track days

marshey

Active Member
Feb 25, 2012
202
0
essex
How many people track their cars. I am thinking about putting mine on a couple of track days a year. Mine is standard engine, jom coilovers at mo but gonna start with some chassis mods first. So if you do track yours what mods you got.
 

james91

Active Member
Sep 13, 2012
10
0
I've done a few track days none with my current car though what i would recommend is going with a few mates with similar powered cars, its not the speed what makes it fun its how close to the limit you can get only car i've done track days in was my old 1.2 corsa slow but against slow cars is fun.
 
Last edited:

marshey

Active Member
Feb 25, 2012
202
0
essex
Yeah I'm with you on the same power cars. Got my 130 sport and my mates have e36 328 a s13 2 mx5s mr2 and 2 redtop corsa's. So I'm the only diesel. But I was gonna concentrate on brakes and chassis first. I have took all the audio out already need back seats for kids but they take 5mins to remove.
 

Seal_LCR

Active Member
Jun 4, 2012
2,590
5
Redditch
Taking the back seats out isn't gonna do much I wouldn't bother

I've done loads of track days in various peugeots 306 1.9dturbo 106gti 205gti 306 gti6

To me it doesn't matter about the power of the cars around you it's about learning you're car the way you can't on the road plus I have overtaken a lot more exotic cars. It's not about power it's all about the driver. I'd imagine you are doing non competitive so just have fun and drive within you're limits
 

n0ble

Newbie
Sep 14, 2006
379
0
It's not all about the driver. It's a fine balance.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2
 

marshey

Active Member
Feb 25, 2012
202
0
essex
If it was competitive with my mates it would turn it to banger racing. But on the other side I don't want a car that a classic mini will make me look stupid

I was more thinking arbs, poly bushes and fully adjustable coilovers before power and sticky tires.
 

great_kahn

Spooge
Nov 19, 2009
2,415
2
Leicestershire
Good tyres, good brakes.

I highly recommend Club msv novice only days. They keep numbers down and there should be no stripped out track slags. You can do a half day also, and they do tution.

And if in doubt... go flat out :D

20110324_llandow_45.jpg
 

Seal_LCR

Active Member
Jun 4, 2012
2,590
5
Redditch
It's not all about the driver. It's a fine balance.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2

Maybe so. Can be a little dangerous if you are going in a 1.0 against a lot faster cars but then u need to be sensible about you're track time

Good tyres, good brakes.

I highly recommend Club msv novice only days. They keep numbers down and there should be no stripped out track slags. You can do a half day also, and they do tution.

And if in doubt... go flat out :D

20110324_llandow_45.jpg

That's a good shout and there not that expensive.
 

marshey

Active Member
Feb 25, 2012
202
0
essex
Like the pic. I'm gonna be sticking with the sport rims so got a bit of tire profile. So biggest brakes are 312m
 

great_kahn

Spooge
Nov 19, 2009
2,415
2
Leicestershire
Like the pic. I'm gonna be sticking with the sport rims so got a bit of tire profile. So biggest brakes are 312m

I ment more the fluid you are using etc. Seen plenty of people boil there fluid and have no brakes left coming into a corner. If you feel your brakes starting to fade, COME INTO THE PITS :D
 

Chriswaite130

Byebye TDI, Hello VTEC y0
Jan 24, 2008
579
0
Northumberland
Already mentioned but IMO the most important 'mods' are good tyres (set to the right temps!!), brakes/fluid, maybe an arb or 2 and suspension set up. Dont go thinking putting coilovers on and decking it will be good because it'll ruin the handling.

My first trackday I understeered everywhere because it was low.

For my second trackday I raised it up (left it slightly nose down) and it was much much better.

Also - learn to drive :D my first day I was so aggressive through the corners which wouldnt have helped understeer, my second day I was more relaxed and smooth - and smooth is fast :)

All in my opinion/from experience of course
 

Dave 20vT

Active Member
Mar 15, 2010
29
0
Stevenage
I've done about six trackdays this year in my Ibiza FR TDI. As mentioned, brakes are one of the first places to make suitable upgrades with good quality fluid and quality pads. I also have some neoprene hoses which I bought off ebay to provide extra venting.

I have been using Motul RBF600 fluid and EBC yellowstuff pads which last well and resist fade. Mods wise, I have a stage 1 map, filter, FMIC and Milltek exhaust, Whiteline ARB and Eibach springs with standard dampers. Once you have done a couple of laps, come back into the pits and let some air out of your tyres to maintain the best possible grip, I normally run my car at a hot tyre setting of 25psi.

Driving style counts for alot on track, I would suggest trying to be as smooth as you can to protect your car, brakes, tyres etc, and don't stay out to long on track. In the briefings before you go on track you will be reminded that it should not be competitve, and pass only on the straights. I normally do stints of about 15 minutes before coming back into the pits, I leave the engine running to keep the oil circulating, and I take some wooden chocks to put under the tyres so that I don't have to use to use the handbrake, as applying it onto a very hot disc can lead to warping of the discs.

Remember when you head back onto the track that your tyre pressures have dropped, so it normally takes a lap to get the pressure back to where it was when you set it whilst it was hot.


