Pre Trackday Safety Check & Tips
When you take a day off for a Trackday, don't have it ruined because the car just isn't up to the stresses of the day. Just as you wouldn't go down a mountainside with old skis or without having done a few exercises to ensure the body can cope with the rigors, so don't 'expect' your Porsche to be 100% ready either!
Let us check your car for anything visible which might give you problems or wear out before the end of the event, so then you can take that day off knowing you and the car are totally ready for some serious and safe fun.
We'll check all the following and make any necessary suggestions if relevant. But please note that no work will be done on your car without your authorisation….so you have peace of mind we are looking after your safety and equally importantly, your pocket!
The service includes:
- Road test for handling etc,.
- Suspension check (e.g. anti-roll bar, shocks, ball joints, steering arms, wheel bearings etc).
- Brake discs and pad check.
- Brake fluid age/suitability, i.e. is the fluid capable of enduring high enough temperatures?
- Tyre tread depths - check sufficient depths to outlast a day's heavy usage and still be road-legal at the end of your trackday (we recommend a minimum of 3.5mm tread). Check for any damage to sidewalls.
- Tyre pressure check and adjust to normal road pressures. You can request these be increased by up to 10% (on some models) or reduced by 6-8lbs for the later 911s.
- Oil level check.
- Water level check (if relevant) and top up.
- Visual check of belts.
- Windscreen washer level check and top up.
- If any other visible parts are showing heavy signs of wear and tear and may not cope with the day's action, we'll report accordingly.
Helpful tips for trackday
- Take a good rag for sweaty hands etc.
- Have a small bottle of water on hand….but lodge it somewhere secure….you don't want it rolling around under your feet.
- Clear out all storage pockets….you don't want to be distracted by the CDs, lipsticks, mobile etc,. flying around inside the glovebox
- Take some race/duck-tape to cover glass head/fog lights (993/996 are usually plastic).
- Take a spare 1-litre bottle of relevant semi-synthetic/fully synthetic oil in case you need a top up but remember never to fill it more than ¾ full. Please just ask if you'd like us to put one in the car.
- Ensure you have sufficient fuel to last the day and get you back to the closest petrol station (if there is not a filling facility trackside). Half a tank should be enough….. And don't forget that some 911s handle with less understeer if they have more rather than less fuel on board!
- Take a helmet (or check if you can hire one at the circuit). If you do not have a full race suit and boots, wear proper shoes (not sandals!), a long-sleeved shirt, clean undies and long trousers (for safety reasons!), and ideally a pair of race gloves for sweat-free palms (and no excuses if you have a 'moment' out on the track).
- Take your driving licence.
- Whilst trackdays are a guaranteed adrenaline buzz, an unavoidable annoyance is all the tar and rubber that amass on the front of your car. To save you from unnecessary scrubbing, don't forget to polish the car before the event with a top quality product so then afterwards all you'll need to do is wash it off with the hose.
- If your tyres are new, don't forget until you have bedded them in a little that they'll feel 'slippery' and the deep tread blocks may make the car feel 'fidgety' when cornering hard
- If you have trackday cover as an option with your Insurance Policy, be sure to advise your insurers before the event. These days many insurers offer this within the yearly premium, or for a very small additional sum. Be sure to tell them there is no 'competition element' to the day. If you want to change insurers at your renewal, speak with us as we can suggest companies that understand Porsches are meant to go on trackdays as well as roads!
- There are lots of trackday organisers around these days, but sadly some allow too many on the track, do not demand high enough levels of discipline and driver-respect and/or encourage any old banger to get out on track…..which can be worrying if you own a Porsche.
If you would like to enhance your driving skills before the trackday, please contact us as we use an outstanding chap for instruction whether you are a first-timer, a would-be racer or merely want to know your car's limits without causing you or it any damage. And once you've done a course, some insurers realise this reduces your chances of being involved in an accident and will offer further reductions in your premiums because they know you are an 'advanced' driver… Just ask us if the idea appeals.
Contact our Workshop Manager on workshop@autofarm.co.uk or call us on 01865 331234.
Nobody 'needs' a Porsche, but if you own one, you NEED to enjoy it!