First ever race
Discussion
Baptism of fire then.
Just keep it smooth and don’t do anything unpredictable. It’s up to the car behind to find a way passed, but keep an eye out for the blue flags and try and keep out of the way of the very quick ones if you find yourself being lapped.
If you get a chance walk the circuit.
If it’s this weekend at Cadwell, see you there
Andy
Just keep it smooth and don’t do anything unpredictable. It’s up to the car behind to find a way passed, but keep an eye out for the blue flags and try and keep out of the way of the very quick ones if you find yourself being lapped.
If you get a chance walk the circuit.
If it’s this weekend at Cadwell, see you there
Andy
Remember to take race licence to singing on, with the back of it signed.
Don't forget your 'new' drivers briefing.
Then away you go round at your own pace building up gradually. Keep an eye out for flags and others in mirrors and let them get round you. Good Luck, and I hope you enjoy it.
Don't forget your 'new' drivers briefing.
Then away you go round at your own pace building up gradually. Keep an eye out for flags and others in mirrors and let them get round you. Good Luck, and I hope you enjoy it.
Ok do all of the prep you can - watch youtube videos to learn track.
Get yourself to the assembly area for qualifying early in order to try and be one of the first on track. This way you get out and start getting up to speed as the more experienced guys are warming the car and completing their 3 mandatory laps before qualifying - i.e. they're not going as fast.
So often I see novices go out to qualify last and then get overwhelmed by all of the up to speed drivers. you also get less practice time and you're the one that needs it most!
Get yourself to the assembly area for qualifying early in order to try and be one of the first on track. This way you get out and start getting up to speed as the more experienced guys are warming the car and completing their 3 mandatory laps before qualifying - i.e. they're not going as fast.
So often I see novices go out to qualify last and then get overwhelmed by all of the up to speed drivers. you also get less practice time and you're the one that needs it most!
Keep an eye on the time would be my biggest tip! Find someone reliable or that you know who is in your race, and when they go to sign-on, do the same. Same goes for scrutineering, going to the assembly area for practice and for the race itself. In the race, you probably won't be fighting for first so keep an eye on your mirrors and 'remain predictable' i.e. if faster cars come through to lap you, stay on your racing line and let them find a way past!
Oh yes, have fun too
Oh yes, have fun too
Thanks for the tips guys, sensible stuff. Have been watching youtube but I couldn't get rFactor to work on my crappy laptop. I think just the mindset to stay out of trouble rather than getting too in amongst it should help.
Yes Wanstead, it is this weekend so I will see you there. I will be in a black 993 with garish blue KSF written up the side ( and a novice sticker ). You?
Yes Wanstead, it is this weekend so I will see you there. I will be in a black 993 with garish blue KSF written up the side ( and a novice sticker
). You?Oh, wow - the day flies by - my first race day felt absurdly frantic. Definitely find an experienced head to help sort you out - and a willing helper or two.
I blogged about my first race last year. You'd do well to learn from my rookie mistakes (there's lots!)
Edit to say that I'd never driven the car or the circuit - first two mistakes...
I blogged about my first race last year. You'd do well to learn from my rookie mistakes (there's lots!)
Edit to say that I'd never driven the car or the circuit - first two mistakes...
Edited by Tim.C on Thursday 3rd June 17:12
Apart from all the good advice about the race itself, if you're looking after the car yourself, make sure everything is race-ready and spanner-checked as far in advance as possible - fuel to the correct level, jerry cans filled in advance, tyres to correct pressure, battery charged, jump pack charged if required, trailer/transporter is ready, and so forth.
As said above, its amazing how frantic a race day can be - and you don't want to let a mate tighten the wheel nuts: www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4acwTj4shA
Also, make a check list of everything you need/can't race without - licence, upgrade card, helmet, boots, gloves, overalls, club membership, final instructions, timetable, circuit guide, camera, etc - and then check each item off as you pack it well in advance.
When you get to the circuit, throw the car off the trailer, pick someone nearby who looks friendly, introduce yourself as a novice, and ask if you can follow them to signing on, scrutineering, the assembly area, and so on. Any decent driver will be only too happy to help.
Finally, have fun and remember a signature is a win!
As said above, its amazing how frantic a race day can be - and you don't want to let a mate tighten the wheel nuts: www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4acwTj4shA
Also, make a check list of everything you need/can't race without - licence, upgrade card, helmet, boots, gloves, overalls, club membership, final instructions, timetable, circuit guide, camera, etc - and then check each item off as you pack it well in advance.
