Advice and information from Andrew Sweetenham who races a 944 Turbo
This was originally an article I wrote for 911 & Porsche World and is aimed primarily at those considering track days. Additional contributions, suggestions etc. to this information are welcome.
+++ More and more Porsche drivers are turning to track days to discover the performance potential of their cars. Track days provide a relatively safe environment with no speed cameras, speed limits or oncoming traffic. It is an ideal environment in which to drive the car beyond the limits imposed by the public highway. Track days are great fun but require some preparation on the part of the car and driver if you are to get the best from these exciting and increasingly available days.
Firstly, what is a track day? Basically it's an opportunity to drive your car at high speed around a circuit. It isn't competitive but it does require driver co-operation to ensure an incident free day. The car needs to be up to the task of sustained high speed use and the driver should also be aware of certain aspects and limitations with respect to both the car's abilities and that of it's driver. Most track days are organised by track day and single make car clubs like the Porsche Club GB. There are also days organised by the circuits themselves (such as the low cost Trackzone days at Donington) and basically anybody can hire a circuit for a day (although it's quite cost intensive). The Porsche Club GB days are particularly well run and are provided as a service to members, hence they are competitively priced and tend to be attended by respectful and well disciplined drivers. Also, the majority of cars on the PCGB track days are, of course, Porsches. So if you want to see how your model Porsche compares around a circuit, the PCGB days are a great way to start. Contact Steve Kevlin at PCGB Head Office.
Any car is suitable whether it's a Boxster, 356, 911/2, 914, 924, 928, 944 or 968. Porsche cars are better suited to track duty than many others. To ensure longevity of your car a few basic preparations should always be made. On the circuit, the brakes and tyres get a hard time from sustained high speed braking and faster (than on the public road) cornering. This necessitates having plenty of brake pad material; good (and topped up) brake fluid and serviceable brake disks or drums. Also, if you run a wet sump car then you should ensure that the oil level is at the maximum and ensure that you have some reserve oil to top up a known oil burner (it will burn plenty more under hard use). Most circuits have a nearby garage, but make provision for greatly increased fuel consumption. A car that can run 350 miles to a tank during normal road use may consume the same amount of fuel during 100 miles of track use. Tyres will wear faster too. Taking a tyre pressure gauge and measuring the pressures after a few runs will help you determine a suitable pressure to run them at. Tyres should usually be deflated slightly (i.e. run at a slightly lower pressure) otherwise the car will slide heavily during cornering as only the centre of the tyre remains in contact with the road. The cars suspension needs to be in good condition with dampers that work effectively and springs that can support the car properly. Tired or weak suspension components could make the car handle unpredictably and hence less enjoyable to drive. The interior of the car should be free of any loose objects that could be a distraction or danger to the driver when the car is in motion. Spare wheels, tools and jacks can remain if they are securely fitted (some drivers remove these items to save some weight).
Your first experience of a track day should be one of fun and exhilaration as well as a good social gathering amongst other like minded enthusiasts. A recipe for the opposite is poor or inconsiderate driving. On attending a track day, you will usually be required to attend a briefing and possibly also do some sighting laps with an instructor (even in a sprightly driven mini-bus - as at Silverstone). By listening to what the rules are for the day, this will ensure that maximum enjoyment is to be had and also minimise the chances of car damage or off track excursions. Most track day organisers will make a point of explaining how to get past slower cars. They will do the same for explaining what to do with faster cars approaching you, wanting to overtake. As a track day is not a competitive situation, there is nothing to be gained from holding somebody up or attempting to out brake them into a hair pin bend to get by before the preceding long straight! As a rule, overtaking is preferred on the left (Castle Combe - due to the pit exit proximity - is on the right). This is very important. if drivers don't agree on the protocol for the day, an expensive shunt could be the result. Overtake only on straights and give each other plenty of room. If you are holding up a train of cars behind, you won't be popular, hence just back off on the straight and let the faster cars through - simple!
Most insurance companies will provide track day cover as part of their standard policy offering. It is not unusual for the excess to increase to £750 or £1,000 and the insurer to require advance notice of the day in question (including circuit location). Hence, you may find that you already have a track day friendly policy and insurers have quickly determined (statistically) that there is not a significantly increased amount of risk.
Assuming your car is up to scratch, how should you go about driving it? This may seem like an unnecessary question but we all have differing levels of ability behind the wheel of a car. It doesn't matter how fast you are (or how slow), what matters is to drive within your known limits and that of the car. To drive fast around a circuit requires skill; an understanding of the dynamics of your car and concentration. The skill is your use of the controls to get the most out of the car. Understanding it's dynamics requires that you know what it's handling characteristics are; know how hard you can apply the brakes; know whether it understeers initially near the limit of grip etc. Concentration is essential; losing it for a second could be a missed braking point and overshooting a corner. The most important thing is to start moderately and build up your confidence. Driving smoothly is your most important consideration as any sudden erratic input on the part of the driver will unsettle the car. Hence, accelerate progressively out of a corner rather than plant the throttle immediately you can see the straight ahead. As you drive the car more you will quickly learn how soon the throttle can be applied without unsticking the tyres and doing an entertaining pirouette in front of amused track side onlookers! Likewise braking: stabbing at the brakes midway through a corner will not help the balance of the car. This might provoke a spin, hence try and brake prior to the corner. Trail braking into a corner will come with practice. By being smooth with the cars' controls the car will remain balanced. It is the transfer of weight from back to front or side to side that will unsettle the car and cause it to overcome the grip of the tyres. Respect this and you will soon develop a smooth and fast technique ensuring that you really enjoy the day and can drive the car home after having endured just minimal wear and tear whilst on the circuit.
