Japfest Track Day Tips+Advice?

May - Castle Coombe Circuit
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Japfest Track Day Tips+Advice?

Post by jimGTS »

im sure i wont be the only one with limited track experience

i thought id start a thread for advice from those who have experience on days like these, or track days in general. in particular at Castle Combe....



any links, videos, tips and tricks im sure would be handy for those who've booked some track time.


also be nice to get a list of who's on and when, so either to make sure folks are where they should be either for the briefing and/or convoys to the track entrance itself on the day.

:th:


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Re: Japfest Track Day Tips+Advice?

Post by chris »

Shinny did a video of his time on track at Japfest a couple of years ago... that's probably a good place to start:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L-xiXbdr2I
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Re: Japfest Track Day Tips+Advice?

Post by simon1 »

iv also got a video of my track time of several years ago somewhere (I had a passenger with me too) Il find it/reupload it and post it here later :th:

the main thing is your not racing the other cars on the track just yourself so don't push to hard too early and try and find some space on the track as I found that more fun then because I wasn't worrying so much about what was behind me. try to be as smooth as possible, I also advise prepping your car for it as the track is very hard on the car, give it a good service and make sure brakes and tyres are in good condition (I ate through a good amount of tyre tread (off almost new tyres) and the brakes were starting to fade a little near the end as they were getting pretty hot)
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Re: Japfest Track Day Tips+Advice?

Post by notroubleclubber »

Good thread.
I'm booked on a novice session at 12.12pm. My first time on the track (apart from a Ferrari day which wasn't that good). My briefing is 11am. I'm taking my bro in law with me.
I'm planning on getting some carbotechs on the front, genuine discs and some braided hel hoses with new fluid.
Unfortunately I've got a choice of nexens which are on my standard alloys or another cheap brand on some rare rays I bought. I will be taking it easy and trying to make some space for myself.
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Re: Japfest Track Day Tips+Advice?

Post by shinny »

1) Make sure your car is in good roadworthy condition. Don't overthink the prep beyond that; it's only 15min!
2) You're there to have fun. Forget about proving you're the best / fastest driver. No one cares.
3) You don't have to have the car on the absolute edge to have fun. Drive within your and your car's capabilities.
4) Give other drivers space - you're not there to race.
5) Smooth inputs are both faster and safer
6) Slow-in, fast out
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Re: Japfest Track Day Tips+Advice?

Post by TonyleFrog »

jimGTS wrote:any links, videos, tips and tricks im sure would be handy for those who've booked some track time.
Have a look at shinny's posts in this thread.
http://www.mr2oc.co.uk/forums/79/162608.html?start=98
jimGTS wrote:also be nice to get a list of who's on and when, so either to make sure folks are where they should be either for the briefing and/or convoys to the track entrance itself on the day.

:th:
By now you should have had the bumf from Japfest re the briefing time etc.
That will dictate when you need to be at the circuit. I received mine several days ago

Provisional list (AFAICS, I may well have missed somebody though).

10:42 - Kiefer, jimGTS, TLF (briefing time 09.30)
12:12 - dawesy, notroubleclubber (briefing time 11.00)
12:48 - shinny
14:54 - shinny
16.06 - jimGTS

Given how early we have to be certain of being on the club stand to meet the above timing, I'm not risking going to Morrisons this year and ending up stuck in a mammoth queue to get into the circuit!

The main thing to remember is that you are unlikely to know anyone else in the session except fellow club members, so their credentials/ability is a complete lottery. There may well be some whose ambition exceeds their talent. The trick is to create and manage a bubble in which you feel comfortable.
Last edited by TonyleFrog on 14/04/15 18:54, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Japfest Track Day Tips+Advice?

Post by jimGTS »

I'd like to think I've got the driving down ok and prep is a given.

It's was more etiquette, what corners to be wary of, things to remember etc.

I just learnt your not aloud suction cups for cameras?

Also good tip to make people aware of is the need for BOTH parts of your license.
Helmet obviously.
No arms and legs on show.
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Re: Japfest Track Day Tips+Advice?

Post by shinny »

Quarry corner is the most dangerous in the country... it's worth getting some braking done before Avonrise.

Etiquette is explained in the briefing, but basically:
1) Only pass on straights
2) Only pass towards the inside of the circuit (ie,. on the right)
3) Respect the yellow flags

You're not allowed external suction cups... I stuck one inside the car two years ago and noone complained.

Also, if you miss the chicane at Bobbies (as does happen one or twice per session) you just drive through the red and white barriers to rejoin the track after the corner. A few people get flustered and try turning the car or reversing it.

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Re: Japfest Track Day Tips+Advice?

Post by jimGTS »

was actually internal suction cups i read :sad: :crybaby:

if you can bolt down the camera its fine, just no suction cups ive been reading on other forums.

though i cant find anything mentioning this on the castle combe website (or japfest website).
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Re: Japfest Track Day Tips+Advice?

Post by shinny »

Lee booked himself into session A too, so it looks like this now:

09:30 - dawesy
10:42 - Kiefer, jimGTS, TLF
12:12 - dawesy, notroubleclubber
12:48 - shinny
14:54 - shinny
16.06 - jimGTS

BTW, your briefing time is the LAST briefing you can attend to make your track time. You can turn up as early as you like for briefing and only have to attend one briefing no matter how many slots you have. Bear in mind you also need to have your car sound tested. Passengers only have to sign a consent form and pay their £10 (if not already done so). You can buy passenger tickets on the day.
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Re: Japfest Track Day Tips+Advice?

Post by vinp182 »

You aren't allowed any kind of suction cups inside or outside of the car at any track in the country... Been the rules for years but you may get away with it now and again :th:
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Re: Japfest Track Day Tips+Advice?

Post by TonyleFrog »

shinny wrote:Also, if you miss the chicane at Bobbies (as does happen one or twice per session) you just drive through the red and white barriers to rejoin the track after the corner.
Like this (missed his braking point) - https://youtu.be/wgJmH3-QXVk?t=579
shinny wrote:A few people get flustered and try turning the car or reversing it.
:shocked:
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Re: Japfest Track Day Tips+Advice?

Post by shinny »

TonyleFrog wrote:Like this (missed his braking point) - https://youtu.be/wgJmH3-QXVk?t=579
Great example of what to do... noting how he checked the track before rejoining too :th:
TonyleFrog wrote:
shinny wrote:A few people get flustered and try turning the car or reversing it.
:shocked:
Was watching some right muppets there last year! :rofl:

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Re: Japfest Track Day Tips+Advice?

Post by notroubleclubber »

Just ordered my carbotech xp8 front pads and MLR braided hoses.
Hopefully that should help

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