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General => Shows, events, track days, motorsport => Topic started by: lewis1641 on 21 April 2008, 23:51

Title: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: lewis1641 on 21 April 2008, 23:51
noticing there's getting to be more interest in prepping golfs for track action and many people are interested in what others have already done and importantly what we feel to have been worth while.  thought it might be an idea if people with track prepped cars leave a few details of what they have done and maybe a few hints and tips to help others along the way.


here goes...

i was fortunate enough to buy this car pretty much as it is now. i have missed the enjoyment of development but saved a fair few quid!

the interior has been partially stripped. i would recommend this as a first step for anyone with a track specific car. i stripped my last car down to the dash and 2 seats and a difference is easily felt. the best bit is it only costs time. the even better bit is you can usually sell off your unwanted bits of trim. i removed the heater and fan from the last car but as we use it on the road as well we have left this one in in the interest of comfort!

front seats have been replaced with a pair of corbeau buckets. these mount to the floor using custom (read:home) made sub frames which locate in the original points on the floorpan. harnesses are fitted however having read a few posts on here it seems they ought to be attached to a cage rather than the rear seatbelt mounts.

suspension has been replaced with koni adjustables with eibach springs giving a 40mm drop all round. the ride is laterally stiff but suprisingly comfortable.  underneath you will find a lower strut brace which runs between the wishbones. the wishbones themselves have been seam welded for added rigidity. everything is held onto the car via polly bushes front and rear.  theres a strut brace between front and rear shock towers.uprated eibach anti roll bars stiffen things up further

brakes are standard 8 valve calipers. standard size but new grooved disks at the front and standard at the rear with new calipers all round.  fluid has been changes for dot 5.1 and the hoses are stainless goodrich items. we had some drilled disks but they cracked after about 2 hours at cadwell...

we have a couple of sets of wheels and tyres which may sound extravigant but it makes sense in the long run and being frugal on ebay has kept costs to a minimum. we have a set of 15 inch g60 steels with fate (cheap) 195/50/15's for the road and wet or rough track use.  for smooth tracks (and occasionally on the road) we have a set of stock 14 inch steels running 185/60/14 max sport cut 'slicks'. these are road legal and really sticky but noisy! finally we have a set of 15 inch chav alloys running michelin slicks of an unknown compound. to save these from unecessary wear we have only run them so far on propper tracks (cadwell)

engine wise we are running an 8 valve 1.8 motor which has had a blueprint rebuild. bottom end has been lightened and balanced. top end is standard but has been match ported.  air is introduces via a k and n cone filter and exits through a stainless magnex manifold back system.  the only engine mod is a superchip in the ecu. it is running 121 bhp at the wheels which doesnt sound particularly impressive but the power curve is basically a straight line at 45 degrees!

so was it worth it?

the engine feels great but if i was buying a fresh car to track i wouldnt go the expense that this has seen. i bet the engine rebuild would have gone quite a long way towards a transplant for a fast engine!  if you are on abugdget there is plenty of poke in a bog stock 8 valve engine to have loads of fun. the best part is that these cars were pretty well thought out from  the factory.  the engine is reasonable, the brakes are good enough for the types of speed the engine is capable of and the suspension is well up to the job even standard. a lot of fun can be had is a standard car. brake fade will eventually spoil your day though.

the interior strip is definately a must if it is predominantly a track car. if you still want it to be useable then you need to be sensible.

the best part of this car are the poly bushes, the brakes and the track day tyres.

the bushes make everything feel really connected and positive. they make a huge difference. i am sure the braces probably do something but i doubt an average driver woiuld notice.  although our brakes are nothing too special we dont suffer from fade so we can stay out longer.  if i had the money i would like them to be a bit more powerful but i am happy as they are.  the cut slick trackday tyres are amazing. htey offer huge levels of grip but let go progressively, as opposed to the slicks which are a bit more violent when they lose traction. they are also road legal which is fun in the dry. understeer is a thing of the past and i dont think there is much on the road that could take a roundabout faster!

so thats my car and my suggestions - weight, brakes and tyres.

