A journey into track days

[BatMobile 524]

Glorious start to the day which is a welcome relief given the forecast said snow then heavy showers only 48 hours ago!

Some serious cars here today, followed a yellow lambo performante in and already seen a fair few gt3 rs’. Plus some race teams.... 

[Ali tuck 155]

Where are you.......have a good day👍

[BatMobile 524]

@silverstone gp

lots if interesting cars and a caterham who keeps spinning

 

[BatMobile 524]

Wow what a circuit, amazing experience to drive around the same place as the greats have done. Albeit a lot slower!

So track day number 4 and a first time at Silverstone gp and it was amazing. Spent the day with @Jack Layton and we saw all the weather, sun, rain and hail! The track though stayed mostly dry from 11ish so we were incredibly lucky. Jack was amazing to work with as normal and taught me so much.

given I’d never driven Silverstone and I hadn’t been able to practice the circuit in any way due to the PS4 making way for a switch 12 months ago, meant the first few hours were an overload of info and me thinking “whats the next bend/straight again” more times than I care to remember.

morning laps started off somewhere in the early 3mins - typically between 3:10-3:20 but as the day wore on, the track dried out and I started to remember what was coming next we ended up with a best of 2:34; have no clue if that respectable but it was an amazing improvement given where we started the day!

I had a few ye haaa moments but this was great to learn weight transition and when to use brake or acceleration to shift it where it’s needed. I went from a deer in headlights doing nothing to correcting over steer and applying acceleration to increase turn in on fast corners. By no means an expert but I felt I took a leap skill wise today thanks to Jack’s tuition. 

I am now super excited to get the new wheels, tyres, geo and nitrons as feel they will be worth a good few seconds a lap given the corsa’s were again a let down and lost me time in numerous places where they just wouldn’t grip. 

Car highlights were the huracan super trofeo evo blitzing round. Amazing looking car and the sound 😍

Goldtrack were superbly run, best tdo todate and i will be doing more of their days for sure. Never too busy. 

[vd9 149]

1 hour ago, BatMobile said:

best of 2:34; have no clue if that respectable

Better than I've got to in November 

[BatMobile 524]

@vd9 thanks buddy, good to know it’s an ok time.

still struggling with heal and toe on full attack, at 80% I am fine but when I need to really aggressively late brake I still find it really hard; too much going on in my mind I guess. Guess more practice is needed to relax a little.

every time I do this I forget how tiring it is and renews my respect for the sheer talent and concentration levels pro drivers have/need.

 

[alias23 1,519]

2.34 I would say is very respectful time

👍👊💪

[W31SSN 83]

I recently returned from a trip which included two days at a wet Ascari and two days at a hot Portimao, so thought I’d give some feedback on the Avon ZZR vs Michelin Cup 2. 

 

I had the chance to drive my Exige 350 on Michelin Cup 2 and a friends 350 on ZZR. Both had 3-way Nitrons installed and set up by Hoffman’s. 

The ZZR provides much more dry grip and a better turn in than Cup 2. However in the wet the Cup 2 is far better. On the road the Cup2 is significantly more comfortable, thanks to the taller front tyre at 45 v 40 for the ZZR and the much softer sidewall helps to even out road imperfections. I haven't had the wheels off yet to check how much life is left, but they look good for another two days. Last year at Portimao on the same set up with ZZR, they were pretty much done after two full days. 

If you are looking for out and out grip then the ZZR in my opinion are better. If you are looking for a tyre to get to the track, blast round then drive home, the Michelin Cup 2 is a better proposition. I’m sure it varies depending on how each person drives but that’s just my opinion after the 4 days.

I was running ZZR hot at 29psi and Cup2 at 30-31 hot.

Photo with @mcx in Portimao pitlane.

[Ali tuck 155]

So,on Tuesday had my first proper track day,(previously done a few supercar experiences),at brands hatch Indy .Due to reading all this thread ,thought I better get some proper tuition ,so on recommendation hired David pittard for the day as wasn't really keen on binning it!!!Felt quite intimidating when I first turned up,eventually found the pits(not the easiest to find)and parked in my garage.Guy next to me had a mk1 golf gti ,turned up on a trailer and a ton of tools and kit.So I got all my kit out,sandwiches,bottle of water and a tyre pressure gauge!

