I always do, must have done at least 20 days, up to about 100 miles away. I've had a few issues, like a broken diff mount and a snapped throttle
cable, and spun big end bearing but always managed to make it home (OK, driving home on the spun bearing was not a great idea but the engine had had
it anyway).
I'm sure at some point I will end up paying a man to recover the car, but if you prepare the car well and bring a sensible selection of tools,
gaffa tape and cable ties, you will generally be OK.
Enjoy your first outing, where are you planning to go?
Photo Archive
Building: Sold turboblade, back to tin tops
posted on 25/6/18 at 08:19 PM
Join green flag, AA, RAC or similar, then if you fall off or break get someone to move your car the the spectators car park and tell them it broke
down when you arrived.
The drivers of the Recovery truck will not care if you drop them £20 when you get home
I have been sprinting my car for the last 4 years commuting each way, on average getting on for 150 miles each way.
If you are driving there and back make sure you do a mental reset before driving home otherwise you may find yourself with a 3 point bonus or worse
see the inside of a hedge, it will feel slow but it will be safe.
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1968 Ford Anglia 105e, 1.7 Zetec SE, Mk2 Escort Workd Cup front end, 5 link rear
Build Blog - http://Anglia1968.weebly.com
Photo Archive
Building: confidence and miles with smiles
posted on 25/6/18 at 09:48 PM
I used to do it.
It's a killer on the way home when you are tired, on an adrenaline downer and are driving a car you have been spanking all day.
Other than the obviously good advice already given ( team up with someone, take tools, have recovery numbers etc) I would say a big one for me is make
sure you don't run your tyres down too low.
Less likely to happen in a kit car but if you are running something other than semi-cut slicks they could wear fast making your car illegal.
It has happened to mates on two occasions now and it's the last thing you want to deal with at the end of a day when everywhere is shut.
Track days ARE the best thing since sliced bread, until I get a supercharger that is!
quote:Originally posted by big_wasa
I’ve booked my first track day
So how much of a bad idea is it driving to it in the vehicle I am taking around ?
Excited doesn’t come close.
Lots of people do it, but usually in more civilised cars . I drove to trackdays in my Westy for a few years pre trailer, it's obviously possible
and 42 miles is a pretty short trip. I always had my son accompany me with a car full of tools and track wheels.
quote:Originally posted by CosKev3
Have you got a m8/relative to come and rescue you if you break the car?
Anyone going with you in a tintop to chuck your jack/tools/spares in?
Not done a track day myself, but that would be my first thought is having someone to assist with a tin top to carry spares and tools (and a tow
rope?).
It's also mentioned above, but make sure to take it steady on the public road on the way home as well!
My neighbour is going and taking his new race car for a shake down so I should be able to leave my fuel and tools with his transport when on track.
But I don't want to rely on some one else incase he has to leave early.
What have others done with there stuff while on track, ie Jack, tools, petrol cans, clothes, water and so on ?
Yep, I always do it. Did Cadwell from Surrey a few weeks ago in a BEC Westy. 5 AM start and back home at 10 PM. Sometimes I stay overnight somewhere
the night before, and tbh I'd do that again next time for Cadwell especially with the BEC as it's damn noisy on the motorway.
I just leave my tools, fuel, etc. in the pits. Even Cadwell without garages its safe enough. Take a cover if you like. Never had any issues and
I've done dozens of track days.
I am doing my first track day at Abingdon on 31st August. Do i need to take additional fuel if i fill up at the local station beforehand? I am not
going there to set the world on fire, more for the experience and a tick in the box since completing the car. Going to be driving there too, only
about 60 miles each way and the car is very comfortable on the motorway etc. Was going to take a few tools with me.
Not sure how many runs i will get out in the day though? Anyone comment from past experience at Abingdon?
I found a local place that does trailer hire for 40 quid a day. takes a lot of the worry out, and means you have a relaxed drive home rather than an
endurance test in a seven.
Photo Archive
Building: confidence and miles with smiles
posted on 27/6/18 at 12:31 PM
quote:Originally posted by ttalps2000
I am doing my first track day at Abingdon on 31st August. Do i need to take additional fuel if i fill up at the local station beforehand? I am not
going there to set the world on fire, more for the experience and a tick in the box since completing the car. Going to be driving there too, only
about 60 miles each way and the car is very comfortable on the motorway etc. Was going to take a few tools with me.
Not sure how many runs i will get out in the day though? Anyone comment from past experience at Abingdon?
I cant speak from experience of Abington but I would say that as long as there is a station within a mile or two, you should be good.
I used to drive to a track day, fill up before going in, fill up at lunch and then on leaving.
This was mainly to not waste track time. It is such a sinking feeling having a perfectly working car and an open circuit, only for you to waste 30
mins to go and get fuel!!
On that note, if it is like Malory Park where you need to cross the circuit, you can not come and go as you please. They only let you cross at lunch
and near the end of the day.
Track days ARE the best thing since sliced bread, until I get a supercharger that is!
quote:Originally posted by ttalps2000
There is 2 of us going in the car, so i have a driver for on the way back so that the journey home is relaxing!
Will have to see how the fuel situ goes i guess. nearest station is about 10 mins away
Cadwell has fuel available at the circuit. It probably wont be the cheapest fuel, but it's handy. The times it's available will be given
in the briefing.
For leaving things in the pits - what's common are the pop up instant tents about £20 from argos or similar - from experience the 'side
entry' type are the easiest to put heavy things in..
Cadwell is ace in a 'Seven' BTW - you'll love it..
I would tow it but my tow car is not legally capable. The local place only has one transporter and its plated at 2700kg.
I used it to fetch the Indy and it towed nicley but it was stressful.
I had a fantastic day.
I made an early start as I needed to fuel up first, I didn’t fancy leaving it in the garage over night. I then had a nice steady drive the 45 miles to
Cadwell. First mistake was not taking some extra clothing as I arrived freezing at around 7am. I chucked all my stuff in the pits and put a tarp over
it with no problems as suggested. Signing in started around 7.45 and then it was over to scrutiniring for noise testing. The little pinto was chucking
out 93db, well under the 105db limit. Back to the club house for a cup of tea and the safety briefing. We made it on track sometime after 9 and it
being an open pit lane I was on and off track all day.
I had had enough by 4pm and the drive home was indeed a killer making it home around 5.30, I will sleep well tonight. The second mistake was
forgetting the sun tan lotion.
I was the slowest thing on track with only 85bhp but I loved it, it topped out at around 90mph the car was good as gold all day but I need to go over
it as a few screws have come a little loose.
