Trackday....

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I had a few issues with Brake fluid on my last outing ... have a think about getting it changes / upgraded ...

Good point. RS4 brake fluid has a shelf life of 2 years.

Do you recommend a certain brake fluid or should I just get OEM?

Can't recall the name what sonny has mentioned in the past but I have been told it's the best for trackdays.
OEM is "meh"

[iluvmercs]

Brushing up with some rules of the track may help (but they will give you a brief prior to track time).

Very good advice. It will help to have a basic understanding of flags and rules before going.

@Darren, I saw you (Sprint RS4) at Spa last year, was going to pop over and say hi, but had car dramas myself.

I see from your signature your wouldn't have been in the RS4. Which Clio was yours? I hope the aforementioned issues proved none too serious!'
Were you at the 'Ring the Monday before?

Darren

[vestax32]

All good advise, thanks! Does anyone recommend brake fluid? I have checked the service book and I'm due a change anyway......

[sonny]

Brake fluid I use is Motul RBF600, this has never let me down and I also use it in the Clio track car. Try Opieoils or Camskills (or fleabay) I buy mine from a Honda specialist as its the cheapest (random I know).

Chasing tyre pressures at a track day is a art form, and its the perfect way to lose lots of time...lol As Ads says, drop a few psi and leave. For reference I run 40psi hot all round, for me this was fine for me.

@Darren, I was not in the RS4, and yes I was in the Clio, it was a Blue 172 cup with white strips. I was parked next to another Blue 172 cup and PaulRS4 Black race Mini (and Blue RS4 Avant). The Clio engine was blowing oil out the breather due to 2 worn piston rings. I sourced a second hand engine that I will transplant into Clio when weather warms up.

OP, regarding the flags. Its worth checking them out, common ones you will see are;

RED, Session stopped, return to pits
YELLOW, Slow down no over taking (Most likely due to a crash).
BLACK FLAG, Discipline or faulty vehicle (if pointed at you, return to pit and report to office).
BLUE, Fast moving vehicle to rear, move over let it pass.
CHEQUERED, Session finish (normally at lunch and end of the day)

Other flags

BLACK with ORANGE SPOT, Vehicle problem
YELLOW and RED STRIPES, surface change (rain or fluids causing slippery surface)
GREEN Track clear good to go (sometimes waved after a YELLOW).
WHITE slow moving vehicle on track ahead.

If flags are being waved fast then the danger/warning is imminent. i.e around next corner or within immediate vicinity

When warning flag is shown, make sure you check mirrors when slowing.

Think thats all the flags.

Oh and no over taking in the braking zones..."its not a race" haha

[vestax32]

More to this than i first thought! Ill start trying to remember the flags......

[535dboy]

More to this than i first thought! Ill start trying to remember the flags......

I've only seen the first batch of flags on a track day as its not a race!

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Hah - yeah.
If it starts to rain you're expected to think 'might be slippery'.

They will generally use blak flag for mechanical failure too as you'd be expected to pit immediately with any problem.

Overtaking is usually on the left but can vary depending on the track.

One thing to remember with the rs4 - you will be able to overtake lighter cars like Elise's and caterhams on the straights simply due to 400+ hp. However if they are driven properly they will murder you under braking and cornering. As such it's good manners that if you find such a car right behind through the corners then let then pass on the straight before mashing the throttle. They will probably be quicker overall so you won't lose anything.

Finally, don't forget a cool down lap before putting. Abingdon is great as its right in the far corner so if you forget just simply pit and then drive all the way back towards the entrance and turn back. That's about a mile (its huge!)

Nearest shell garage is about iirc 10-15 minutes away so again, handy to come in off track and go straight out to the petrol station. Don't start a session with less than half a tank.

[535dboy]

Wise words there as I would expect!

I got fuel starvation going around La Source ie c4 miles from the pit entrance!!!

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Yeah you'll get no sympathy if you run out of fuel. Most places won't let you back on.
And fuel starvation isn't great for the engine - Toyota Elise's suffer baly from this as the fuel tank baffles are only half height and the supercharged engines can drain that section quickly (solution is a pro alloy tank).

[535dboy]

Yeah you'll get no sympathy if you run out of fuel. Most places won't let you back on.
And fuel starvation isn't great for the engine - Toyota Elise's suffer baly from this as the fuel tank baffles are only half height and the supercharged engines can drain that section quickly (solution is a pro alloy tank).

I know!

Wish the gauge was more accurate!!!

What damage could it would it do?

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It'll start to run lean so cylinder temps go through the roof.
A couple coughs are fine but keep going and you'll start to melt things. If its still running fine now the fair to say no damage done.

[535dboy]

It'll start to run lean so cylinder temps go through the roof.
A couple coughs are fine but keep going and you'll start to melt things. If its still running fine now the fair to say no damage done.

Oh yeah I backed right out and coasted around and of course La Source is a tight corner

Was about 3 years ago too!

[sonny]

More to this than i first thought! Ill start trying to remember the flags......

I've only seen the first batch of flags on a track day as its not a race!

Yea thats why i grouped the flags. Saying that Im surprised how each circuit can differ with flag use. At Cadwell park last year they was using the yellow and red stripped flag when it rained.. First time i had seen it deployed at a track day. Saw white flag waved at Spa last year too.

Ahhh dont talk about running out of fuel

[PJC]

Yeah you'll get no sympathy if you run out of fuel. Most places won't let you back on.
And fuel starvation isn't great for the engine - Toyota Elise's suffer baly from this as the fuel tank baffles are only half height and the supercharged engines can drain that section quickly (solution is a pro alloy tank).

Be rude not to mention about Sonny and the lack of petrol in his RS4 at Spa.......

[sonny]

Already mentioned it Paul to slow.