(jv - please keep this on topic to make it useful, not just ask more questions ;) )
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you done and what do you recommend?
Post by: VeeDubGTI16v on 22 April 2008, 08:54
i havent done any trackdays yet but im almost ready and will deffo be doing them this summer. so far i have done the following-

all rubber bushes changed for poly
coilovers + arb's
g60 brakes, good pads, motul rbf600 fluid, braided lines
abf engine
mocal oil cooler
decent gauge for oil temp and pressure (i dont trust the vw gauges!)
drivers bucket seat

i still want to get a front upper strut brace and omp do a 4 point lower brace that looks good. its a bit compromised as i still use it everyday. it will get stripped, rollcaged etc when i get a 2nd car
also thinking of having a switch to manually turn the rad fan on as im paranoid about overheating!
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Paul86S2 on 22 April 2008, 19:30
OK Mk3 16V GTI 149k miles

Bought standard apart from twin headlights and 16 inch antera wheels.

Interior stripped apart from dash, headlining and partial front door cards. Total weight saving 102 kgs so far, makes a real difference. Headlining still in to stop condensation dripping. Mesh in front radiator grill.
Cobra bucket seats and proper seat frames to suit. 4 point harnesses attached to rear seat belt mountings (make sure your lap belt is tight and on your lap, not your belly).
Smaller diameter steering wheel, airbags removed.
Electric window mechanisms swapped for manual ones.
Hottuning coilovers, really good on the track, not so good on the road.
Front top strut brace which helps on the track.
Engine - standard apart from ebay chip which raises the rev limiter and aircon removed. Magnex cat back exhaust which did help performance. tried a K&N panel filter in standard airbox and couldn't notice a difference, tried it in a drilled airbox, still no difference apart from induction noise. Will try the K&N in a standard airbox with all the inside stuff taken out on Friday.
Brakes - 288mm drilled discs which have been freeze treated to supposedly stop cracking and warping. Mintex extreme front brake pads, standard rears, abs disabled. Brake cooling ducts in front bumper and pipework to push air at the calipers. Racing blue fluid, and goodridge braided hoses. No fade, but extreme heat last summer which melted paintwork on the wheels, hence the cooling ducts. Not had a hot track day since.
Manual cooling fan switch which I use for 5 minutes after each session, never been needed during a session. A lot of head gasket failures happen after the engine has been switched off after fast driving. Sensor temp jumps 5 to 10 degrees after switching off, so now I run the engine with fan for 5 minutes afterwards.

Stuff still to do - battery relocation to the rear. Front lower strut brace. Rear strut brace. Cage. Polybushes. Astra brake cooling ducts to fit to front wishbones. Got some lighter BBS wheels to try when i get tyres for them. Sort out some light door card replacements. Decat pipe. More weight saving. Driving instruction.

Weight saving very worthwhile and free, brakes expensive but really needed, bucket seats and harnesses give a good feeling of safety and stop you being thrown around the car, coilovers definately improved handling on track, decent tyres a must (not tried sticky track tyres yet) all the rest is icing on the cake, not required but nice if you can afford it. I'm trying to do one thing before each trackday or at the trackday to see if it makes a difference.

I think thats it.

Cheers

Paul
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Stu.750 on 22 April 2008, 23:54
My Golf is nowhere near finished yet but ive track dayed both a 205 gti and an XR2i (ill dig some pics out)


 i found the best way to improve and enjoy your cars was to

1 - Add lightness

2 - Improves stopping

3 - improve suspension

 stripping a car imediatly stiffens the suspension and makes the car feel more agile , improving the brakes means you can brake later and harder - and suspension is a given
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Organisys on 23 April 2008, 13:18
Mk2 Golf G60 Edition One
It's not a dedicated track car, so remains road legal and usefull for weekends.

Check all standard mechanicals, change fluids etc before any upgrades.
Big Mocal Oil Cooler
Pagid Fast Road Pads and Zimmerman discs
Braided brake lines
Dot5 brake fluid
68mm charger pulley and SNS chip.
G-Werks charger rebuild
G60 Steels with Toyo T1s (for now) will be changing to R888s for track only.
Weitek Coilovers, height and damping adjustable. (two turns down from the top for road, two more for track)
20mm rake front to rear ride height.
Chassis alignment. -2 deg neg camber, some toe in too.

On arrival at track, remove all weight from car possible. spare wheel, jack, rear seats..

