Taking a 172 on track, will it kill it? :)

[ChrisR]

Looking to do one of the RS trackdays but after reading a thread over on OCUK about a trackday they did this weekend just gone, and ending up with one dead Leon Cupra R, made me worry slightly abot my poor little Clio.

Do they suffer any oil starvation problems on track or are they generally ok?

Also is it worth changing the oil before and after the trackday? Also someone mentioned overfilling the oil ever so slightly before a trackday as it'll most likely burn more up, truth or rubbish?

Or are the 172s a bit more hardy on a track than other hot hatches?

 

[DrR]

You've been on here 3 years and not seen the endless posts of people on track days? Or never heard of MarkCup?

I've been to the ring, and plan to do a couple this year with no mods whatsoever.

 

[ChrisR]

I've seen many people talk about the trackdays they've done, but not so much talk about the prep work hence no idea if these guys have spent a fortune getting them ready for the track or not

 

[mattjk]

prep work gotta be a big service

oil
tyres
brakes
suspension
etc etc could go on forever just use your head a little.

Compression test your engine if your worried itl blow up, believe the f4rs are approx 160-165 PSI compression out the factory

 

[Bluebeard]

I did a few in my last one and all i did was change the oil before and after.

Providing the brakes/clutch/tyres have plenty of meat left in them then you will be fine

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

prep work gotta be a big service

oil
tyres
brakes
suspension
etc etc could go on forever just use your head a little.

wtf...

As long as you keep your car maintained (oiled, watered etc) you don't need to do anything to take it on a track.

 

[davebem]

The tyres and brakes will wear out more quickly. You just need to remember to fill up with petrol and thats it. The engine is nothing to worry about as long as you let it warm up before the blast.

 

[MarkCup]

I've seen many people talk about the trackdays they've done, but not so much talk about the prep work hence no idea if these guys have spent a fortune getting them ready for the track or not

Before a trackday I...

brim the tank
check and top up the oil
check and top up everything else
visually look the tyres over for bulges, cuts, nails etc.
adjust tyre pressures
take everything out of the car

That's it. No special preparation, no special extra drops of oil, no extra expense over what would be normal for day to day use.

They lap up the abuse.

:evil:

 

[mattjk]

what do you mean wtf, if you value your car and your safety your surely going to want to ensure vital safety components are in good working order. For me this would be new tyres for sure brakes an oil change would also be sensible.

But you can just do it if you want but thats what Id do not cheap but the best way

 

[ChrisR]

I've seen many people talk about the trackdays they've done, but not so much talk about the prep work hence no idea if these guys have spent a fortune getting them ready for the track or not

Before a trackday I...

brim the tank
check and top up the oil
check and top up everything else
visually look the tyres over for bulges, cuts, nails etc.
adjust tyre pressures
take everything out of the car

That's it. No special preparation, no special extra drops of oil, no extra expense over what would be normal for day to day use.

They lap up the abuse.

:evil:

Great just what I wanted to know, cheers Mark

 

[Fletcher]

I have oil changes every 6k on my 172, and have not had to once top up the oil between them.

 

[MarkCup]

I have oil changes every 6k on my 172, and have not had to once top up the oil between them.

I've done that from new as well.

Also, I get my brake fluid changed pretty much every second service/12,000 miles, but that's the only thing that I find I need to do over a normal maintenance schedule.

 

[nathanH]

what sort of tyre pressures would you normaly run, higher or lower?

 

[ben_p]

higher on a nice sticky track!

 

[Ali]

higher on a nice sticky track!

What!!!

yes higher on a trackday, so you don't wear the tyres to a slick in one day.

In reality for grip and a 'race' you want lower pressures!
Will take a lap or 2 more to come on, but they won't go off as quickly!

The hotter the day the lower the pressures. In wet/qualifying/cold days it's always 3-4 PSI more.

 

[ben_p]

higher on a nice sticky track!

What!!!

yes higher on a trackday, so you don't wear the tyres to a slick in one day.

In reality for grip and a 'race' you want lower pressures!
Will take a lap or 2 more to come on, but they won't go off as quickly!

The hotter the day the lower the pressures. In wet/qualifying/cold days it's always 3-4 PSI more.

by the sounds of it he wants to keep the tyres in one piece,

the sidewalls get fucked on low pressure

as long as hes not going full on race style then 1-2 psi above the OEM settings.

the minor bit of heat wont do much unless your f**king killing it

 

[Weeman]

Mine was battered around the ring with the odd off here and there that only displaced the washer bottle pipe, and there was one occasion where there was only metal backing plates on the brakes, But apart from that it'll be reet, and less sidewall on your tyres, oh and on the quickest lap of the ring I did in it, some bit of trim near the aircon fell off .

