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Track Day FAQ |  |
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Track days are an opportunity to take your car away from the public road, and drive your MG quickly and in the relative safety of a racing circuit or airfield track. There are no speed cameras or hidden police officers with speed guns. There are no caravan-induced traffic jams, and there is no traffic coming in the opposite direction. Just you, your car, and like-minded enthusiasts on a challenging length of twisting tarmac. It is worth noting that track days are in no way, shape or form, a competitive event. For competitive driving, get a motorsport licence, and compete in a speed or race championship! On a trackday, organisers take a predictably dim view of any participants obviously racing each other, or timing their laps. Remember, this is a fun event! It's about driving quickly, but with due care and consideration for those around you. As the old MG motto goes: "Safety Fast!" OrganisationTypically, track days are organised into one of two formats: sessions or open-pitlanes. In both cases, only a limited number of cars are allowed on the track at any given time. This is to avoid excessive traffic. In a sessioned track day, all the participants are divided into 3 or 4 large groups - so usually you'll be with people with similar performance vehicles and with similar levels of experience. Each group will go out, one by one for a 'session', usually between 15 and 30 mins, and then you'll all return to the pits together. Then the next group will go out. This is a good, sociable format, as it allows everyone in the same session to get together and compare driving notes! An open-pit lane has no sessions. You can go out when ever you like, and stay out for as long as you like. The marshals will only allow a certain number of cars on the track at any given time, so you may have to queue to get back onto the track. This format is good fun - but remember, the longer you stay out on the track, the hotter your tyres will get, the more wear your brakes will receive and the more of a roasting your engine will get - so don't plan and spend the WHOLE day out on track - there's no 'in-flight re-fuelling'! SafetyTrack days are a form of motorsport and like any form of motorsport it can be dangerous. The best bit of advice is to drive within your limits, start out cautiously and then start to explore both your's and your car's limits during the course of the day. Because there is no competition, do not feel as though you need to go as fast as the next man! Take it at your own pace. Track days are usually at a race-circuit or an airfield, where hard things that might get hit are few and far between. Some circuits have Armco - you want to try and avoid these barriers!!! Pace yourself accordingly. All track days are well marshalled, and have full medical and emergency services support. So if the worst were to happen, there are trained experts at hand. A number of track days also offer driver training from driving tutors - this is an option that could well be worth taking up. InsuranceYour road going insurance policy may not cover you for a track day. Please check with your insurance company and emphasise that track days are non-competitive and no racing or timing is allowed. Some companies will cover you, for a small additional premium (£25-£50), although they will typically put up the excess for the day (say £1000). Peter Best, for example, will extend their Abingdon Policy for track days - see details here. So, what do people do if their insurance companies won’t insure them? Well, some go to specialist companies like Competition Car Insurance (http://www.competition-car-insurance.co.uk/track_days1.htm or 0115 941 5255 ). You can buy as much cover as you feel sensible just for day. Alternatively try http://www.moris.co.uk. If you are not insured, then clearly you take the risk that you will have to pay for anything that happens to your car. Some people do take this risk. This isn't quite as bad as it sounds as driving around a track is actually much safer than driving on the road. There is no oncoming traffic, no junctions or distractions etc. The rules of track days are well laid out and policed by marshals. Anyone who drives discourteously or dangerously is black flagged and taken off the track. Part of the objective of 'MGs on Track' is to get as many MG owners together as possible, minimising the risk of being mixed up with much more powerful cars. This should make the day even safer. Licence No, a special licence isn't required, although a full RTA (your driving licence) is required. MG ClassicsYes, your classic MG is absolutely perfect for track days - and many Midgets and Bs are seen harassing more modern machinery on tracks up and down the country! On a sessioned track day, you will be running with similar performance cars anyway, so there should be little worry about holding up faster cars. Given the age of these MGs, additional care and attention needs to be invested in their preparation, and checks on engine health, brake performance and safety areas, but apart from that - have fun! If you are aware of your car suffering from severe oil leaks, you'd be advised to get this attended to: track day organisers take a predictably dim view of oil (or indeed any other fluid other than rain) on the track! PreparationPreparing your car for a track day is not as daunting as perhaps it may sound. The main principle that you need to bear in mind is that your car is going to undergo some very heavy use - much more than the equivalent mileage on the road for example. Therefore there are 3 areas you need to look at: 1. EngineThe engine is going to be used hard - you don't need me to tell you this! So with this in mind, check that all the vital fluids are topped up, but not beyond their maximums - having too much is sometimes just as bad as having too little. Check the condition of the oil - if a black sludge is evident on the dipstick, then consider getting the oil changed - preferably before the track day, if not immediately afterwards! 2. SafetyAgain, this is not a difficult thing to predict - so check that your seat belts are in good condition and your seat is securely and properly fastened to the floor pan. Check the condition of the brakes - you are going to be using these hard, so if you don't know when the fluid was last changed, changing it before the fluid boils on the track and you lose your brakes, would be a good idea. Likewise, check the condition of the brake surfaces and pads - if you are unsure how to do this, get your local mechanic/garage to check this out for you. 3. TyresThis is the most vital interface between you, in the car, and the road surface below. Those boring round things will be doing the most work keeping you on the black stuff and off the greenery... So check the condition of the tyres - the tread, the tyre walls (make sure that the walls have no bulges or blisters) and tyre pressures. For track days, you may need to add a little extra air (your handbook may give some useful hints on tyre pressures for prolonged fast running - but these are guides only, so get expert advice and experiment on the track as necessary). Beyond this, it is a question of having a car in good condition, paying particular attention to the suspension. But most of all, what we are talking about is common sense! On The DayPretty much as described in the previous answer really: · Tyre pressures and tyre condition EquipmentThe only requirement for every track day is a helmet conforming to BS6658 Type A or Snell SA2000. There are loads of companies that will sell you one of these (Demon Tweeks, Grand Prix Racewear etc.), but sometimes helmets are available for hire at the track day. Obviously, if you 'get into' track days, you'll want to invest in your own equipment! Note that in an open top car you need a closed face helmet. Open faced helmets can be used in 'tintops' or in convertibles with the hood up. With regards sizing - measure around your head just above the ears; small = 55-56cms, medium = 57-58cms, large = 59-60cms, extra large = 61-62. Other 'safety' clothing and equipment are optional, although many circuits require you to cover your arms and legs. If you want the full Michael Schumaker battle dress - no problem! Having a AFFF fire extinguisher - ideally with a capacity of 1.5litres - securely fastened in the car and within reach of the driver is a good idea, but not necessary. Non safety equipment that you may find helpful are a tyre pressure gauge, and a sturdy foot pump. All of which are cheaply available from your local motor accessories shop. BehaviorSpecific instructions may vary from company to company and from track to track, but there are several common rules:
Be aware of the marshals and of the flag system. The driver's meeting at the start of the track day is a MUST to attend, and these will be explained to you. The basics are (note that the details may vary): Red Flag: Danger ahead. Brake and slow RIGHT down (drop it into first gear and cruise at about 10 mph so if you need to stop, you can do so immediately). Yellow Flag: Caution - be aware that there may be a problem or obstruction ahead. Be ready to stop. Blue Flag: A faster car is behind you, and you are holding them up - pull over as soon as you can for them. Chequered Flag: Game over - it's the end of the session. Slow down for your cooling lap, and re-enter the pits at the end of the next lap. Black flag: You've done something very naughty or something is dropping off your car! You need to go and see the chief marshal. |
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