What is a track day? A Track day is a non-competitive event with full track marshalling & medical support.
What do I need to attend an event? Crash helmet & clothing to cover full body (ie arms & legs). These are for drivers & passengers.
What happens if I have an accident? You are in good hands with full medical support, paramedics and ambulances on site with well trained & organized marshals. In reality you're safer here than on the road, no cars pulling out at junctions, no traffic coming the other way, marshals letting you know if any accidents or obstacles are in front of you & the strict policies in place on overtaking and driving courteously.
What type of licence do I need? A full UK car driving licence is needed.
Can Extra drivers use my car? Yes but note this will put extra strain on your car which could end your day early. The charge for extra driver is around £25 they must attend the morning safety briefing & complete the compulsory sighting laps.
Can I take a passenger? Yes at most tracks passengers are fine, only one at a time in the car on track. Passengers must have signed the indemnities for the circuit.
What modifications are needed to my car? None really as long as the car has an MOT, or if it’s a race/track car, it should be able to pass scrutineering at a race meeting.
Will my car pass the noise test? Trackdays will always advertise the noise limit applicable for the day as this varies from day to day & venues. The process of noise testing is done by the circuit & if you fail the test the circuit will not let your car on the track. Most standard exhaust systems would be under 98db which is the lowest enforced noise limit at any track.
Will I need a spare set of tyres? Trackdays have better tarmac then on airfields as a result tyre wear is not extreme and a set of tyres should last for three or more events depending on the style of your driving & the compound of the tyres.
What about fuel? Petrol is normally available at most circuits or a petrol station would be close by. It is common for people to bring their own fuel in Jerry Cans & this could make your day run smoother. It is worth noting that fuel consumption on the day will be more than your normal road driving & its necessary to keep at least ¼ tank at all times to avoid running out on track.
Do I need track day insurance? Track day insurance is not a legal requirement & most people don’t get cover. If you want total piece of mind track day insurance is available from numerous specialist firms. It is worth noting that your normal road car policy will not cover you on a track day.
Make sure before going out you remove any loose items in the car like Red Bull cans as if you get one of those roll under the pedals you really will have wings.
Checks to be made throughout the day
Check wheel nuts before & also during the day good idea is to check them once the car has cooled down & check tyre pressures throughout day too, presures are car & driver preferences.Check the oil before each session, keep an eye on the water temp and watch your tyres & brakes for wear.
At the end of your session do a slow cool down lap stay off the brakes I also open the window and put the heater on to get some heat out of the engine bay when slowing make sure your keeping out of everybody's way as if its a open pit lane day others will still be on there own session then when you get to the paddock park up, leave it in gear and the handbrake off if you have a turbo car make sure where you park is flat or you have something to stop it rolling away as you wont be able to turn the engine off till the car has cooled.
If you apply the handbrake it can boil your brake fluid rendering it next to useless. Consider opening your bonnet also to allow the engine to cool down and reduce under bonnet temps
Try to Relax, have fun, remember it's not a race and try not to get the red mist if somebody does get in the way.
Don't be afraid to ask questions in the briefing or from other experienced drivers if you are not sure about anything.
Also don't be afraid to have a chat and blag passenger laps form your fellow trackdayers, good way to pickup tips & lines.
Make sure you watch your mirrors if you see a car catch you up quickly just move over to the correct side which you will have been told in the drivers briefing let them past and get on with it.
If its a little under powered along the straight but quick through the corners then let them past, even if it means you having to back off the power a little. Remeber they gained on you and will pull away from once they're past you.
Theres nothing worse than being stuck behind a car thats quick on the straights but cant handle a corner to save its life.
You will both have a great day if you respect each other and let them pass.
I hope this helps if there is anything I have missed let me know and I will add them
Tris
What do I need to attend an event? Crash helmet & clothing to cover full body (ie arms & legs). These are for drivers & passengers.
What happens if I have an accident? You are in good hands with full medical support, paramedics and ambulances on site with well trained & organized marshals. In reality you're safer here than on the road, no cars pulling out at junctions, no traffic coming the other way, marshals letting you know if any accidents or obstacles are in front of you & the strict policies in place on overtaking and driving courteously.
What type of licence do I need? A full UK car driving licence is needed.
Can Extra drivers use my car? Yes but note this will put extra strain on your car which could end your day early. The charge for extra driver is around £25 they must attend the morning safety briefing & complete the compulsory sighting laps.
Can I take a passenger? Yes at most tracks passengers are fine, only one at a time in the car on track. Passengers must have signed the indemnities for the circuit.
What modifications are needed to my car? None really as long as the car has an MOT, or if it’s a race/track car, it should be able to pass scrutineering at a race meeting.
Will my car pass the noise test? Trackdays will always advertise the noise limit applicable for the day as this varies from day to day & venues. The process of noise testing is done by the circuit & if you fail the test the circuit will not let your car on the track. Most standard exhaust systems would be under 98db which is the lowest enforced noise limit at any track.
Will I need a spare set of tyres? Trackdays have better tarmac then on airfields as a result tyre wear is not extreme and a set of tyres should last for three or more events depending on the style of your driving & the compound of the tyres.
What about fuel? Petrol is normally available at most circuits or a petrol station would be close by. It is common for people to bring their own fuel in Jerry Cans & this could make your day run smoother. It is worth noting that fuel consumption on the day will be more than your normal road driving & its necessary to keep at least ¼ tank at all times to avoid running out on track.
Do I need track day insurance? Track day insurance is not a legal requirement & most people don’t get cover. If you want total piece of mind track day insurance is available from numerous specialist firms. It is worth noting that your normal road car policy will not cover you on a track day.
Make sure before going out you remove any loose items in the car like Red Bull cans as if you get one of those roll under the pedals you really will have wings.
Checks to be made throughout the day
Check wheel nuts before & also during the day good idea is to check them once the car has cooled down & check tyre pressures throughout day too, presures are car & driver preferences.Check the oil before each session, keep an eye on the water temp and watch your tyres & brakes for wear.
At the end of your session do a slow cool down lap stay off the brakes I also open the window and put the heater on to get some heat out of the engine bay when slowing make sure your keeping out of everybody's way as if its a open pit lane day others will still be on there own session then when you get to the paddock park up, leave it in gear and the handbrake off if you have a turbo car make sure where you park is flat or you have something to stop it rolling away as you wont be able to turn the engine off till the car has cooled.
If you apply the handbrake it can boil your brake fluid rendering it next to useless. Consider opening your bonnet also to allow the engine to cool down and reduce under bonnet temps
Try to Relax, have fun, remember it's not a race and try not to get the red mist if somebody does get in the way.
Don't be afraid to ask questions in the briefing or from other experienced drivers if you are not sure about anything.
Also don't be afraid to have a chat and blag passenger laps form your fellow trackdayers, good way to pickup tips & lines.
Make sure you watch your mirrors if you see a car catch you up quickly just move over to the correct side which you will have been told in the drivers briefing let them past and get on with it.
If its a little under powered along the straight but quick through the corners then let them past, even if it means you having to back off the power a little. Remeber they gained on you and will pull away from once they're past you.
Theres nothing worse than being stuck behind a car thats quick on the straights but cant handle a corner to save its life.
You will both have a great day if you respect each other and let them pass.
I hope this helps if there is anything I have missed let me know and I will add them
Tris
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