Track Day Guide

[Viper]

I thought I would write a quick guide for people who are interested in getting started on a track day. If it is deemed unnecessary then I'm sure it will be gone when I wake up


What do I need to go on track?

The 3 main things you need are a road worthy car, a full UK driving licence and a helmet.

Most (if not all) venues have helmets available for hire, although there is likely to be a limited availability. For those of you considering getting your own helmet it is worth noting that venues are going to be getting strict about what helmets you can use. It seems that they will start to want people to use helmets which follow the MSA guidelines:

10.3.1. Standards. Helmets bearing one of the under mentioned ‘standards’ may be approved by the MSA subject to other criteria being met.

(a) INTERNATIONAL EVENTS & ALL MSA EVENTS.
FIA 8860-2004.
SNELL SA2005.
SNELL SA2000. (May be withdrawn with effect from 01/01/11)
SFI Foundation 31.1A, 31.2A.
BS 6658 Type A/FR.

In addition the following are acceptable for:

(b) (Helmet Standards)
International and MSA National Kart Racing Events (with exception of International Kart Drivers under 15 years of age and Bambino Drivers**):
• SNELL K98 and K2005
• SNELL – FIA CMR2007
• SNELL – FIA CMS2007

It is also important to note that all track days have noise limits. Typical noise limits seem to be either 98 or 105dB. This is usually measured at 3/4 revs from around a 1/2 meter distance. If you exceed the limit then you will not be allowed on track.

Take a long sleeved top and trousers with you. Most places will not let you on track if your arms and legs are not covered!

Familiarise yourself with the track. The last thing you need to be doing on track is worrying what the track does next!


Is my car good enough to go on track?

As long as your car is road worthy there will not be a problem. I have seen people saying they will not go on a track day because their suspension isn't good enough, or because they haven't got cams yet. You don't need bucket seats, a cage, the best suspension etc to go on track! If you want to do a track day then do it.

Don't be put off if your car is slow either. Have your own fun. Track days aren't competitive so speed is not an issue. If you drive within your limits and keep good track etiquette you should be fine!

Empty the car of any unnecessary items.

Make sure you regularly check your car during the day. Check for fluid levels, wheel nuts, leaks, brake pads and tyre pressures. Don't run out of fuel either, you will look stupid


Track Etiquette

IMO, the main thing about a track day is to be safe.

Good track etiquette

Be aware of safety flags. Ensure you know what they mean and that you obey them when you see them.

Make sure you are aware of other cars around you. If someone is clearly faster than you then don't hold them up, move over and signal for them to pass (only do so on a straight)

When overtaking someone make sure you leave them enough space and do not bully them out of the way.

Be patient. It is likely that you will be faster than someone. Make sure you remember that everyone has their own skill level and they may not be as comfortable as you on track.

If people are catching you up in corners but you are faster on a straight it is more than likely they are faster over all, so have the decency to let them pass.

Stay within your limits.

Poor etiquette

Do not bully cars out of the way. Actions such as tailgating and flashing headlights will be noticed by the track marshals and they will not be afraid of using black flags.

Do not drive past your limits. Doing so will put yourself and others in danger.

Do not overtake in braking zones or through corners. Marshals are usually fairly keen on this!

Do not block drivers from overtaking you.



I am sure I will have missed things out so let me know if I have, or if I've been talking crap.


Drive safely and have fun!

[Steve]

Things i like take to track days.

Spare oil
Big bottle of water
Jack
Basic set of tools luckily mine all sit a snug flat box which is easy to carry. But worth taking some basics like adjustable spanner, hammer.
Cable Ties

[SaxoMuffin]

Very nice read I think the below may come in useful a list of company's which host track days in the UK. Feel free to add to the list or comment on a company you may have booked with in the past

UK Trackdays
http://www.uktrackdays.co.uk/

Trackdays
http://www.trackdays.co.uk/

Focused Events
http://www.focusedevents.com/

EasyTrack
http://www.easytrack.co.uk/

Motorsport Vision
http://www.clubmsv.com

Book a Track
http://bookatrack.com/

Javelin Trackdays
http://www.javelintrackdays.co.uk/

TrackDays.net
http://www.trackdays.net/

OpenTrack
http://www.opentrack.co.uk/

Circuit Days
http://www.circuit-days.co.uk/

Also, Track Days can be booked via the track's main website

Lyddenhill
http://www.lyddenracecircuit.co.uk/track_days.php

Thruxton
http://www.thruxtonracing.co.uk/

Anglesey
http://www.angleseycircuit.com/

Castle Combe
http://www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk

Teeside Autodrome
http://www.teessideautodrome.co.uk/

Cadwell Park
http://www.cadwellpark.org.uk

Rockingham
http://www.rockingham.co.uk/

Brands Hatch
http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/brands-hatch/

Oulton Park
http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/oulton-park/

Snetterton
http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/snetterton

Bedford Autodrome
http://www.palmersport.com/

If you have any more please PM me and I shall add so we can try and keep this to one main list

Also, the below link is a good map to help find the nearest track to you (Obviously there are more but these seem to be the main UK Circuits)

http://www.trackdays.co.uk/large_map/

Provided by platty06:

This link is for The Association Of Track Day Organisers (A.T.D.O)

http://www.atdo.co.uk/atdo.php?pg=members&ls=all

When i first started out tracking years ago i found this site usefull for all the smaller circuts that get overlooked Aintree circut being a prime example.

