[swift8847]

I know its the best time to post this thread.

I’ve never been to a Track day. Have a slight idea as to how the event occurs.

I did see the previous thread on TBHP about the events and after that there are many things I eagerly want to know about this kind of an event.

I know to ask these questions.

Here are the first few questions.

What does the term SHOTGUN mean?

What are the pre requisites to be kept in mind for a stock car?

Do we have to carry Fluids(Ex: Engine oil etc), tires?

Why are the tapes stuck on the Head and the tail lamps?

[binz]

Originally Posted by swift8847

I know its the best time to post this thread.

I’ve never been to a Track day. Have a slight idea as to how the event occurs.

I did see the previous thread on TBHP about the events and after that there are many things I eagerly want to know about this kind of an event.

I know to ask these questions.

Here are the first few questions.

What does the term SHOTGUN mean?

What are the pre requisites to be kept in mind for a stock car?

Do we have to carry Fluids(Ex: Engine oil etc), tires?

Why are the tapes stuck on the Head and the tail lamps?

Hey shotgun is a term referring to the person sitting in the passenger seat.

You don't need to be worried much about a stock car or a mildly modded one.Just check brakes,clutch,top up all fluids.

Tires you may need depending on how you plan to drive on track and how many laps you put in.v1p3r and myself had planned to push the car on track so we carried along a set of neovas which were shredded after 60+ laps of very very hard driving.

I know that vikrams previous set of tires lasted him three to four trackdays plus city/highway use before he changed them.

[madan80]

would urge a slight change of nomenclature. Its not a track day but a pay and practice. The diffrerence between the two is that Track Days are organized events with necessary backup and safety infrastructure like marshals, ambulances etc. which a pay and practice is not.

Essentially a pay and practice session is nothing big. you can just call up the MMSC office, find out if the track is free on a particular day and then just go to the place and drive. if there are more people it is more exciting.

The tapes issue has been discussed before ... its to prevent the lights (in the event of an incident) from falling on the track.

[Rahulkool]

^^ yeah i agree with that but everyone keeps calling it trackday lol

well there isn't anything essential guideline for P&P except not to be stupid and push the car beyond your or cars limit, well no has shown me the lines around the track, when first time we went to the track we did 2-3 laps to understand the track and then slowly increasing the speed. and NEVER try to race with any other car on the track, if you see a fast car or better driver than you then slow down a bit and let him pass. don't try to overtake any car on the corners even when you are considerable faster than him. because people don't tend to look in RVM on the track.

If you have stock car, i don't think there is much to check if you have maintained the car properly, but breakdown can happen on track due to merciless chennai heat and engine being pushed to its limits. so be ready for that

[iceman91]

Agree with the above said posts.
my 2 cents:
1. Every car behave differently and every driver is different. So if someone say I took a turn at xxxkmph please understand what he was driving and what mods he has. you could do it faster or slower depending on you rcar and experience.
2. Dont push over your limits if you do then you are solely responsble for any possible damage to your car.
3. Practice practiec and practice

For the car:
1. ensure water level,coolant,oil. Tire pressure etc.
2. no loose object inside the cabin which might fly around or come under your feet/pedals while driving
3. enough fuel

Air and water available at track.

For Driver:
for this heat ensure lots of liquids (non-alcoholic )

[Harrie]

My 2 cents

1. I learnt this seeing Mr. Vidyaprakash drive his Miata at the coimbatore track day.

Take things really slow the first lap ( though he is a vetran of the track ). Build speed gradually as you go through the laps. This is not a race anyways. So no point going all guns blazing the very first lap.

2. When your FWD car starts to oversteers, remember to power up! I had two spins before this went into my head.

3. Carry plenty of ORS. Plain water will not do. Atleast for me it didnt. I carried two bottles of concentrated lemonade and two bottle of ORS. It was over before lunch

4. After every session out on the track, make sure to check the engine bay once. Look for tell tale signs of oil / fluid leak etc., Also check oil levels once the car has cooled down a bit.

[siddartha]

dont allow tall vehicles with high GC , esp SUVs with all terrain tyres. they might tip over and block the track.

[hrag]

Are SUVs with racing slicks allowed?

Edit:Yes that is a very valid point. But the only tipping that the SUVs do is the scales. They are frugal and also don't tipple. They might topple though.

[siddartha]

Originally Posted by hrag

Are SUVs with racing slicks allowed?

i wonder if that will really help ? instead of tipping over at 35kmph , they might tip over at 40kmph with the slicks.

[vikram_d]

Originally Posted by Harrie

Take things really slow the first lap ( though he is a vetran of the track ). Build speed gradually as you go through the laps. This is not a race anyways. So no point going all guns blazing the very first lap.

2. When your FWD car starts to oversteers, remember to power up! I had two spins before this went into my head.

These two points mentioned by harrie are extremely important to remember.

Originally Posted by hrag

Are SUVs with racing slicks allowed?

Now that would be a sight for sore eyes.

Originally Posted by siddartha

i wonder if that will really help ? instead of tipping over at 35kmph , they might tip over at 40kmph with the slicks.

What about spurious RS'es?

