brands hatch aug 23rd track day..advice

[agentdarkshadow]

Hi all, Taking my 2003 import 350z down to my 1st ever track day at brands hatch on aug 23rd (novice day) and was wondering if anyone else is taking their zed's down too? Also appreciate any feedback as to anyone who has been before and what it was like ie lap times,other drivers, grip, etc? Cheers

[Ekona]

Don't ever time yourself on track, it invalidates the TDO insurance. Always keep an eye in your mirrors for faster traffic, and don't let the red mist descend if something crappy is quicker than you. Above all else though, enjoy yourself and seeing what the car can do

[MrLizard]

give the car time to cool down, no hand brak in the pits and enjoy it, brands is a great circuit, if the weather is greasy or damp then stay off the curbs, especially at graham hill bend.

 

we were hitting 54 in the dry i think, but as Ekona said, you are not allowed to time it

[Darren-B]

Have fun, its a fantastic circuit, I have tracked the Zed & other cars there many times, You will not get in the 54`s in a standard car with normal road tyres

 

If your running standard brakes keep the session times down

[Darren-B]

Who have you booked the day with? I may come along for the afternoon

[RisingPower]

You'll see a heck of a lot of cars spin out on druids bend (though it doesn't look that sharp when you go round it) and what surprised me was just how much the change in elevation is coming out of paddock hill bend, if you don't keep right on the apex, you're going to go wide and possibly end up in the gravel.

 

I guess just be careful to be courteous of other drivers. It wasn't the Z I took round brands, but with the standard brakes on the previous car, they utterly melted after the second session and I also managed to sort of melt the tread on the rear tyres (what pressure you run normally doesn't equate to what you run after a session on track, so i'd be checking that if I did it again).

 

Most of all, enjoy the day, it really is a fantastic track.

[MrLizard]

definitely drop the psi in the tyres a little bit

[agentdarkshadow]

Thanks guys and gals. Booked up the 5pm to 8pm open novice session with signing on at 3.30pm. Cost is £90 plus £10 per additional driver/passenger. Any idea on best psi for day? Having front ventilated disc brakes fitted tomorrow at jape and new anti roll bar. Hopefully this will make car more user track friendly. Was not aware timing laps was not allowed but am now so obviously wont do that

 

I will be in a blue azure zed reg nov10 pta if anybody wants to say hello

[andlid]

Film it. Always cool to have your first track on video. be cool breath and take it easy, don't let the adrenaline make you go faster and try and not race other cars... at least not for the first few laps. Enjoy it!

[captain]

1. Have a garage/mechanic check everything beforehand. Take some oil with you just in case.

2. Clear the car of everything including the boot mats etc (they slip around)

3. Have a chat in the pits before and find an experienced driver with a similar speed to you (bound to be an old M3) and try and follow him round for the lines/braking.

4. Don't brake or change gear when turning the wheel.

5. If you can see round a corner, it's flat out.

6. If it's dry, turn off TCS. If it's wet, don't.

7. Get an instructor to drive you round and then have him in the car on the next session.

8. Wear the lightest shoes you have or buy some racing boots. Surfing boots are cheaper still.

9. If you get sweaty palms, take gloves.

10. er..that's it.

[andlid]

1. Have a garage/mechanic check everything beforehand. Take some oil with you just in case.

2. Clear the car of everything including the boot mats etc (they slip around)

3. Have a chat in the pits before and find an experienced driver with a similar speed to you (bound to be an old M3) and try and follow him round for the lines/braking.

4. Don't brake or change gear when turning the wheel.

5. If you can see round a corner, it's flat out.

6. If it's dry, turn off TCS. If it's wet, don't.

7. Get an instructor to drive you round and then have him in the car on the next session.

8. Wear the lightest shoes you have or buy some racing boots. Surfing boots are cheaper still.

9. If you get sweaty palms, take gloves.

10. er..that's it.

11, enjoy it

 

lol @ 5,

[captain]

1. Have a garage/mechanic check everything beforehand. Take some oil with you just in case.

2. Clear the car of everything including the boot mats etc (they slip around)

3. Have a chat in the pits before and find an experienced driver with a similar speed to you (bound to be an old M3) and try and follow him round for the lines/braking.

4. Don't brake or change gear when turning the wheel.

5. If you can see round a corner, it's flat out.

6. If it's dry, turn off TCS. If it's wet, don't.

7. Get an instructor to drive you round and then have him in the car on the next session.

8. Wear the lightest shoes you have or buy some racing boots. Surfing boots are cheaper still.

9. If you get sweaty palms, take gloves.

10. er..that's it.

11, enjoy it

 

lol @ 5,

 

Yes indeed.

 

Here's what happens if you don't listen to Uncle Captain re: 4,5 and 6 above.................

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6J8hfNJeyw

 

Don't worry agentdarkshadow...............it's not all like that.