When you get to the circuit, throw the car off the trailer, pick someone nearby who looks friendly, introduce yourself as a novice, and ask if you can follow them to signing on, scrutineering, the assembly area, and so on. Any decent driver will be only too happy to help.
Finally, have fun and remember a signature is a win!
To add to all the great advice (from years of working on circuits)
listen to the paddock tannoy the timetable does change, alot in some cases!
Find out where Race admin is, they can direct you to where you need to be if they can't answer your question.
Don't diss the marshalls, they're there to make the meeting happen, and they do it for free.
Find out where the results are published.. you will want to know!!!
listen to the paddock tannoy the timetable does change, alot in some cases!
Find out where Race admin is, they can direct you to where you need to be if they can't answer your question.
Don't diss the marshalls, they're there to make the meeting happen, and they do it for free.
Find out where the results are published.. you will want to know!!!
Most important thing is ENJOY, and dont get flustered about anything, you will find that the vast majority of drivers will be only too happy to help. Keep your ears and eyes open, watch other drivers in your race and remember 10 minutes early is way better than 10 seconds late.
And whatever happens it will be the biggst buzz you can imagine,
And whatever happens it will be the biggst buzz you can imagine,
try to work out from qulaifying when you are likely to be lapped, this gives you time before they are on your bumper.
definately take a friend who has some experience of the format of race meetings, you dont want to be doing everything yourself...
talk to other drivers in your race during the day, get to know them, let them know you are a novice, its in everyones interests to know who the slower cars are going to be. they will be a friendly bunch and happy to advise on set up (until you get faster!)
definately take a friend who has some experience of the format of race meetings, you dont want to be doing everything yourself...
talk to other drivers in your race during the day, get to know them, let them know you are a novice, its in everyones interests to know who the slower cars are going to be. they will be a friendly bunch and happy to advise on set up (until you get faster!)
spad78 said:
Yes Wanstead, it is this weekend so I will see you there. I will be in a black 993 with garish blue KSF written up the side ( and a novice sticker ). You?
Sorry I didn’t get a chance to reply last night, got home and went straight out on the bike (trying to get race fit), ). You?Got back indoors to be greeted by our son saying ‘I think I’ve broken my wrist’ so the rest of the evening was spent in A&E. He’s now in plaster and not at all happy, his only concern now is that his driving test is just 4 weeks away, so will have to cancel. Unfortunately the waiting list for another test is around 6 months, so the promised track day in the summer will be lost as well.
As for Cadwell, I am in the Sports200 race car No 22 a bright yellow Shrike ably assisted by a plastered pit crew!
n3il123 said:
Find out where Race admin is, they can direct you to where you need to be if they can't answer your question.
That will be easy for you, according to the final instructions the Porsche paddock allocation places are right opposite the scrutineering bay and the paddock office.deviant said:
Go to the loo BEFORE getting on the grid.
No matter how often I go or how late I leave it, I still wish the car had an en suite once I get to the grid.As other have said just enjoy your day, looks like you will have the best of the weather on Saturday. For us qualifying on Saturday should be OK but the race on Sunday may well be wet.
Cheers
Andy
Edited by Wanstead on Friday 4th June 08:32
Edited by Wanstead on Friday 4th June 08:33
I printed off a sheet of paper with times for
Signing On:
Scrutineering:
Qualifying:
Race:
it was in big letters and I stuck to the window of my tow car. Saved me having to refer to final instructions all the time.
Don't forget to eat and drink!
I had my first race in March, and now I know what it's like for a junkie- I just can't wait for my next fix.
Signing On:
Scrutineering:
Qualifying:
Race:
it was in big letters and I stuck to the window of my tow car. Saved me having to refer to final instructions all the time.
Don't forget to eat and drink!
I had my first race in March, and now I know what it's like for a junkie- I just can't wait for my next fix.
Try and get to the front of the scrutineering queue, making sure you have all paperwork, and clothing/helmet, etc with you.
Make sure you attend the new drivers' breifing. The CoC may want to have words with you if you don't attend.
Make sure the car is fuelled before you go out for practice, then refilled as soon as you arrive pack in the paddock. Keep an eye on your tyre pressures.
Although it won't be the first thing on your mind, if you try and note down things like hot and cold tyre pressures, car behaviour, suspension settings, anomalies of the circuit, etc, then these notes will gradually build into a useful reference source for you, and potentially make setup easier the next time you visit the circuit. Don't get obsessed with this in your first few races though!
Be observant whilst out on circuit. Watch for blue flags, but stick to your line and don't do anything suddenly (in terms of changing line, etc).