[Psycho]

1. Driver and Rider Eligibility:
a) Valid driver’s license
b) Min 18 year old

2. Requirements for Cars and Participants:
a) Roll bars are required for all open (convertible) cars (including those with removable hardtops). Roll bars MUST extend above occupants helmets.
b) Factory mounted three-point restraint systems are acceptable.Two point systems must be upgraded to five points.
c) Helmets are required and shall be a ISI Approved or better. Helmets will be inspected as part of the tech inspection and worn or distressed helmets will not be allowed.
d) Full face helmets with a shield are required for convertibles and open wheelers.
f) Full length pants mandatory (cotton pants and shirts preferred).
g) Every car must pass a tech inspection and be given a number before being allowed on the track. Before entering the inspection area, you should: check in and obtain an inspection form, check seatbelts, have your helmet, remove any and all items from the passenger compartment (including glove box) and trunk (including jack and spare tire), remove wheel covers or beauty rings and check wheel nuts or bolts for proper torque. Tires should have sufficient tread to grip on a wet track (3/32) and should be inflated to the upper range of the pressure listed on the sidewalls. Check wheel bearings for any excessive play and inspect brake pads and/or shoes for adequate thickness. Make sure that brake lights are functional. Check the engine compartment for any weak or damaged belts or hoses, and any leaking fluids. Top off your brake fluid, coolant and oil and make sure your battery is securely mounted.Remember that you will not be allowed on the track if your car is not judged safe by the tech inspectors. It is your responsibility to prepare your car properly before entering tech.
h) Every driver must attend the mandatory driver’s meeting prior to the first session.

3.Track Protocol:
a) Everyone who enters the track must sign a waiver.
b) All persons (Driver and 1 passenger maximum) in the car on the track must use helmets and seatbelts.
c) No alcohol or mind-altering drugs are permitted at PIR.
d) No open wheel cars unless permitted by the organiser and should be driven seperately from the normal cars on track.
e) No wheel to wheel racing permitted. Corner workers / Other Drivers are the judges.
f) No hot pit runs. 20 KmPH maximum in the pits unless otherwise directed.
g) Before entering the pits, signal with hand straight up. Signal early if a car is close behind.
h) Watch your mirrors! All passing must be on drivers right of car being overtaken. If you are fast in the straight but holding cars up in the corners, be courteous and stay left and let others pass.
i) Passing Zones: Straights only. All passing must be on drivers right of the car being overtaken. Passing must be completed before the turn at the end of either straightway. Actual beginning and end point will be advised during the drivers meeting and can be marked by cones on the side of the track.

4. Track Flags and Their Meaning:
a) GREEN, Go, track is clear. Also indicates the start of an event.
b) RED, STOP safely and immediately! Pull over and wait for further instructions.
c) YELLOW, WAVING, Be prepared to stop, No Passing,Warns of debris on the track. Use caution and keep your eye out for debris or fluids.
d) YELLOW, STATIONARY, Proceed with caution. No Passing.
e) CHECKERED, End of the Event or Session.
h) BLACK, Warning, you broke a rule or drove unsafely.
i) BLACK, Waving, Reduce speed and return to the pits. You broke a rule or drove unsafely and need to speak with a safety official at the entrance onto the track.

Note: This list has been derived from the earlier one and a couple of other American Trackday rules.

[n_aditya]

Originally Posted by iceman91

For the car:
1. ensure water level,coolant,oil. Tire pressure etc.

Just to add to what Amit has mentioned, after the first 3-4 laps (warm up laps), your tires would have warmed up well enough. Pull into the pits and check the tire pressure and accordingly deflate them.

On one of the Track Day's, after the first session, JD and I checked the tire pressure before and after the session, on my esteem. The tires were pumped to 26 psi cold tire pressure (on the hard compound JK racing tires) and after the first sesion I pulled into the pits. JD & I checked the pressure and it was close to 40 psi and we deflated them for better grip and cornering.

The pressure was maintained around 35 psi IIRC and subsequently i was taking C1 at 135 kmph (speedo). Had a ball of a time on track with increased grip level and was able to throw the car into corners at a higher speed with no fear.

With friction and surrounding temperature (which is generally hot) it is advisable to run the tires on lower pressure for better grip, but be aware that the life of the tire reduces drastically.

[Psycho]

1) FWD if you are about to spin out accelerate and point the wheels in the desired direction you would like to go
2) RWD Lift off in case of a spin
3) If you have a problem pull over to the side of the track at 10ft from the road
4) Do not cross the track at any given point
5) Overtaking: Signal intention by flashing headlights, Allow by showing right turn indicator and stay on the left shoulder
6) In case of a major spin let go of the steering and accelerator and let the car come to a complete stop on its own.
7) Make sure the tyres show treads if they start showing the Nyloon please come into the pits and replace them
8) Check your car before going on track
9) Carry water, coolant, oil and a air pump if possible
10) Be responsible not just for yourself but for all around you.

[Psycho]

• Drive as smoothly as possible
• First few laps gradually build up speed use the third gear if possible to learn the lines correctly
• Brake and downshift before a turn
• Accelerate as you start coming out of a turn helps preserve your tyres longer
• Your car is going to be working close to the redline keep a close eye on the water temp, it will be your first indicator if something is going wrong
• Keep a lookout for fellow drivers in the rear view mirror and allow them to pass on the straights by using your right indicator
• In case you see someone loosing control ahead of you apply brakes and stop smoothly while moving to the side of the track
• In case of an Accident stop next to the spot with your vehicle off the track, call the organiser to inform him so that he can clear the track immediately send assistance over.

Guys feel free to add if I have missed anything here.

[ananthkamath]

Originally Posted by hrag

Are SUVs with racing slicks allowed?

The stickier the tire, the sooner the rollover threshold is reached. Meaning an SUV (or any car with a high CG for that matter) with totally bald tires is safer than one with slicks.

Originally Posted by Psycho

2) RWD Lift off in case of a spin

Not really. I would take that on a case-by-case basis, depending on if its happening at corner entry, at apex, or corner exit. Probably not very relevant to the Indian scene because there arent many RWDs available to enthusiasts.