tome30
Posted a lot
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Ooh Err! Just booked a taster day at Brands Hatch. Full briefing and all that, then 20 minutes of (non-competitive) fun! Anyone got any advice or experiances of thier first time, other than take it easy and have fun. I'm a little nervous! ;D   |
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I've never done one but personally, if I did, I'd book one that lets you have more than 20 mins track time. You probably wouldn't want to be out there for more than 20 mins at a time but at least have a whole morning session which allows you to go out a few times with time in between to let the car rest, the brakes cool and the driver get some fluids and reflect on how to improve etc....
I'd rather do a day with lots of 10 minute blasts spread over a day than everything over and done with in 20 mins.
Having said that, I am sure you'll love it and from what I've heard from friends who have done (or still do) track days, it's an awesome time! Take LOTS of pics....
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
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tome, I'm in the same position as you having never done one and have considered one of those sessions so will be interested to hear how you get on.  |
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Last Edit: Jul 13, 2012 7:54:11 GMT by Seth
Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable. |
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Just take it easy, listen to the briefing and have fun!
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,962
Club RR Member Number: 29
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My first Track Day.MiataMark
@garra
Club Retro Rides Member 29
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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jamesp
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,828
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Jul 13, 2012 10:33:52 GMT
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ive done a few now as well as racing oval tracks for a good few years firstly I would try to book another session on the same day 20mins will be over before you knoow it and youll be gagging for more  that way youll only have to sit through 1 drivers briefing as outhers have said above make sure the car is healthy youll be supprised how fast youll lose half your brakes power when you start getting a trott on use the 1st lap to feel the track see where the tight bits are etc then just as simple as driving on the road drive as fast as you feel is right theres normaly marks on the track/walls where you should be on your brakes youll get to read thease without realiseng and get into a rythem the track gripps beter than a road so you can push a little harder when you feel confident enough keep a eye on your mirriors for faster cars /demo cars give them room to pass by sticking to 1 side of the track when they come your not racing so just let em through don't overtake on corners again your not racing so its not worth risking most of this is in the briefing before you start you should have a pack come through with car prep if not ill get you a link its all self explanatery realy |
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Last Edit: Jul 13, 2012 10:36:20 GMT by jamesp
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tome30
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,001
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Jul 13, 2012 12:10:03 GMT
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Thanks Guys, It is just a taster session. It's been organised by VW Heritage for Prept. www.facebook.com/pages/Prept/138783152854732retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=calendarview&thread=613Prept uses brands for its monthly meet, but this time we've been given the oppertunity to have a 20min taste (once) I agree, I'll be gagging to do more, and 20 mins will hardly be enough time, but I suppose thats the idea! It's £25, and sepperated into different classes. Mine being Golf, Jetta, Scirocco with drivers under 3 trackday's experiance, and non-timed....so just a laugh. Still nervous!!! ;D ;D ;D |
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,898
Club RR Member Number: 71
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My first Track Day.bstardchild
@bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member 71
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Jul 13, 2012 18:03:15 GMT
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I agree, I'll be gagging to do more, and 20 mins will hardly be enough time, but I suppose thats the idea! It's £25, and sepperated into different classes. Mine being Golf, Jetta, Scirocco with drivers under 3 trackday's experiance, and non-timed....so just a laugh. Still nervous!!! ;D ;D ;D Nerves are good for a 20 min session I wopuldn't bother about harder brake pads - I'd just make sure it had relatively frsh oil and filter, make sure the fluids are all topped up and drop a couple of psi out of the tyres. Build your speed up gradually if you find yourself catching up a slightly slower car follow it for a while - it can often help you find a better line and stop you getting to confident too quickly you'll either want more or be happy with the experience - just be aware it's a terribly slippery slope ;D |
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Jul 13, 2012 18:12:54 GMT
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Glad I saw this thread. Ive got my first Track experience next month. Silverstone at Ford fair!Hopefully I wont cock it up, there's lots of people watching there!
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My first Track Day.Robinxr4i
@robinxr4i
Club Retro Rides Member 143
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Jul 13, 2012 18:46:06 GMT
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I've done a few track sessions and a reasonable amount of drift days, like others have said nerves are normal just take it easy to start with and slowly build your confidence up. Take your time checking the car.
