first trackday

[tinhead]

Any advice before my first trackday with the 182 next week. This is my first FWD car for six years after trading in the scooby and im a bit concerned about the handling on the limit. Any tips on car preparation, tyres pressures etc.

 

[Illusion]

Not really a tip mate, but where u going for ur track day???

Im gaggin to have one. How much is it costing ya if u dont mind asking?

 

[Griff]

Take a look at http://www.bookatrack.com/-pEBookaTrack

 

[telford_mike]

Your front pressures are critical - check them when you start and after your first session - if they stray above 36psi theyre too high. If its damp you can have great fun with the lift-off oversteer - just dab the brakes in a corner...

The car will spin on the limit just like a rwd. Keep an eye on your tyres - the fronts wont last long.

 

[tinhead]

What cold pressure do you recommend to start with, is 36psi the max hot pressure?

I hope I dont trash the tyres as ive only done 1500miles.

 

[telford_mike]

Start at around 32. You will probably trash the tyres (depends which track youre doing).

If youre going to do a lot of trackdays you might want to think about getting an alternative set of wheels so that you can use tyres which are cheaper and better suited to the job. You can get a set of 6 x 15 wheels for next to nothing and run competition tyres which will transform the car on track.

 

[southern clio]

Dont power out of corners too early, allow the steering wheel to wash out instead of jerking the car back to a straight line.

Personally , with the initial turn into a corner, I find that you really have to dive into/attack the turn with gusto.

Weve got 15" rims down here in Aus and the pressure I run on track are ~34 front and 33 back - cold with road tyres.

Have you done any track work with any of your previous cars? If so, then youll know about having to remove any loose objects in the car, cool down laps etc...
But if you have any questions, just ask.

 

[Snufty]

I would say that do a slow lap first to get the lines and get the general layout of the track

Brake in a straight line heavy breaking and turning dont mix too well

Balance the throttle through corners as the wheels straighten out accelerate

Have a cool down lap every so often trying not to use the brakes

WHEN YOU FINISH YOUR SESSION DO NOT PARK YOUR CAR UP AND LEAVE THE HANDBRAKE ON YOU WILL WARP YOUR DISCS

 

[tinhead]

Thanks for all the advice. I plan on taking it easy at first but am a bit worried about the trackday "experts" in their slick shod 205gtis.

 

[southern clio]

The Clio performs really well on the track, due to its light mass and oversize brakes. I tend to do a maximum of 6-8 laps before heading back in. Just been using the standard discs + brakes and so far havent had problems with brake fade etc... Just make sure you do a cool down lap, minimal usage of the brakes.

Perhaps start the day with the traction control system on, as it doesnt engage too early and allows a bit of a play before it catches the car.

The overtaking policy would depend on the sort of track day. If it is not a championship round, then overtaking by more powerful cars will probably be limited to the straights - when a faster car is approaching, indicate (by hand signals) which side you would like them to overtake. Some track days Ive been to say that one should stay on the racing line and let the car get around you, others say to move out of the way. Best to ask the organisers on the day what the overtaking policy is. Also watch for flags, and keep an eye on the road ahead, sometimes if a person has an off they could drag gravel onto the track and if this is in a braking area, things could get ugly.


You wouldnt have to worry about 205GTis sporting track rubber, but more the high powered cars on the straights. The Clio can hold its own around the bends, with very few cars (besides the mid-engined and track specific beasts) being able to carry the same amount of corner speed. But on straights, it is best to keep an eye on what is behind you. Some cars can eat up the Clio with amazing pace, but only some

 

[Snufty]

You really will be suprised how well the clio will perform on track you will make elises look slow round a track.

 

[Nick Read]

I thought most track days stuck to:I

If someone wants to overtake, stay on the right and indicate to let them pass on the left, regardless of racing line.

Dont overtake on corners