Two trackdays back to back

Two trackdays back to back

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triplecrownjockey

Original Poster:

61 posts

33 months

Friday 23rd December 2022
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I have just booked a day at Spa, followed by a day at the Nurburgring.

I will obviously have to be conscious of tyre and brake wear at Spa, to save enough for the ring, but I'm a little bit concerned about my own tiredness and fatigue levels.

There can be no doubt that driving flat out for a day is tiring, and although I'm perfectly fit and healthy, you need to be absolutely on your game at the Nurburgring.

If I get to my hotel at the ring for 8pm, and get an early night, I think I should be OK.

Has anyone done similar, and how did you get on?

Krikkit

26,995 posts

188 months

Friday 23rd December 2022
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Did two UK days back-to-back - it was fine, but I was conscious of getting plenty of rest before the 1st day as well to avoid cumulative tiredness.

How much time have you got before Spa? Hopefully another sensibly early night too, in which case I'd expect you'll be fine.

E-bmw

9,976 posts

159 months

Friday 23rd December 2022
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I have done EXACTLY what you are doing each way round, you will be fine.

Spa is more tiring than the 'ring I think, but take spare pads etc with you & check the car regularly.

Don't forget that because the 'ring is so long it is not much harder on pads than a spirited Sunday drive.

Also, you won't actually be driving round all day at either, you will likely do a few laps (maybe 6/7 at Spa) & then have an hour or so off anyway.

Timbo_S2

571 posts

270 months

Friday 23rd December 2022
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You'll be fine. I do a few Euro days on bikes, and we are on track 3/4 days at a time. Its actually less stressful than a usual day, as you don;t have to do every session to squeeze the most out of your track time.

Breaks, water, fuel, maintenance. And yes, try to get an early night.

triplecrownjockey

Original Poster:

61 posts

33 months

Friday 23rd December 2022
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Thanks for the replies, its reassuring!

I should get to Spa about 1PM the day prior, so plenty of wind time down in advance of the track day.


iguana

7,055 posts

267 months

Friday 23rd December 2022
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Yeh no probs, done 2 day trackdays at ring then over to Spa for a day & a few separate 3 track days on the bounce euro tracks etc.

It's a marathon not a sprint so just don't go mental & I have broken stuff before & had to fix on route or get a rental for remainder of the tracking & limp my car home etc.

nickfrog

21,944 posts

224 months

Friday 23rd December 2022
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The closest I did to that was a morning TD at Spa with a lot of laps and then drove to the Ring through deluvian rain at lunch time to do an afternoon of (thankfully) dry albeit busy TF.

It was OK but I remember sleeping well that evening despite the adrenaline.

You will be fine I am sure.

Wh00sher

1,659 posts

225 months

Tuesday 27th December 2022
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I've done exactly what you are doing earlier this year and am doing the same in April 23 with 2 days at Spa then 2 days at the Nurburgring.

I did 2 days at the ring in July, Spa the day after and Zolder the day after that. It was awesome!

The main thing I recommend, apart from not drinking alcohol on the nights before the trackdays, is make sure you have plenty to eat, don't be up late before going to sleep, even though it is tempting to rewatch videos from the day.

I use electrolyte tablets to help hydration during the day, after every other session, drink a bottle of water with a tablet in it, more in the summer. I use HIGH5 ZERO Electrolyte Hydration Rehydration Tablets from Amazon but there are plenty others available. It makes a big difference to fatigue.

Rotating tyres front to rear or side to side after each day whilst you are giving it a quick check helps even out wear (if you can)


It actually makes me feel more relaxed on the days, instead of thinking "I've come all this way and there is a red flag, I have a puncture etc" I just look at it as having 3 other days to offset the lost time. I've found it happens everytime I do back to back days, in the UK or on the continent.

I 8 a 4RE

400 posts

248 months

Tuesday 27th December 2022
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You may know this already… but don’t disregard the drive from Spa to The Ring; all equivalent of B-roads for a good 90 mins.

Also over-pay for accommodation. It may have changed in recent years, but I’ve stayed in some shockers in Spa; carpets in bathrooms, single glazing windows, beds 6 ft long and 2 ft wide and freezing cold!

Fonzey

2,175 posts

134 months

Tuesday 27th December 2022
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Done it once. Have a 100% record of gearbox failing 3 laps into the second day wavey

jm8403

2,515 posts

32 months

Tuesday 27th December 2022
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I 8 a 4RE said:
You may know this already… but don’t disregard the drive from Spa to The Ring; all equivalent of B-roads for a good 90 mins.

Also over-pay for accommodation. It may have changed in recent years, but I’ve stayed in some shockers in Spa; carpets in bathrooms, single glazing windows, beds 6 ft long and 2 ft wide and freezing cold!
Yeah, pick carefully, there is a lot of crap in each place. Radisson in the town of Spa is OK (which has an actual Spa on the roof)

Tommie38

803 posts

201 months

Sunday 8th January 2023
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Assuming you have no underlying health conditions you will be fine. Struggling to recollect now, but I think I have done Spa->NB Tourist->NB Trackday before.

As long as you have pads and tyres I wouldn’t worry about it. Also, it is much easier to get things like pads these days than it once was.