Hi Guys n Gals

Got a Fabia vrs SE, which I think is brilliant, bought it on reccomendation from my best mate when they came out last year. Number 393.

Done fair bit too it. FMIC, Eiback springs and dampers, Miltek exhaust, front strut, rear ARB, K & N filter. Just about to get a JABBA remap in two weeks time. And probably some I've forgoten to mention

I now think it's about time I took her onto the track, but don't know anything about them. I've been to a track day with a mate of mine, but that was at Cadwell on his Suzuki GSXR 600 motobike.

I'd like to know what I need to take, I understand from reading Donnington, and TrackDay.co.uk websites I need insurance (obviously), to cover my arms and legs and to have a crash helmet.

But should I take an extra set of wheels, my mates bikes tyres where almost shot after the day. Do I need extra oil and fuel. Are there any other things that I should take. I understand that I need to empty the car of all non essentials (especially the wife!!).

Any suggestions would be most welcome. I'm an expeienced driver but never been on a proper track day before, although I'm a Paramedic and it sometimes feels like been on a track, but the luxury of everyone going the same way on a wide road will be a bonus.

Thanks

John

Edited 1 September, 200817 yr by JRD1960

Theres nothing specifially that you need to take for a trackday really... driving licence..

Insurance is optional... but if you stuff your car, or anyone elses you wont be insured by your standard road insurance... trackday insurance costs a fortune.

As for the car, you need to make sure its roadworthy.. check all fluid levels, tread depth, tyre pressure, brakes etc before you arrive.

Tyre wear on cars vary depending how hard you push the car.. if you go hard round every corner your tyres will melt very quickly.

Also i can tell you now, if you havent already you need to uprate your brakes.. the standard fabia vRS items are terrible and will not last very long on track, especially with a remap under the bonnet too.. i would reccomend a set of 312mm brakes that are a common upgrade for these cars, decent pads and decent fluid (super dot4)

think the biggest thing to say is dont over commit yourself or the car.. take it easy and build up speed over the day and youll be fine.. if its an open pit lane only do a handful of laps at once, take a gentle cooldown lap preferably without using the brakes if it can be avoided and then leave the car in the pits without putting on the handbrake to cool down for a bit.

Hi John

Just give your Fabia a good check over. Tyre pressures are very important and should be checked after each session on the track. Same goes for the wheel nuts, these can loosen due to the heat from the brakes.

When parking up after session, leave the handbrake off to avoid damaging the rear disks.

As for being on the track, take your time to get comfortable with your line, work up to the cars limit and your own. Do all your braking before entering a corner, lifting off and braking mid corner is the usual cause of loosing the back end and 'fish tailing' off into a spin.

Enjoy it!!

Cheers for the replies so far.

I have already upgraded the brakes to the 312mm TT brakes. Will also take the very helpful hints on board as well thank you.

John

Its a good idea to have spare fuel as you can get though a lot over a day I have also got 2 spare wheels so no need to worry what state they are in after the day

and get some instructor time booked... whatever mods you have done to your car you will not be fast until you learn to drive on a track.

Its a good idea to have spare fuel as you can get though a lot over a day I have also got 2 spare wheels so no need to worry what state they are in after the day

Cheers I was intending buying some extra wheels just for the track.

regards

John

Its a good idea to have spare fuel as you can get though a lot over a day I have also got 2 spare wheels so no need to worry what state they are in after the day

Yes, the fuel can hurt! :eek:

Its unlikey that you will drive off boost on the track

Got to ask the question. If you're good on a relatively realistic racing sim such as Forza, will you be any good in real life?

Got to ask the question. If you're good on a relatively realistic racing sim such as Forza, will you be any good in real life?

It may give you a good idea of which lines to take, but thats about it really.

The feedback you'll get on the actual track is completely different.

Well you've also got the fact that when on a track you are actually subjected to g-forces etc whereas at home you're just sat on something with only force feedback to give you some indication on what's going on The question did relate mainly to what lines to take, so

Got to ask the question. If you're good on a relatively realistic racing sim such as Forza, will you be any good in real life?

Doesnt mean you will be, and doesnt mean you wont be, it might give you an idea of the track but you will never get the seat of your pants driving feel you will get when your in a car, afterall you cant press the rest button if you stuff your pride and joy into the tyres!

One of the things that you will lean is how to use hills ie going down more braking but going up you may not need to brake at all just ease off a bit