[hudson012003]

I got talked into a novice track day by a friend who had just bought himself a Mustang = he's now bailed (thanks!) but I'm still going thru with it - wife encouraging me, not sure I should be worried??

It's all new to me but I've had the tyres checked = all good. Car in for Hunter wheel alignment Wednesday = garage asked for my settings? I just said 'whatever BMW state'..?! Any advice would be appreciated.

Have spoke to A-Plan insurance today & got a quote for one off Track-day @ £150. assume that's ok? They did say that if I continue with the Track day's then they would cover me for £250 x 5-days a year, is that good?

I've got the standard M-Sport brakes & assume they will cope ok?

I know a few of you guys have done Track-days but on a more professorial basis but any advice would be appreciated....

[doncarlyon]

Which track is it you are going to? This could help with people offering advice.

My advice, take it easy for your first couple of sessions. (if its open pit lane, just do 5 or 6 laps, come into the pits and check things over, have a break for 10mins).

Its quite nerve racking when you are sat in the pit lane waiting to go out for the first time. Usually they will do a lap or 3 with a pace car, known as a sighting lap... gradually building up speed as they go.

Main thing to remember on your first time is to keep an eye on cars behind you, if they are wanting past just indicate and let them go. Eventually you will end up with a bit of open track with no traffic and you'll enjoy it a bit more.

[Broncho]

Don’t put your handbrake on.

[Tengocity]

Take it easy as already said!

Make sure you book instruction.

Your standard brakes won't last if you drive like you're in a race, so I'd say take it easy and enjoy learning how the car responds to bends, rather than how late you can brake.

[hudson012003]

Originally Posted by doncarlyon

Which track is it you are going to? This could help with people offering advice.

My advice, take it easy for your first couple of sessions. (if its open pit lane, just do 5 or 6 laps, come into the pits and check things over, have a break for 10mins).

Its quite nerve racking when you are sat in the pit lane waiting to go out for the first time. Usually they will do a lap or 3 with a pace car, known as a sighting lap... gradually building up speed as they go.

Main thing to remember on your first time is to keep an eye on cars behind you, if they are wanting past just indicate and let them go. Eventually you will end up with a bit of open track with no traffic and you'll enjoy it a bit more.

sorry late response, it's at Cadwell Park. I've paid for x2 instructor laps so hopefully that should help. The info I've received does mention open pit-lanes. I suppose it's just a case of see how it goes & then decide if I want to do anymore.

[hudson012003]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Take it easy as already said!

Make sure you book instruction.

Your standard brakes won't last if you drive like you're in a race, so I'd say take it easy and enjoy learning how the car responds to bends, rather than how late you can brake.

Thanks Terry, instruction is booked so assume they will reiterate what you've said. I think it was the braking issue that bothered me most but like you've said I need to just enjoy how the car responds & avoid heavy braking etc..

Cheers

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by hudson012003

Thanks Terry, instruction is booked so assume they will reiterate what you've said. I think it was the braking issue that bothered me most but like you've said I need to just enjoy how the car responds & avoid heavy braking etc..

Cheers

Taking it easy, is much easier said than done!

[G50]

Changing your brake fluid for something like RBF600 should help a lot with stopping the brake pedal going spongey, and making them last longer.

Do a cool down lap, and have a drive round the outskirts of the track/paddock to take some heat out of the brakes, and as Broncho says, don't put your handbrake on.

[doncarlyon]

You have probably already done this, but have a watch of some trackday videos on youtube from Cadwell... will give you an idea of the layout of the track.

[Stainy]

You taking the 340? and is it next Monday? I'll keep an eye out for you if so. I'm with a group using a highly modified Subaru Impreza in Silver. Whilst the owner hasn't done many car track days, he's done plenty on a bike, so with just short of 600hp, I'm sure you'll recognise it when you see him hooning it around Cadwell - see you there!
(I'm still deciding whether to take the track bike, as it's forecast rain on the day and despite having a set of wets, it's just not as much fun!)

