Trackday car preparation guide

1 - brakes

The brakes are perhaps the most important part of the car, especially on track. At the least make sure you have plenty of pad and disk left. It is a much better idea to upgrade the standard parts to higher friction materials.

2 - tyres

Tyres are a much debated topic. Ideally you don't want to do a track day on new road tyres as the tread block moves around causing the tyres to heat up even more than normal. So you are better off using worn road tyres with approx 4mm of tread remaining.

The quality of tyre is important also. Don't expect good handling on the limit with el cheepo tyres.

If you intend to do a number of track days a year then really you want a second set of wheels with track tyres fitted. The options are too many to go into here as there are full slicks to road legal cut slicks or intermediate rally stage to road tyres that are geared towards track usage.

3 - suspension

If you intend to be on track very rarely then the minimum you want is very good standard suspension (as it came out of the factory).

If track days are going to feature more often then get an uprated and lowered kit. A front lower strut brace is also considered essential for our Scirocco's, they do tighten up the steering feel and at around £30 are easily worth it.

4 - engine fluids

So important! Recently a friend of mine lost the engine in his Elise due to low engine oil - a mere one litre down, but coupled to a non-baffled sump equaled bent con rods and crank...

Simply check your oil and coolant levels before going out on track and check them at regular intervals during the day.

I'd guess on using approx up to one litre of synthetic oil over the day and no coolant should be disappearing - some might come out of the expansion cap if it's faulty however.

5 - lights

Make sure they all work especially brake lights and indicators. It is a good idea to put tape over the lights so that in the event of one breaking it won't put glass on the track.

6 - exterior The car should be at MOT standard to get past any scrutineering at the event, so make sure that all bodywork fittings are secure or removed.

7 - interior

The interior has to be empty - nothing in the passenger compartment or boot space.

To lighten the car take out the rear seats and passenger seat and the spare wheel etc. It does make a difference, especially on a hilly circuit.