Its also good to see what small circuts are close by that maybe people have never heard of.

[Jungle]

Originally Posted by Viper

I

Don't run out of fuel either, you will look stupid

If people are catching you up in corners but you are faster on a straight it is more than likely they are faster over all, so have the decency to let them pass.

Good guide Viper!

These two points ive highlited because 1) I nearly run out of petrol at mallory park last time and 2) People with more power always think because they are fast on a straight it doesnt matter that they are holding up people who are faster through corners

[Reechard]

Great guide for all those new to track.

I agree that on the point of those faster on the straights but slow in corners should allow others to pass.

On a lot of sessioned action days you get people who have poor etiquette and treat it as more of a race.
I know on my first time this was the case and afterwards had a few people come and say thanks for being so considerate.

Id like to add to novices to go slow and learn the lines, then gradually increasing your speed as you get more confident. You will then end up being quicker round the track than a lot of people who simply buy powerful cars but can not drive.

[N80Jamie]

Great guide. Will be using this information soon enough hopfully!

[Fulch]

Great guide Viper

One thing I will say is you must listen in the track briefing too. The guys giving the briefing are there not to lecture but make sure you have fun out on the track while being safe. One example was @ Trax 10 my ex was in the briefing and it got to a point in the briefing where the instructor was talking about passengers and that they have to be over 18, so my ex decided to text some point that were on the stand to say they wouldn't of been able to come due to there age. The instructor noticed this stopped the whole briefing and told her to get out. This resulted in her pay £30 to fill in some forms, spend 5 mins in a briefing only to the not allowed to go on the track. Seriously guys its there so you can have fun whilst being safe.

[Liam_]

A torque wrench is always worth taking if you have one. I checked the wheel nuts after every other stint on track - they never moved, but better safe than sorry.

Tyre pressure gauage is something I'd wish I'd taken with me - tyres had far too much air in them once they were warm. I borrowed one off someone else and removed some air until they were near enough standard pressures again (when warm).

[Ryanp]

The key things with track days are that the car is safe to be spanked and that you are not a pleb.

If someones faster than you dont try and be the big man and hold them up. Ok so the saxo may be slightly slower than your focus RS in a mile long drag but when you are holding it up the rest of the lap by sitting in the way please stop being such an arsehole.

Flashing lights at other drivers - tom did you get told this on a track day? As ive done this a few times at brands to let the slower cars know they were holding me up and I wanted to pass safely. They didnt black flag me.

Many people also forget that when you leave the pits you often have cold tyres/brakes. Take a lap to get heat into them, time and time again you have a stopped session leading to another stopped session because someone spanked it into the gravel on the first braking zone with cold brakes and tyres.

[Viper]

Flashing lights is mentioned on Javelin's website.

Also it's pretty disconcerting for someone who's new to driving on track. I've had it happen to me on croft through corners because a radical wanted to get past. I just see it as being impatient.

[Ryanp]

Javelin, ah figures.

One company I wont use for a track day again.

If someones flashing their lights they are telling you something, its better them do that than just shove it up the inside into a corner because they are fed up of being held up (seen this on a few occasions) imo. Although doing it in a corner is a bit dumb espec as in reality there is only one line.

[Viper]

Why will you not use Javelin again?

I suppose flashing can be ok depending on how it's done.

Failing that put up with them until you can smash their face in when you get off the track.

[Ryanp]

If someones slamming the anchors on mid corner and causing you to do so and nearly having people crash into you, then i really want to let them know they need to get out of the bloody way before theres a crash.

Wont use javelin as I felt that the main organising group were a bunch of idiots.
1. Paying for a garage - piss off MSV its free at brands why £20 with you lot.
2. The drivers who attended the javelin day were 'regulars' and the standard was appauling. Sorry but there were alot of loyal northerners with very bad standards crashing alot (brands in the wet).
3. Someone I know hit a white line in the wet (silly mistake I know) put his rallye in the tyres and had panel damage. We worked on the car to check it out/make sure the bent metal wasnt sticking out/going near tyres on the car and had it cleared by the track marshalls/head guy in charge of that for them. Yet theJavelin guy tried to say he wasnt allowed to as the car wasnt safe.
4. They just kept trying to have loads of drivers briefings through the day instead of removing the passes from those who were driving like plebs. So alot of people in the end just kept ignoring the briefings which seemed to be called every 40mins or so.

So from my personal point of view I wouldnt use them again. Some people like them, I didnt, and for my local track id use MSV over them any day. Especially as the pit garages are the only safe place to work on a car (rest of the area is on a big slope) and I dont feel I should have to pay for the privilage of changing a wheel safely.