I hope this is the right place - I haven't put this the TD section, as it's not about a specific event.

There's a slight chance I could end up in a TD @ Bedford early next year. I've a current 3,000 mile old Fabia VRS. I did some TDs on my motorbike this year, but the last car TD I did was a few years ago. The Bike wasn't at all bothered by the TD, with only a few tasty marks on the outside of the tyres. The car I did my last TD was modified to an extent it was better suited on a track.

However, the Skoda is standard, will probably remain standard, and I need it everyday. So, will putting a standard Fab on a TD kill it? I'd not warm to the prospect of wearing out the brake system entirely from one day - is this a strong possibility? How well to the engines [TDis] perform on days like these? Do they take them in their stride? I won't rag the car like I did my bike on a TD - it's my primary transport so depend on it; the bike was just fun.

I guess I'm asking whether the build of the vRS is more than capable with a TD and not having any long lasting ill-effects from such a day.

Should be OK on track, all I'd do would be to change the brake fluid to some Super DOT4. Other than that it should be OK, Bedford is not a bad circuit, I had a day on the GT circuit.

Just take it easy on the brakes, although IIRC there is a fair bit of space between the braking points so they shouldn't fade too badly.

As for tyres, outside edge scuffing aside, you should be OK as Bedford isn't that abrassive.

As for TDIs on trackdays, they can be pedalled around fairly briskly, so I'm told, not that I'd do such a thing

http://www.slowblackskoda.com/combe.htm

Emjoy

Oh and as for the longevity of the car, mine is on 87,000 and may have done the odd trackday with no ill effects (but I do drive in a most sedate manner)

And try not to do this

Phil

Hehe. Nice! Looks a lot of fun. You felt okay driving at a fair lick on the wet okay?

Did you bother with TD insurance? Is it worth it?

Oh - and will a motorbike helmet be sufficient, or does it have to be a car one?

And try not to do this

Phil

Indeed.

I won't be chasing laptimes, and am well aware of my driving abilities, so I hope to not replicate anything like that! :eek:

I prefer the wet to the dry personally. I drove that day on cut slicks, even in the rain. The man in the 911 was not amused to be overtaken by a diesel Octy, whereas the marshalls and the instructors thought it was bl00dy funny

Strangely enough, by lunchtime I had a queue of people wanting a lap in the "taxi"

AFAIK a bike helmet is fine.

I use a motorbike one with out any issues so far. I've never taken out insurance in the past but it's all down to personal choice, depends if you feel the money is worth the cover.

I have tracked a standard Fabia vRS around Combe. It is painful to be honest. The suspension is ****e, it pitches all over the place, turn isn't bad but the tyres lose the will to live early on. The brakes survived very well and have done a couple of track days since on the standard original stuff. It was still fun, but easily the slowest of the VAG stuff. I tried to follow a Lupo into a bend and nearly died !!! - golf 4 handle better as standard.

You will enjoy it though

I never take out insurance.

Bike helmet is OK for use, they are rarely checked anyway.

I tried to follow a Lupo into a bend and nearly died !!! - golf 4 handle better as standard.

You will enjoy it though

Had the same thing happen to me at castle combe. Was driving a pug 306 at the time, like a fool I tired to keep up with an impreza in the wet!

I lived and learnt with no expence!

At silver stone I kept up with the octi vrs without to much hassle, though Jon did have his aircon on at the time but like Andy said it's not the sharpest pencil from the box

Scoobs in the wet? Piece of cake I pray for rain as I find it a great leveller when it comes to punching above my weight.

In the dry I'm about on a par with scoobs, in the wet, I'll take on just about anything. Once Coombe became wet, I was the fastest thing on track, in the dry Terry's Focus was quicker :( but then he does race it there in the saloon championship

I've been on a couple of TD's at Knockhill with my Octy vRS. Good fun! Knockhill is a very twisty circuit so the Furbies do well there. Brakes and tyres will take a fair bit of abuse but just remember that you only have to drive as fast as YOU want - there is no pressure on you to break any records!

Bike skid lids and car skid lids have different requirements...car helmets needs to meet certain fire proof requirements etc.

Point I make here is whilst they aren't checked properly..... I wonder how a bike lid use affects track day insurance and any personal injury claims?

Scoobs in the wet? Piece of cake I pray for rain as I find it a great leveller when it comes to punching above my weight.

See thats what I thought but my car wasn't upto the level of my skill! Honest

In my defence it was my first track day

You sure that's the right way round? :haha:

Bike skid lids and car skid lids have different requirements...car helmets needs to meet certain fire proof requirements etc.

Point I make here is whilst they aren't checked properly..... I wonder how a bike lid use affects track day insurance and any personal injury claims?

From what I was told when I bought my lid' date=' a bike one is fine but I should have a fire proof balaclava incase I was question about it at the track.

You sure that's the right way round?

Maybe it is maybe it's not :P

Your standard brakes are fine for a trackday. If there's an instructor kicking about grab him for a few laps advice, otherwise grab Travia.

2 things I'd advise you to do.

1/ Go out and buy the cheapest 15" or 16" alloys you can, good deals can be had on kerbed alloys, make sure they have 2 or 3mm tread left on the tyres so you can have fun and still drive home afterwards. I say 15" because no one wants them nowadays and you can get a set with tyres for less than

Cool. Thanks guys. All points taken onboard.

1/ Go out and buy the cheapest 15" or 16" alloys you can' date=' good deals can be had on kerbed alloys, make sure they have 2 or 3mm tread left on the tyres so you can have fun and still drive home afterwards. I say 15" because no one wants them nowadays and you can get a set with tyres for less than £100. If you have the contisports as standard they get eaten by a track.

2/ Fit a front strutbrace.[/quote']

If I got some 16" steelies/cheap alloys, it's alright just changing the front one's over, I assume?

Cool. Thanks guys. All points taken onboard.

If I got some 16" steelies/cheap alloys' date=' it's alright just changing the front one's over, I assume?[/quote']

Change them all, you'll be surprised how much stick the backs take. I've ran with nice open 15" wheels OZ somethings and all OK, I've never used steelies and my only concern would be brake cooling, maybe someone that has will comment.

There is a man with a standard Fabia who does the 'Ring on a regular basis with no problems, and he doesnt hang about. I have also done a few track miles in mine, not standard, but no ill effects so far. Tyres are the most vulnerable, as has been said, the Conti's aren't worth a toss on a track. Either go the cheap route as mentioned with a set of kerbed alloys, or transform the cars handling and get some cut slicks/tarmac rally tyres. Not cheap, but worth every penny imho.

Not familiar with the circuit you are going to, so wouldnt know which is the best tyre choice.

Change them all, you'll be surprised how much stick the backs take. I've ran with nice open 15" wheels OZ somethings and all OK, I've never used steelies and my only concern would be brake cooling, maybe someone that has will comment.

Cool - cheers. I'll start looking out for some.

for a few laps advice' date=' otherwise grab Travia.

[/quote']

Unlikely I'll be there, I'm banned from Bedford for calling the owner a patronising tw@

Won't do for a Fabia but ideal for an Octavia for track days.

http://www.scottishvag.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3070