Here's my thinking, bearing in mind I have a friends' boot to put stuff in to

- 2 x spare wheels with tyres fitted. Fortunately I'm in a position where I have 2 alloys with brand new tyres on for the drive home, if I completely shred my existing ones.

- Trolley jack

- Tools (Torx set, socket set, spanner set, screwdriver set)

- Both parts of driving license, copy of insurance certificate, copy of registration document (expect high police presence and possibility of being checked out)

Anyone got other suggestions?

Also anyone who's taken any fabias on track, have yo had anything go wrong? I'm anticipating the following:

- Popped boost hose (taking plastic ties for this occurrence)

- Engine light coming on (Do you just stop and restart the engine to remove this, generally, if it has entered 'go home mode'?)

If the anti roll bar drop links do wear out (I guess they will) - will I be able to continue safely on the track, just with some annoying knocking?

Might be worth taking some extra oil just in case.

Make sure you have your towing eye and have it installed at the front for the track, will aid recovery if anything was to happen...

As for what to do, take your time, learn the lines and get into a rythm. Depending on what format the day's run as (open pitlane etc) i'd personally do a few warming up laps and then come back in and check the car over to make sure it's happy with being on track. When you've got into it, learnt your braking and turning in points, apexes etc. Give yourself a few hot laps then take a couple of slower laps to let the car settle again.

Let the coolant & oil warm up before running the engine hard and once your session's over let the engine cool for a bit before shutting down the engine. Personally, after being out on track, i'd pop the bonnet and leave the engine idling for about 2 minutes to ensure the turbo's had a good flow of oil through it whilst cooling a little.

Dont put the handbrake on in the padock, it'll either sieze on or boil the fluid in the calipers and give you a scare next time you're out on track.

IM sure there's plenty more that people will point out.

Try learn the vehicle dynamics, see what happens when you lift off the throttle in a corner, see what happens when you trail brake etc. Practice ways of getting yourself out of trouble too if you're feeling confident eg. Entering a corner too fast and understeering, lifting off and a tap on the brake should shift the weight enough to tighten up the turn and induce a bit of oversteer.

Kev

Thanks a lot Kev - I thought you'd pop along, being a bit of an enthusiast.

Do you know if the tuition that is generally available on the days is worth it, and if it is done in your own car?

All i've ever seen on trackdays when people have been instructed is that they dont watch their mirrors because they're so focused on what the instructor's telling them.. Usually supprising when a little Golf MK2 comes hooning around a corner sideways

I'd rather come out as a passenger and evaluate the driving for a session, then sit down afterwards and go though points of interest, where you could go faster, handle the car differently then try it the next session..

If i wasn't racing that weekend at Anglesey i'd have offered to come down with my lid and offer some advice

But to answer your question, tuition is an idea if you think you're not getting things right and want advice, and yes, usually it's in your own car.

Edited 13 May, 200917 yr by Jabbasport

Also anyone who's taken any fabias on track, have yo had anything go wrong? I'm anticipating the following:

- Popped boost hose (taking plastic ties for this occurrence)

- Engine light coming on (Do you just stop and restart the engine to remove this, generally, if it has entered 'go home mode'?)

If the anti roll bar drop links do wear out (I guess they will) - will I be able to continue safely on the track, just with some annoying knocking?

I've dropped too low a gear before and hit the 'go' pedal resulting in putting my vRS in limp mode. Once I got back to the car park though I just gave it 10 mins turned the ignition and all was well, other than a fault code on vag com. It was a sharp reminder I had to drive it back home though:thumbup:

Thanks Kev - might ask you for the advice stuff at some point in the future and do you a favour back by buying a remap off you, haha

Spare :pants:

HTH

Andy

Thanks Kev - might ask you for the advice stuff at some point in the future and do you a favour back by buying a remap off you, haha

No problem, just give me a shout

For me, it's going to be minimal. I will just have the normal spare tyre as I have plenty of tread to see me through Llandow on 6th June & MOD base on the 7th. Will take a little bag with extra oil, footpump, and usual wheel changing stuff. Aside from that I aim to drive up, drive on, and drive home, without really touching anything.

I hope to do that too, but being 100 odd miles from home I don't fancy making the phone call to dad that I need towing home

Ah, my bank has breakdown cover so I'll get someone to tow me about a mile from the circuit and I'll phone them up. Anyway, I don't think our cars will just explode Jap-style.

Spare :pants:

HTH

Andy

Like it !!

John