Track Day Advice

[TheSmythe]

Never done a track day before, but with my Fabia now being a year old and starting to loosen up I'd love to get it on a track

How does the VRS hold out on track days against the other cars out there? and what is the best way to get involved as a beginner??

[ric04vrs]

Originally Posted by TheSmythe

Never done a track day before, but with my Fabia now being a year old and starting to loosen up I'd love to get it on a track

How does the VRS hold out on track days against the other cars out there? and what is the best way to get involved as a beginner??

i've done a couple of track days in my Fabia VRS , one whilst it was standard and one with Eibach lowering springs and the rear ARB fitted

raise your tyre pressures a bit before you go on track (2-4PSI)

its OK as standard but gets a bit of roll on in the corners , i split my driving into 25-30 minute sessions if its an open pitlane , which was about 10-12 laps at Oulton park , using the last lap to allow the car to cool down , once in the paddock , leave the car running for a good few minutes also to let the engine cool

the brakes are probably the weak link , i've had them on fire after some brisk lapping , but if you take it easy they sould be ok

the VRS holds its own pretty well on the track especially if the above suspension mods have been fitted , pretty quick cars will catch you on the straights but lose out through the corners , if you can , pay for some tuition on the day , it shouldn't cost much but should be of great benefit

remember the faster cars are only allowed to overtake on your left

have fun

[Quinten]

A car is only as good as its driver. I've been overtaken by the silliest of cars, but I'm a crap driver I wouldn't worry about what cars are on the track with you, just take your time to learn a bit about the track and the corners and if you can, try to emulate the cornering of some of the faster cars around you on track. Learn by example is always a good one.

The silliest thing you can do is go full on in a corner and realise it is too late to brake... I've tried... Many times now

[Stuart_J]

Originally Posted by TheSmythe

Never done a track day before, but with my Fabia now being a year old and starting to loosen up I'd love to get it on a track

How does the VRS hold out on track days against the other cars out there? and what is the best way to get involved as a beginner??

This would be a great place to start http://www.briskoda.net/forums/track...ight=track+day

I say this for several reasons

1 The package includes free instruction from a professional which is always better if your a beginer & certainly better than from your mate however good he recons he is ! Every event I have done with them the drivers have been current or past race drivers

2 Ive done several events with this company & they are incredibly strict on driving standards & courtious driving & will quickly take poor drivers to one side for a chat & if they dont listen they are sent home. Thats incredibly reassuring if you are a novice as you dont have to worry too much about what others are doing

3 Its incredible value for money !!



Avoid like the plague any events that are turn up & pay or a few quid for a few laps, with all these events there are loads of cars & differing standards, Ive seen one event wherea 360 Ferrari was on the track at the same time as a trailored in Golf GTi Mot Failure whoose owner was determined to trash the car, he survived the day but a couple of others collided. Remember on a track day you pay for your damage even if its not your fault.

An event spread over a day means its un hurried & you have plenty of time to feel your way in, if you have no instruction the first time you go out do a few gentle laps & learn the track, then come in, have a brek, then go out & try a bit quicker. The people who are the quickest at the end of the day have spent time learning the line, remember smooth = quick, sideways, skidding etc = slow

[Lance]

[quote=Quinten;900800]A car is only as good as its driver. I've been overtaken by the silliest of cars, but I'm a crap driver I wouldn't worry about what cars are on the track with you, just take your time to learn a bit about the track and the corners and if you can, try to emulate the cornering of some of the faster cars around you on track. Learn by example is always a good one.

QUOTE]

Wise words from Mr Q!!!

I've done many many bike trackdays and the Nurburgring numerous times on a bike and in a car. Have beaten much superior machinery on many many occasions and have been shown the way many many times by far inferior machinery........driver/rider ability IMO is at least as important as what your driving/riding.

I'm with Q, take a bit of time to learn.

Mind the BS in the pitlane, it will be flowing at an alarming rate.

