My track day
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 11:24 pmJust thought I’d give a little write up after my first ever track day and share the experience.
I have to say the night before I was giddy as a child at Christmas, and quite nervous. Something I’ve been meaning to do for a while, but wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
Arrived at the track nice and early, signed in, and shortly after 10, they let all the newbies out on track with the pace car for a few laps to get to know the place. I was lucky enough to have my own personal guide in the passenger seat, Laura was great and showed me the lines. It’s not like I had them nailed even by the end of the day, but it was a huge advantage to be shown them from the start. Even after a couple of laps, I was starting (well, just about starting) to push a little more and test the grip. The car started feeling a little unsettled in a way I wasn’t used too, and found out why later.
Came in then and when out with Laura for a few laps. One lap to let the car warmed up and then she really started pushing the car in to the corners, and I have to say I was genuinely impressed! Obviously she knew the track better than I did, but she was up to pace right away, and had way more confidence in the FTO than I had in the S2k. Never seen an FTO pushed so hard, and it was great to see what it could do. Oh, and at some stage (or two) the GT3 RS passed us. Now there were quick cars on track, but that thing is in a whole other league!
Was raining the next time I got out again, but started getting to know the track a bit better. The limits of grip were reached much quicker in the wet and on a much more regular basis, but I gradually started to get the feel for it. And then I spun! Didn’t even come off the tarmac, so just turned her right and got going again. A few laps later… “I’ll just do one more lap”, and 5 seconds later I was a passenger as my car went through 180 at Dunlop. Newbie spinning right in front of everyone, great stuff. Could only laugh as I went sheepishly down the straight in front of the pits.
The next run out (again in the rain, I missed any bit of a dry track time there was), and the cause of my spins (in part at least) was revealed. As I braked hard into some corner, I dropped the gear and the car twitched as I let up the clutch. I wasn’t matching the revs on the downshift and the back was locking up. I’d heard of this heal-toe craic and started giving it a go. I’m sure I was clumsy as hell, but it seemed to help a huge amount.
Some chat during the lunch also reveal what might have caused the unsettled feelings I was getting from the car earlier in the day. I was advised to check the type pressures as they obviously increase with heat, and might be a reason the problem showed after a few laps. After lunch the tyres had cooled a bit, but were still up to 34 psi, so I dropped them a good bit, and it made a noticeable difference.
Even though it was still wet in the evening, I kept getting to know the track better and gaining confidence. Even managed to pass a couple of cars toward the end, so was happy out. There was definitely 2 ways you could have gone at this, try and keep it tidy and go as fast as you dare, or go easier and have a bit of RWD fun. Being my first day, I didn’t want to risk messing around and so went for the first option.
The car, well, I got to know it a lot better and realised what the car is really designed for. I don’t think I pushed the car to its limit, as much as I did try (I must have spun 7-8 times), it was only my own limit of skill that was pushed, and exceeded at times. I think we all like to think we are at least decent drivers, but you really find out how close your limits are when out on track, especially in the rain. It’s MUCH harder than I would have guessed, but the car is also capable of much more than I thought. I can’t compare the brakes to the way they were before I upgraded them, as I never pushed them to the limit as much before, but on the day, they provided serious stopping power, very happy!
Got a few other passenger laps too, a Honda Accord Touring (yes), an Elise, an Exige, and a race ready Rover 25, but that one that stood out was the Elise on the dry track. You hear about the cornering of the things, but you just really have to experience one, it was unbelievable. I will own one someday!
The wet conditions definitely made it gentler on the tyres and brakes, but the car took it all in its stride. Covered about 100km on track, and I think I averaged about 15mpg. Cost a little bit getting the car ready for the day with tyres (which it needed anyway), brakes and getting a helmet, but that’s all there now for the next track day, and yes, I think I will be back.
Overall, a highly recommended day’s fun.
Thanks again to Laura for the invite.
