First track day at Bedford, 29th March...

[Hazza]

Going for my first track day on March 29th down at the Bedford Autodome. As i am a complete noob to all this track day malarky I am a bit scared, and nervous. I mean, there will be mostly experienced drivers who have been doing track days for ages and ages! So all i want is some help and guidance to what I should do, and look out for.

All I know is the obvious, wearing full sleeved clothing, helmet, getting the car in road worthy condition (already is), letting cars go past if i know they will be faster, driving safely...

Anything else?.. suggestions would be great, and will put more confidence in me.

Thank you =)

 

[maynard]

Overtake on the left - ie. so you pull over to the right to let people through.
When you come in to the pits to cool down don't put the handbrake on when you've stopped.
Put the car in gear and then turn off the engine. IIRC these were the instructions the guy at Bedford said last year. Don't worry, take it easy and pay attention to the briefing before you go on track!

 

[Schweppy]

U going in the Ignis?

Full day?

 

[Hazza]

Overtake on the left - ie. so you pull over to the right to let people through.
When you come in to the pits to cool down don't put the handbrake on when you've stopped.
Put the car in gear and then turn off the engine. IIRC these were the instructions the guy at Bedford said last year. Don't worry, take it easy and pay attention to the briefing before you go on track!

Any reason to not putting the handbrake on when i've stopped in the pits? and putting in gear then turning the engine off?

U going in the Ignis?

Full day?

Yea in the ignis, and yup full day. Open pitlane.

 

[StevenMc29]

Handbrake warps warm discs iirc

 

[ForceIndia]

Handbrake on hot brakes will cause the pads to bind to the discs. Then as they cool, you'll get warped discs.

 

[maynard]

what they said about discs ^^


as to leaving it in gear, i suppose so it doesn't roll whilst handbrake isn't on! maybe another reason though...

 

[Hazza]

Ahhh... that info seems very important! Thanks!

 

[Hazza]

Anything else i should be aware of?

 

[Ja5on]

take a bottle of oil up with you. Tyre pressure gauge.

After youve done the number of laps you want do a warm down lap, keeping out of the way of faster car but just cruising about will allow the engine to cool. When you come off the track and park up dont put your hand brake on!!!!

 

[ForceIndia]

Make sure pads and discs have plenty of life in them. Bedford can be tough on brakes. Book tuition. Don't die.

 

[Hazza]

Not going to go at it at high speeds seeing as its my first time. I might watch some youtube clips of someone going round the track (in car footage) to familiarise the track.

 

[chrispy.clio]

Not going to go at it at high speeds seeing as its my first time. I might watch some youtube clips of someone going round the track (in car footage) to familiarise the track.

Yep deffently do that, i do it before i go out on a new track that i dont realy know. You'll soon know where to go as bedford is complety flat.

Just be smooth with everything, smooth on the brakes, smooth on the accelerator, smooth steering and you'll be fine.

 

[Hazza]

Yep deffently do that, i do it before i go out on a new track that i dont realy know. You'll soon know where to go as bedford is complety flat.

Just be smooth with everything, smooth on the brakes, smooth on the accelerator, smooth steering and you'll be fine.

Yea, i'm not intending to pretend to be Jensen Button and driving like a hero! :rasp:

But will try to find a good racing line as i've always wanted to drive like you would do in a real race

 

[Sean.]

bedford is the perfect beginners track day

you'l love it there

 

[Sean.]

Me going around bedford in the clio my best times from the day were about 2:24 iirc, maybe wrong though, and probably not this video, search my video's on youtube for more!

[youtube]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uKiKv5nKANM&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uKiKv5nKANM&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube]

 

[Hazza]

I know this might be a silly question, but how did u find out ur lap time? do they come up when u pass the finishing line? or did u use ur own stop watch?

 

[Sean.]

lol, no timing equipment is allowed really. but if you wanted to use a stopwatch with a passenger then its ok i guess, however i just used my video to work out when i crossed the line and then noted how long it took for me to hit the same point, not an exact way but close enough for setting some personall lap times.

 

[Hazza]

lol, no timing equipment is allowed really. but if you wanted to use a stopwatch with a passenger then its ok i guess, however i just used my video to work out when i crossed the line and then noted how long it took for me to hit the same point, not an exact way but close enough for setting some personall lap times.

Ahhh I guess so, well I won't have a passenger, nor a video camera.. would love to film it though!.. tempted to tape down a camera on my dashboard to record it. haha

 

[Bazzon]

Passengers are useful if its your first day, they can keep a eye out for faster cars approaching you and let you know, also give you a hand with where you are braking early/late or where you line is wrong.

 

[Hazza]

Yeah I was thinking that aswell, plus it seems more fun sharing the experience, but we're going in a group so hopefully there is a spare person who is willing to jump in with me.

 

[trile]

passenger, extra oil, check the tyre pressure, take it easy and as someone said - dont die...i mean dont crash

 

[Tony Hunter]

Team Burpspeed might be there that day testing,if so come and say hello

 

[ado]

I wouldn't time on the day if I were you. Quick way to get kicked off plus it's your first time so concentrate on having some fun instead.

Is this through MSV themselves or someone else? If it is cheap enough then I might try and attend if the car is ever ready.

 

[Tony Hunter]

There is one the friday as well 26th,not sure which one we are going to now,be good to see you ado.