[pepperstu]

im lucky enough to be the son of agent dark shadow and will be going on this track day i got to have a go today which makes my escort feel like a push bike afterwards

 

We spoke to ross at japex today who told us it would be a good idea to get a set of standard 350z wheels for the track day as we would melt the tyres on the cars 20" alloys and that they go for very small money so if anyone has a set out there up for grabs please let us know asap

[Ekona]

Actually, a trackday is the best time to turn off the TCS, especially if it's raining. As long as you're mindful of other cars and not driving like a complete tit, you can push it and spin out in pretty much complete safety: After all, you could never do that on the roads and how else are you going to get a feeling of what to do when everything goes wrong? Whenever I get a new car on a trackday the one of the first things I try and do is overcook it and spin on purpose, just to see how the car feels and reacts.

[Darren-B]

Actually, a trackday is the best time to turn off the TCS, especially if it's raining. As long as you're mindful of other cars and not driving like a complete tit, you can push it and spin out in pretty much complete safety: After all, you could never do that on the roads and how else are you going to get a feeling of what to do when everything goes wrong? Whenever I get a new car on a trackday the one of the first things I try and do is overcook it and spin on purpose, just to see how the car feels and reacts.

 

 

+1. Just be aware of other cars if pushing on hard

[captain]

Actually, a trackday is the best time to turn off the TCS, especially if it's raining. As long as you're mindful of other cars and not driving like a complete tit, you can push it and spin out in pretty much complete safety: After all, you could never do that on the roads and how else are you going to get a feeling of what to do when everything goes wrong? Whenever I get a new car on a trackday the one of the first things I try and do is overcook it and spin on purpose, just to see how the car feels and reacts.

 

+1 Deffo.

[andlid]

Spin out on purpose... would not be my cup of tee. Would not recommend that, god knows what the driver will do..

[MrLizard]

at brands hatch if its your first go im not convinced suggesting he turns the TC off is a good idea in the wet... you hit paddock hill gravel at the wrong angle and you will end up he wrong way up... after you have some experience experiment with the TCS, track is the place to do it but in the rain at brands... not so convinced.

[was8v]

I'd say its depends totally on your confidence / ability.

 

1) Do a few laps to get over the nerves and "wow amazing, I'm on a track" feeling getting used to passng / being passed)

2) Have an instructor go out with you (worth every penny), showing the lines and braking points and teaching you how to drive (this will make a massive difference)

3) Start to push it a bit with the TCS on to get a feel for where it would start to let go. If you light it up then you aren't smooth enough!

4) Have a bit of a play with the TCS off to get an idea for how the car behaves at the limit.

 

 

I got to 3) on a track afternoon in the Z in Anglesey. The track was too busy for me to go to 4) really.

 

 

Most TDO's have a rule 3 spins and you are banned. Bear this in mind before attempting any heroics. The idea generally is to get round a track as quickly as possible (rather than as sideways as possible) so smoothness is the key. If you want to go sideways a lot go on a drift day.

 

Oh and don't bat an eyelid at letting "crap" cars past, lots are driven by very experienced drivers.

[Darren-B]

 

Oh and don't bat an eyelid at letting "crap" cars past, lots are driven by very experienced drivers.

 

Yeah if this car comes up behind you get outta the way I`m hoping to make it up for a bit of testing/see how she runs on track

 

[pepperstu]

thanks for all the info and we will keep an eye out for the little mazda

 

still trying to find a second set of wheels if anyone has some collecting dust somewhere

[andlid]

thanks for all the info and we will keep an eye out for the little mazda

 

still trying to find a second set of wheels if anyone has some collecting dust somewhere

whats there not some 17"s for sale on here for like 120-150? If you got 18"s then maybe get a set of the slicks that Zman has? if you're 100% sure it wont be ANY rain or even any dampness on the track that is ...

[Stew]

thanks for all the info and we will keep an eye out for the little mazda

 

still trying to find a second set of wheels if anyone has some collecting dust somewhere

 

 

Stick a post in the wanted section and check the for sale section.

Rays are nice and light forged wheels. If not go for standard 18s.

 

I have done charity track rides days at a sprint circuit with my 20s on. They feel fine but not nearly as good as the Rays when pushing the limits. On road they are fine though.

[pepperstu]

thanks for all the info and we will keep an eye out for the little mazda

 

still trying to find a second set of wheels if anyone has some collecting dust somewhere

whats there not some 17"s for sale on here for like 120-150? If you got 18"s then maybe get a set of the slicks that Zman has? if you're 100% sure it wont be ANY rain or even any dampness on the track that is ...

 

i have had a look but didnt see any for that price ill have another look as id snap them up for that price

 

i may also have a set of 18s soon so ill have a look at these slicks your on about do you know how a set is

[pepperstu]

thanks for all the info and we will keep an eye out for the little mazda

 

still trying to find a second set of wheels if anyone has some collecting dust somewhere

 

 

Stick a post in the wanted section and check the for sale section.

Rays are nice and light forged wheels. If not go for standard 18s.

 

I have done charity track rides days at a sprint circuit with my 20s on. They feel fine but not nearly as good as the Rays when pushing the limits. On road they are fine though.

 

thanks for your experience info mate ill put a wanted add up now