I have to say the night before I was giddy as a child at Christmas, and quite nervous. Something I’ve been meaning to do for a while, but wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
Arrived at the track nice and early, signed in, and shortly after 10, they let all the newbies out on track with the pace car for a few laps to get to know the place. I was lucky enough to have my own personal guide in the passenger seat, Laura was great and showed me the lines. It’s not like I had them nailed even by the end of the day, but it was a huge advantage to be shown them from the start. Even after a couple of laps, I was starting (well, just about starting) to push a little more and test the grip. The car started feeling a little unsettled in a way I wasn’t used too, and found out why later.
Came in then and when out with Laura for a few laps. One lap to let the car warmed up and then she really started pushing the car in to the corners, and I have to say I was genuinely impressed! Obviously she knew the track better than I did, but she was up to pace right away, and had way more confidence in the FTO than I had in the S2k. Never seen an FTO pushed so hard, and it was great to see what it could do. Oh, and at some stage (or two) the GT3 RS passed us. Now there were quick cars on track, but that thing is in a whole other league!
Was raining the next time I got out again, but started getting to know the track a bit better. The limits of grip were reached much quicker in the wet and on a much more regular basis, but I gradually started to get the feel for it. And then I spun! Didn’t even come off the tarmac, so just turned her right and got going again. A few laps later… “I’ll just do one more lap”, and 5 seconds later I was a passenger as my car went through 180 at Dunlop. Newbie spinning right in front of everyone, great stuff. Could only laugh as I went sheepishly down the straight in front of the pits.
The next run out (again in the rain, I missed any bit of a dry track time there was), and the cause of my spins (in part at least) was revealed. As I braked hard into some corner, I dropped the gear and the car twitched as I let up the clutch. I wasn’t matching the revs on the downshift and the back was locking up. I’d heard of this heal-toe craic and started giving it a go. I’m sure I was clumsy as hell, but it seemed to help a huge amount.
Some chat during the lunch also reveal what might have caused the unsettled feelings I was getting from the car earlier in the day. I was advised to check the type pressures as they obviously increase with heat, and might be a reason the problem showed after a few laps. After lunch the tyres had cooled a bit, but were still up to 34 psi, so I dropped them a good bit, and it made a noticeable difference.
Even though it was still wet in the evening, I kept getting to know the track better and gaining confidence. Even managed to pass a couple of cars toward the end, so was happy out. There was definitely 2 ways you could have gone at this, try and keep it tidy and go as fast as you dare, or go easier and have a bit of RWD fun. Being my first day, I didn’t want to risk messing around and so went for the first option.
The car, well, I got to know it a lot better and realised what the car is really designed for. I don’t think I pushed the car to its limit, as much as I did try (I must have spun 7-8 times), it was only my own limit of skill that was pushed, and exceeded at times. I think we all like to think we are at least decent drivers, but you really find out how close your limits are when out on track, especially in the rain. It’s MUCH harder than I would have guessed, but the car is also capable of much more than I thought. I can’t compare the brakes to the way they were before I upgraded them, as I never pushed them to the limit as much before, but on the day, they provided serious stopping power, very happy!
Got a few other passenger laps too, a Honda Accord Touring (yes), an Elise, an Exige, and a race ready Rover 25, but that one that stood out was the Elise on the dry track. You hear about the cornering of the things, but you just really have to experience one, it was unbelievable. I will own one someday!
The wet conditions definitely made it gentler on the tyres and brakes, but the car took it all in its stride. Covered about 100km on track, and I think I averaged about 15mpg. Cost a little bit getting the car ready for the day with tyres (which it needed anyway), brakes and getting a helmet, but that’s all there now for the next track day, and yes, I think I will be back.
Overall, a highly recommended day’s fun.
Thanks again to Laura for the invite.
Car can take serious abuse in the dry. Really can't understand how everyone thought that day I was driving well, I was disgusted with the spinning.
