Track days - knowledge base

[seangti]

Hi peeps,

I couldn't find a specific thread relating to those that have tracked their car, how they set it up and the times/feelings they had from it. (if there is a thread, point me in the right direction and delete this)

It'd be good to have a specific point that discusses my points above.

So who's done them, where, what times and what will you be different in the future to ensure you have a great time and continue to the car home in one piece?

I used to do quite a few track days in my Subaru GT Forester, though haven't seen any late model VW's out there. It's been a while since being on a track, damn buying houses and overseas holidays so chuffed to get back out there.

I'll be doing a few this year out at Queensland Raceway and Lakeside - which really the only reason I bought the polo. At this stage it's all stock as i've only had it a fortnight, but that ain't gonna stop me.

Lets try keep this specific and relevant rather than a pi55ing contest.

[DaveMack]

Sean,

I think this is a great thread to start. If we can interest our 'racers' amongst the Polo drivers to share the wisdom of experience ... it could be very handy for all of us who intend to either do more track time or start tracking our Pogos.

My track time is extremely limited and the only advice I can give is the following:
1. Check all fluids and tyres before starting.
2. Lighten the car as much as possible prior to tracking it
3. Don't race on a full stomach
4. You will need fully enclosed shoes, a helmet (may be able to rent one there), fully sleeved shirt and full-length trou.
5. If it's you first time ... take the advice of the instructors who should be in attendence (I don't care how tough you think you are or how much you think your road-racing 'skills' have prepared you for this ... the track is different)
6. Don't come out to the track with the intention of driving if you're hung-over
7. Don't race too soon after taking medication.

That's about my contribution ... go out there and have fun!

Dave

[beeza]

1. Check all fluids and tyres before starting.
2. Lighten the car as much as possible prior to tracking it
3. Don't race on a full stomach
4. You will need fully enclosed shoes, a helmet (may be able to rent one there), fully sleeved shirt and full-length trou.
5. If it's you first time ... take the advice of the instructors who should be in attendence (I don't care how tough you think you are or how much you think your road-racing 'skills' have prepared you for this ... the track is different)
6. Don't come out to the track with the intention of driving if you're hung-over
7. Don't race too soon after taking medication.

That's about my contribution ... go out there and have fun!

Dave

I'll second all of that.
Although there are a few mods (these are just recommendations) i would definitely do before getting out there.
Definitely upgrade at least the brake pads. That is minimum.
I would also get semi slick track tyres. Now, these are expensive, generally around $350-450 per corner, so if you are thinking of going regularly they are worth it. I don't care what anyone says street tyres are for the street and track tyres are for the track. Thats how they are designed.
At this stage Alex(KI11Z)VR6, Jason(jayg60)Mk216Vg60 and I in my Ibiza Cupra will be doing QR and Lakeside sprints throughout the year. It would be great to have a fellow dubber come along. I've always wanted to see a Polo out there.
One more thing, its a racetrack, there "WILL" be incidents, although it will all depend on how much skill you have and how much you are willing to push your car.
I would suggest finding your limits at QR first, as there is plenty of run off there. Lakeside can and has already bitten me. You'll hear all about if you come to join us .

Cheers, Laz

[MACCAA]

When you come in after some laps,DON'T put the handbrake on.Hot pads can weld themselves to the discs pretty quickly.
Just leave it in gear-handbrake OFF.
Cheers
Len

[FL00DY]

When you come in after some laps,DON'T put the handbrake on.Hot pads can weld themselves to the discs pretty quickly.
Just leave it in gear-handbrake OFF.
Cheers
Len

Yup that's an important one. Also your out lap should be a warm up and you should do a slow warm down lap. However if you are doing a warm up lap, you need to keep you eye on the mirrors and not get in the way of the guys coming through fast.

[poloplayer]

When you come in after some laps,DON'T put the handbrake on.Hot pads can weld themselves to the discs pretty quickly.
Just leave it in gear-handbrake OFF.
Cheers
Len

I learnt that you should leave it in gear though? That keeps it from being completely free to roll around

[FL00DY]

I learnt that you should leave it in gear though? That keeps it from being completely free to roll around

At the track, take something to chock up the wheels with and stop it from rolling. When you get back from a session you'll want to leave your car running for 5 or so minutes so it's fine to leave it in neutral.

[FL00DY]

Yeah nice idea for a thread.

The best mod for your car when it comes to the track ... is the driver. The more time you get on the track, the better and faster you'll get. All I run with is a RSB, front strut ... I've mostly done my track days on my PP2's.

I don't like EC, I don't know if it's the length or whatever I've just never been comfortable around it. Oran Park, even though I've only done it once is a great circuit and I look forward to another day or two before they go destroying it.

Wakey is my fav, and probably because I've had 7-8 days there now. My first time was a 1:20.3 and now I'm doing 1:16.5 ... I've had a pro drive it round in 1:15. Going faster by learning the circuit is so much more fun then going faster cause you've laid money down for a chip & now I know what a pro can do in my car, I wanna cut more time off cause I know what the car is capable of.

As often as possible get an instructor to do some laps with you. Sometimes it's good to get different people with you, but they can sometimes give you conflicting advice and then you need to work on what works and what doesn't.

Some people like going to the track just to go fast and be doing 180km/h down the straight. I go and like to know my times, so I have an app on my phone called RaceChrono ... it runs on S60 phones & uses a bluetooth GPS. You can compare laps and entry and exit speeds to other laps ... it's a great way to learn the track.