 

[ben_p]

Mine was battered around the ring with the odd off here and there that only displaced the washer bottle pipe, and there was one occasion where there was only metal backing plates on the brakes, But apart from that it'll be reet, and less sidewall on your tyres, oh and on the quickest lap of the ring I did in it, some bit of trim near the aircon fell off .

man the golfs fall apart hey!

 

[Dan R]

I've seen many people talk about the trackdays they've done, but not so much talk about the prep work hence no idea if these guys have spent a fortune getting them ready for the track or not

Before a trackday I...

brim the tank
check and top up the oil
check and top up everything else
visually look the tyres over for bulges, cuts, nails etc.
adjust tyre pressures
take everything out of the car

That's it. No special preparation, no special extra drops of oil, no extra expense over what would be normal for day to day use.

They lap up the abuse.

:evil:

Exactly my thinking too. I did the ring twice last year in a standard 182 cup

 

[TheJesus]

higher on a nice sticky track!

lmao!!!

I normally run standard pressure for a couple of laps, come back in and drop it a few PSI as they go up once they get some heat in them. I run anything from 28-32psi usually.

 

[Tom H]

I just ensured any work that needed doing was done to the car and off i went to cadwell park

but i always look after the car so there isnt really much more i could do for a track day... gave it some new brake fluid


Ran it on spare wheels as the brake dust totally ruined them!

 

[Ali]

higher on a nice sticky track!

lmao!!!

I normally run standard pressure for a couple of laps, come back in and drop it a few PSI as they go up once they get some heat in them. I run anything from 28-32psi usually.

After a session you need to balance pressures. Depending on the track layout naturally...more right handers will induce higher left hand pressures...Do this as soon as you come in...Not an hour later etc.

28-32 is on the money tho!

 

[Dan R]

higher on a nice sticky track!

lmao!!!

I normally run standard pressure for a couple of laps, come back in and drop it a few PSI as they go up once they get some heat in them. I run anything from 28-32psi usually.

At cadwell i ran 30 front cold. did 3 laps and they were at 38-39 psi. hot so dropped them back to 30. i now know to set them at about 21-22 cold when doin a track day

 

[Weeman]

Mine was battered around the ring with the odd off here and there that only displaced the washer bottle pipe, and there was one occasion where there was only metal backing plates on the brakes, But apart from that it'll be reet, and less sidewall on your tyres, oh and on the quickest lap of the ring I did in it, some bit of trim near the aircon fell off .

man the golfs fall apart hey!

LOL Golfs been ok, nothing fell off that, clio is made out of the sort of toilet paper you used to wipe your bum with at school and put your finger straight through

 

[Ali]

lmao!!!

I normally run standard pressure for a couple of laps, come back in and drop it a few PSI as they go up once they get some heat in them. I run anything from 28-32psi usually.

At cadwell i ran 30 front cold. did 3 laps and they were at 38-39 psi. hot so dropped them back to 30. i now know to set them at about 21-22 cold when doin a track day

Aye! And you were still slow! :rasp:

Aye spot on tho, I find it's more the blistering and going off shich is the problem on road/shite tyres that the sidewalls....Unless of course your name is 2live!

 

[Dan R]

At cadwell i ran 30 front cold. did 3 laps and they were at 38-39 psi. hot so dropped them back to 30. i now know to set them at about 21-22 cold when doin a track day

Aye! And you were still slow! :rasp:

Aye spot on tho, I find it's more the blistering and going off shich is the problem on road/s**te tyres that the sidewalls....Unless of course your name is 2live!

i didnt see you comin past :rasp:

 

[Ali]

Aye! And you were still slow! :rasp:

Aye spot on tho, I find it's more the blistering and going off shich is the problem on road/s**te tyres that the sidewalls....Unless of course your name is 2live!

i didnt see you comin past :rasp:

No but i was catching! Before you chickened out! ha!

 

[mark smith87]

I keep mine on normal tyre pressures. 32 front and 29 rear. Renaultsport cars are built for the track so no need to worry about them not taking the abuse. Mine has done 12 track days in the 2 and a half years I've owned it. Its got 112,000 miles on it now and its still as quick as it was when I first got it. Just make sure brakes, tyres, and levels are ok and you shouldn't have any problems. and drive within your capabilities. More accidents occur on trackdays through drivers pushing way beyond their limits and the cars limits and overcooking it with expensive consequences. Keep it cool and always be aware of who's around you. Use your mirrors at all times on track and always observe the flag marshals!

 

[Cookson]

believe the f4rs are approx 160-165 PSI compression out the factory

Can anyone else confirm this??

I got 190 on all 4 cylinders when I checked