[tjlees]

the trackday organiser will give most of the advice on the day.

from the 20 years I've been doing trackdays, and even now, initially take it steady and build up the speed and confidence. additionally I do a max 150 track miles over the day, otherwise I'm too tired and may break the car for the way home!

Even better to use an instructor first off to get the line right. These are normally available and bookable through the organiser.

given how heavy the F30 is, I normally do 20min/5 laps stints max including warm up/cool down with a decent rest period between stints.

the rest period also gives you chance to check fluids, wear and of course the car as well

[isleaiw1]

don't crash or break the car, its a long walk home if you have nothing to drive...

[hudson012003]

Originally Posted by doncarlyon

You have probably already done this, but have a watch of some trackday videos on youtube from Cadwell... will give you an idea of the layout of the track.

Yeah, have been watching quite a few YT vids. May have picked the wrong track to start with as looks quite narrow (mainly for bikes?). Looking forward to it anyway..

[hudson012003]

Originally Posted by Stainy

You taking the 340? and is it next Monday? I'll keep an eye out for you if so. I'm with a group using a highly modified Subaru Impreza in Silver. Whilst the owner hasn't done many car track days, he's done plenty on a bike, so with just short of 600hp, I'm sure you'll recognise it when you see him hooning it around Cadwell - see you there!
(I'm still deciding whether to take the track bike, as it's forecast rain on the day and despite having a set of wets, it's just not as much fun!)

Great, appreciate the heads-up. Mine will be the 340i in Tanzanite with 'Driving Miss Daisy' stickers on it.. Will look out for the Subaru..

[hudson012003]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

don't crash or break the car, its a long walk home if you have nothing to drive...

Lol, I know! It sounds anal but I've even looked at how to get back to Manchester by train - just in case

[hudson012003]

Originally Posted by tjlees

the trackday organiser will give most of the advice on the day.

from the 20 years I've been doing trackdays, and even now, initially take it steady and build up the speed and confidence. additionally I do a max 150 track miles over the day, otherwise I'm too tired and may break the car for the way home!

Even better to use an instructor first off to get the line right. These are normally available and bookable through the organiser.

given how heavy the F30 is, I normally do 20min/5 laps stints max including warm up/cool down with a decent rest period between stints.

the rest period also gives you chance to check fluids, wear and of course the car as well

Really appreciate the advice, thanks. Have booked x2 instructor laps but will see how I go on as from YT vid's it looks like you can also book more on the day?

It looks a narrow track so will def be taking it easy. Am i better taking my own ionised water / oil etc or are these available to purchase at the track?

Again, appreciate the advise on warm-up / cool down info.

[dizzy619]

Take everything... Spare wheel, a jack basic tools.. Cable ties etc.. You will be able to leave it somewhere whilst you lap.

[Broncho]

If you fit new brake pads the night before the track day do not expect them to last more than the 3rd chicane and do expect to use the run off.

This may or may not have happened to me....

[doncarlyon]

Just had a quick look on youtube, thats a skinny little track. Take it easy!

[Stainy]

Originally Posted by hudson012003

Great, appreciate the heads-up. Mine will be the 340i in Tanzanite with 'Driving Miss Daisy' stickers on it.. Will look out for the Subaru..

Well, I think I saw you? I booked on and totally wasted the fee for the bike. No way in hell I was going around that swimming pool!

If it was you I saw in the 340, I don't think you could have missed my mates Subaru. It was a tad 'noticable'

Hope you enjoyed it and don't for even a second think that was a true reflection of a Track Day (though it's the second time that Cadwell has washed me out to that extent). They are usually much more enjoyable that that miserable wash out. Hope it didn't put you off

[muffking]

Just seen this thread. I'm a regular on bikes at Cadwell as it's my local track. Despite the bad weather recently and the track being slightly different as bikes have a bus stop chicane added, what sort of lap times are you guys getting?

[hudson012003]

Originally Posted by Broncho

If you fit new brake pads the night before the track day do not expect them to last more than the 3rd chicane and do expect to use the run off.

This may or may not have happened to me....

Yr initial comment of 'don't put the handbrake on' was reiterated in the early a.m briefing - I came in after the initial sighting laps & guess what I did = Yep!: