advice on preparing car for track day

[Alan_leamy]

Im in Silverstone next Sat for a days tuition with Steve Deeks and as this is my first time on a track with the car all advice welcome.

What should I do to prepare the car. Petrol, Tyres, Tyre pressure, Oil etc. Bear in mind Im not a techy PH

What state will it be in after 4 x 30 min sessions on the track.

Does the car need to be serviced after such a day.

Cheers,

Alan

[topboss]

Just a general check on things really. Make sure tyres are at the right pressure, oil level good, plenty of petrol (if you go under 1/4 of a tank around track there is a risk of fuel starvation to the motor. Make sure your discs/pads are in good order and the fluid is topped up.

Take some oil/brake fluid with you just in case.

Most importantly, enjoy yourself and get some in car footage for all to see if possible!

4 x 30 minute sessions is fine as long as you give the car a few warming up laps before gunning it and a few cooling downlaps to let things cool down before going back into the pits. Oh.....and don't leave the handbrake on after coming back into the pits (leave it in gear).

[paulcundy]

take your front number plate off.
put a towel between you and the seat.
Paul C

[m12wastegate]

Alan_leamy said:

Im in Silverstone next Sat for a days tuition with Steve Deeks and as this is my first time on a track with the car all advice welcome. What should I do to prepare the car. Petrol, Tyres, Tyre pressure, Oil etc. Bear in mind Im not a techy PH What state will it be in after 4 x 30 min sessions on the track. Does the car need to be serviced after such a day. Cheers, Alan

30 min sessions is way too long to be on track in my opinion. Most people would advise 15 minutes or even 10 minute stints, then let the car cool down.

Take spare oil and coolant - make sure both are topped up at the start and during the day if necessary. I personally dilute my coolant much less cos it doesn't evaporate as much.

Definitely don't run when fuel is low. I've had some scary moments on tracks with fuel surge - it can be dangerous as well as not being good for the car.

If you have an oil temp gauge fitted, keep an eye on the temp. Recently, my temps are getting much higher on track and you should come in if you are going off the gauge.

After the track day, give your car a good look over. You will probably develop a few new squeaks or rattles. Change the oil more regularly - I do it when I don't like the colour which is usually about 3 track days. Test your fronts for knackered ball joints - depends on the circuit but I've been through a few.

Have you got the track sump fitted? If not, don't track until you do.

Chris

[Alan_leamy]

Will I require a new set of tyres after the day?

[DanH]

Not if you drive sensibly no (assuming they are in decent nick now and have reasonable tread left). I'd be warey of 30 mins on track at a time though, as that could get the tyres very hot and when tyres get hot, chunks start to come off...

[Alan_leamy]

Where would one competitively purchase a new set of tyres if I do go through them.

[gizard]

www.micheldever.co.uk/

Cheapest I can find just bought an entire set of SO3's for just under 600 ukp.

[DanH]

Seriously, you'd have to be willfully stupid to burn through them. Just don't go nuts. Every time I've damaged tyres, I was conscious I was pushing it at the time. You'll hear them screaming in protest if you overdo it.