General Trackday Guide (Please add to this!)

[PoloG4tracer]

thanks for clearing it all up.

Im am now Learned!

[Instructor]

Now the (ex) Octagon circuits are a little more settled, the Track Day dates are starting to come through.
Let's hope more people take to the circuit for the fun and adrenalin that is circuit driving.

Most questions have been laid to rest here, but if anyone still has any worries about taking the plunge...
JUST ASK!

Happy Tracking

best regs
Steve L

[mmylonas]

Is it forbidden to use laptimers at all track days? One of trh reasons for attending is to improve driving smoothness and track speed and I hoped to instal a data logger/laptimer so I could see where the instructor and my technique differed.

The problem with test (as opposed to track) days is that you can't have an instructor in the car with you so he can't see where you're going wrong.

Any suggestions?

Michael Mylonas

[Hobson]

I'm not sure. Ring up the organiser and ask them.

[Instructor]

MOST definitely
it is FORBIDDEN to use any method of timing on track days.
It is not the organisers being unhelpful, it is because of the Public Liability insurance.

Each organiser has to have about £10 million cover.
This would be negated if it were proven that there was someone timing the driving.

I agree it is useful to see if the instruction has worked.
Timing is obviously the bottom line, but you know as a driver when you are improving. If a corner feels better by using the advice of instructor or your driving input feels better through advice then the times should just prove this.

I work with drivers in car on track days, then use corner critique and video footage on test days along with telemetry and lap times. This mix seems to work well.

Best regs
Steve L

[mmylonas]

Steve

Thanks for the explanation. Was wondering where you instructed (Silverstone by any chance?) and whether you did private sessions?

Michael - might br easier to deal with this via email: mmylonas@3serjeantsinn.com

Regards

MM

[Instructor]

Hi Michael
I instruct just about anywhere, but Sillystone is my local circuit.
I do a lot at Rockingham and Snet too.

I am freelance so am always up for rent!

I will send you some of my stuff.
Hope you find it useful.

Best regards

Steve Lewis

[qaz]

has been stated that timing is forbidden.best way to know if your going faster through a bend is to look at the revs as you exit.higher revs =faster through the bend

[AlexF]

or just time it anyway

alex

[275 GTB-4]

Originally posted by Ernie
Safety?

Are you allowed to overtake going into corners? I think that it's a good idea when this isn't allowed, at least in the Novice/Intermediate groups.
Any thoughts on this?

DEFINATELY NOT RECOMMENDED ON SAFETY GROUNDS!

AND ...."Once the stickers are fixed on you need to tape up your headlights – this really brings out the track-beast in the car – and then run through some safety checks, sometimes from a checklist provided".

Tape over the glass mirrors on your road bikes!

[Instructor]

For info Chaps.
As an organiser and senior Instructor on some track days.
ANYONE found timing is sent home.
The reason for this is that if there is need to use the Public imdemnity insurance, (which all organisers and circuits need) and it is proven that timing was taking place, then the insurance is void!

So please respect the organisers rules as they are in place for a reason.
Have fun, learn circuits and technique on track days, maybe even run in new race engines etc.
But full-on hot laps and timing should be left for test sessions, there are enough around. In this way then you can really see where you and your mota are in terms of competitivity.

Enjoy!...
Steps off soapbox

[Daf_Loz]

> it is FORBIDDEN to use any method of timing on track days.

Not strictly true PalmerSport did car timings on a HowFast trackday on the GT circuit for all cars and is now running a combined Trackday and HowFast day with individual timing (including a leaderboard) on one circuit and open session on the other.

See www.howfast.com

[Instructor]

Yup Palmers are a law unto themselves.
They can be as they own the circuit and there is relatively little to hit.

Any independant track day organiser HAS to agree the no timing policy or the Public Indemnity insurance is void.

Palmers time their corporate 'billies' too.
You should see the end results!
One guy tried 90mph into a corner that even Just Wilson takes at 35mph apex speed.

That's what adding the time element does it sets up competition.
Track days are non competitive.
Test days and racing however is another matter.

Best regs
Steve L

[rs1900]

Originally posted by Instructor
ONCE AND FOR ALL...
Your track car does not need insurance.
Your track car does not need TAX.
Your track car does not need MOT.

helloooo! Right i'm just a little bit concerned about insurance as from what i have read above u need it for track day witch is fair enuf but wot cover do u have dose it work like when u r on the road e.g if say somone knocks off your bumper or puts a dent in your door u clam,but how do u come off on a track day is it owners risk u just clam on your own insurance if u like?

