Editing An Idiots Guide to your first track day (section)

==Getting through the day==

I am not going to attempt to teach you how to drive the track. I am no more a driving god than I am a mechanic. Listen carefully to the briefing and your instructor if you have booked one. These are just a few tips to try and give you an idea how the day will unfold.

Go at a pace you are comfortable with and as you gain confidence add speed slowly. There is absolutely no pressure to keep a certain pace up.
Be aware of those around you and let people by if there are people behind you – there are no prizes for keeping people behind you and you‘ll be better focussed on your own driving if you‘re looking forward rather than in your mirrors. Also remember that there is no overtaking under braking or in the corners.

Over time your tyre temperatures will increase, increasing the pressures.
Before going out for the first time I tend to let around 3-4 psi out of the tyres from their cold road settings. After my first go on track I check the pressures as soon as I get in and adjust them to suit. Afterwards I tend to leave them alone unless it‘s a really hot day.

If your day is Open Pit Lane, be sensible with your track time. After about 20 minutes or so your car will be getting hot and bothered and so will you, increasing the likelihood of mistakes.
Do a lap at around half speed and try not to use your brakes too hard. This cool down lap will reduce your cars temperatures more efficiently than coming in from full speed and parking it.

When you get back to your spot, don‘t use the handbrake. It may stick to your hot brakes, or it may let go when the brakes cool even though it seems ok at first. Use the block of wood or chock we packed. I usually leave my engine running long enough for the fan to come on once and then cut out again. This is meant to help shed excess heat and anything that avoids thermal shock on a K-series seems a good plan to me.

When you go back out remember everything will be cooler again, and it may take a lap for the brakes and tyres to get back to their fully sticky selves again
Avoid following the car in front too slavishly or using their lines or braking points. They may be running a completely different spec of car and should they make a mistake you may find yourself following them in to an accident.

Keep an eye on the fuel gauge, you really don‘t want to run out on track and it will go down alarmingly quickly. I tend to refill once it hits the 15l mark to be on the safe side.

Some people may be faster than you, especially if you are not on a novice day, but this isn‘t an assault on your ego. You‘re out to have fun and track days are strictly non-competitive.