Track Day Guide for Beginners Part 1 - Preparation

How to prepare your car and yourself before you do a Track Day. In part 2 I will be at the track and will go over what to expect on the day with some driving tips. Check out part 2 here: • Video
Originally Uploaded April 2021 - I had to re-upload it in May 2022 due to an error.
Products in this video:
Oil: amzn.to/3uLkWxI
Brake Fluid: amzn.to/3ggduGT
Brake Pads Front: ebay.us/NKu1H5
Brake Pads Rear: ebay.us/PXvoJ3
Funnel: amzn.to/3wPxGVx
Protective Spray on Coating: amzn.to/2RtZmiM
Microfibre Cloths: amzn.to/327lYYA
The above links are affiliate links and Richard Fanders may receive a small commission if you use them but they will cost you nothing to use. Thank you for watching and supporting the channel.
00:00 Intro
00:15 Oil
01:14 Brakes
02:28 Brake fluid
04:01 Wheel and body protection
04:50 Toe eye
05:12 Extra oil
05:40 Footwear and clothes
06:08 Helmet
06:47 Tyres
07:35 Handling before power
09:12 Insurance
09:51 Outro

[@ChiefAero]

This is the first video I've watched that's not from your driving instructor channel. It feels a bit strange without hearing your pitch into the sponsors at the end haha

[@RichardFanders]

This video was originally on my instructor channel, but I moved it as I thought it was more appropriate here.

[@MechanicMindset]

What’s the other channel called please? 😁

[@wtfchickenreal]

@@MechanicMindset Conquer Driving

[@MechanicMindset]

Great video 👌

[@PascalDickhoff]

nice video thanks :)

[@ComputersAreRealCool]

Great video! Im planning on doing my first track day shortly, I have a question about what you do with your "extra stuff" (i was going to bring some food, spare oil, tyre pressure gauage + pump) whilst you're on track? (Assuming you drive there in the car you're taking on track) You don't want that stuff in your boot flying around, but im not sure what I'd do with it? Or do you just avoid bringing anything with you?

[@markturner-smith5309]

I have tracked for many years (since 2005) in whatever road car had from VW GTTDI’s/MK2 Scirocco’s/6n2 Polo GTI’s Eibech springs/polybushed most always handled well normally stayed up with more powerful stuff so handling can make for power sometimes only changed to track style pads brake wise. Anyway my question does having rear drums vs make big issue bad or not for track days these days?? I have now got Fiesta S1600 132bhp which are basically the ST180 without a turbo on the standard 1.6 Ti-VCT annoyingly they don’t have the ST180 rear discs is that really going to a problem on something that can go considerably better on track than my last rear drum car the mk2 Scirocco did! Everyone says big trouble is rear drum brake car nowadays circuits 🤔

[@xingxia5563]

do you change the OEM brake pad in rear as well, or is it just the front?

[@eddy6781]

Do you use your mx5 as a daily driver too, or just for track days? Not sure whether to take my daily 2017 Mazda 3 to a track day and upgrade tyres, brakes, fluids or buy an older car and do the same thing?

[@RichardFanders]

It's up to you. I would prefer to take a reliable car to track days, I prefer reliability over performance as you can't have fun when the old car stops working. My MX5 is a weekend car that I occasionally use on track.

[@dettrikk]

What Jack stands are those, and where are you placing them (ex: inside reinforced pinch weld area)? Would you use 5w30 as a daily driver?

[@RichardFanders]

I do use 5w30 all the time. I bought the jack stands so long ago I don't remember. I think I got them from Wilco motoring store. I use rubber tops I got from Ebay and use them whereever there is a good safe surface. Generally the chassis rails. It's incredibly important to make sure the car is safe when lifting it. Take no chances.

[@mariapires7170]

@@RichardFanders I use too the Liqui Molly 5400 5w30 im my ND3 2024 mx5 1,5 l, i´d change the original 0w20 for the same reason Richard had explained-

[@02semiata]

Are you running a roll bar by chance? If not have any of the tracks given you problems? Thanks

[@RichardFanders]

It has a couple of standard roll bars. All tracks have been fine so far.

[@02semiata]

@@RichardFanders do the tracks have a broom stick test ? I have moved to Ireland from the states and I’m looking to get into track days. I’m more familiar with American track rules. Sorry for all the questions ha

[@534tgrg6yrtgdf]

Would you upgrade sway bars ?

[@tarateom]

Good questions, don’t know the answer but I’m here to find out 😘

[@RichardFanders]

I wouldn't because this is primarily a road car. 16,000 miles on road so far and 1200ish miles on track. So it's road manners are more important to me. I don't think of it as an "upgrade" rather it's a change.

[@534tgrg6yrtgdf]

@@RichardFanders I thought sway bars just help body roll and steering feel. Didn’t think it makes the ride more crashy. I thought that was more springs and coil overs.

[@RichardFanders]

Stiffer rolls bars help on smooth surfaces but reduce compliance on bumpy surfaces. So effectively each wheel becomes less independent which will result in less control on a bumpy road. There is a sweet spot that manufacturers try to aim for and given British roads are generally more bumpy, a smaller roll bar may actually be more beneficial. I'm quite happy with the MX5 though, slightly softer will be better on the road for me but it's fine and a good compromise for when I take it on track.