650S Spider - track day
Discussion
Hi folks
I pick up my 2016 650S Spider in a weeks time.
End of April I've been invited to a track day at longwood test studios. It's not competitive, and we'll be guided by pace cars.
I've not done a "proper" track day in anything before - wondering if there are tips fellow 650S owners can share.
things I've gleaned from reading here and MclarenLife:
1) should be in track mode so as not to cook the brakes. (Is this wise in terms of control ?)
2) don't stay on the track too long
3) don't put the handbrake on (use the override) when you come off as discs will be scorchio.
Questions
1) there is a break in period - assuming I should get these miles done beforehand.
2) whilst looking forward to, paranoid about wrecking my brand new car. Any advice ? Am I being over cautious if I'm careful around the track ?
Cheers all
Matt
I pick up my 2016 650S Spider in a weeks time.
End of April I've been invited to a track day at longwood test studios. It's not competitive, and we'll be guided by pace cars.
I've not done a "proper" track day in anything before - wondering if there are tips fellow 650S owners can share.
things I've gleaned from reading here and MclarenLife:
1) should be in track mode so as not to cook the brakes. (Is this wise in terms of control ?)
2) don't stay on the track too long
3) don't put the handbrake on (use the override) when you come off as discs will be scorchio.
Questions
1) there is a break in period - assuming I should get these miles done beforehand.
2) whilst looking forward to, paranoid about wrecking my brand new car. Any advice ? Am I being over cautious if I'm careful around the track ?
Cheers all
Matt
Hi Matt,
There is no need for any running in/ bedding in it's all done before the cars are built, the brakes are bench bedded in prior to fitment and the engines are dyno run and bedded prior to fitting, the whole car is then rolling road run at the factory and they then have a really good "shake down" road test drive prior to release to the dealer.
They are good to use as you wish and as they are intended. If you can pay for a mclaren experienced instructor, his input will truly enhance your car and your abilities no end.
There is no need for any running in/ bedding in it's all done before the cars are built, the brakes are bench bedded in prior to fitment and the engines are dyno run and bedded prior to fitting, the whole car is then rolling road run at the factory and they then have a really good "shake down" road test drive prior to release to the dealer.
They are good to use as you wish and as they are intended. If you can pay for a mclaren experienced instructor, his input will truly enhance your car and your abilities no end.
Matt
When you get the car you need to get into the UK McLaren owners group on Facebook, there are track specialists on there who can provide all the answers and more advice than you can shake a stick at. 77 others are already on there.
Email mclarenownersuk@gmail.com and introduce yourself with details of your car.
BTW where is longwood test studios??
When you get the car you need to get into the UK McLaren owners group on Facebook, there are track specialists on there who can provide all the answers and more advice than you can shake a stick at. 77 others are already on there.
Email mclarenownersuk@gmail.com and introduce yourself with details of your car.
BTW where is longwood test studios??
k20erham said:
Hi Matt,
There is no need for any running in/ bedding in it's all done before the cars are built, the brakes are bench bedded in prior to fitment and the engines are dyno run and bedded prior to fitting, the whole car is then rolling road run at the factory and they then have a really good "shake down" road test drive prior to release to the dealer.
They are good to use as you wish and as they are intended. If you can pay for a mclaren experienced instructor, his input will truly enhance your car and your abilities no end.
Disagree. I was told to do at least a 600 mile run in by Mclaren, the engine is pre-bedded but the brakes and drive train aren't.There is no need for any running in/ bedding in it's all done before the cars are built, the brakes are bench bedded in prior to fitment and the engines are dyno run and bedded prior to fitting, the whole car is then rolling road run at the factory and they then have a really good "shake down" road test drive prior to release to the dealer.
They are good to use as you wish and as they are intended. If you can pay for a mclaren experienced instructor, his input will truly enhance your car and your abilities no end.
I did 900 miles before I put the car in Track and pushed it.
If you are not used to tracking cars of the sort of power/weight, I would strongly advise staying in sport handling. Track means very very little esc safety net on the 650, far less than on the 12c and Mclaren on their performance courses and track test drives now by and large will not put the 650 into track mode anymore. Make sure you do a full cooling lap and do not engage the parking brake when back in the pits.