[Instructor]

I refer you to the previous answer.
There are a goo dnumber of companies able to take premiums off you for track day cover.
An 'on-track' claim trying to allay specific responsibility I have yet to see!

If on doubt.
Don't do it.
You won't enjoy the day.

[55jnj]

You don't actually need an MOT to go on track - lots of non road worthy cars use track days (i.e. pure track day cars, lack of lights, speedo etc). However, any car in a dangerous condition (i.e. bits hanging off, leaking oil on circuit etc), will be black flagged. There are no insurance requirement - you sign an indemnity with the track owners and/or track day organisers before going on track - any damage (to your own car, to a third party car which is clearly your fault, or to the track itself - i.e crash barrier, tarmac repairs etc) is down to you. Most track day organisers exclude open wheel single seaters from general track days.

[55jnj]

Sorry everyone. When I posted my comments earlier today I had (rather stupidly) picked up the thread from the foot of page 1 rather than page 3 !!. Therefore my thoughts only duplicated those already made before me. Instructor & others had already made it perfectly clear that Insurance, MOT etc were not necessary.

You know the definition of an "expert" ?

"X" is the unknown quantity
&
"Spurt" is a drip under pressure !!

[Instructor]

Tee hee
I've heard that before somewhere!
Steve L

[MikeHoyer]

I've got a question, I've never done it before but I'd like to...

Main thing I'm worried about is being a bit over cautious on the brakes and things, and someone going into the back of me...

[F1JordanUk]

Don't be, most circuits do a new to track sesion, you could also do a parade lap lo learn the track first without having to worry about being overtaken!

Another thing is, if your being shouted at, it means STOP WORKING ON YOUR CAR and get the hell of the track!

Oh, and check your wheel nuts between sesions, i've had several cars pull up with wobbly wheel with nuts missing and all the rest loose!

And Its a TRACK DAY not a RACE DAY, yeah you want to go hell for leather, but just remember you're not insured unless you've taken out extra insurance.

And at Combe all cars have to be road legal, so you need Mot and Tax, I was never asked for it, but for the price of an MOT it's worth it, if you can't afford an MOT you really shouldnt be doing track days anyway, could be very expensive if you hit someone else!!

One mor thing, if you got youre own helmet (I use my motorbike helmet, gold acu aproved) check you fit in the car, i'm 6 foot, and lets just say i couldn't move up or down!

[Instructor]

Go for it.
New 'blood' is needed on track days.
If you have a car with any real power and performance, the track is the only place to explore the real potential of you and the motor.

Any professionally run day will go out of their way to welcome new boys (and girsl!).
Oh and obviously it's a good idea to take tuition!!

This way proven this weekend on a Noble day at Rockingham.
You wouldn't believe the number of people who shunned the 4 Instructors available. Fortunately they were often passed by those who did take advice )

Best regards
Steve

[Neil Adams]

cheers for the help guys, so i can use a track specific car for track days without tax / insurance / mot just as long as its roadworthy, will need to get a sorn declaration done on the car

this no timings thing confuses me, i guess the racemaster days at brands dont count as test days as they gave timings to us for the single seaters session, 1m 11 being my best 6th / 13 drivers. Again cheers for the info as i was thinking of bringing a stopwatch in car and defanatley will not now.

[ascarmarshal]

Originally Posted by Neil Adams

cheers for the help guys, so i can use a track specific car for track days without tax / insurance / mot just as long as its roadworthy, will need to get a sorn declaration done on the car

this no timings thing confuses me, i guess the racemaster days at brands dont count as test days as they gave timings to us for the single seaters session, 1m 11 being my best 6th / 13 drivers. Again cheers for the info as i was thinking of bringing a stopwatch in car and defanatley will not now.

Racemaster days are not test or track days but a race school day which is run by Brands and you are only timed on the Formula Brands. The session length timing is usually done by the startline marshal ( usually myself) for Race Master or Trackmaster ( look for the white or black cowboy hat and that will be me)

Also can I add the hand held cameras, phones and sandwiches ( we have had to black flag a car for the passenger eating a sandwhich!!!!) or any hand held object are also a big no no on trackdays. If you want to film your days from on-board your car and bike make sure the camera is secure ( the pit lane team will check it and at Brands you will be asked to sign a media form)

[Neil Adams]

ah! small world

i recently watched a documentary about skylines : these have in-built lap timers in the dash top computer, how do tracks deal with this at trackdays?

[Redlake27]

Track guides are now available at http://www.driversknow.co.uk/motorsp...e/trackGuides/