Make sure your car is ready for scrutineering, fire ext in date, rain light working, cut off works, belts in date, seat securely fastened, etc. You can check all this tonight!
What car/series are you racing in?
Make sure you attend the new drivers' breifing. The CoC may want to have words with you if you don't attend.
Make sure the car is fuelled before you go out for practice, then refilled as soon as you arrive pack in the paddock. Keep an eye on your tyre pressures.
Although it won't be the first thing on your mind, if you try and note down things like hot and cold tyre pressures, car behaviour, suspension settings, anomalies of the circuit, etc, then these notes will gradually build into a useful reference source for you, and potentially make setup easier the next time you visit the circuit. Don't get obsessed with this in your first few races though!
Be observant whilst out on circuit. Watch for blue flags, but stick to your line and don't do anything suddenly (in terms of changing line, etc).
Make sure your car is ready for scrutineering, fire ext in date, rain light working, cut off works, belts in date, seat securely fastened, etc. You can check all this tonight!
What car/series are you racing in?
Don't be afraid to ask for help. All of us have had a first race weekend and know how it feels.
As has already been suggested, have checklists for the stuff that you know needs doing - signing on, prepping the car, scrutineering, briefings, practice times, qually and the race. Know how to get to the collecting area and how to leave the circuit. If stuff changes or you find out that something else needs doing, adapt your own timetable according to the priorities. Give yourself lots of downtime.
Don't spend hours worrying about everything.
On the track - Keep to your lines. If you're able to follow someone, then do for a few laps and see how they do things. Build up speed and confidence at your own pace. You'll have a great time.
Remember, the whole point of this sport is to spend your time (and money) enjoying yourself - so make sure that you do.
Good luck.
K.
As has already been suggested, have checklists for the stuff that you know needs doing - signing on, prepping the car, scrutineering, briefings, practice times, qually and the race. Know how to get to the collecting area and how to leave the circuit. If stuff changes or you find out that something else needs doing, adapt your own timetable according to the priorities. Give yourself lots of downtime.
Don't spend hours worrying about everything.
On the track - Keep to your lines. If you're able to follow someone, then do for a few laps and see how they do things. Build up speed and confidence at your own pace. You'll have a great time.
Remember, the whole point of this sport is to spend your time (and money) enjoying yourself - so make sure that you do.
Good luck.
K.
This sounds like me back in April, my first race was at Cadwell driving in the Mighty Mini racing series.
I find lists help a great deal, I've even got one stuck on the heater in the car telling me to turn the camcorder on, check mirrors, pull the fire pin out, shut the windows etc, etc.
With regards to qualifying I'd start at the back, you'll get a clear track and a chance to get some clear laps in without having to think about the quicker guys coming past. I ended up leading the pack on my second lap (first was red flagged) and it wasn't nice!
The circuit is superb, just watch your braking down the hill after the Gooseneck as it catches a few out.
Good luck!
I find lists help a great deal, I've even got one stuck on the heater in the car telling me to turn the camcorder on, check mirrors, pull the fire pin out, shut the windows etc, etc.
With regards to qualifying I'd start at the back, you'll get a clear track and a chance to get some clear laps in without having to think about the quicker guys coming past. I ended up leading the pack on my second lap (first was red flagged) and it wasn't nice!
The circuit is superb, just watch your braking down the hill after the Gooseneck as it catches a few out.
Good luck!
My first race was a baptism of fire. Brands Hatch Indy. My mate put the car in the gravel 5laps into quali. I didnt get a run, had to follow the safety car for 3 laps in between races to be allowed to race.
My first proper lap was after we had changed over part way through the race. Nearly lost it on a bump into Paddock Hill on my first lap..
I was quite well prepared though. Walked the perimieter of the circuit with a few guys who knew their way around it in the morning. Watched plenty of videos before and we had 2 people helping with the prep of the car on the day. Quite usefull as they spent about half an hour getting all the gravel out of it.
List are a good thing. This is what we have...........
Guarranteed that after the race you will have loads of things to look back on and impreove on next time. Once you have raced tho, nothing else matters.
My first proper lap was after we had changed over part way through the race. Nearly lost it on a bump into Paddock Hill on my first lap..
I was quite well prepared though. Walked the perimieter of the circuit with a few guys who knew their way around it in the morning. Watched plenty of videos before and we had 2 people helping with the prep of the car on the day. Quite usefull as they spent about half an hour getting all the gravel out of it.
List are a good thing. This is what we have...........
Guarranteed that after the race you will have loads of things to look back on and impreove on next time. Once you have raced tho, nothing else matters.
Edited by Burp on Saturday 5th June 21:51
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