The missus kindly booked me on a track day in June at Knockhill for my birthday and I was looking for a few pointers. This will be the first time I've taken part in any sort of track day. It's one of Knockhill's open sessions running from 10am-5pm. I looked on their website at tuition but it costs about £160 so a little on the pricey side for me, and I'm assuming it wouldn't be on the same day as the track day. Do Knockhill tend to have any instructors available on the day for these track days? I don't expect to be flying round the track by any means but what sort of advice would you guys offer to a first timer? What are the do's and don'ts I should be aware of? I'm sure a few of you have been on Knockhill before, is there anything specific about the track I should take care of? How long should I stay out for at a time and how long should I allow for cooling? Any recommendations for one off track day insurance?
I think you will only be out for 20mins mate then auto rest while others then go out then back on again etc etc, unless you are having a open pit lane session , its not so much you flying around the track that is the problem mate, its the others that are flying around and you get in there way (in there eyes), advice ive been given is that to slow can be a hazard too, keep up a good pace but keep an eye frequently in your mirrors and indicate out of there way, that way they know you see them and they see you, you will have a safety session first thing anyway mate, ive seen peeps with novice in the corner of there rear window just letting them know. I got castle combe myself in early june mate and only been used to very easy tracks , so im cacking with you lol
I'd stay in the pits for the first 20mins of the day and let the heroes go out first, as that's when the casualties usually happen. As said, you want to be aiming at coming back in after 20mins or so to give your car chance to cool down. Remember not to park using your handbrake when you return to the pits, and let the engine run for a couple of minutes so your turbo can cool down. Also, keep an eye on your tyre pressures as they'll increase as they get hot on track... You may need to loose some pressure out.
Crono 20 mins max, enough time for prevent car deteor, in my first lap i was very nervious this make u frezze a little so be careful on first corner, let everyone pass u at first. After 5 mins u should be more confident and drive better at that time start thinking on trace ure corners. At last have fun and remember is not a competition
Take a tire pressure gauge with you. Test your pressure when cold and test again after the session. If the difference is more than 7-8psi, bleed off some air out, otherwise you will destroy the tires very fast. First session go slow to learn the track (you can also look some youtube clips to get used with the format). Starting with second session, make a cold lap first, then 2-3 hot laps (what ever you can), then another 2 cold laps and go out. Try to do this at least the first 3-4 sessions. You will not be the fastest on track, but you have a chance to still own a car after the track day. Try to break hard for a short period of time rather than weak braking for long distances. Helps keep the break temp in check. Usually Renaults (Mk2 has for sure) a feature that puts hazard lights if you decelerate too hard. Use that as a marker of how hard you are braking. When I want to make a flying lap, I try to blink the hazards at every braking point. If I want to run hard but not crazy, I tend to stay out of hazards (this is the easiest way of measuring braking) Try not to accelerate full in 5th and 6th, if it is your first track day. You will make lot of speed and classic mistake is not to realise when to brake after straight line and go out on the green (tires wall maybe) Don't take it as a joke. People do get hurt during track-days. Take care, S.
How much time does £160 get you? If you get a decent amount of time with the instructor £160 could be the best money you have ever spent. Track day driving is very different from road driving, the instructor will give you the skills that last forever. You will be faster, safer, put less strain on your car and enjoy the day infinitely more. My first lesson was a real eye opener. Before the lesson I spent most of the time in the pits with overheated brakes, after it there were no such issues.
Thanks for the replies so far, much appreciated and very helpful! A session with the instructor would last about an hour/25 laps. I'll email Knockhill and see what kind of arrangements can be made. Having looked around this forum and others, everyone seems to say a session with an instructor makes the world of difference so it seems to be the best option in terms of both safety and enjoyment.
The only thing about getting an instructor is that I don't think they offer it on track days, so I'd have to go up another day specifically for a session with an instructor. Suppose that would just mean more time on track though...
Every track day I've ever done has had tuition on offer, I'd be surprised if they don't. £160 an hour seems expensive but think of it as an investment. Your skills will be improved ten fold and they will be with every time you go on track. You will be back on track by the way, it is highly addictive!
Also, I'm just running standard brake fluid, should I look to have this changed to something more suitable for track use? I had it replaced just a few months ago but my car is due it's service/MOT at the beginning of June anyway so might be worthwhile doing it then.
The tuition at knockhill is only on selected dates and as you've said it isn't on a track day. It's on a day where the track is empty. You'll be fine, just take your time and get a feel for the car, stay out for as long as you like if it's open pit lane just give yourself a whole lap to cool the car before you go in. I've been on knockhill solid for 45mins at a time with no issues, get the braking right and your laughing. You'll be hooked after it. Get yourself some ATE type 200 fluid for the brakes. That'll be more than sufficient for you. That's what I run with CL RC5+ pads
My first time on a track was at Mercedes Benz World in an E55 AMG so needed instruction (and it was compulsory), but my god I learnt so much about just the basics of track driving whilst looking out for others well being. I know that MBW is a controlled environment and not really the same as a public track day, but I think what you learn is completely transferable, so if I were you and the option for tuition is there, then grab it. As soon as the confidence starts flowing and you have full control of the vehicle, you wonder why you haven't been on tracks your whole life!
Email or phone KH, there are plenty instructors/ racing drivers/staff that will happily give you some tuition. Take you time, don't stay out for too long and keep an eye on your mirrors. Fast stuff appears out of nowhere at KH.
