Trackday essentials

[elf63]

Well, i'm off to Silverstone on sunday for the 1st trackday in my little black SR4, can't wait! I've booked Nigel Greensall the following sunday, same venue, for some expert tuition, as my son has hardly any track experience and i feel it should be an investment to hopefully becoming a fast and SAFE driver. So as not to be caught out, i was wondering if anyone has a checklist of things to do or take with them, because i'm sure i'll forget something , as its been a few years since i was a regular 'trackdayer' in my old Caterham, plus the Radical's all new to me at the moment. After meeting up with Trevor Brown the other day, he did advise me to ask anything, as the Radical boys are a really helpful bunch and that everyone starts out the same as me, so here i am! Any advise would be appreciated, plus i do like my lists.....you ask the missus!
Thanks in advance and if anyone else is going on either day, let me know and i'll introduce myself( and pick your brains!)

Cheers, Steve

Edited by elf63 on Thursday 10th March 19:01

[BertBert]

elf63 said:

Well, i'm off to Silverstone on sunday for the 1st trackday in my little black SR4, can't wait! I've booked Nigel Greensall the following sunday, same venue, for some expert tuition, as my son has hardly any track experience and i feel it should be an investment to hopefully becoming a fast and SAFE driver. So as not to be caught out, i was wondering if anyone has a checklist of things to do or take with them, because i'm sure i'll forget something , as its been a few years since i was a regular 'trackdayer' in my old Caterham, plus the Radical's all new to me at the moment. After meeting up with Trevor Brown the other day, he did advise me to ask anything, as the Radical boys are a really helpful bunch and that everyone starts out the same as me, so here i am! Any advise would be appreciated, plus i do like my lists.....you ask the missus!
Thanks in advance and if anyone else is going on either day, let me know and i'll introduce myself( and pick your brains!)

Cheers, Steve

Starting point is the pre-track-day checkover. There's quite a lot to do there especially if it's the first run out since purchase. You need to check all fastenings not just the suspension ones (there's loads more to check, but you have probably done all of it anyway). I drove directly under an undertray yesterday at Snett which was about 50ft over my head from the car in front (names witheld to protect modesty). Also make sure the seat fits and pedals are ok; and if there are two of you of different sizes, practice the change between the two. So back to the actual question...

So as a starter for 10...

Tools (normal set, don't think there are any special ones).
Quicklift jack (or air if you have poncey air-jacks)
Chain lube
Engine oil
Brake fluid
Spares - chain and chain link doofer, pads, rear sprockets (at least check you are on a suitable size)
Glass cleaner
Tank tape (nicely matched with body colours)
Cable ties
Tyre pump
Pressure gauge
Torque wench
Fuel, jug, funnel
WD40 (can't ever remember using it, but I take some)
Spare plugs (for when the wretched thing won't start)

There's probably loads more, but my brain is done for the day!

HTH
Bert

[nick997]

If you are on an open trailer cover over the air intake if there is any chance of driving through some rain on the way to the circuit. Anyone want to put their hand up for that one.....

Enjoy your first day out in the car, impressive toys.

[jpivey]

I think BertBert has answered that one sounds about right what silencer does the car have race or trackday as don't want to upset the noise police and get sent home, i'm working on the southern circuit on sunday and can bring along my spare trackday silencer if you don't have one/fail noise test.
I use gallons of WD40 on mine cleans and keeps the chassis as new nothing worse than a dirty race car.

J-P

[splitpin]

Meant to say the other day; important for safety! When you QL it, the springs often drop out of the top seats (applies to front and rear); put them back in after you've dropped it back down; by jiggling the spring about halfway down i.e. fingers well clear of where the spring goes into the seat ........... I've heard it's rather excrutiating if you nip your skin/digits in there - when you hear the twang they make as they go back in, you'll know what I mean.

Check and as necessary adjust your chain tension and front/rear sprocket alignment before you go; you'll be busy enough on your first day without messing around with that; that way, on the day, you'll only have to check/do it's lube.

[Martin B]

On my Clubsport, I use a cable tie through the top spring coil and around the shock top and back through the gap in the top spring seat to stop the springs dropping out when using QL, the bottom spring seats always go back in ok.

[BertBert]

jpivey said:

I use gallons of WD40 on mine cleans and keeps the chassis as new nothing worse than a dirty race car.
J-P

Yep, I was going to put it in the post-trackday list. I too use it for cleaning the chassis.

Bert

[superlight7]

Adding to all the above great comments.

To assist the starting I normally run mine up the day before an event. Don't ask me why but it always seems to start better on the actual day if it was run less than 24 hours earlier.

I second the spare plugs and also a spare battery or jump pack in case you need a boost.

Other than that don't forget lashings of fuel and have a great time.

[double d racing]

DRIVING LICENCE
Ear plugs
Helmet
Overalls
Gloves
Race boots and owt else personal
Spare pair spectacles
Sunglasses
Spare visors
Countdown Kitchen timer for dashboard.
Limit yourself to say 20 min sessions
Thorough spanner check after 1st session.
cleaners for visors and specs, and special SOFT cleaning cloth
Garage rules ( agree with all doing jobs/interfering )
Place all clips in one place. On that basis if there are none in that place then they should all be in the car.
When refuelling always filter the fuel into the jug and into the car
Fill the jug AWAY from the car ( so if you spill you are not treading in it etc )
Keep a rag to hand in case of spillages
Pop the petrol cap on between fills
Agree who is going to torque up the wheels, Our rule is that wheels are either loose or torqued up, Once torqued insert the centre clips.
Nut gun or similar
Torque wrench
Keep a note book and note down ANY changes you make.
REMIND/WARN/bk all your team about NOT timing !!
Agree a system to be called in if there is a problem and the driver has not noticed it.
Assess the other drivers on track....who's observing the rules ...who is being a twonk ( polite ! )
ENJOYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

DD

[superlight7]

double d racing said:

DRIVING LICENCE
Race boots and owt else personal

DD

That's a good one - I once forgot and turned up to a sprint with Crocs on my feet.....

[splitpin]

Aside from a debit/credit card (you never know do you) reinforce the importance of double/treble checking you've got that Driving Licence; both parts of those new fangled ones as I understand it.

Turning up at a trackday without same is the equivalent of trying to check in having left your passport at home; ability to fly not totally impossible but extremely unlikely; however thorough and neat your packing, it was all a complete waste of time, mood not improved at all by standing watching the planes take off.

(No, I haven't yet turned up at a trackday without my DL )

[elf63]

jpivey said:

I think BertBert has answered that one sounds about right what silencer does the car have race or trackday as don't want to upset the noise police and get sent home, i'm working on the southern circuit on sunday and can bring along my spare trackday silencer if you don't have one/fail noise test.
I use gallons of WD40 on mine cleans and keeps the chassis as new nothing worse than a dirty race car.

J-P

Thanks for the offer, really appreciate that!
I do have a trackday silencer, which i'll take, so should be ok.
Got the WD 40 and plenty of rags!

Cheers,

Steve