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Preparing Your Car for Track Days
There are several key steps and safety procedures to follow when you are getting your car ready for a track day - even more so if it will be your first event.
This guide explains everything you need to do to prepare a vehicle for track days, especially the brakes and tyres, before you take it to the circuit.
Track Day Preparation Guide for Beginners
To begin with, every track days guide should also explain the steps for prepping the vehicle.
So, unless your car is already 'a little bit sporty' it might be better to use another instead. Prime candidates might include:
- Ford Fiesta ST (mountune boosted)
- Mazda MX-5 convertibles
- Suzuki Swift 4x4 cars
Let's assume that you already have a car that you want to drive around a circuit in the United Kingdom. So, let's move things along and look into the basics of track day preparation.
Has the Car Been Serviced Recently?
Unless your vehicle is already in good shape, it is best to get it serviced by a trained mechanic. Then you can be sure that the oil and air filters are capable of performing to their maximum capacity.
Next, you need to check that the fluids (especially the coolant and engine oil) have been topped up to the correct levels.
Here's the thing:
The centrifugal force created by throwing a vehicle around sharp corners at high speeds sends oil to the engine components in a similar fashion.
So, what happens if the quantity of oil is too low? In this case, you should expect to lose optimum lubrication to some of the critical engine parts.
It may not have any immediate effect while you are racing around the track. But, it's not going to be helpful for the long-term health of the engine.
The punishment that car engines receive on track day events and driving experiences makes them run hot. Very hot!
That's why some experts recommend using an additive to help keep the water below boiling point.
In any case, you want to make sure the water temperature gauge stays below danger levels while you're on the circuit.
Pro Tip: Motorists can get worry-free motoring with cinchCare lifetime warranty, servicing, and breakdown assistance.
Braking System and Tyre Treads
The engine is not the only component that will feel the strain. You will also be working the brakes and tyres much harder than usual.
Of course, you don't necessarily need to go out and buy a whole new set of new tyres for every track event. But, it's important to ensure that the treads are appropriate and safe.
In fact:
It is not uncommon for drivers to use a first track day event as an excuse to get a new set of tyres fitted. Plus, if you really need to know, the local garage can give you an estimation of how many miles the current set may have remaining.
You will be testing out how fast your car can go, right? So, you will also need to be managing slowing down and stopping in an efficient manner.
As a result, part of the pre track day checklist is making sure the car's braking system is in tip top shape. Make sure there's no score marks on the discs and check for worn pads (e.g. not more than a quarter worn down).
The Importance of Power to Weight Ratio
Explaining a vehicle's power-to-weight ratio is something best left for the car terminology section. Nonetheless, you want to lose as much unnecessary weight from your car as possible.
For example:
- You do need to have a spare wheel in case you have a puncture or a major blowout. But, the marshals won't let you change a wheel at the side of the track. Hence, you don't actually need to store the spare inside the car while you're doing the circuits.
- It is best to remove any loose objects that might fly around inside the cockpit (e.g. cans of de-icer). This happens most when you accelerate hard or slam on the brakes. Make sure nothing can roll forward and get stuck behind the pedals.
- A full tank of petrol will add a lot of extra weight. Check if you will be able to fill up near the circuit and try to calculate whether you will need a full tank for the day.
Track Day Tips from Insiders
You will receive a full safety briefing early in the morning before you can enter the circuit. Even so, here's a few extra tips to help you get prepped up for track day.
- Avoid applying the handbrake too soon in the pits after making a hot lap. The heat of the braking system might weld the pads to the discs. Instead, wait a few minutes for things to cool down before you jack the handbrake. You should leave a manual car in first gear so it doesn't roll away.
- It is a good idea to stick clear tape on the headlights. Doing so reduces the chance of having broken glass scattered across the track (e.g. if a stone hits a headlight lens at high speed).
Related Information and Help Guides
- 4x4 Off Road Driving Experiences in Kent and other Counties
- Bring Your Own Bike Track Day Events in the United Kingdom
- Common Diesel 4x4 Engine Problems and Solutions
- How to Jumpstart a Car with Jump Leads?
- Is the Highway Code Law or a Guide in the UK?
- What's the Cheapest 4WD Electric Car in the United Kingdom?
Important: The short video [9:23 seconds] contains 10 tips that are worth knowing before you go on your first track day.