There isn’t a single car enthusiast in the world who didn’t have a dream of becoming a professional racing driver. For most of us, that dream lasts a lifetime, and even though we are well aware that it probably will never become a reality, we cannot help fantasising about winning the Monaco Grand Prix under heavy rain like Ayrton Senna or going flat-out at midnight on Mulsanne Straight like Derek Bell. Fortunately, there is a way to channel your inner Lewis Hamilton, which is attending a track day. We can all agree that a track day is the best way to push your car to the limits safely and improve your driving skills in a controlled environment. However, here are seven track day tips that can help you have the time of your life and avoid making beginner’s mistakes.
Safety first
Since you will be driving fast, the first thing you need to do is to make sure that your car is safe and up to the task. This means checking your safety equipment, tyres, brakes and making sure that you are not leaking oil or water. It would be wise to have a fire extinguisher at hand just in case. At most events, helmets and gloves are mandatory, and for a good reason. It is also a good idea to have a race suit and appropriate footwear. Even if you use your daily drive for a track day, it would be best to mount a set of track day rubber that adds to the feel and provides you with better braking and cornering abilities.
Most people use their road-legal cars for track days which is fine, but sometimes they forget to empty the door pockets, cup holders, and other storage areas in the car. You might think that this is irrelevant, but once you have experienced a set of keys launched by 1.0g lateral acceleration, you will understand why it is essential to leave all your belongings in the pit area.
A track day is not a race
Yes, it is so easy to get carried away and imagine yourself at the start of the Indy 500, but you must fight the temptation. You are not there to race anybody but to drive fast and have fun. There are no first or last places on a track day, and you don’t need to put anybody in danger because you want to overtake somebody. This means that tailgating or passing somebody in the corner is dangerous and could get you banned from the track. You have to remember that track days consist of cars from different performance levels, which means that some of them can fly by you, and some of them you will pass twice in three laps.
Change oil before and after the track day
From a mechanical standpoint, changing oil before and after the track day would be wise, and your engine will be thankful. The reason is straightforward; during track day driving, the engine operates at high revs for a prolonged period of time. Having fresh oil in it will minimise the wear of engine internals. It is highly recommended to change the oil again after the track day is done, especially if the vehicle you are using is also used daily.
Do not overestimate your abilities
The most important thing is not to overestimate your abilities or capabilities of your vehicle. As we said before, it is easy to get carried away, which we can certainly understand but always drive as fast as you are confident with. There is no need to go flat out on the first lap or drive overly aggressively right from the start. The best advice is to start slowly and gradually build up lap times, learning the car and the track in the process.
Pay attention to brakes
The brakes are the essential part of your track day vehicle and the first thing that might overheat, especially if you drive a standard car. However, if you feel that the pedal is soft and brake distances are getting longer, do not panic. Simply, stay on the track but drive slower for a lap or two, allowing brakes to cool down and regenerate. Do not head down to the pits immediately, and do not use the handbrake. Sometimes, if the brakes are extremely hot, securing the car with the handbrake might result in brake pads sticking to the rear disks and blocking the rear wheels.
Do not exhaust yourself
Even if you’ve waited long for nice weather and a chance to drive at the track, there is no need to go for hours. First, not a lot of cars can withstand that kind of use, and second, you are not racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The critical thing in keeping the track day fun is to take rests and divide available time into stints. Tired drivers make mistakes, so be sure to rest and hydrate. That is a good thing for you and for your car.
Learn track day signals
On most track days, drivers will attend briefings where they will be introduced to rules and requirements. However, it is beneficial to know what the different colours of the flags mean. There are five different flags used on track days (yellow, red, green, black, and checkered), and try not to get a black one since it means you are in trouble and will need to pit immediately to report to the organisers.
Boost performance further with a dry sump system
Dry sump systems offer a multitude of significant benefits to track day enthusiasts – including increased engine protection and reliability, improved handling dynamics, increased power and more. PACE Dry Sumps and Pumps are designed and manufactured by pre-eminent motorsport engineering group Neil Brown Engineering. Our range is designed to meet almost any installation. From the dry sumping of pre-war classic sports cars to modern day Le-Mans cars, fast road cars to Touring cars, Formula Ford to Formula 1 – and everything in between. Get in touch with us today on 01775 723052 or email admin@nbe.co.uk.