My last trackday was about a week and a half ago at Bedford Autodrome which was an evening only event which had been put on by EVO magazine. As with every trackday that I have been on, there were some very special cars present worth £100K+, right down to the stripped out Pug 306's and BMW 3 series that are track specced.

I have found that the Ibiza doesnt embarress itself, and the straight line speed and acceleration on the straights suprises many others in 'better cars.' Last week I passed a Carrera, Boxster, and an M3 as well as other cars due to the fact that they were being driven with a bit more caution, particularly through bends where it was apparent that the driver of those particular cars was not so confident. The mindset is that it is a trackday and not a race. Just remeber to be courteous to others around you, and if they are faster, help them to get past you and out of your way.

This is a good time of year for trackdays as they all start to get a bit cheaper, particularly if you can go mid week. I always take a second person with me as well, as that way it pretty much halves the cost of entry and fuel etc. You also learn alot from being a passenger and watching braking points, turn in points, apex's etc.

Trackdays.co.uk, Easytrack, Javelin Trackdays are the sights I normally use, I havent booked it yet, but I am hoping to go to Woodbridge, near Ipswich on the 21/10 as I havent been there yet, and hopefully either Rockingham or Cadwell Park before the winter really sets in.
 

Chriswaite130

Byebye TDI, Hello VTEC y0
Jan 24, 2008
579
0
Northumberland
+1 for Javelin Trackdays, their days are always good and well managed and nice and relaxed and they get you as much track time as possible. Stay away from Focussed events until you're confident, I went on one of theirs at Donington at it was manic, never seen so many red flags. I also got black flagged for being smokey, when I said it was a quite highly tuned diesel they asked if I could turn the boost down :wtf:
 
Mar 13, 2008
637
0
Suffolk
I've done about six trackdays this year in my Ibiza FR TDI. As mentioned, brakes are one of the first places to make suitable upgrades with good quality fluid and quality pads. I also have some neoprene hoses which I bought off ebay to provide extra venting.

I have been using Motul RBF600 fluid and EBC yellowstuff pads which last well and resist fade. Mods wise, I have a stage 1 map, filter, FMIC and Milltek exhaust, Whiteline ARB and Eibach springs with standard dampers. Once you have done a couple of laps, come back into the pits and let some air out of your tyres to maintain the best possible grip, I normally run my car at a hot tyre setting of 25psi.

Driving style counts for alot on track, I would suggest trying to be as smooth as you can to protect your car, brakes, tyres etc, and don't stay out to long on track. In the briefings before you go on track you will be reminded that it should not be competitve, and pass only on the straights. I normally do stints of about 15 minutes before coming back into the pits, I leave the engine running to keep the oil circulating, and I take some wooden chocks to put under the tyres so that I don't have to use to use the handbrake, as applying it onto a very hot disc can lead to warping of the discs.

Remember when you head back onto the track that your tyre pressures have dropped, so it normally takes a lap to get the pressure back to where it was when you set it whilst it was hot.


My last trackday was about a week and a half ago at Bedford Autodrome which was an evening only event which had been put on by EVO magazine. As with every trackday that I have been on, there were some very special cars present worth £100K+, right down to the stripped out Pug 306's and BMW 3 series that are track specced.

I have found that the Ibiza doesnt embarress itself, and the straight line speed and acceleration on the straights suprises many others in 'better cars.' Last week I passed a Carrera, Boxster, and an M3 as well as other cars due to the fact that they were being driven with a bit more caution, particularly through bends where it was apparent that the driver of those particular cars was not so confident. The mindset is that it is a trackday and not a race. Just remeber to be courteous to others around you, and if they are faster, help them to get past you and out of your way.

This is a good time of year for trackdays as they all start to get a bit cheaper, particularly if you can go mid week. I always take a second person with me as well, as that way it pretty much halves the cost of entry and fuel etc. You also learn alot from being a passenger and watching braking points, turn in points, apex's etc.

Trackdays.co.uk, Easytrack, Javelin Trackdays are the sights I normally use, I havent booked it yet, but I am hoping to go to Woodbridge, near Ipswich on the 21/10 as I havent been there yet, and hopefully either Rockingham or Cadwell Park before the winter really sets in.

I am just Woodbridge almost, what track are you talking about? Bentwaters?

Luke
 

Dave 20vT

Active Member
Mar 15, 2010
29
0
Stevenage
Woodbridge is an RAF base near Ipswich, on some weekends they use the runways and taxi areas to make up a track. Other RAF bases do this also, I have previously been to RAF Cottesmore for a trackday, and RAF Wittering near Peterborough has also started the trackdays this year. I would think that other bases around the country are also using this as a way to make some extra money.

Woodbridge is advertised on the Trackdays.co.uk website for about £120, with a second driver it will be about £140 for two.
 

marshey

Active Member
Feb 25, 2012
202
0
essex
Yeah just wanna get my car prepared over winter months. What tires you all been using I have p nero and think they are pants one popped on m11 last week so put spare on which is eagle f1 much better.
 

Chriswaite130

Byebye TDI, Hello VTEC y0
Jan 24, 2008
579
0
Northumberland
Hankook V12 evo's were quite good, better than Proxes T1R's.

Federal RSR track tyres are quite good and cheap in 205 45 16 (not sure what size wheels you have)
 
Progressive Parts, performance parts and tuning specialists