Then watched as mclarens,amg gtr,lotus 430 cup, porsches and a host of clios,fiestas caterhams etc all turned up...

Morning session was trying to take everything in that David was teaching me,blimey there's a lot to learn.Was getting hassled,overtaken by virtually everything,but listened and tried to learn what I was being taught.And didn't want to roll it in the gravel at the bottom of paddock like the lad did in his Clio!

Afternoon session was very different,once I gained some confidence,and realised how bloody awesome the car is...how quickly it stops ,corners and goes is something else! What a lovely feeling it is when cars indicate to let you by😊....really felt like I was getting somewhere.

David took me out for a few laps,makes it look so damn easy and was hassling the much faster stuff which I found quite amusing.

Also couldn't believe how much fuel was consumed,and how bloody exhausted I was when I got home.

Anyway to sum up,I'm hooked,will be doing many more track days,David was excellent and will be using him again in the future.......I Feel this is an expensive hobby!!!!!

[M4rk 160]

Great to hear you got on well.  You did the right thing getting some tuition, it makes a huge difference and accelerates learning and confidence.  David is a great choice, top guy and a Lotus fan, many on here have used him and speak well of him.  I would recommend booking him again at a later stage once you've done a few more days as he can then help develop things further for you.

[BatMobile 524]

@Ali tuck its so exhausting isn't it! I don't get like that at Goodwood, I'm thinking its because there are less cars on track and no race teams to worry about. 

David is a great guy isn't he, makes you appreciate the skill involved.

Id highly recommend using Jack Layton as well - you'll learn different things from each of them and they are both equally talented behind the wheel. 

Im guessing you got the "don't worry so much about what's behind you, its your day too, let them sort themselves out". 

@M4rk your track days looked amazing - would love to do some European days but with two small kids I'm guessing that's quite far away for me. Have you considered side skirts for your car - would really complete the aggressive look

 

[alias23 1,519]

49 minutes ago, BatMobile said:

Have you considered side skirts for your car - would really complete the aggressive look

 

They do make such a visual difference... 😜

[Ali tuck 155]

4 hours ago, BatMobile said:

@Ali tuck its so exhausting isn't it! I don't get like that at Goodwood, I'm thinking its because there are less cars on track and no race teams to worry about. 

David is a great guy isn't he, makes you appreciate the skill involved.

Id highly recommend using Jack Layton as well - you'll learn different things from each of them and they are both equally talented behind the wheel. 

Im guessing you got the "don't worry so much about what's behind you, its your day too, let them sort themselves out". 

@M4rk your track days looked amazing - would love to do some European days but with two small kids I'm guessing that's quite far away for me. Have you considered side skirts for your car - would really complete the aggressive look

 

Haha yes I also got the ‘don’t follow them that’s the wrong line’ I will also give jack a go at some point as well.

 

[BatMobile 524]

3 minutes ago, Ali tuck said:

Haha yes I also got the ‘don’t follow them that’s the wrong line’ I will also give jack a go at some point as well.

 

I still get that, it’s hard not to follow sometimes, they turn and your instinct is to also turn but they were on line and now you are turning early!

keep the updates coming as it’s great to hear others experiences. We need to all get more video up as well.

[Colin67 42]

Nice write up @Ali tuck. I started in exactly the same way, Brands Indy with David. Did you have Davids VBox camera/data collection system on board? I found the video of David's laps particularly useful to study after the event, especially when you return to a circuit where you have had some coaching. I've also used David on a few occasions subsequently and will be again this summer at the Spa LOT track day in July, sharing him with a few Elise Cup friends. Mind you this is the day after his 24 hrs of Spa race for Walkenhorst Racing. We are assuming he will be so pumped there will be no problems staying awake!

Looks like your going to be a track day regular now. 