 :cool:
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: golfmart on 25 April 2009, 10:47
Hi all,
I bought a mk2 ryder model (1.6 8v on carb) early last year, for the pure purppose as a track car (i know not the quickest but we all have to start some where when on a tight budet).
and only a week before the trackday, so did'nt have much time to do much to it!
so just stripped as much of the interior as i could.
The lad i bought it off had spent a little money on it getting it to look like a gti, sports back box 15" alloys tints gti bumpers and on corrado pads (which are better compound and and more pad area apparently!).
the first track day was "intesting" shall we say! as this is a trackcar its kept off road and trailered to the track, so this was the first time id drove it in anger.    It soon came aparant of the work that was needed but a good day all the same, it had lots and lots of body roll but the brakes were very good!
Throughout last year ive replaced the suspention with jom 40% uprated and 40mm drop all round, k&n bolt on filter and carb re-balanced, a pair of cobra bucket seats, and 4 point hanesses and then just weeks before this years trackday found a hole in the rad so it now got a oversized alloy rad ( no chance of over heating now!)
This years trackday was Brill the car was completely differant. It made so much difference in proper seats as last year spent most of the time sat on our lasses lap when cornering!lol  The supention now gave a  good firm ride and feed back.
Now just picked up a gti lump to drop in at a very good price with everything i need apart from fuel pumps which im now trying to source. cant wait!!

Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Paul86S2 on 27 April 2009, 19:14
Sounds like you had some good fun.
Performance is good, but handling is just as important as you have found out. However your car performs and handles you can still have a lot of fun.
Finding and driving to yours and the cars limits is very rewarding, when you gradually get better and get the car handling better you will be surprised how much faster you can go.
Modifications are best done slowly so that you can see what actually works and what doesn't.

Lots of people on here who can offer good advice.

What track are you using.

Have fun

Paul
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: golfmart on 02 May 2009, 16:00
the track i use is cadwell park in lincolnshire, its my nearest and one hell of a track! its got everything, fast corners, slow corners, off camber, hills, a true drivers circuit!
one of the only problems i have is time and money not enough of both!
still got plenty of things in mind to do to the car.
any advice is most welcome
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Rob S on 19 January 2010, 07:48
888's!!

I can recommend them without hesitation, great in anything better than damp conditions, stunning in the dry!
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 19 January 2010, 09:09
I can't recommend them without hesitation, great in anything better than damp conditions, stunning in the dry!

Having used mine in the pouring rain at Brands I was still massively impressed by them, right up to standing water, when you should be afraid. Very afraid.
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: lemski on 23 October 2010, 19:52
I can't wait to get round to cadwell with the 16valver, need to replace my engine for another race preped engine as mines ageing abit. (Also not sure how long it'll last).
I rekon cadwell in the summer with a sertain g60 and 8v for logbooks. Lol
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: leeroy20vt on 14 January 2011, 15:39
quick question guys at what rough height would u set your coilovers at been trying to find some answers but none about
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: lemski on 14 January 2011, 16:08
60mm would be where ad set them at on the front and 70 on the back. Then camper to -2degrees.
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 14 January 2011, 16:39
You're in a Golf2 or G3?

You need to set the ride height so that the wishbones are level, or angled slightly down.

This will ensure your roll-centre isn't below the ground.

If you set camper I suggest you set it up in the car park to make tea from.

If you set camber you can basically tip it as far in as G2 bolts will allow you, get it even and it should come out around -2 degrees.  You'll get 0.5-1 extra degrees by using Golf3 strut bolts.  If you haven't been on track before I wouldn't go past -1.5 to start - buckets of camber can feel very odd around the dead-ahead and you'll have less grip on the straights - probably more of an issue in a 2WD car. :grin:

Also if you're planning on using the car on the roads you may kill tyres on the inside edge over -1 degrees of camber unless all around you are bendy roads and roundabouts.
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: lemski on 14 January 2011, 16:43
My tyres last about a year on the road a -2degrees. 60mm will set the wish bones where they need to be. And if I put my camber all in on the top mines on -8degrees camper so I would try and find a camber gauge
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: mk2 helper on 14 January 2011, 16:46
tire wise its fine and not a problem and with it owerd at 60mm it leaves plenty of travell without any worry or rubbing and drive shafts etc everything is nice and level its good set up and neg prooves this
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 14 January 2011, 18:00
neg prooves this

