Track day prep for a beginner

NaCl

NaCl

New member
As the title suggest, what should be on the checklist for my first track day with my F-Type V6 S?

My current items are:
- Upgrading the brake pads (possibly EBC yellow stuff)
- Swapping the brake fluid for higher temp brake fluid
- Possibly doing a differential oil change since the service history during previous ownership doesn't explicitly state that the diff oil was ever changed (currently at 38,000 miles).

Have I missed anything else on the technical side?

Also, what tracks would you recommend for a beginner? My current first choice is Bedford Autodrome.

Thanks in advance.
 
Torque wrench for wheel nuts; check before each session
Tyre pressure gauge
Oil
Spare underpants
Insurance
 
Worth asking if you can be a passenger in the track sighting car. Get tuition if possible and pick a quiet time ( 30 minutes into first session). Try and get a passenger who knows the track to travel with you on your laps. Make sure your cool down lap uses minimal brakes. Do not use your hand brake when you get back to the pits. Get your diff oil changed. Seriously consider track insurance. I would be very reluctant to use my F Type on my first track day. From Memory, Bedford has big run off areas, so good choice.
Track days are fantastic, but standards of driving and speeds vary wildly.
 
Worth asking if you can be a passenger in the track sighting car. Get tuition if possible and pick a quiet time ( 30 minutes into first session). Try and get a passenger who knows the track to travel with you on your laps. Make sure your cool down lap uses minimal brakes. Do not use your hand brake when you get back to the pits. Get your diff oil changed. Seriously consider track insurance. I would be very reluctant to use my F Type on my first track day. From Memory, Bedford has big run off areas, so good choice.
Track days are fantastic, but standards of driving and speeds vary wildly.
Build up your speed gradually, so you get faster throughout the day.

Enjoy the day. 😁
 
Brill, thanks for the advice guys!

Didn't know track insurance was a thing but that's quite a relief to know. I'll definitely be adding that to the list 😅
 
Aside from what's already been mentioned, drive within your limits - whatever those limits might be - and keep an eye on the mirrors. If somebody appears behind you, then they are lapping faster than you so let them past as soon as it is safe to do so (back off the throttle on the next straight, for example). It's easy to let ego get in the way, but they have appeared behind you because they are quicker, so let them get on with their day and you can both carry on enjoying your track time :)

As gf15 has mentioned, I cannot recommend highly enough having some instructor time after you've done a 20-30 minute session to familiarise yourself. A good instructor will open your eyes to how capable your car is, and you will benefit enormously from it for the rest of the day.

If you feel the brake pedal getting softer, at all, take it as a warning sign. I lost my brakes completely at Donington (in my 200SX, despite larger discs, uprated pads and fairly fresh brake fluid), having ignored those tell-tale signs, and found my foot going flat to the floor with no resisitance just as I was trying to brake for the final chicane on the 'national' layout. It's a scary experience. And yeah, park somewhere flat after your cooldown lap and do not engage the handbrake.
 
Spare tyre, got a puncture at a track day obvs no spare so trailered home. If youve space a spare wheel avec tyre.
 
Or even better the ring. Bit of a drive from the UK but a proper track with proper speeds to say the least. :D When I go there I don't do anything special except checking that all is in order with the car but then again I never rag it an entire day.
 

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Thanks all, very helpful advice! ❤️

Aiming to book in a session next month for Bedford but I'll also take a look at Castle Combe.
 
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