 

[Ali tuck 155]

@Colin67 yes he did have the vbox,unfortunately at some point in the afternoon the lead became detached and we missed a chunk of that session but I’ve still got plenty to view from the morning.very jealous of your spa trip sounds epic....but you can’t run before you can walk!!!!

[Colin67 42]

@Ali tuck. I'm sure you will get plenty of suggestions on this forum for where to go next, but I can tell you its way more fun to tie up with a few like minded owners and go as a group. Since you are just getting started I would put Bedford on your list. It's a fun track with lots of variety and has tons of safe run off so you can progressively push the car with confidence. I've started the last two years with Jan and Feb days there. 

[Ali tuck 155]

Thanks @Colin67 I’ll stick Bedford on the list,hopefully will meet up with a few of the chaps on here at some point,as you mention more fun with a few of you...it’s like a drug,I can’t stop thinking about it!!

[Mattmahope 235]

This is a great thread. Glad people are enjoying the cars on track.

I have to say that I recommend Snetterton 300 as a circuit. Good length and mix of corners with decent run off too. Brands also great and close to me, but Indy is too short and rarely seem to open up the full GP circuit. Bedford feels a bit too much like a giant car park for my personal preference, plus don’t they have really tight noise levels these days (even worse than other tracks)? The massive run off at Bedford is a great attraction though - especially when I spun my VX220 Turbo there at a decent rate of knots!

[Colin67 42]

Hi @Mattmahope. Agreed that the Snetterton 300 is excellent, I always enjoy it. However, I've just checked a few track day noise levels and found Snett' 105 dBA for days and 102 dBA evening, however both have the same drive by limit of 92 dBA (not sure how they work that!). Brands Indy102 dBA, Bedford 101dBA, Castle Combe 100 dBA. I think the really low one you are thinking of is Thruxton at 90 dBA static. It's my local track, but effectively off limits as I typically record between 101 and 104 dBA and don't want to risk a wasted journey. Having said that I do know that Circuit Days offer a full credit for any cars that show up but fail the noise test.  I'm sorely tempted by this as the track is only a 40 minute drive away and Circuit Days are a good operator I've used before. 

@Ali tuck. When you decide where next, make a post on the forum and you will likely find others attending, especially for LOT days. Before you know it you will be part of a group, scheduling trips and having a ball with a load of new friends.      

[Tex 221]

2 hours ago, Colin67 said:

Hi @Mattmahope. Agreed that the Snetterton 300 is excellent, I always enjoy it. However, I've just checked a few track day noise levels and found Snett' 105 dBA for days and 102 dBA evening, however both have the same drive by limit of 92 dBA (not sure how they work that!). Brands Indy102 dBA, Bedford 101dBA, Castle Combe 100 dBA. I think the really low one you are thinking of is Thruxton at 90 dBA static. It's my local track, but effectively off limits as I typically record between 101 and 104 dBA and don't want to risk a wasted journey. Having said that I do know that Circuit Days offer a full credit for any cars that show up but fail the noise test.  I'm sorely tempted by this as the track is only a 40 minute drive away and Circuit Days are a good operator I've used before. 

@Ali tuck. When you decide where next, make a post on the forum and you will likely find others attending, especially for LOT days. Before you know it you will be part of a group, scheduling trips and having a ball with a load of new friends.      

Bedford is 87dba driveby  and well policed 😧

[Ali tuck 155]

What do people get away with on a 350 sport?what limits do I need to be aware of?

[Colin67 42]

Hi @Tex. That probably explains why I got this shot at Bedford in January '18. Group of lads in hot hatches with a sense of humour.

[BatMobile 524]

350 registers 102/103 at goodwood and 95 static but I guess it depends how far away the track microphones are on those other circuits.

for goodwood only do a 105 day otherwise you’ll be short shifting all day and it becomes quite boring, quite quickly. 

Im up for getting a group together for a track day out, makes it much more fun.

[Colin67 42]

@BatMobile. I might be able to work in another day, but diary a little constrained at the moment. If you post some options I'd be interested. Thanks