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first 'track' day
55ant - 14/4/10 at 03:02 PM

afternoon all,

i have an activity day with car limits at north weald on friday, its my first off road day in my own car. other than having the car all up and running, which it is at the moment, what else should i be doing?

the only thing that worries me a little so far is this statement,


quote:

Please note that as your vehicle will be cornering at speed, you may need to inflate your tyres more than you would normally. Vehicles such as the Lotus Elise, Caterham etc are usually ok as they are lightweight and designed for high speed cornering, but cars such as Subaru Imprezas, Porsches, Madzas, TVRs etc are recommended to inflate their tyres to the maximum stated on the tyre itself to protect the side wall of the tyre. There is a garage just off the M11 roundabout (on the A414 towards Harlow) where you can do this before the event. We usually have a tyre pressure gauge so that you can decrease the tyres before your journey home!



i know they state that kits are ok, i run my tyres at 18 psi? this ok? just ford wheels, nothing too fancy rubber wise.

so, what should i be doing?????????????

[Edited on 14/4/10 by 55ant]


aka Keith - 14/4/10 at 03:08 PM

55ant,

have to say, in the few track days that I have one, I have left the tryes at around 18-20. Some people play with pressures on the day, but I doubt I am good enough to tell the difference.

Apart from that, take a tool kit, some oil and some brake fluid, all just in case.

Oh, and enjoy.
cheers
Craig


whitestu - 14/4/10 at 03:09 PM

I run mine at 15-16psi on trackdays.

Just make sure the car is sorted, take some tools and spares, and don't go too mad.

I've done three track / airfield days so far and have managed to drive there, have some fun and drive home with no major issues so I'm sure you'll be fine.


will121 - 14/4/10 at 03:16 PM

as they say, i run a tin top track day car and the increased inflation of the tyres ive found especially on FWD cars is to resist tyre roll on the rims and deformation of the standard road tyre side wall, not so much a problem when running Track tyres as the side wall are alot stronger as people will confirm if they have fitted them, so would think on a 7 would not be a great problem


turbodisplay - 14/4/10 at 03:26 PM

My gt4 nearside front sidewall flexed so much it rubbed, increased the pressure to 40 psi, and it was fine.
On a car almost 3 times less weight you will unlikely have a problem.

Darren


MakeEverything - 14/4/10 at 03:27 PM

Take a Flask, some sandwiches and plenty of snacks / nibbles. Theres nothing worse than freezing your tits off on a cold airfield, then drinking coke or water with nothing to eat.

North Weald is a very windy airfield as well. Take plenty of warm kit.


coozer - 14/4/10 at 03:36 PM

Take plenty of petrol as your likely to see less than 10mpg

Some tools, a flask, some crack and maybe some restrained.

All in, don't worry and have a good time


55ant - 14/4/10 at 03:40 PM

brilliant cheers all, should have a good laugh i hope, there is a raw striker going, other than that its elises, mx5's couple of tvr's and a vxr8. no one suggested an umbrella? although with all of coozers suggestions i may not even realise if it rains lol. mm, windscreens/roofs are overated anyway.


also, no-one commented on my signature? i triaed really hard on that

[Edited on 14/4/10 by 55ant]


Tiger Super Six - 14/4/10 at 04:01 PM

The other thing is pump them up to 25psi on the way in and ask Walshy what he would suggest - they have a gauge to let air out, but nothing to put it in!

Just an idea?


MakeEverything - 14/4/10 at 04:12 PM

quote:
Originally posted by 55ant
no one suggested an umbrella? [Edited on 14/4/10 by 55ant]


Oh, Sorry, we all thought that because your name is 55Ant that you were a guy....


CNHSS1 - 14/4/10 at 04:17 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MakeEverything

North Weald is a very windy airfield as well. Take plenty of warm kit.


drafty godforsaken hole if you ask me, but you will have great fun


55ant - 14/4/10 at 04:41 PM

quote:

Oh, Sorry, we all thought that because your name is 55Ant that you were a guy....




hahaha, ok ok, just a t-shirt and my driving pants.


JonnyS - 14/4/10 at 05:10 PM

Yep leave them as they are, you'll have no issues The airfield is very bumpy, so I would soften your dampers plenty if you run it stiff.