On The Day

Arrival
  • Make sure you've got a full tank on arrival to avoid wasting any time once the track opens.
  • Signing on is usually open from 7.30, give yourself plenty of time, there's lots to do.
  • Find a garage, if you've booked one or they're open. Otherwise find somewhere in the paddock to call home for the day.
  • Sign in, fill in your indemnity forms, show your licence and get your car stickers and wrist bands. Passengers also need to sign in for insurance purposes.
  • Find out where the Noise test marshall is located, go get your car checked and cleared, usually involves a sticker on the windscreen.
  • Empty your car of all loose goods, they will fly about and we don't want anything jammed under the brake pedal.
  • Check oil and fluid levels and for leaks before going on circuit.
  • Fit your towing eye.
  • Torque your wheel nuts to the manufacturer settings
  • Drop tyre pressures 3-4 psi below normal. Check out the Tyre Management page.
  • Attend the safety briefing and listen carefully, especially about the flags in use and the overtaking rules.

Track Time
  • Sighting laps are a great way to see the track at a reduced speed.
  • You must look for the marshalls posts and reference them throughout the day. They'll help keep you safe and out of trouble. You should also make sure you're totally clear on the location of the pit entry and exit.
  • Everything will have cooled down since the previous session, use the first lap to warm the tyres up but take it slightly easy.
  • Others will be faster that you, but there's no winners and no prizes.
  • Build up slowly from a position of control.
  • Go at your own pace, just make sure others don't remember you for getting in their way or putting them at risk.
  • Don't follow or copy a car in front closely, you might miss your braking point and if they make a mistake you could be joining them.
  • Adhere to the rules and watch your mirrors closely for faster cars, closing speed on track can reach over 60 MPH or even 100MPH!
  • Learn your car.
  • Adjust the tyre pressures to suit your driving style. Check out the Tyre Management page.
  • Learn the circuit.
  • Be sympathetic to yourself and the car, limit each session to 15-20 minutes maximum.
  • Watch the fuel gauge like a hawk and don't run it to zero, running out on track is unforgivable!
  • When returning to the pits do a lap at reduced speed, enough to avoid using the brakes too much and cool them.
  • Be aware, be safe, have fun!

Off Track
  • Drink lots of water and keep your energy up throughout the day.
  • Don't apply the handbrake when you park up, instead chock the wheels or park on flat ground.

Heading Home
  • Check your fluids, brakes and tyres are ok and legal for heading home.
  • Re-attach or uncover your number plates if necessary.
  • Remove your towing eye.
  • Pack up, have a drink and allow the car and tyres to cool.
  • Check your tyre pressures when the tyres have cooled down and restore them to normal road pressures or even a 1-2 psi above if the tyres are still warm.
  • If it's a long drive home check the pressures on the way.
  • Be sure to check your tyre pressures before driving the car again.