novice track day p2
 

you and your car

Don't worry about what type of car you have. I own a 4-door with no modifications whatsoever (okay, I have an aftermarket stereo in there). It has a four cylinder motor, which only makes around 115 horsepower, and the car is 13 years old. I was still able to keep up with faster cars through most of the corners (if not the straights!), and in many cases close up a gap completely.

Get your car thoroughly inspected at your preferred garage beforehand to make sure it's in rude health (that includes suspension, steering, hoses, belts/chains). Your brake pads should have a minimum of 50% thickness at the start of the day. The engine oil, coolant and brake fluid should be changed just before the event, especially if it's your first one.

Once everything checks out fine, nothing should go wrong. I pushed quite hard all day, and after more than 30 laps near or at the limit my car felt no worse on the hour-long drive home - though the next day I noticed the brakes were a bit 'spongy', which means the system may need a bleed and a top-up.
 

Huzzah! The racing line was starting to dry
 

the itinerary

When you get to the track, you have to sign in. Then you are briefed about the track, receive a few pointers, and are instructed on proper etiquette on the racecourse. After that, you have a bit of time to make final preparations to your car (tape over head/tail lamps, check fluids, tyre pressures, etc.). Then you're driven around the circuit as a group - a 'track tour'. After that, you strap on your helmet and away you go! With the trackday I attended, helmets were provided free of charge for us novices, in exchange for a deposit of our licence or charge card.

The rest of my day was an 'open pit lane' session - I could lap as much as I wanted, and pit whenever I wanted. Most trackdays of this type will be much the same format.
 

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