2001 996 C4 Track Day prep

Hi all, As the title suggests, I’m after some advice on prepping my 2001 C4 for a track day. At the moment it’s all stock stuff and I’m not planning on changing anything mechanical. I had a new exhaust and coffin arms fitted last year and it currently drives like a dream. Looking through the interweb the general consensus seems to be: - replace oil - replace brake fluid for hight grade stuff - check brake pads - check tyres Is there other stuff I should be checking? One thing I have noticed recently is that if I drive for a while at high revs >4.5k the temp nudges towards the 100 mark, is this normal or does it sound like my car would struggle with a full on track day?

Check that both fans operate at full speed. Even switching AC on can prove this. If one will only run on slow speed, it will cause slight overheating when driven enthusiastically. It's often the ballast/resister pack, but I just fitted a good condition second hand entire fan assembly on mine, coupled with some dual core aluminium radiators.

there is a lot of advice here Trackday Advice Guide & Preparation for Beginners Novice Most of us have sat at home and watched Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel reign supreme on every GP racetrack in the world during the 00's and have no doubt thought,"I wonder if I could ever do that?" Well you can! quite easily and you have nothing to fear from doing it. It... 911uk.com + I would make sure you have a tyre pressure gauge + check to ensure your brake disc holes are clear of brake dust temps running 'slightly' hotter is fine, it's always up and down and your rads would manage that if it starts to creep further up then you have an issue, worth checking the coolant levels

Assuming this is your first track day for a while, then, the standard bits and bobs should work fine (you may find your brake discs aren’t perfect when you get up to track temperature). I’d recommend regularly checking tyre pressures, wheel nuts, pumping tyres back up at the end of the day, taking regular breaks, staying hydrated and most importantly enjoying the day.

q, @stupidget is this your 1st trackday ? or the 1st in the 911 ?

@911 UK this is my first track day in my own car. I’m assuming it’s going to be exactly the same as playing Grand Turismo

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Which track are you going to? And how much track driving have you done in other cars?

Not decided on a track yet as it’s going to be a pressie from my wife. We’ve got a flat in north wales so I was thinking of the track on Anglesey, but as live in the midlands I’m open to any recommendations. With regards to track experience, I’ve had a few caterham track runs, extreme banger racing and I’ve driven a monster truck!! I imagine these will count for nowt compared to driving my 911 on a track

The fans should both be on low speed when the AC is ON. If not the resistors are probably gone, however the resistors are not needed for high speed operation so if that doesn't work then you need to look at the relays in the footwell. You can check the fans directly by removing the relays and using a wire to jumper the sockets. Each fan has a different circuit and relay IIRC.

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Nice! Donington Park is a really nice circuit, plenty of elevation change and fantastic corners. Bedford good for track relative novices as plenty of run off and more straightforward. Anglesey very pretty but not actually driven it!

Quotes source post: 2689713

- replace oil = No need its fine - replace brake fluid for hight grade stuff = = No need its fine as long as you cool the brakes down on a cool down lap - check brake pads = check for sufficient depth - check tyres = manage over the event, hot and cold temps

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Anglsey is a good circuit, some good elevation changes and corners and they generally switch the layout at lunch which adds some interest. For your first track day Bedford is a good option, it's designed around track days not around spectating, so more run off where you need it. It's not foolproof of course, but definitely safer than say Cadwell (which is a great drive). Take a tyre pressure gauge to bleed your pressures down to label values through the morning as the tyres get hot (or pick your own pressures, but that's probably for another day). You'll need a pump at the end of the day before you drive home though. Re brake fluid - I run ATE typ.200 in all of my cars, which is resistant to high temperature, but as long as it's been changed in the last 2 years it should be okay. Brake pads - depends on what is installed, in my E46 I used to switch to Mintex 1155 for the track day as standard road pads would get too hot and fade, but then switch back the next day as the 1155 was awful in gentle driving (noise). Don't forget a long sleeved shirt or t-shirt, and find your towing eye before you go. Decide how you're dealing with fuel. At Bedford there's a fuel station ~10mins away for a lunch time top up. Anglesey is much further away from memory so you may need jerry cans or onsite fuel (£££).

I’ve never done a car track day but used to do quite a few on bikes. New found confidence in ability is usually high just before lunch break and this carries over to the first track session afterwards and consequently accidents occur so give yourself a session to get back up to speed. Also last session of the day can be a bit sporty so remember the plan is to be able to drive home so you can do it again another day. Also the drive home is not a track day (I always had difficulty following that advice with a game group of lads!)

For a first day out in the Midlands, Bedford is a good idea. Due to plenty of run off and no race cars in attendance. However, there are too many corners for me to remember them all. Silverstone is my controversial suggestion, it’s a special place and ideal for a 911. Racecars might surprise you, but, most will know what they’re doing. If you remember not to over correct on the entrance to either pit straight then there’s plenty of runoff. Donington national is very special, but, maybe best saved for later.