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First Time Track Day, Oulton Park 7th Nov
daveb83 - 22/10/12 at 04:08 PM

Im toying with the idea of doing my first track day on the 7th November at Oulton Park.

If i do it i will definatly be having some instructor time, if not doing the actual full day track driving course they are running.

Im not to worried about the car as its been corner weighted and set up, is running braided hoses DOT 5.1, 888's etc etc

What im not sure about is what i need to take for the day.

Obvious things like MOT cert, driving license, helmet and clothing to cover everything etc, but do i need other things

I was thinking of taking:
Minimal tool kit, ratchet and sockets/screwdrivers/adjustable spanner/good old ty-wraps and tape
Some oil and coolant to top up with
Scissor Jack
Tyre pump and pressure gauge
Chokes so as to be able to leave handbrake off after session

Do i need all or any of this or have i missed anything off

Thanks

Dave

mark chandler - 22/10/12 at 05:20 PM

Self control, a bit pot!

You need to be very disciplined with yourself and start off slowly and spend all day getting up to speed.

Keep your lines, do not be intimidated by anyone and enjoy yourself.

Stock up with food and drink, and take plenty of fuel.

Hopefully you will just need to check nuts and bolts, on a car you carry loads more weight so brakes and tyres last well.

daveb83 - 22/10/12 at 05:39 PM

thanks

i dont think the self control will be a big issue, as it is im still learning the limits of the car and am paranoid about getting it wrong so ive not pushed it that hard yet, which is part of the reason im thinking of doing the track course, proper progressive instruction and more run off area if/when i do get it wrong, which i no doubt will at some point during the day as i get more confident, but hopefully not.

bi22le - 22/10/12 at 05:58 PM

A jerry can with more fuel
Water for you to drink and maybe for the car.
Light snacks. You wont feel hungry due to adrenalin.
A friend with a camera to share the hi and low points with
Depending on how competative or long term your track days are then get a video mounted.

Good luck, its a lot of fun

Stott - 22/10/12 at 06:25 PM

Take a spare starter motor maybe, as if you spin it and don't get the clutch in quick enough then it can end up going backwards and exploding which means you'll have to bump start the car and no-ones too keen to let it on track if it won't start by itself. The builder of my car's son did it to my car once, now I always take a spare.

Don't bother taking chocks just put the car in gear.

Atb
Stott

Xtreme Kermit - 22/10/12 at 07:27 PM

I can vouch for the self control bit...

I did my first track day a Bedford a few weeks back and had a great time. Took it steady to start with and then pushed harder as my confidence grew.

Then I had a tussle with a Westie for a couple of laps getting faster and faster until my speed exceeded my talent

Luckily there was a big wide kerb for me to run onto at which point I eased off and retired to the pits to check the car and change my underwear

It was a great day though and I will be doing another.

steve8274 - 22/10/12 at 07:47 PM

They do track taster days there and they are mainly for people who haven't done track days before. Only a limited amount of people allowed to be booked on. I have tried for the past 3 times they have done this but always missed out. It costs £25 and you get for fast laps as well as a taster and talk by staff.
Unfortunately my car gets sorn at end of month so will have to wait till next year
Builds up my suspense
Steve

adithorp - 22/10/12 at 07:50 PM

Have you heard the one about the guy who asks someone for directions... "Well you wouldn't want to start from here" came the answer.

Track days are great... but I wouldn't want to do my first one at Oulton in November. It's one of the most challenging tracks in the country, with relatively little run off. Also with a lot of trees so close to the track it's very "green" at this time of year.

By all means go for it if you want to, but I'd look at somewhere with more room for error for a first day. First time I drove Oulton (I'd done a few other tracks) was in November. 3 cars went off on the sighting laps. Several more followed later, including me into the barriers, and Welderman narrowly missing them... LINKY (not realy wet just cold and damp)

mark chandler - 22/10/12 at 07:52 PM

Also if sessioned join the intermediate group, with a 7 type car you will be quicker than the newbies, also they tend to become crowded so more to worry about.

As the day goes on cars will retire and the pace improves and the number of cars out drops.

Nickp - 22/10/12 at 07:56 PM

quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
Have you heard the one about the guy who asks someone for directions... "Well you wouldn't want to start from here" came the answer.

Track days are great... but I wouldn't want to do my first one at Oulton in November. It's one of the most challenging tracks in the country, with relatively little run off. Also with a lot of trees so close to the track it's very "green" at this time of year.

By all means go for it if you want to, but I'd look at somewhere with more room for error for a first day. First time I drove Oulton (I'd done a few other tracks) was in November. 3 cars went off on the sighting laps. Several more followed later, including me into the barriers, and Welderman narrowly missing them... LINKY (not realy wet just cold and damp)


+1 Oulton is a fantastic track but not a novice circuit IMHO. Somewhere like Blyton (or any similar airfield cct) would be a better place to start.

daveb83 - 23/10/12 at 08:21 AM

thanks for all the advice guys, very much appreciated.

I was aware oulton was a challenging circuit but figured that if i was doing it with the instructors, ie doing the track driving course, i would be fine, as they would be able to see or have a better idea as to where the cars limits are and where my talent ends and how to improve me.

I am now starting to wonder if oulton is a good idea for a newbie or if i should do a similar thing at an easier circuit but still quiet close to home, Preston, Lancashire. I dont really want to travel miles in the car to then do a day and get it horribly wrong and be stuck a long way from home, at least at oulton i know a few people within 50miles with a trailer if needed to rescue me in an evening if the worst came to the worst

welderman - 23/10/12 at 09:53 AM

Oulton park is a great track, if you take it easy and thats the hard bit, stay within your limits and you will be fine.

You can borrow my trailer if you feel happier no problems at all. I drove to my first ever track day and spun the car off track and it did make me think if i crash how on earth do i get home

twybrow - 23/10/12 at 10:00 AM

Do an airfield for your first day... Nothing to hit, no worry about spinning - you will relax more and your driving and confidence in the car will be much improved. Circuits are greta, but they come with consequences, which if you are starting out is not something you want! As someone said previously, just be mindful that in a BEC if you do spin, you must put your foot on the clutch to avoid knackering your engine.

My advice would be book an airfield day, drive it there on a trailer - tracks have a habit of finding problems with your car you never knew you had. Take every tool and spare you can think of, and then you will need none of it (a fuse is the only thing I have ever needed on a trackday - my fan stopped working!). Watch out if the track is at all wet, as these things tend to go in a big way very quickly if you are not used to them - at Oulton, you propbably won't even know you have lost it before you hear a crunch!

Lastly have fun - these cars are all about smiles per mile. Relax, and learn to love the feeling of clipping an apex, or catching a little slide. It is agreat feeling when it all comes together.