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Driving to a track day.
big_wasa - 25/6/18 at 07:55 PM

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.

CosKev3 - 25/6/18 at 08:02 PM

How far from home?

big_wasa - 25/6/18 at 08:07 PM

Prety local, 42m

CosKev3 - 25/6/18 at 08:10 PM

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?

rodgling - 25/6/18 at 08:19 PM

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?

mark chandler - 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.

Ugg10 - 25/6/18 at 08:20 PM

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.

bi22le - 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.

melly-g - 25/6/18 at 10:42 PM

Cadwell?

Andy D - 26/6/18 at 06:53 AM

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.


Enjoy it.

nick205 - 26/6/18 at 08:02 AM

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!

big_wasa - 26/6/18 at 08:11 AM

quote:
Originally posted by melly-g
Cadwell?


Yep Caldwell.

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 ?

SteveRST - 26/6/18 at 12:39 PM

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.

bi22le - 26/6/18 at 02:47 PM

Just leave it neatly tucked away. Not much robbing goes on at track days, so you should be good.

SJ - 26/6/18 at 03:07 PM

I've driven to a few - over 100 miles for some with only breakdown cover for backup. Always managed to get home OK, but it is a worry.

ttalps2000 - 27/6/18 at 11:09 AM

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?

big_wasa - 27/6/18 at 11:28 AM

Yep like you its for the experience. I've only got 85bhp to play with.

swanny - 27/6/18 at 12:23 PM

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.

bi22le - 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.

ttalps2000 - 28/6/18 at 10:18 AM

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

Andy D - 28/6/18 at 10:42 AM

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.

JimSpencer - 28/6/18 at 11:57 AM

Hi

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..

big_wasa - 28/6/18 at 02:11 PM

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.

Still really excited

big_wasa - 29/6/18 at 07:07 PM

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.

Thanks for all the advice.

big_wasa - 30/6/18 at 10:16 AM

Andy D - 30/6/18 at 03:17 PM

Well you certainly got perfect weather for it!
What's going on with the sound though? .. it sounds a bit like a UFO in a 1950's sci fi movie.

bi22le - 30/6/18 at 05:51 PM

Nice work well done, I love cadwell. One of the best tracks for a se7en.

I'm surprised they allowed you to drive without gloves.

big_wasa - 30/6/18 at 06:34 PM

Gloves ?

Are they normal then ? The day was organised by MSV. No shorts and no short sleeves in an open top car but no mention of gloves in there blurb or on the day.

Got some time around Donington next week end in the renault.

big_wasa - 30/6/18 at 06:37 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Andy D
Well you certainly got perfect weather for it!
What's going on with the sound though? .. it sounds a bit like a UFO in a 1950's sci fi movie.


Prety basic camera that the kids got me for Xmas.

bi22le - 30/6/18 at 07:32 PM

quote:
Originally posted by big_wasa
Gloves ?

Are they normal then ? The day was organised by MSV. No shorts and no short sleeves in an open top car but no mention of gloves in there blurb or on the day.

Got some time around Donington next week end in the renault.


I wear gloves on track days and thought they mandatory for open to cars, along with long sleeves and trousers.

Andy D - 30/6/18 at 08:07 PM

quote:

I wear gloves on track days and thought they mandatory for open to cars, along with long sleeves and trousers.


Never heard of gloves being mandatory on track days? Racing yes. The only time I wear gloves is when it's a bit nippy on the fingers.

rodgling - 30/6/18 at 08:08 PM

I never wear gloves on track (unless its very cold) - no one has ever complained. I was once told to sort my (long) sleeves out because the airflow pushed it up my arm which seemed a bit officious... bit of gaffa tape sorted that out though.

[Edited on 30/6/18 by rodgling]

ragindave - 30/6/18 at 10:23 PM

That looks like fun imagine another 100BHP to play with!

bi22le - 30/6/18 at 10:26 PM

Maybe this is it. I seem to always do track days at cold tonnes of the year!

It has been over 2 years since I did my last one so it seems track days are becoming a distant memory!

Andy D - 1/7/18 at 06:39 AM

quote:

It has been over 2 years since I did my last one so it seems track days are becoming a distant memory!


Oh dear oh dear.. I shall be doing my seventh this year at Donington tomorrow.. and it doesn't look like I'll need gloves! .. sun screen maybe.

big_wasa - 1/7/18 at 09:34 AM

Yes I forgot the sun screen.