Lance

[matchmaker]

Originally Posted by ric04vrs

remember the faster cars are only allowed to overtake on your left

Beware! Some circuits now allow overtaking on both sides (Knockhill, for example)

A bit disconcerting until you get used to it

Oh, and another thing - you may be out for a bit of fun, but some people take it FAR too seriously

[ric04vrs]

[quote=matchmaker;900908]Beware! Some circuits now allow overtaking on both sides (Knockhill, for example)

[quote]

didn't know that , sounds like a recipe for disaster , at least you knew where you stood , if they could only overtake on the left

[Stuart_J]

Originally Posted by matchmaker

Beware! Some circuits now allow overtaking on both sides (Knockhill, for example)

A bit disconcerting until you get used to it

Oh, and another thing - you may be out for a bit of fun, but some people take it FAR too seriously

Well I wont be going there then

[TaviaRS]

Castle Combe is o/t on the right.

Take your time, learn your car and the track - don't try and race people, if you want to race get a licence and do it properly.

It is like a drive to the shops really - only differences are there are no speed limits and there is no-one coming the other way (usually! )

Main thing is - ENJOY IT!

[redbaron]

most circuits operate a push to pass system - if the trailing car is clearly quicker. the car in front is oblidged to move over and allow them through - at this point passing on either side makes little difference as it is "by consent" thus common sense can prevail.

[TaviaRS]

I prefer the tap to pass system - they don't move quick enough, you give them a tap

[redbaron]

nah more fun to close so fast you are up the inside and gone before they even realise you are there.....

[tfboy]

Originally Posted by Quinten

A car is only as good as its driver. I've been overtaken by the silliest of cars, but I'm a crap driver I wouldn't worry about what cars are on the track with you, just take your time to learn a bit about the track and the corners and if you can, try to emulate the cornering of some of the faster cars around you on track. Learn by example is always a good one.

The silliest thing you can do is go full on in a corner and realise it is too late to brake... I've tried... Many times now

Yup and we all have the DVD to prove it

Originally Posted by Stuart_J

This would be a great place to start http://www.briskoda.net/forums/track...ight=track+day

I say this for several reasons

1 The package includes free instruction from a professional which is always better if your a beginer & certainly better than from your mate however good he recons he is ! Every event I have done with them the drivers have been current or past race drivers

2 Ive done several events with this company & they are incredibly strict on driving standards & courtious driving & will quickly take poor drivers to one side for a chat & if they dont listen they are sent home. Thats incredibly reassuring if you are a novice as you dont have to worry too much about what others are doing

3 Its incredible value for money !!



Avoid like the plague any events that are turn up & pay or a few quid for a few laps, with all these events there are loads of cars & differing standards, Ive seen one event wherea 360 Ferrari was on the track at the same time as a trailored in Golf GTi Mot Failure whoose owner was determined to trash the car, he survived the day but a couple of others collided. Remember on a track day you pay for your damage even if its not your fault.

An event spread over a day means its un hurried & you have plenty of time to feel your way in, if you have no instruction the first time you go out do a few gentle laps & learn the track, then come in, have a brek, then go out & try a bit quicker. The people who are the quickest at the end of the day have spent time learning the line, remember smooth = quick, sideways, skidding etc = slow

Wise words IMHO Also if you come on our Briskoda trackday on the 1st June, it'll be mostly Briskodian people there. We all (well, try to! ) respect each other's cars and people. 99% of us there use our everyday car and we have no desire to trash it.

Most of these airfield-type circuits have massive grass run-offs, so if you overcook a corner, the worst you'll do is end up wish a squashed cone under the car body and you won't pile into an armco.

My first track day was at Brunters a few years ago and it was a briskoda organised day. I cannot emphasise how fantastic it was, particularly with my confidence that grew during the day.

Originally Posted by TaviaRS

Castle Combe is o/t on the right.

Take your time, learn your car and the track - don't try and race people, if you want to race get a licence and do it properly.

It is like a drive to the shops really - only differences are there are no speed limits and there is no-one coming the other way (usually! )

Main thing is - ENJOY IT!

As Jon said, no one in Briskoda will be "racing" their cars There'll be a surprisingly quick Mercedes moving chicane I think, but it's all done with the aspect of fun, learning and being as relaxed as possible.

Lastly, whilst it may not seem that obvious at first, having your first fast drive on a track day is probably the safest environment you'll ever be in, and a good chance to test your limits if you want to without the fear of losing your licence, and of cause causing an accident injuring yourself / others around you.

COME ALONG!

[TheSmythe]

Thanks for all the advice and posts.
The Briskoda event sounds good - I won't be able to make that date, but will be looking out for dates of subsequent events with interest!

The thought of some tuition sounds like a very good idea too!!
Thanks again!