On what evidence, except that he can't measure, or spell 'camber'?
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: lemski on 14 January 2011, 18:12
How can I not measure? And camber. On a my phone sometimes I press the wrong key
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: mk2 helper on 14 January 2011, 18:34
ther u go again back to trying to diss people for a spelling error whats the f***ing point people still know what he ment by it so thers no problem with it
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Chris-White on 14 January 2011, 18:50
My tyres last about a year on the road a -2degrees. 60mm will set the wish bones where they need to be. And if I put my camber all in on the top mines on -8degrees camper so I would try and find a camber gauge

Really -8 degrees??

this is -8 degrees:

(http://maxpowermag.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/rr1.jpg?w=509&h=339)

i doubt your getting anywhere near that, especially considering standard bolts will let you go to about 1.5deg at most on the front, and that the rears are non adjustable.

and everywhere ive read or poeple ive spoken to have said 40mm brings the wishbones level. My jetta on -60's made the wishbones point at the sky  :grin:
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 14 January 2011, 18:51
Eight degrees of negative camber?  Seriously?  Ha! Chris beat me to it.  :grin:

Cannot measure, in my view and never mind the pitiful language mauling both of you keep perpetrating.  I might forgive that if you seemed to have any idea what you're going on about.  :undecided:
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: lemski on 14 January 2011, 19:18
Al dig a picture out of it. We had it on the camber gauge that goes to -4 and it went round twice. Which would make it -8 degrees. I could put it back to it aswell if I felt. But as I set my car up with help from some one who has been in and around motorsport for 30 - 40 years I think he knows what he's on about. And how do you work standard bolts only get to -1.5 when my suspentions got elongated holes to allow more adjustment on the camber?
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 14 January 2011, 19:22
And how do you work standard bolts only get to -1.5 when my suspentions got elongated holes to allow more adjustment on the camber?

By learning to measure properly, maybe?  :grin:

Let's have some photos up of your superfandango elongated holes and level wishbones then.
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: lemski on 14 January 2011, 19:35
Did I say my wishbones were level? No I think you'll find I said I use to have -8 degrees when my hub was pushed in at the top and pulled out at the bottom. But according to you that's impossible as you know all. If you actually took the time to think about it, you'd be able to realize that an elongated hole would increase the camber more than what just 2 normal holes could as the points furthest from each other buts more of an angle on the hub.
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: mk2 helper on 14 January 2011, 19:37
i said that the wishbones wer level i maybe wrong yer some times people do get it wrong but ther is a much more respectable way about pointing things out
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: lemski on 14 January 2011, 19:47
(http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h367/lemski18/DSC00058.jpg)
and if thats not satisfying to you then i am sorry, but my backs are obvously less
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 14 January 2011, 20:06
Oh right, so you two are saying your lower control arms are pointing eight degrees UP.

Which FWIW is WAY too much drop for track use, as Chris has already pointed out.

CAMBER is how much the wheels are leaning, nothing to do with the lower control arms, which should be level at rest.  :rolleyes:

How many track days do the pair of you have under your collective belts to be dispensing this blinding nolidge?

As for the Golf in the picture, looks to have about -2 degrees on it.
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: mk2 helper on 14 January 2011, 20:13
how does that look about -2 degrees and i'm not bothering on this little discution anymore cuz its not helping lewis with his query and sure he would appretiate it if replys to his thread wer heling him not just banging on about how 1 think the other is better or knows more its getting silly nw
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: lemski on 14 January 2011, 20:17
what i was on about camber not lower controlle arms and no thats not -2 degreese, its on -1.5 now. and there isnt ,5 degrees different. if you put  a circle on paper and mark every 2 degrees you'll see where it is, then go get your camber gauge and measure and you'll see. i havent been on a track day, but then im a student so i dont have the money laying about to waste. but i forgot you know it all because youve been to the ring.
once agin i never mentioned my lowet arms and what there on. but thats determined on how low the car is than standard, it has nowt to do with how camber is set at all. i though even you would know this. just like choosing you syncro, its not exactly the best is it? how many diffs have you got?
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Chris-White on 14 January 2011, 20:20
how does that look about -2 degrees and i'm not bothering on this little discution anymore cuz its not helping lewis with his query and sure he would appretiate it if replys to his thread wer heling him not just banging on about how 1 think the other is better or knows more its getting silly nw

look at the civic i posted. Its running just about 8 degrees.

it looks like the back to the future 2 car. The golf does not.

you must be generating some staggering cornering forces if your engineer thought 8 degrees was needed to generate the correct camber thrust for your car. Or your suspension is rediculously soft.
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: mk2 helper on 14 January 2011, 20:22
not sayin -8 is good track set up was only stating that you can get -8 using standard parts
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 14 January 2011, 20:35
-8 what though?!

