Trackday novice advice

dezzy · Post by **dezzy** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 5:55 pm

Rightyho, about to do my first ever trackday on Monday at Teesside. A bit nervous but generally really excited! Just looking for a bit of advice before popping my trackday cherry!

I've read the advice on SE1. I'm aware of flag colours, moving over for overtaking, cool down laps, and I know to leave the car running for a bit (with handbrake off!) to let things settle each time I come back in.

Is there anything else I should know or any other advice anyone can offer?

I've also given the car a good check over today: took all four wheels off and made sure nothing was loose in the suspension/wheel department, checked all four tyres thoroughly, set tyre pressures, checked oil/coolant/brake fluid, removed things that could fly about inside the car. Plus, I also tried to sort a few niggly rattles in the process!

Anything else I need to check before Monday?

Thanks in advance for the advice. I'd also really appreciate if a trackday expert could come out and pax with me for the first few laps to show me what I'm doing wrong!

Really looking forward to it now!

r055 · Post by **r055** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 6:00 pm

remember a spare pair of pants!

there's a good downloadable track guide on the tut towers section of SE1 if i remember rightly...

mac · Post by **mac** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 6:03 pm

Stick to the black stuff and you'll be fine

Go at your own pace - don't be concerned about being the slowest thing on four wheels - you'll get quicker and quicker without noticing it

Relax, enjoy yourself - it looks like quite a technical circuit so speeds shouldn't be that high.

Feel free to ask question in the pitlane.

Cheers

Mac

craigs135s · Post by **craigs135s** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 6:17 pm

As mac says mate do it at your own pace. Am sure you will have fun

Cheers
Craig

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 7:07 pm

Relax and enjoy it, dont feel pressured into thinking you have to go quicker.

Start off slow, even take a very slow pace and build on your speed. Try to find someone of a similar pace and follow their lines.

Take regular breaks to cool the car and yourself, its easy to get carried away and suddenly find the limits of your talent.

Have fun.

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 7:25 pm

always keep in mind thay it is very easy for confidence to over take talent on track days

Oil and tyre pressures are my usual checks - remember driving licenses chaps too

dezzy · Post by **dezzy** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 7:47 pm

Cheers for the kind words guys. I'll definitely be taking it easy!

Forgot about driving license . . . good reminder Andy!

Mandy · Post by **Mandy** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 9:13 pm

Don't worry about holding other folk up, they all have the capability to get around you so don't panic if you see someone like Tut up your backside

Just take your time, move over when comfortable to let others pass and most of all have a blast. You will love it once you are there. You will be a nervous reck until the red light turns green and when your foot hits the accelerator you will be grinning from ear to ear.

After that you will never look back - I really need to get myself back on track soon.

have fun and be safe.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 9:17 pm

Mandy wrote:don't panic if you see someone like Tut up your backside

I didnt even have to edit that

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 9:43 pm

Dezzy

Have a great time. I know that you will enjoy it.

The only thing that I feel I can add (from my very limited experience) is that when you feel you are getting a little over confident, come in and take 5 mins to settle back down. Worked very well for me a couple of times last week, particularly after the first 10 mins when things began to click into place (or so I thought).

Have a good one

rossybee · Post by **rossybee** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 10:31 am

I agree with all the points above

Dezzy, try to keep a calm head, and as Stewart says, give yourself breaks - plus you've got the advantage of having your pick of friendly SE'ers (you may wish to pick one of the unfriendly ones

) to pax & give advice

Most importantly, have fun

dezzy · Post by **dezzy** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 11:36 am

shooomer wrote:Dezzy
I won't have a car so can pax with you

Cheers mate. Will definitely take you up on that offer!