You probably should do some sort of run in (mainly varying revs and not staying at constant revs for an extended time plus not labouring the engine) just to make sure everything works on the car and get used to it yourself but after the first few tanks of fuel, as long as the car is fully warmed up, it will not really be an issue imo.
You probably should do some sort of run in (mainly varying revs and not staying at constant revs for an extended time plus not labouring the engine) just to make sure everything works on the car and get used to it yourself but after the first few tanks of fuel, as long as the car is fully warmed up, it will not really be an issue imo.
br d said:
k20erham said:
Hi Matt,
There is no need for any running in/ bedding in it's all done before the cars are built, the brakes are bench bedded in prior to fitment and the engines are dyno run and bedded prior to fitting, the whole car is then rolling road run at the factory and they then have a really good "shake down" road test drive prior to release to the dealer.
They are good to use as you wish and as they are intended. If you can pay for a mclaren experienced instructor, his input will truly enhance your car and your abilities no end.
Disagree. I was told to do at least a 600 mile run in by Mclaren, the engine is pre-bedded but the brakes and drive train aren't.There is no need for any running in/ bedding in it's all done before the cars are built, the brakes are bench bedded in prior to fitment and the engines are dyno run and bedded prior to fitting, the whole car is then rolling road run at the factory and they then have a really good "shake down" road test drive prior to release to the dealer.
They are good to use as you wish and as they are intended. If you can pay for a mclaren experienced instructor, his input will truly enhance your car and your abilities no end.
I did 900 miles before I put the car in Track and pushed it.
No extended high revs no high loads in high gears and low revs and plenty of variation a very good idea for the first 5-600 miles. Personally I'd change the oil after 1,000 miles as well.
I don't have a McLaren but have taken a few nice cars round the track and it seems like you are on the right... track.
It's always best to give a car a little bit of run in time before hardcore track work. Whether it is truely necessary seems to have conflicting advice but if you can give is some miles first why not?
As for track mode as I novice I'd say sport would seem to make more sense, will leave that to the McLaren pros though.
Leaving the handbrake off is always good practice, if you can pop into an auto parts store and buy a small wheel chock and take it with you that will come in very handy. You'd be amazed how often you see un-manned cars going walk-about in the pits and it is not a good lock. Most likely where-ever you park up will have a slight slope so the car will tend to move that way, figure out which way it is and hop and out and chuck the chock down.
The good thing about the McLaren is that it is designed to go fast so none of this will be particularly straining on it so I would worry too much, it just always good to be nice to it where you can. Cool down laps are your friend. I'd say you will be fine.
The most important advice I think for a track day first timer is build up speed slowly! There is always one or two idiots who go out and try and set a flying lap on their first or second time around the track, it never ends well. Just get a feel for things and go faster as your confidence builds and you will be all good.
It's always best to give a car a little bit of run in time before hardcore track work. Whether it is truely necessary seems to have conflicting advice but if you can give is some miles first why not?
As for track mode as I novice I'd say sport would seem to make more sense, will leave that to the McLaren pros though.
Leaving the handbrake off is always good practice, if you can pop into an auto parts store and buy a small wheel chock and take it with you that will come in very handy. You'd be amazed how often you see un-manned cars going walk-about in the pits and it is not a good lock. Most likely where-ever you park up will have a slight slope so the car will tend to move that way, figure out which way it is and hop and out and chuck the chock down.
The good thing about the McLaren is that it is designed to go fast so none of this will be particularly straining on it so I would worry too much, it just always good to be nice to it where you can. Cool down laps are your friend. I'd say you will be fine.
The most important advice I think for a track day first timer is build up speed slowly! There is always one or two idiots who go out and try and set a flying lap on their first or second time around the track, it never ends well. Just get a feel for things and go faster as your confidence builds and you will be all good.
br d said:
Disagree. I was told to do at least a 600 mile run in by Mclaren, the engine is pre-bedded but the brakes and drive train aren't.
I did 900 miles before I put the car in Track and pushed it.
+1 - Agreed. I would also add that the components may be independently run in - but there are a lot of components which need to bed in with each other. If your car is new - the tyres will need to be scrubbed in, as well as brake/brake pads - and the gearbox too!I did 900 miles before I put the car in Track and pushed it.
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