Should I take my car to a Track Day?
As car loving petrol heads, we probably get more attached to our cars than the average person. In fact, our spouses will often accuse us of loving our cars more than we care about them. Now, far be it from me to try to quantify my love for my cars versus my love for my wife. However, I have found that this love of our cars can sometimes be our downfall. Often we will let opportunities pass us by because we don’t want to mess up our cars. We sit on the side lines whist others enjoy, because we’re too scared something happens to our pride and joy.
This was certainly my experience when it came to doing Track Days. Most race tracks offer open track days these days. It’s a simple concept. Bring your car, whatever that may be, and drive it on the track as quickly as you want/ dare. My first track day at Killarney was in my Brikin S3. A little Lotus 7 Replica car with a zippy 1600 Twin Cam and a 540kg curb weight.
I was terrified
Truth be told though, I was terrified about putting my pride and joy on the track. Even when I arrived at the track that day, I wasn’t sure if I was going to go through with it. I figured I would simply observe and then next time I know what to expect. But, I took a big dose of brave pills and signed the indemnity forms, headed to scrutineering and then… I got hooked.
Since that day I have done loads of track days in several other cars I’ve owned. I eventually sold my Birkin to start building something more suited to track days. (That car is still a work in progress). I thought it might be useful for me to share my experiences here, to maybe encourage someone else. If you are thinking about doing a track day in your car, read this and decide for yourself. If you ask me though, it is absolutely worth it. Not only is it an incredibly fun way to spend the day, but you learn a huge amount about driving your car.
The Prep Work
Whilst it is true that you can turn up to a track day in just about any car, not all cars are up to the task. One of the reservations about track days I hear most often is, “doesn’t it mess up your car”. Now there’s no simple yes/no answer to that question. However, I can tell you, I have done several track days, in several cars and I’ve never broken anything. As long as your car is fairly stock in terms of the engine, chances are it will be fine. Modified cars obviously put more stresses on their engines. This is fine on the road where you are only at full throttle for short bursts of time. On the track though, you will be wide open much of the time, and a highly modified engine, might not cope.
In truth the 2 components that take the biggest beating in my experience, are the brakes and the tyres. The heavier your car is, the more this becomes a factor. My Birkin hardly showed any tyre or brake wear, because it only weighs as much as a steak dinner. I have however, seen countless Luminas with stock brakes overshoot a corner and end up in a barrier because their brakes are cooked after just a few laps. So if your car is a big, heavy, powerful leviathan, you may want to consider a brake upgrade.
the track will always reveal the weakest link in your car
For safety reasons, it’s also important to keep your car in good, roadworthy shape. But if you are a C&C reader, I hope that would be the case anyways. The only reason I mention it is, the track will always reveal the weakest link in your car. So if there is a shock absorber you have neglected. A tyre you haven’t quite gotten around to replacing. Any little thing that isn’t perfect, will be shown up very quickly when you drive on the track.
Gear up
You don’t need to go out and buy a Nomex suit, gloves and boots, but I would invest in a half decent helmet. Rental helmets are usually available at the track, but having your own is really worth it. Motorcycle helmets are absolutely fine if you don’t want to fork out for a racing helmet. You should also remember to wear long sleeves, long trousers and comfortable shoes. These are safety requirements of the track, so turn up in shorts and you will not be allowed out of the pits. Most importantly, wear whatever is most comfortable for you. Something that won’t restrict your movement is key. Remember that should the worst happen, you need to be able to get out of your car very quickly.
Course of the Day
Try to arrive about 30 to 60 minutes early on the day. That gives you plenty of time to do the admin, before things get too busy. You will need to sign indemnity forms, pay your fee and collect your arm band. Your passengers, if you have any, will need to do the same. You WILL be asked to show your driving license, so make sure you have it on hand. The last bit of admin you need to do before scrutineering is choose your group. This is based on your skill level and the car you are driving, but more on this later.
Once that’s done, you need to take your car to the scrutineering bay in the pits. Here your car will be checked over to make sure it is safe for use on the track. If your car is cleared, you will be given a brightly coloured sticker to put on your car. The colour of the sticker will be decided by which group you have decided to drive in. You then park your car somewhere in the pitlane and head to the driver’s briefing, usually held under the clock tower.
Choose your Track Day Group
Killarney divides their track days into 3 different groups. When doing your documentation, you will be asked which group you wish to join. Depending on your skill/ confidence level and the car you are driving, you should choose the group you are most comfortable with. Any car will be welcome in any class, but there is a sort of natural selection process that happens. Each group also has its own set of rules.
