By now I am hoping that you’ve read both part one and part two of the track day basics series.
Those covered some slightly boring, but nevertheless critical aspects that needed to be taken care of before venturing out onto your local circuit, namely safety equipment and car preparation. Now we get to the fun bit, the driving aspect.
Choosing a group – be honest with yourself
Usually drivers are grouped into classes ranging from the complete novice to the extremely experienced/race driver class. Unless you have been on many advanced driving courses and made your instructor’s driving seem slow then you need to be realistic during your first (and second) visit to the track. Be humble and know that no one will judge you for choosing the rookie group. If you have a very fast sportscar but are not au fait with track driving chose a beginner group. Doing so makes it safer for you and those around you.
Ask for advice
There are usually many guys in attendance that have raced before or are quite experienced. If you are in doubt about anything ask someone. When the faster guys are on track you’ll be able to spot a driver that you think is doing a good job. At the end of that session ask that driver. Most of the drivers are friendly and approachable and usually willing to dispense driving advice when questioned.
Racing lines
A racing line is the fastest path through any corner on a racetrack. The aim of any racing line is to straighten out the corner as much as possible. The general approach is to start wide, turn in (slightly later than you think) to the apex or clipping point and then steer to the outside of the track. The idea is to maintain as much momentum as possible through any given corner.
There can be some debate among drivers as to the quickest way around a corner, if in doubt look for the clean part of the circuit and stay on that. The racing line is usually devoid of dirt or rubber thanks to cars regularly driving over the same part of the circuit.
Smooth braking
One of the areas where drivers tend to get over-eager is in the braking zones. The brake pedal should not be treated like an on/off switch, but more like a dimmer. You apply the brakes smoothly and release the pedal smoothly thereby ensuring your car remains balanced in the transition period between slowing down then speeding up again.
Try to get all your braking completed in a straight line. You want to dedicate as much of the tyres possible grip to one aspect at a time (braking, steering or accelerating). Braking with the steering straight will help in this regard as all of the tyres friction can be applied to slowing the car down. Once that phase is over – and the brakes have been releases – you can start to turn the steering wheel.
Most modern cars have some form of anti-lock braking system. Activating such a system is usually only done in an emergency. If you are constantly relying on the anti-lock during braking you haven’t left any room for error.
Show mechanical sympathy
The car that you drove at the track day is most likely the same one you drive to work every day. With that in mind show some mechanical sympathy. Don’t overheat the brakes or kill the tyres. If you hear any untoward noises coming from the engine bay or suspension rather back off and return to the pits before something breaks.
Watch the heat gauge, and oil temp gauge if you have one, when the needle starts to climb into the red slow down and do a lap at half speed in a high gear to let some air flow through the engine and heat exchangers. Your last lap after the chequered flag has fallen should be at a cruise to allow all systems, including driver, to cool down.
Driving behaviour
Part of the reason we attend track days is because we are tired of dealing with the kebabs (I call them kebabs because they are soft and meaty but without brains) that pervade our roads on a daily basis. We don’t want to see/experience more idiotic driving when on the track, too.
Drive within yourself and be aware of those around you. While we all love speed we also want to leave the track with our cars (and ourselves) in one piece. Pay attention at all times; be aware of where you are on track and who is around you. Use your mirrors when on the straights.
If another car/driver is much faster than you are, let them pass you. This is not a race meeting and there are no points on offer. No one will remember if you are slow, but stick it in the wall on your first lap and you will be talked about for months.
Have fun
Sounds like a silly thing to say but events such as these are not meant to be ultra-competitive. There are no talent scouts sitting in the stands and Red Bull Racing isn’t going to call you tomorrow to offer you Mark Webber’s job. Drive carefully and enjoy yourself on track. Find some other drivers in your class and have a laugh, if you become a regular at these events you’ll find that you’ll make some new friends.
In the final part of track day basics I’ll run through some possible vehicles that are worth considering for further track adventures.
