Track virgin

[nakedguy]

Never been on a track but feel my Cerb deserves it. Any hints or tips for a novice

[RichV6]

Just finished my first ever day at Spa. Though no expert the Cerb certainly suits the faster tracks, i find the more technical twisty tracks do the car no favours.

My car has bigger brakes and standard exhaust (decatted) as well as "modernised" suspension. Only problems today ontrack were road tyres and the clutch gassing up due to old fluid and the heat from the exhaust manifold.

the car ran a lot better on the track than on the motorway to get there!!

[Targarama]

Big thing to remember is not to lift off the clutch harshly and with no revs on when downshifting. The back wheels will lock up and you will spin. Other than that just go out and enjoy within your own limits, don't worry about the others as by the end of the day you'll be keeping up with most traffic.

[GAjon]

Book a session with an instructor at the first opportunity, and listen.

[willtvr]

Targarama said:

Big thing to remember is not to lift off the clutch harshly and with no revs on when downshifting. The back wheels will lock up and you will spin. Other than that just go out and enjoy within your own limits, don't worry about the others as by the end of the day you'll be keeping up with most traffic.

Surely most TVR enthusiasts double de-clutch their downshifts?

[speedtwelve]

willtvr said:

Surely most TVR enthusiasts double de-clutch their downshifts?

Agreed, but then on-track you're into proper heel & toe, not just double-declutching, as obviously you're standing on the brake while you downshift. I'd been doing trackdays for years when I first took my Chim out on a circuit, but having only had it a month or so I hadn't got to grips with heeling & toeing it, although I'd been rev-matching on downshifts on the road when not braking. Results were as mentioned above! I didn't spin, but bringing the clutch up too quickly did result in locked rears and a somewhat draggy, tyre-smoky and recalcitrant back end. More gentle and progressive clutch lifts solved this, but it felt like I was really slipping the clutch a bit too much now. Heel & toe is the way forward!

To the OP: Might be an idea to start with an airfield venue, as there tends to be more run-off and less solid stuff to hit. Motorsport Events run some excellent days in the south on ex-RAF airfields. Runways/taxyways etc also usually run wider than your average race-circuit, and give more leeway of your lines aren't ideal. I agree that instruction is a very good idea if you haven't driven on a circuit before.

There's plenty of basic track advice if you search, but there isn't too much that's TVR specific. The awareness that there's a lot of engine drag under deceleration compared to most cars as mentioned. I found my lowly Chim 400 to be an excellent track toy. Adjustable chassis that refused to understeer; corner-entry on a trailing throttle gave enough oversteer to point the nose, thereafter going on the throttle made the car neutral, then power-oversteer with further right-foot. I found that even my 400 broke away into power-oversteer on corner exit quite abruptly in the dry, but a flick of steering was enough to catch it. Haven't been out in the wet, so don't know how it compares. Feck, I've gone all Troy Queef. I'll stop now...

[grahamn]

GAjon said:

Book a session with an instructor at the first opportunity, and listen.

This is really all the advice you need

[aubrey9160]

Make sure the car is up to the job before you go ie good brake pads, decent brake fluid and everything is topped up. Then just relax and enjoy it. Cerbs like the bigger tracks as I find they can get a bit of a handful on tight twisty tracks.

[d18mca]

Take a session with an instructor,or someone in the club with experience of track driving.
Drive slowly at first and build up gradually to where you feel comfortable.
Keep every movement as smooth and gentle as possible and don't worry what others are doing around you.
More experienced track users should give a novice plenty of room and be able to pass quite safely without causing grief to either party.
Most of all enjoy.TVRs'(and drivers )are happiest on track!
Davy

[Targarama]

Oh, another thing. Try to pick a trackday/organiser with a good reputation. Some of the 'turn up and drive' days attract the wrong kind of driver (plenty of videos on Youtube to show this kind of track day, enough to put you off for life). The last thing you want is a barryboy in an Evo cutting you up or a spanner in an Astra with a deathwish trying to keep up and cut you up mid-corner.

[nakedguy]

Thanks, appreciate the advice.
I live near glasgow so I think i will head to knock hill first and do a course with an instructor in my car

[Targarama]

nakedguy said:

Thanks, appreciate the advice.
I live near glasgow so I think i will head to knock hill first and do a course with an instructor in my car

Ah, that is one of the tracks I've seen some AWFUL driving videos from of their trackdays. Try a TVRCC day, there is one soon at Oulton Park - awesome circuit which really suits the Cerbera.

[speedtwelve]

Targarama said:

nakedguy said:

Thanks, appreciate the advice.
I live near glasgow so I think i will head to knock hill first and do a course with an instructor in my car

Ah, that is one of the tracks I've seen some AWFUL driving videos from of their trackdays. Try a TVRCC day, there is one soon at Oulton Park - awesome circuit which really suits the Cerbera.

Knockhill runs 'Speed Sunday' trackdays which used to be thinly-disguised demolition derbys so that Wullie and Rab could understeer their stolen Cavalier round the circuit 2 inches from the bumper of the Nova in front. These sessions provided most, if not all, of the YouTube entertainment mentioned.

The race school at KH can either provide a one-one session with an instructor in your Cerb with you during the week; they also occasionally do beginners' track events with instruction and paced lapping followed by an open session afterwards.

There are plenty of well-organised 'proper' track sessions available at Knockhill. The circuit itself runs 'Hot Marques' track days and evenings for cars valued at £15k+, specifically to encourage those put off by the Suicide Sunday events. There are also a few club-booked track events each month, by the likes of the Subaru & Lotus crowd, TrackScotland, Glenrothes Motorsports Club, & Dreadnought garage. The latter normally sees a good turnout of TVRs.

A Dreadnought or TrackScotland evening tends to attract Tivs, Ultimas, 911s, Exiges etc, and standards of driving are well-enough enforced.

[amazon]

nakedguy said:

Never been on a track but feel my Cerb deserves it. Any hints or tips for a novice

There's a gang of us going to Rockingham on Tuesday, 10th August - special TVR rate - why don't you join us there?

Here you go.....

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

Edited by amazon on Wednesday 30th June 18:19

[Mark_S_24]

Hey Kev,

As Speedtwelve has suggested, Knockhill do other track days.
The next one that I will be attending (Depending on if I get my leaking Radiator fixed in time) is on Thur 29th July, it's run by Dreadnought Garage (who do TVR repair as I'm sure you know).
The standard of etiquette & driving is quite good, I'm quite happy to take my Chim on track, with the Usual , motorsport is dangerous disclaimer.

If you're about, give me a shout & I'm happy to give you some passenger laps & instruction. (Speedtweleve will tell you, I can pedal a bit) but you can never go wrong with some training from the instructors at KH.

Mark S

Edited by Mark_S_24 on Wednesday 30th June 23:47

[nakedguy]

Mark that would be awesome. I'm working abroad just now but due home on the 24th. I need to uncover my baby when I get home and see if it is ready to hit the track. I will let you know if I can make it. Be good to meet some other enthusiasts. I've only had my cerb a few months so new to the whole TVR world

[nakedguy]

Oh meant to say,
I got the impression that speed Sunday would be like that. Fast car wanna bees in their novas and ragged out escorts cutting each other up