Given the amount of interest in trackdays this year, I wondered if it was worth getting together a basic trackday FAQ jobby for the forum. Feel free to add anything you think I’ve missed or correct any glaring errors.
Events:
May be airfield or ‘proper’ track. Airfields invariably have the circuit marked in cones, and are nice and flat with loads of runoff. Especially good for beginners, you can push hard and explore the handling – but the tradeoff will be high wear rates on brakes and tyres. Proper circuits are a lot less forgiving, but much more interesting to drive with variable gradients and more of a general challenge
Format
Open-Pitlane or Sessioned. Open pitlane has the bonus that you can go out whenever you like as long as the track doesn’t get too crowded, but there may be a wide skill mix on track, meaning you may find yourself held up a lot. Sessioned days tend to group similar abilities together. In addition, on sessioned events, you will probably experience less wear on consumables as things are less likely to overheat.
Helmets/clothing
Helmets are generally available for hire from tracks/trackday companies on the day. Or you can buy your own. You can get a perfectly adequate bike helmet from your local bike shop for about £100. if you value your head more you can pay a lot more for a proper motorsport helmet. Most trackday organisers insist that arms and legs are covered, so make sure you wear a long-sleeved top. Footwear wise you can wear what you like, but a nice flat-soled shoe is probably the most sensible option
Pistonheads Helmet Guide.
http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=13304
Paperwork
You and any additional drivers/passengers will be required to sign a standard indemnity form on the day. Some tracks may need to see your driving licence – make sure you check before you get there, but if you haven’t got it they will usually phone the DVLA to check for a nominal fee
Car
If you're preping your car the day before thats too late. You need time to ensure everything is A1, any new brake pads are well bedded in (500miles) and to test it all out before arriving at the track.
Ensure all fluid levels are well topped up – you may experience surge due to the abnormal loads generated by track use if levels are too low. Make sure tyres have enough tread to last the day and get you home – spare wheels are a good investment. Tyre fitting may be available - depends on the organiser. Run a few PSi extra in each tyre. They'll wear more evenly in extreme use
Same goes for brakes. Make sure you have plenty of pad material and keep an eye on pad wear throughout the day. It's worth doing a cool down lap before you stop and never put the handbrake on after coming in from a track session.
200s are great on track as standard, but to make them better, uprate brakes, suspension, cooling and power in that order. A few gauges to let you know what the engines going through won’t hurt either, and may save you from blowing it up. Some circuits will ask you to tape up your lights so its worth taking a roll of electrical tape and a knife.
Don't run the petrol tank too empty - you could run into problems if you get fuel surge, and if you run out of fuel and cause a red flag you will not be liked, and may be fined by the trackday organiser. A 200SX uses about 1/4 tank every 30 mins so you need a lot of petrol. Add to that the possibility of petrol starvation on a 1/4 full tank and you need to be on the ball. Be sure to fill up before arrival at the circuit. Some people use Jerry cans also. If you have done your research and found the local SUL station you may be able to pop out at lunch.
Keep oils and fluids at maximum levels, take top-ups for the day and check everything before you start the car for the next session, between every session.
Mods for the track
It’s all budget dependant really. But there are some simple cost-effective things to do which will make the car better on track
Brakes:
Fade is the enemy on track, and any standard braking setup will start to fade if used hard.
First thing is uprated front pads – we generally accept Ferodo DS2500s as being the best pad for fast road/track on here, but other options are available.
Uprated fluid is a must, and less than 12months old – less prone to boiling with overuse, this can have harsh consequences.
Uprate the discs when they are due for a change – grooved/drilled dissipate heat better, bigger discs also handle heat better.
Some ducting won't do any harm
Tyres:
As on the road its the only contact you have with the ground.
Track driving puts much more heat into your tyre than on the road, and may feel different
Track driving wears tyres much quicker than on the road, and can vary quite a lot track to track.
Just because a tyre is good on the road dosnt make it good on the track.
Slicks or Semi slick trackday tyres are suitable but can put much more strain on your brakes, bushes and can lead to fuel/oil surge in extreme use if precations arent taken.
Concrete airfeilds eat tyres even more.
Suspension:
Probably the most cost-effective upgrade is strut braces and uprated ARBs – shouldn’t compromise ride too much.
Uprated shocks and springs will make things even better.
To go the whole hog you’ll be wanting coilovers, but the ride on normal roads will be compromised the further you go. Think about what you want to use the car for.
A car with stock suspension will also eat tyres more quickly.
Cooling/Gauges:
Things get very hot on track, and the loads are impossible to recreate in any road driving.
FMIC is virtually a necessity on a modded 200. An oil cooler is another sensible step.
Gauges for Water & oil temp and oil pressure are a prudent choice – an alarmed setup is even better.
Fabricating some ducting/cooling panels in the engine bay will help cooling. Turn the boost down a little for track use. most of us on the standard turbos only run 12-13 PSi on track.
interior
A standard seat is fine, even in leather, if not perfect.
A harness can help you stay in your seat with less effort, and if you can afford it is well worth having.
Bucket seats can dont cost much, subframes double the cost. Seats can be changed in around 10mins if youdont wish to have it in all the time. Probably only needed if your planning to do a lot of trackdays in a heavily modded car.
Driving
Make sure you listen to the drivers briefing.
It’s all fairly common sense so I won’t go into too much detail – suffice to say observe overtaking rules – invariably on straights only and by consent only.
Be courteous, use your mirrors, get out of the way of faster cars.
Its not a race and its more fun trying to keep up
Flags:
same system applies on most trackdays, and it's the universally accepted motorsport flags which are used
-green - track is open
-red - session stopped, make your way back to the pit - be careful as emergency vehicles may be on the track
-yellow - there is an incident - slow down and no overtaking until you get the all-clear
-yellow/red stripes - slippery surface - be careful
-blue -you're holding someone up, let them past at the next opprtunity
-black - you are being pulled over for an infringement or problem with your car
Coning
often the organiser will set some cones around the track - these serve as a basic guide to braking points and lines through the corners. The most you''ll is a cone on the outside of the straight before the corner - that's your braking point. There'll be another cone at the turn-in point, and another at apex of the corner. And one on the exit at the point you should be at the edge of the track. Not all organisers will lay cones, or all of the above cones, but if you see odd couloured, or tall cones at these points they may be there to help you. Ste mentions cornering techniques below. Initially treat the cones/markers with respect, and learn the basic lines, then later in the day as you learn to judge your car's limits better you can push things a little more.
A Few Important Bits of Advice
1. You are not God’s gift to driving, and it’s not a race – just enjoy yourself. If you bear this in mind you are much less likely to break your car or yourself
2. Limit yourself to 15-20 min sessions– you’ll find you are much easier on brakes/tyres, and less likely to overdo things
3. Get some tuition – it’ll make you a better driver
4. Above all, have fun – you have the opportunity to play with a quick car in a controlled environment – it’ll be a blast
5. Read SteA's tips post 7... http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/showpost.php...51&postcount=9
6. Read Jez's tips post 13 ... http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/showpost.php...7&postcount=13
7. Read Mono Phil's tips post 16 ... http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/showpost.php...1&postcount=16
SM's Edit: Included some of my own thoughts and good points from the comments below.
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however it is still good to have everything in one place here in the motorsport section. 
Originally Posted by alanjuggler
, make a point of being disciplined, progressively increasing pace and getting a feel for the track.
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