Arguing with you two is like arguing with my toddlers.  Dreadful reasoning and exceptionally poor explanations.

how does that look about -2 degrees

Because it looks similar to mine, which has, at the last check -2.5 degrees of negative camber on the wheels, although mine isn't as low as that, because that would be foolish.

Please, I don't 'know it all' but I've read up a lot and rebuilt my car, set it up and also worked with Danny on setting his up too (among others) and done a fair number of track days.  

just like choosing you syncro, its not exactly the best is it? how many diffs have you got?

The Syncro has two diffs, what exactly does that have to do with this discussion?  Are you going to say you've had my mother next in an attempt to win the argument?
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: mk2 helper on 14 January 2011, 20:39
wich car was u looking at in the picture.. car on the left or car on the ryt
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 14 January 2011, 20:45
As for the Golf in the picture, looks to have about -2 degrees on it.

*sigh*
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: lemski on 14 January 2011, 20:50
nope, has nothing to do with the discussion was just courious if it had 2 diifs or 3. and how is it stupid that was only 80mm down on the coilovers, its exceedingly lower than that now. and if he dont make sens y argue, ive tried making as much sens as possible so you understand what i am sayingg. but as i have said my camber was measured at -8. if you sat opposite the car and looked at it you could see more. but i can assure u that is what it was and now its -1.5/-2 and looks alot less. if nthe holes were not elongated then it would stay at around -2 as there wouldnt be enough adjustment. i only tried explaining this fact. instead i got that its impossibly.
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: leeroy20vt on 14 January 2011, 21:33
well fook me sideways  :grin: :grin: :grin: opened a can of worms here didnt i hahaha

dh its the white mk2 abf widetrack tracksl@g  that u helped me out with on my thread with various bits and pieces

lemskigolf987/mk2 helper/chris white cheers for the input

i think i will just set it up so lower arm are flat or just pointing down a tad then go 10-20 mm lower on rear

its got koni adjustables on front and then just normal konis on back 40mm all round but the back sits way to high i think

regarding camber its as far in as it will go feels quite nice on track as lydden has got much of a straight lol

cheers again lee
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: lemski on 14 January 2011, 21:39
no worrys and i like the audi in the sig
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: leeroy20vt on 14 January 2011, 21:50
no worrys and i like the audi in the sig

cheers dude thats my daily other than the my astravan lol
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: mk2 helper on 14 January 2011, 21:51
yer liking the audi and wnother thing is to make sure all 4 corners are tracking true simple thing but verry effective
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 14 January 2011, 22:01
Wow - amazing insight there.

For some bedtime reading, try this article I've put up on the web for you:

Link (http://diamondhell.com/WeightTransferAndRollCentres.pdf)

It might further your understanding of some of this stuff.
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: leeroy20vt on 14 January 2011, 22:01
ok kool i always have trackin done once i done somethink with suspension anyway
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: leeroy20vt on 14 January 2011, 22:02
Wow - amazing insight there.

For some bedtime reading, try this article I've put up on the web for you:

Link (http://diamondhell.com/WeightTransferAndRollCentres.pdf)

It might further your understanding of some of this stuff.

not sure if that was aimed at me but cheers dh
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: lemski on 14 January 2011, 22:26
Am back on phone so I'll have a look tomorow
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: mk2 helper on 14 January 2011, 22:50
good link i'm sure but i hant red it all cus it gives me a hedache i'll read the rest another day
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Chris-White on 15 January 2011, 01:35
Wow - amazing insight there.

For some bedtime reading, try this article I've put up on the web for you:

Link (http://diamondhell.com/WeightTransferAndRollCentres.pdf)

It might further your understanding of some of this stuff.

nice link.

