Track day advice

P

pdl610

New member
Hi,
Just new to the forum, just purchased a Z4 -3.0ltr Si model for some sunny day trip and track days,
I done my first track day on Friday and enjoyed it, (was so much fun and met some real friendly people)
Although the car performed spot on most other cars out performed me mainly in the corners, l am sure my inexperience played a big factor, my question is are there any upgrades that anybody can advise, how do the brakes on my model compare to the M model?
Thanks
Paul
 
Hi Paul,

Best handling upgrade you can do is probably fitting an LSD.

Other than that, you may find that a few more track days and maybe some lessons from an instructor will help. Lessons helped me more than any mechanical upgrade.

All the best,

Dan
 
Hi and welcome.

Where did you do the track day? I have fancied doing one, but you read a lot about too many cars on the track and some crazy driving. This has made me cautious; I trust myself, but not necessarily others!

I cannot help you with your specific question - my job here is to nag Newbies to post pics of their new Zeds........

Enjoy :driving:
 
I've never taken my Z4 on the track (and wouldn't, because I run a 944 racecar with my dad), but based on experience with the racecar:

- Get some list 1B tyres on it. I'm not sure what are available in Z4 sizes, but some Dunlop Direzza hard compound would be ideal if they're available. You'd easily see 2-3 seconds a lap compared to your standard road tyres. (And 1Bs are road legal)

- New shock absorbers would likely make a huge difference. We run Gaz Shocks on the Porsche and I know they're widely available for BMW, but again others might point you to a more appropriate solution.

- the biggest thing is practice. Don't overdrive, keep building up your speed and you'll get there...
 
For small money then new brake pads (i.e. more track focused) and fluid will help a little. Knock the traction down one notch to DTC - that leaves it a bit later to cut in and is much smoother - works the brakes less hard too.
LSD would definitely help but that's not a small investment - new bushes will tighten things up and shocks will probably help too but the biggest difference will come from you, have some tuition and you will shave a lot of time off, I know I did, and you'll get faster as you get to know the car :)
 
As a couple have said already, it's likely if you've very little experience of track days, the biggest thing in need of improvement is the organic bit behind the wheel (you!). As you improve you will start to find the mechanical limit of various parts of the car, at which point you can start to upgrade. For my money the best place to start is with tuition, as you'll then be able to upgrade the bits to your liking as you start to realise where the shortfalls are and exactly how you want the car to behave.

And Rick Goodwood is a good place to start if you want uncrowded trackways - they only let 6 cars on track at a time... It's a scary track mind, very fast, and not much room if you get it wrong before the banking!
 
Also look at Bedford. Its not the most exciting track out there, but being an airfield there is plenty of room if you do get it wrong. They also hold Novice only days which may give you a bit more opportunity out on track without worrying about what is coming up from behind too much.
 
Second Bedford - it's a very good track especially at full length. Lots of run off and I've not seen any 'unruly' behavior there. Some corners are quite challenging and it's easy to hit 140 on the straight, cheap too some days are only £99.
 
Bedford is a good shout actually - loads of Evo videos to check out too ;)

my favourite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOOdn4dyZGI

:P
 
Hi Paul, hi everyone,

My name's Scott Mansell - I'm a racing coach and have worked on hundreds of track days around the world. I'm here to help point Paul in the right direction!

I'm my experience, it's not just the car that might need upgrading - it's the driver too. There is just as much time/speed in the driver as there is in the car and it's much more satisfying to drive a car to its limit to gain speed rather than adding more power or grip.

I've recently written a monster 7,500 word article on track days for beginners. Please don't think I'm spamming, I genuinely think this will add value to Paul and you guys.

Here's the link: http://driver61.com/uni/track-day-guide

Please let me know what you think and if you have any questions I'd be happy to help.

Thanks,

Scott Mansell
 
To share my experiences, ive done many trackdays over the years and the last 2 were in the Z4 around a wet bedford and a hot dry donnington. Some great comments on the driver here so lets assume the driver (you) will drive within their and the cars limits for now and talk about the car.

The Z4 is actually a very good track car and handles well and predictably. With straight line power keeping up with a std elise around a track is not too difficult. The std car needs no 'modifications' but a few common sense ideas would be:-

make sure your tyres have tread on! an agressive course like an airfield will take 2-3mm of tread off your tyres. A circuit will be less but make sure you can still drive home legally. Sounds silly but you see many budget tracksters with bald tyres at the end of the day :-(

Obvious stuff is to check oil/water/tyre pressures/no leaks but on the Z4 its the brakes that get it over the course of the day. on a warm day with heavy braking areas, discs/pads/lollipop bushes/brake fluid are all potentially in need replacement after the event.

The mod i will be doing next time is to replace the pads with better pads designed for a track.

hope that helps. most of all - go and enjoy it - great day out!
 
ScottMansell said:
Hi Paul, hi everyone,

My name's Scott Mansell - I'm a racing coach and have worked on hundreds of track days around the world. I'm here to help point Paul in the right direction!

I'm my experience, it's not just the car that might need upgrading - it's the driver too. There is just as much time/speed in the driver as there is in the car and it's much more satisfying to drive a car to its limit to gain speed rather than adding more power or grip.

I've recently written a monster 7,500 word article on track days for beginners. Please don't think I'm spamming, I genuinely think this will add value to Paul and you guys.

Here's the link: http://driver61.com/uni/track-day-guide

Please let me know what you think and if you have any questions I'd be happy to help.

Thanks,

Scott Mansell
Click to expand...

Nicely written article that :thumbsup:
 
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