Hi,

I'm taking the plunge and going on my first open-pitlane track day at Silverstone International in March. Have just had suspension, handling, brakes and geo sorted on my Hawk STI by Chevron Motorsport so I can't wait!

I'm no F1 driver and just want to have fun, push the car harder than I can on the road and learn about her capabilities. I don't want to blow the thing up, (have a sensibly mapped (Bob Rawle) Type UK) and will be keeping an eye on oil temps etc via the Defis.

It'll all be new to me so any hints, tips and preparation advice gratefully received, to make my day a good one.

Oh and can anyone recommend a decent helmet? If it's as much fun as I'm told it is, I intend to track between 4 and 6 times a year, (if i'm lucky) so I don't want to spend a fortune!

Cheers,

Steve

 

Warm down just as vital as warm up, in fact more so. Slow in fast out!

Do you need a helmet (type approved, gold seal i think from memory) and will the car meet the noise regs and have you got track day insurance?
Have fun!

 

no noise limit at silverstone but many tracks have a 100db limit

 

A helmet like this is ok
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Motors...elmet/1565/196

Dont forget the Track day insurance though. And just take it easy at first and build up speed throughout the day. And remember not to put your handbrake on after each session till your brakes are cool

And have fun

 

If you have RE070's (best track tyre IMHO) brakes & tyres will really heat up the Alloys two things happen, the wheel centres fall out (so remove before you start) and the tyre pressure can go up big time. (mine 31 front up to 50+ and it handled like a pig)

So do 2 to 3 laps and check Pressures put back to road settings. Also check wheel nuts can come lose


Track driving is very tiring and hard on car, try 20mins out 4 mins rest.

I work on one "miss-judment" a lap is trying 2 "miss-judments" a lap i'm tired and losing concentration. No3 will be a biggy if you stay out.Slow in fast out.

Drink plenty of water

Slower in faster out.



Tony

Ps Best advice, you drove it there it's best to drive it home. A trailer home tends to spoil the day.

 

^^ interesting about tyre pressures, so you say that you go out do a few laps to warm everything up (which causes pressures to go up) then come in and lower the pressure back to normal road settings??

Another tip for the OP, dont put the handbrake on when you come into the pits as you'll boil your brake fluid

 

Top up all your fluids, and make sure the brake fluid is good.

You'll need to keep fuel tank more than half full or you will likely get fuel surge.

What brake pads did they fit? What tyres are you running?

 

Yes this certainly works on the hard walled Bridgestone RE070's, I actually run 33f31r on the road and 31f30r on track. I normally drop 8psi out N/S tyres and 6psi out of O/S tyres on a Right hand circuit. Warm up steadly and recheck in 5 or 6 laps

I assume that you mean the ARDS drivers breifing advice, add 2-5psi to road setting so the car won't "squirm" as much. This maybe true for soft walled road tyres and people unlikely to test any limits of the car nor generate that amount of heat.

IMHO IIRC

Tony

 

^ Interesting I run 36f34r on my softer T1R's road pressures, not decided on track pressures yet