Track Day

My dealer is running a track day - for Porsche, Ferrari and TVR. I have done a few before in other people's cars and have enjoyed them. I have a 2002 C4 which is immaculate and my pride and joy. Apart from lunching it, am I kikely to damage the mechanicals? Will I need new tyres, brake ponads after a day's session? Am I best just watching and enjoying the drive to and from Knockhill? Call me a wimp.

I have a 2002 C4 Cab and take very good care of it (my wife is green with envy). Tracking it was fun and no damage was done to either the exterior or the mechanicals. No need to change tires (tyres for you) or brake pads, just drive the car right on to the track and enjoy!

One day at the track is just a stroll in the park for these cars. They will show no signs of any additional wear, not even on launching (unless you are terrible at launching ). In fact, they may even run better afterwards. Nothing like a day at the track for these cars to stretch their legs out, blow out the carbon and cobwebs. More importantly, make sure the car is up for it. Aside from being simply road worthy, make sure the tire pressures are up to snuff, wheel torque appropriate, all fluids up to level. Have fun!!! Make sure you have life insurance!! (kidding).

SpizzOil Youre entitled to want to keep your car pristine. One suggestion- depending on how clean your track will be, try not to follow the car in front too closely. and as Palting says, have all your cars tires, fluids etc checked over. There will be a coupla consumables. Depending on how many minutes of actual hot laps you will do, expect wear on your brake pads and tires. ( Before I learned to drive smoother I could get 5 track days out of one set of P-Zeros and front pads.) Be careful to take advantage of the cool down lap as this may also preserve your rotors. At the track get some advice from someone experienced with YOUR car and tires as to what tire pressures you should run on the track. Our dealer, at a DE, pointed out that Porsches were meant to be driven that way. What an endorsement for Porsche! Don't let the excitement of the moment see you red lining it. Make sure to have an instructor ride with you if its your first time. Drive within your means and you'll be okay. Take advantage of your opportunity and you will appreciate your P-car even more,and be looking for the next DE or track day.

Thanks guys - will take the plunge ( I think). When I last did a track day, my instructor was teaching me to be quite aggressive in clipping the kerbs at the chicane. Won't damage suspension I take it....... Take it that not covered on my insurance. Can one get trackday cover? Philip

I don't know about UK, but track coverage is an issue here in the US. There have been true accounts where the cars have been totaled at the track, the insurance company (Allstate, I believe), paid up but then dropped them.

Gulp!

Uh-oh. Didn't mean to turn you off. These cars were on the red group. These are the guys who have been doing it for years, and are driving pretty close to the edge of the cars performance. As a novice, you are a long ways from the edge. There will be a giant safety margin.

Be prepared, tracking is addictive. Once the addiction kicks in, the pockets empty out to satisfy the addiction. A single track day won't hurt the car though. I have to agree with TT X50, try not to trail other cars too closely, and if it begins to rain, stay off the painted surfaces on the turns.

Thanks for all your encouragement. I did my first track day in my C4. You were right - truly amazing - really hadn't appreciated my car's capabilities before. Was very tentative in the first session, but got progressively more bold as the day progressed. Last session, was really trying hard to hold and improve position.If you haven't done one, can't be more positive in encouraging you to do so. Some observations. The track day was organised by my dealer - the superb Glenvarigill (Glasgow) and was open to Ferrari and TVR also. 1. The Ferraris do sound the best. 2. The 360s faster than 996s through corners and on the straight , but could get my power down quicker on the way out of the corners and pull away . 3. Amazing how much better the 996s were on the track compared with the Boxsters - even the S. 4. Even more amazing how much faster than the standard and Turbo 996s the GT3s were on the track. (Must have one!) 5. I got a ride in Cayenne TT afterwards (on the road) - and was wowed. Spizz

Hi, it won't damage the suspension, but it's definitely worth having the alignment checked every now and then. The 996 is a bit sensitive in that respect. Cheers, Uwe

Thanks Uwe My dealer said that recommended to have brakes and tyres checked after trackday - will ask them to check alignment also.