. Basically, drove around on the traction control all afternoon. Still worth the trip though.

[mistercommi]

It'll be fine if just cold, however Brands is covered is snow at the moment, and isn't exactly flat so if it is sub zero with run off from melting snow going across the track, could be less than ideal.

[mmm-five]

If it doesn't improve, they may even cancel it and give you a refund/credit note.

Although I always preferred the winter sessions at Oulton Park as it kept most of the Caterwesticals away

The only one I've done with snow on the ground was an airfield day at Elvington, where 100m slides were the norm for the day!

[git-r]

matthew.f.young said:

Evening all,

Having only done one track day before in my M2 and it being lovely and warm whats the consensus to doing them in the proper cold?

I am booked in at Brands on Saturday and its gonna be baltic, is it worth going still?

Running Pilot Cup Super Sports if that makes any difference?

I dont want to spend the whole time slithering around!

Thanks!

Are the tyres super sports or cup2? The former will be better in the cold.

Just make sure you leave all the safety systems on and you should be fine. It’s forecast to get to about 5 degrees in the afternoon so most of the track should be quite grippy by then. Watch for the bits in the shade as they’ll be very slippery.

I’ll probably go in a blue M4 if weather not too bad so might see you there 👍

[matthew.f.young]

Well, it got cancelled!

Thanks for all the advice, will be rebooking for the first one next year 🤟

[Bright Halo]

I did Blyton a few years back in -2C
We had to wait while they de iced the track!
The paddock area was so slippy it was difficult to stand up.
Anyway once out there it was ok especially once I had overcome my fear of driving in those conditions.
The track was very consistent so dry but cold which helped you judge your braking. Great fun in the end even if I did slip over in the paddock and land on my arse!

[QBee]

matthew.f.young said:

Well, it got cancelled!

Thanks for all the advice, will be rebooking for the first one next year ??

I am actually glad for you.
Having been on a December track day in not ideal conditions at Brands Indy a few years back, in a rear wheel drive car, I am relieved that you didn't have to risk remodelling the barriers with your car.
Having slid down Graham Hill (ooh Matron!) at 25 mph, brakes fully locked up, at 90 degrees to the direction of the track, thinking "will I hit the barrier in front or the one behind before someone else comes round druids and hits me", I now leave booking winter track days until the last minute, so I can see the weather forecast before booking.
And if I don't get on track then so be it.

[SkinnyPete]

matthew.f.young said:

Well, it got cancelled!

Thanks for all the advice, will be rebooking for the first one next year ??

Did they give you any advance warning, or did they just tell you this morning?

I'm keen to do a track day in the coming weeks, but it's a lot of effort driving for a couple of hours, plus a hotel the night before, only for it to be cancelled in the morning.

[matthew.f.young]

They sent out an email two days before mate.

[phazed]

I did a winter TD in a very torque 5.5 TVR in the wet.

Couldn't keep it in a straight line and spun twice in the slowest first lap ever...end of day for me, totally pointless.

Conversely, did a soaking wet airfield day at Keevil in my front wheel drive track day vRS which was very doable and fun. Huge slides and wheels that rarely went in the same direction. Of course, no barriers so felt totally safe.

Brands is awful in the wet, imho.

[brillomaster]

absence of barriers certainly reduces the fear factor in bad conditions. i dont mind doing bedford in the pouring rain or snetterton in the snow, but a little bit of moisture at cadwell park and i'll likely be staying in the cafe.