After having attended a few track days you may wish to consider upgrading your car slightly to make it more suitable for track use. Some of the following are worth considering: using racing type high boiling point brake fluid (such as Castrol SRF); using road homologated race tyres (like Pirelli's P-Zero C tyres); consider a fast road type of brake pad (such as Porterfield or Pagid Orange); use braided flexible brake hoses and good quality semi-synthetic or synthetic engine oil. These are basic modifications which will not effect the ability of the car on the public road. All Porsche models are very suitable track cars and most also have fully adjustable chassis geometry to optimise them for such use. Having a well maintained car with good tyres and brakes is really all that is required. Some track day enthusiasts do use purposefully modified track cars that may even be taken via a trailer to the circuit. These cars often have stripped out interiors; roll cages and slick tyres. It all depends to what extent you wish to get involved, either way track days are an exciting and cost effective way to really enjoy a performance car without getting involved in the expense of circuit racing or other Motorsport activities.
For further information on PCGB track days for 2001, contact Steve Kevlin at
the Porsche Club GB Headquarters on 01608 652911. Other track day contacts:
www.bookatrack.com
www.circuitnews.co.uk - Circuit
news is a very useful publication that comprehensively lists all up and coming
track day events around the UK and other major European circuits. Contact Dick
Van Wijngaarden on +44 (0) 1993 891000.
www.pistonheads.com/trackdays
Please feel free to e-mail the author for any further information - Andrew Sweetenham tel: 07831 393633 Tel/Fax: 01908 528030 http://www.autoporsche.co.uk - Andrew Sweetenham IT Consultant SupportNet 2000 ProMAX Motorsport Tel: +44 (0)7831 393633 Fax: +44 (0)1908 528030 mailto:andrew@autoporsche.co.uk - http://www.freewayuk.com/home/sweetea http://www.autoporsche.co.uk
Also Pete Crosthwaite
I don't mind talking to, or exchanging emails with list members about track
days. I'm not an expert, just a 944 turbo owner that has attended both PCGB
and non PCGB track days for the past three years. Also, I have attended track
days prior to my most recent Porsche ownership. As yet, I haven't been to any
European days. My car has progressed through Brakes (discs, pads, fluid, air
intakes), tyres (now using ex Andrew's P Zero 'C'), etc. So, I do have some
idea about what's needed. If it helps Pete Home: 01869 340849 Office: 01865
483003 Fax: 01865 483009 Mobile: 0777 16 15 888 Email: Pete
Crosthwaite
Other than the initial terror when you first go on the track, there no real problems. You can use a completely standard road car and the only safety equipment you need is a helmet but even that can probably be borrowed at the track. Cars normally go out in groups to separate the slower cars (944, Boxster - it's all relative) and you can go as fast or slow as you like. Your brakes will get hot and don't feel as good the second time you go out so be careful. You should also realise that the tyres, brakes and mechanicals in general take a pounding but it is worth it. One last thing is that your fuel consumption will be enormous so make sure you have 1/2 or more or you will find yourself watching the fuel gauge instead of the track. Staff at the track and other drivers will be very helpful. Alex D - 5th June, 2000
If you are planning to do track days, the PCGB organised events are an excellent place to start. They are well run and all other drivers are considerate. They are also good value for money. Only real need is to ensure that your brakes are in good shape and that your car is in good mechanical order. Only thing to remember is to give the car a chance to cool down on the last lap and don't park the car holding the brakes or handbrake on (as they will be very hot and the pads / shoes could warp the disks as they cool). Drive fast, but smooth and you shouldn't end up as part of the scenery. I have never seen a bent car at a PCGB track day. I do many track days in my 944 Turbo and run semi-competition brake pads at the front, full synthetic oil and Pirelli P-Zero C tyres (I change to track wheels prior to a track day). This saves my road tyres and improves braking from high speed into corners. Most circuits limit the number of cars in a session (Goodwood = 5, Castle Combe = 6 for example). Silverstone GP day is excellent, but many land in the gravel traps and waste track time for others. Hope to see you at an event soon. Regards, Andrew S - 5th June, 2000
BINBROOK
1.) Being an airfield it started off very dusty/ gritty.
2.) Make sure you are put in the 'fastest' group, a Porsche owner probably will
be anyway. The two 'slower' groups were made up of many nutters in souped up
Escorts, Cosworths, Gti's etc. The 'fast' group consisted of 'pro' Salooncars
and Porsche, TVR, Caterhams etc I went there yesterday, and had a great time
doing 120 track miles, but being an airfield it was very dirty to start with.
Luckily as I was in the third group, it had been cleaned up a lot when I got
out, and am happy to report no stone damage at all (though I was very nervous
of damage at first). The company organsing it were very thorough, with plenty
of Marshalls, and a very detailed joining pack received in the post a few days
before, with an assurance that they professionally sweep the track the day before
every event. They are even gradually resurfacing the runways (which currently
adds to the loose grit). There were a maximum of 15 cars in each group on a
2 mile circuit, so traffic was very slight, and it was always easy to find plenty
of space. It was quite entertaining watching the aforementioned nutters. There
were actually three cars written off!!! One of the Golf GTi's even managed to
roll it - I am so glad I was not in those groups. Luckily none of the nutters
were hurt. Andrew and Pete, thanks so much for your advice on tyre pressures.
I lowered them to your advised pressures at the beginning of the day, and had
very minimal tyre wear, and no overheating towards the end of each session.
This gave me more and more confidence as the day wore on. I even had requests
to give rides to passengers, which boosted my ego no end. It was extremely pleasing
to be one of the faster cars on track. Ain't Porsche ownership grand? Of course
next time I attend a bona-fide track, with people who know what they are doing,
then I shall be back to being one of the slowest again - Paul S - 25th
March, 2001