GROUP 1:
Group 1 is primarily for inexperienced or first-time track drivers, in relatively normal road cars. Racing is absolutely discouraged. You are not competing against anyone, the laps are not timed and you are just there to have fun. The rules for this group state that you can ONLY overtake another car on a straight. However, you must complete your overtaking BEFORE the braking zone. Once you enter the braking zones of a corner, you MUST stay behind the other car, until you have both exited the corner and are back on a straight section of track.
GROUP 2:
This group is for slightly more experienced drivers. Generally this group will be full of sports cars, or faster road cars. Racing is now allowed, but if you look like you may cause a danger to others on the track, marshalls will very quickly flag you. Overtaking is allowed in the braking zone now, but cars MUST be single file by the time you turn in. No overtaking is allowed in the corner itself.
GROUP 3:
Described as Professional racing drivers in race cars, at race pace. This is the most advanced group for advanced drivers. The group will typically be filled with a mix of supercars and full-blown racecars. Driving at race pace, means that normal racing rules apply. You may overtake in braking zones, on straights or in the corner. However, you may not defend your line, as this is still not a real race. If someone wants to come past, you should let them.
The Order of things
The groups will be announce in sequence. First out will usually be group one, then 2 then 3. Each session is usually around 10-15 minutes. You can stay out for the whole session if you like, or come back into the pits when you feel like it. You can also go back out mid-session if there is time left. My recommendation would be, stay out for the entire length of your session. Essentially that track time is what you are paying for, so use as much of it as you can!
During the course of the day, each group will typically get 3 sessions on track. After which you will find a lot of people leave the track and go home. Since that leaves fewer drivers at the track, they sometimes open the track for a final bonus session of 15-20 minutes. This final session is run under group 3 rules and is open to all!
Mr Q’s Top Tips for Track Days
The first and most important thing I can say about track days is, DO ONE! Contrary to popular belief, track days will not destroy your car if you are sensible about it.
Secondly, as petrol heads, we like to believe that we are better drivers than most. And in the context of normal road driving, this may well be true. However, the track has no room for ego. You need to be prepared for the humbling experience that track driving is. You will very quickly realise that some of those guys are MUCH better drivers than you are, and you need to be able to accept that. Just remember it is not a race, you are there to drive your car on the track. There is no need to overtake everyone, or anyone. The point is not trying to set lap records, because believe me, you won’t.
you are not racing anyone at a track day
Thirdly, find your own pace and space. In the lower groups, especially, you may find that there are some drivers who don’t know what they are doing. The last thing you want to do is hit another car on track – even if it isn’t your fault. I’ve had several experiences where I come barrelling through a corner at high speed and another driver has spun out in front of me on track.
So again, remember you are not racing anyone. Slow down and let others pass you, until you have your own piece of track around you. The more space you have between yourself and the next fastest/ slowest car, the better. Once you are in a little pocket of space, drive at your own pace. Start of slowly and build confidence and speed. If you gradually increase your pace, gradually brake later and later, you can learn far more. Charge out on the track with your balls-to-the-wall, and you will simply lose control without learning anything.
check your car
Fourth, check your car after each session. Get yourself a portable pressure gauge and check your tyres. Check and make sure your brakes haven’t got any cracks or obvious issues. On your in-lap, slow down, weave left and right a couple of times and make 100% sure your car is still in one piece. Always pay attention to your car and rather check it out if you feel or hear anything funny. Much easier to replace a broken component than it is to rebuild the car after a crash, because you didn’t pay attention.
Finally, have fun, and try to learn something! Like I mentioned before, slowly increase your speed on track, that way you will discover exactly when your car reaches its limits. As well as learning what the car does when those limits are exceeded. The track offers a rare opportunity for you to explore the dynamics of your car to limits that you would not be safely able to reach on public roads. Use this unique chance to really find out what your car is capable of. It may just be enough to get you out of a jam on the roads one day. Track days can truly make you a better driver if you pay attention.
Conclusions – Should I do a Track Day?
Track days are relatively safe, but remember, your insurance will not pay out for a spill on the track. So keep your distance and always drive within your own limits. Park your ego at the gate and view the whole thing as a learning experience. BUT, I can not stress enough, how important it is that you try a track day at least once. Just do it. It is incredible fun, and for the most cars, sporty cars are designed to cope with those kinds of stresses. If you are sensible, there is no reason why you should wreck your car or break anything. But you will almost certainly come away from the track, a better driver than when you went in.
For more information and track day dates, check out the WPMC Website.