Not geeky enough for a son of a maths teacher type like me though.

try purchasing this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Competition-Car-Suspension-Practical-Handbook/dp/1844253287/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295056057&sr=8-1

for the basics

or this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Race-Vehicle-Dynamics-William-Milliken/dp/1560915269/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1295056103&sr=1-1

if your hardcore   :smug:/ serious  :evil:  / doing a degree   :nerd: / rich  :grin:
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 15 January 2011, 07:26
nice link.

Not geeky enough for a son of a maths teacher type like me though.

It's all about getting the level of the information correct.

Turns out I was shooting a little high anyway.  :grin:
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: danny_p on 15 January 2011, 12:41
if your isnisting on going really low you need ball joint extenders or custom frount hubs, end off or it won't handel
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: GTIcheeseman on 28 June 2012, 11:34
what do you need licence wise to do track days and about insurance?
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 28 June 2012, 14:16
You need a driving license and track days are done 'at your own risk'.

If someone wipes out and take you with them you just lost your car.

Do the same to them and they just lost their car.

Unless you take out insurance to cover your car, but my approach to trackdays has always been 'risk nothing you cannot afford to lose'.
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Organisys on 03 July 2012, 21:14
if your isnisting on going really low you need ball joint extenders or custom frount hubs, end off or it won't handel

do the 'flip'  :wink:
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 03 July 2012, 23:32
do the 'flip'  :wink:

This needs elaboration.
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Organisys on 04 July 2012, 21:21
...just means flip the wishbones back down flat again. Bushes suffer, not to mention more pressure on the ARB too....
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 04 July 2012, 22:38
Nope, still don't understand.
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Simeon on 30 August 2012, 13:40
He probably means flip the track rod ends to try and sort the geometry out like the aircooled guys do.
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: mk2 helper on 30 August 2012, 14:12
He probably means flip the track rod ends to try and sort the geometry out like the aircooled guys do.

how can this be done though as track rod ends are a tapered fit ????
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Simeon on 31 August 2012, 13:23
You drill out the hole and fit a new insert which is tapered the other way.
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: lemski on 01 September 2012, 10:00
how would that work. Wishbones would still be off if u flipped trackrod ends
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Simeon on 03 September 2012, 00:54
I wasn't talking about wishbones. Flipping the trackrods sorts the bump steer out that you get when you excessively lower your car.
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: mk2 helper on 03 September 2012, 11:56
then a rose jointed set up would be suited better as you can space these out to get an accurate set up. been searching this and for around 80 quid you can buy longer rose jointed track rod ends wich are supplied with spacers to achive the desired effect.
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Irving0 on 09 September 2012, 01:44
i havent done any trackdays yet but im almost ready and will deffo be doing them this summer.(http://www.aldg.info/qinping2.jpg)
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: R44MS_K on 30 November 2012, 09:01
How to build a track car  :cool:
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=244935.0 (http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=244935.0)
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 01 December 2012, 16:25
That just looks like a way of spending a lot of money.

Don't really see how it's a track car?
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: R44MS_K on 03 December 2012, 08:37
That just looks like a way of spending a lot of money.

Don't really see how it's a track car?

not sure what really makes a track car but its done a few track days and i am afraid to do it properly, you have to spend money
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Oh5ZJr-tZQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Oh5ZJr-tZQ)

will see if i have time to upload the section where a porsche c4s spun out trying to keep up with our v6!
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Diamond Hell on 03 December 2012, 12:23
not sure what really makes a track car but its done a few track days and i am afraid to do it properly, you have to spend money

Errr, yes.  You have to spend money.  On proper safety, rather than shiny stuff like brakes or carbon tat.
Title: Re: trackday prep - what you have done and what do you recommend?
Post by: Hometownhero on 22 February 2017, 20:33
Tracked my Mk7 GTI twice last year first at Blyton park and suffered from brake fade . Second one was at Anglesey but this i upgraded the discs to vagmabremtec J hook vented .And the pads to EBC red stuff and it did make a difference managed to get a few more laps done before I had to in (still on road tyres)

Hope the pic works



http://s1268.photobucket.com/user/Nathan_Mcphail/media/Screenshot_20170131-205004_zpsz5mpluwz.png.html?sort=1&o=0