I've emailed KH so hopefully I'll hear back in the next few days What about insurance? Is it possible to get track day insurance for just the day? My current policy is with Admiral and doesn't cover any track days, but that is up for renewal in a month anyway.
Never used them but: http://www.moris.co.uk/Track-day-insurance I've been insured with Greenlight for ages now and while the terms aren't amazing (doubled excess?) they do cover you for high risk days (track days) for £50 a time.
You can get day cover but IMO it isn't worth it. I have never bothered in all my years of doing TD's Just don't drive past your skill level.
I always had people say "Well what if you crash?!", "Don't crash!". Simples Still, I understand why people do it. I did it when I took the megane out the first couple times and given how wayward the tyres on it were at the time I'm glad I did even I didn't bin it.
Decided I'll change out my brake fluid to ATE type 200. Where would people recommend buying it from and how much? I think I bought 3L when I recently changed out my OEM fluid. Also considering changing to Yellowstuff pads, they seem to be well rated for road and track use. Again, any recommendations on where to buy from?
You can get it from euro car parts. Even the pads, all pretty cheap from there too. And you will only need 1L to change the fluid, I bought 2 and never needed the 2nd one. Was easier to see when the old stuff was changed as the new stuff was blue.
You will need 2L Max. You could do it with 1L if your careful. Superblue is good stuff but there is better at a fraction more in price. Avoid Yellow stuff and EBC in general like the plague IMO. If your on track for the first time and unsure whether it will be regular you could stay standard. For me in your shoes I would go ds2500 to give the best of both worlds form the road and track time.
Just did my first track day and wished I'd brought a Jerry Can full of fuel. Managed 9 Mpg around Bedford and almost ran out on the timed laps at the How Fast event. Make sure you have your tow eye available also.
I did my 1st track day in 2013, every car i've ever driven or owned was FWD but my boss (who i went with) had an M3! That certainly took some getting used too. The one thing I always remember being said in the briefing is; "If you crash on your own, it's because you simply ran out of talent. If you crash into another car, it's because you didn't follow the rules". This couldn't be more true. Don't try and overtake in braking zones, use your mirrors as much as you are looking forward, you see a car coming up quickly, move over. Your car might even be faster than his, but if he's catching you because your right foot isn't all the way down, don't hold him up. That's how accidents happen. Be conscious of other drivers, there will be some regulars there who could probably make a Metro look fast because they know the circuit, apex, braking zones etc... The biggest mistake I find people make on track is wrong gear selection through corners. I couldn't tell you how many times I see people going round a corner and lighting up the tyres in 2nd, smooth power delivery is a good idea. If you come out of a corner in 2nd and find yourself understeering, try 3rd or even 4th on your next time round, you'd be surprised how much smoother and quicker it actually is. Other than that, HAVE FUN!
Did my first trackday in my own car at Brands this year, took out insurance (not needed but peace of mind) and did what alot of people have suggested, going out for short periods, letting engine /tyres /brakes cool down, keeping a sharp eye on the rear view mirror, but really,,,, bloody well enjoy it!! It's great to give your car a real boot down the straights, but without doubt taking some tuition was the absolute best thing, do it.
Tomorrow is the big day! Anyone else heading to Knockhill tomorrow? A couple more question, is it possible to top up pressure on tires at Knockhill and what are folks recommended pressures?
On your 1st track day there will be other things to concentrate on than your pressures you will need to take all your own stuff, the pit garages are usually open for you to tweak stuff.
Had an absolutely magic day Had a slight off into the gravel at Mcintyres on my first stint but apart from that no other hairy moments. I didn't get any instruction but the staff at Knockhill were top notch, happy to chat and even took me up to race control and talked me through the track before I went on for the first time. I'm still planning on getting instruction at some point because there's obviously still huge room for improvement. I know most folk on here have done track days but if you haven't then do it! I was pretty nervous beforehand and I was probably one of the slowest (if not the slowest) out there but I still had a cracking day. Roll on the next one :cool:
Thought the Megane was brilliant, gave me plenty of confidence and it was great fun. I struggled a little at Mcintyres, to begin with I was taking it in third but felt like I was understeering a bit. Towards the end of the day I was taking it in second and found myself more comfortable doing that, how do others take it? Also found myself coming out of the chicane quite slowly, think I was just taking too much speed off approaching it and found it difficult to get the power down in third when I was coming out of it. Might be worthwhile taking a passenger ride in another Megane to compare
Great fun isn't it, not tracked my 225 yet won't be long. My very first track day was at the Nurburgring last year, the only other time i have been in a track was Brands Hatch on a Honda VF400 about 30 odd years ago
Sounds quality mate! , I'm itching to get on the track now as well, and a bit nervous of course haha - hopefully get the tuition and 1 other track day in before the one Mike is organising in September
I'm always in 3rd at McIntyre, normally going to fast for 2nd. I'll take you out in mine in September no hassle. I find the chicane the hardest, even the slightest error in entry speed and the weight of the megane will push you onto the grass. No reason to be nervous. You'll be on track with a great bunch of lads who will be able to give you advice too.
If I'm out then as feel feel free to pester me for some passenger laps mate, Ive done thousands of laps at KH so know it reasonably well
Thanks for the offer Jamie, I'll keep it in mind. Quite tempted to head back on Thursday for the evening session they are running