The first time I went out round Castle Combe I just went crackers, ended up coming too quickly down in to third gear in one corner and locked the wheels, I was totally inexperienced and almost span. Take it easy and enjoy your self ;D
Let us know how it goes!
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Sierra - here we go again! He has an illness, it's not his fault.
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Jul 13, 2012 19:34:23 GMT
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Don't worry about it is my advice.
Go have fun and enjoy the buzz you get, careful with 20 minute tasters thou as the tend to be more about pulling numbers than actually setting you in to track setting.
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Some days you just need to take a grinder to an inanimate object, just to make your day a tiny bit better!!
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Jul 13, 2012 22:35:49 GMT
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£25 for 20 mins isn't bad,it will make you want more though! Stay safe.
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djefk
Part of things
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These guys are good value, a good laugh and have some interesting cars (Heavily modified Golf, Caterham etc.) www.dsmotorsport.co.uk/Had a lot of fun for the money! |
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,841
Club RR Member Number: 174
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My first Track Day.stealthstylz
@stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member 174
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Next time you do one (and there WILL be a next time after you've tried it) try and go out with an instructor in the passenger seat. It'll suprise you how much quicker you'll get.
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These guys are good value, a good laugh and have some interesting cars (Heavily modified Golf, Caterham etc.) www.dsmotorsport.co.uk/Had a lot of fun for the money! Websites just a page?It's Round the corner from me what do they offer? |
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tome30
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,001
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Next time you do one (and there WILL be a next time after you've tried it) try and go out with an instructor in the passenger seat. It'll suprise you how much quicker you'll get. THE STIG !!! These guys are good value, a good laugh and have some interesting cars (Heavily modified Golf, Caterham etc.) www.dsmotorsport.co.uk/Had a lot of fun for the money! Websites just a page?It's Round the corner from me what do they offer? Will keep that link bookmarked, for when I get the bug!  Website states that 'new website coming soon' ;D  |
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Jul 14, 2012 22:30:02 GMT
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Make sure there's no loose curse word in your car, get all four tyres to the same pressures, go as fast as possible, do all your braking in a straight line, make sure your oil level is good and you have loads of petrol in the car, try to approach the hump at the end of the main straight in fifth with your foot down hard on the throttle heading slightly left towards the stands before standing on the brakes as you hit the ridge and then dropping to third for the right turn ;-)
Charlie
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tome30
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,001
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Nerves are good for a 20 min session I wopuldn't bother about harder brake pads - I'd just make sure it had relatively frsh oil and filter, make sure the fluids are all topped up and drop a couple of psi out of the tyres[glow=red,2,300][/glow]. How much should I let out PSI wise? |
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Jul 17, 2012 10:08:57 GMT
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Would agree with instructor comments. Did my first, couple of laps with my mate, then a couple with instructor, then more with my mate and he couldn't believe the difference the bloke had made.
Have fun, watch out for faster cars, especially d*cks in modern stuff. Nearly rear ended an almost new BMW that overtook us coming into a bend, cut across in front and effectively filled our braking zone with a great big heavily braking beemer. He was thrown off the track for being a proverbial.
Don't forget to get enough fuel. Sounds daft but 20mins of flat out driving will burn through it and running out will be embarrassing and cut your track time down.
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,898
Club RR Member Number: 71
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My first Track Day.bstardchild
@bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member 71
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Jul 17, 2012 18:38:51 GMT
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Nerves are good for a 20 min session I wopuldn't bother about harder brake pads - I'd just make sure it had relatively frsh oil and filter, make sure the fluids are all topped up and drop a couple of psi out of the tyres[glow=red,2,300][/glow]. How much should I let out PSI wise? Just a couple - tyre pressures for normal road use are set when cold and when I'm on the road they only go up by 1-2psi max during harder driving - on track however they will climb by 4-6 psi hence my suggestion to drop the pressure slightly if you are driving on track with road tyres - it just what I've found over several years. If it's wet don't bother ;D |
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that way youll only have to sit through 1 drivers briefing 
