Advice for track day rookies

Advice for track day rookies

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richb

Original Poster:

52,748 posts

291 months

Monday 22nd January 2001
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Well with Xmas over and my bank balance still in the black I'm considering getting the Griff out on a few track days. So what advice do you have? Tracks to go for / tracks to avoid? Ditto good organisers or poor ones? I feel I'd be happier on a TVR only day but should this be the case? Special preparation required etc, or shold I just go read Steve Heath's book? Regards Rich...

sjm

789 posts

291 months

Monday 22nd January 2001
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Try BookaTrack.com or Easytrack.com Limited choice of tracks but good value and nice relaxed atmosphere. They do a lot of track days at Anglesey which is a fantastic circuit, but probably favours Caterhams/Westfields/Elises more than TVRs (Although someone is taking a 500bhp Cerbie there next month I see) Main preparation is a good service, to make sure all fluids are OK and check all bolts/bushes on the suspension etc. Check you've got enough wear left on your brake pads & tyres, and empty everything out of the car that isn't fastened down ! steve

Dr Chuff

296 posts

291 months

Monday 22nd January 2001
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Rich, You'll need tape for your lights and gaffer tape for the bodywork.... Only joking... Where are you based ? This will limit the venues and days, as driving more than about 150 miles to the track, anything upto 100 miles on track and then back home again is a bit too tiring (IMHO), unless you swap drivers or stay overnight. I'm booked on Easytrack's Goodwood day March 3rd. Check your tyres are good, pads have more than about 4 millimetres, and top the oil up to a little over full. You may also wish to consult your insurance cover, although this is a point of great debate in the group. Have fun whatever, Dr C

richb

Original Poster:

52,748 posts

291 months

Monday 22nd January 2001
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Thanks for the advice guys, I live in Berkshire so Goodwood is a nice run down. p.s. What about helmets (don't even think about it!) I have one but it's a bit old and certainly not ACU/FIA/CIA/BBC/BB King approved. Can I use this? R...

Dr Chuff

296 posts

291 months

Tuesday 23rd January 2001
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Probably not. Check with the organiser, but remember, it could be all that comes between you and scenery -maybe time for a new one? Dr C

AndrewD

7,592 posts

291 months

Wednesday 24th January 2001
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"500 bhp Cerbie"?

richb

Original Poster:

52,748 posts

291 months

Wednesday 24th January 2001
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quote:
"500 bhp Cerbie"?
Yes - what about it? Does this comment have to with a first track day? Rich...

sjm

789 posts

291 months

Wednesday 24th January 2001
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Some guy from London is taking a cerbie to the BookaTrack track day on 11th Feb. On BookaTrack you register and book on-line and as part of the registering you state the type and power of the car you intend to bring, presumably to assist in assigning cars to sessions. This bloke claims his 4.5 cerbie has 510 bhp! Hardly proof I know, but it's possible. If you look at the website you can see exactly who's going on each day - there's still space on the 11th Feb ! sjm

Dr Chuff

296 posts

291 months

Thursday 25th January 2001
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He's also got a 358HP Audi S3. Just where does this bloke get all that HP from ? Dr C

fourwheeldrift

89,632 posts

291 months

Thursday 25th January 2001
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Mr Edmonston you appear to be in reserve at the Bentwaters Track day on the 28th Jan, as does this "510 BHP" Cerbera, let us know what the score is on this if you do get to go.

PetrolTed

34,443 posts

310 months

Thursday 25th January 2001
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I will indeed be there on Sunday and will see if I can get the low down on the Cerbie. There are of course some factory specials (off the record like) but 510 sounds a lot.

timraven

19 posts

289 months

Thursday 1st February 2001
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Very interesting, this 510bhp Cerbera ! I was at the last RMA Bedford Autodrome, and a prominant TVR Tuscan/GT Championship racer had a "450bhp" road Cerbera with modified suspension, and yet it was only very marginally faster than my 1370kg, 198 bhp at the rear wheels 968 CS Porsche ! Maybe there is some difference in the actual size of Blackpool horses ! Regards, Tim.

raybarnett

1,002 posts

289 months

Thursday 1st February 2001
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His 350+BHP S3 was apparently reasonably genuine: he'd spent a 5 figure sum over in Germany tuning it. No idea about the TVR, but it was amazingly loud, and didn't get traction until some point in 4th gear; so it did have the odd big horse under the bonnet. Edited by raybarnett on Thursday 1st February 17:52 Edited by raybarnett on Thursday 1st February 17:52

fourwheeldrift

89,632 posts

291 months

Thursday 1st February 2001
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I could take him What with the power bulge in my bonnet to take the enormous lump I've got

Guyr

2,300 posts

289 months

Thursday 1st February 2001
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Anyone dynoed their TVR's. Word is they never make the power claimed by the factory, but they always feel fast 'cos of the light weight. Not that I'm putting them down, I had 2 Chimps and I've got a Tuscan on order. I have been tuning my Skyline with rolling road to check. It would be interesting to get several TVRs on the rollers (esp. a 510bhp one). In my limited experience at the rolling roads, there are few 'modified' cars that actually make the power their owners think their cars are making. Guy R

PetrolTed

34,443 posts

310 months

Thursday 1st February 2001
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See http://www.pistonheads.com/features/dyno.htm

PetrolTed

34,443 posts

310 months

Thursday 1st February 2001
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quote:
No idea about the TVR, but it was amazingly loud, and didn't get traction until some point in 4th gear; so it did have the odd big horse under the bonnet.
That wasn't the tuned Cerbera, that was a standard 4.5 lightweight. The 510bhp Cerbie wasn't there. It has allegedly been 'breathed on' by the Porsche tuners RUF. It's the same chap who stuffed his Cerbie at Bedford, claiming brake failure. Amazing how the tyres erupted in clouds of smoke as he headed towards the mud bank though... Edited by PetrolTed on Thursday 1st February 19:38

dannylt

1,906 posts

291 months

Thursday 1st February 2001
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quote:
No idea about the TVR, but it was amazingly loud, and didn't get traction until some point in 4th gear; so it did have the odd big horse under the bonnet.
Woohoo - I've been spotted! That was no magic 510bhp Cerbie... just my bog standard 4.5 (maybe lightweight). The no traction bit sounds really dramatic, but to be honest the whole airfield required no more than 3rd gear, and it was pretty gravelly there on that bloody straight; it doesn't generally wheelspin in a straight line on the dry in third unfortunately :-). Still- sounds fantastic doesn't it? danny

ehasler

8,567 posts

290 months

Friday 2nd February 2001
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quote:
It's the same chap who stuffed his Cerbie at Bedford
The way he was driving his Audi last weekend, that doesn't surprise me at all!

fourwheeldrift

89,632 posts

291 months

Friday 2nd February 2001
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Did he still have the kids and dog in the back