Trackdays - hidden costs ?

[StuH]

In a mildly fettled S4 how many laps should i expect from

A set of tyres
A set of pads
A set of disks

I have done a few corporate trackdays but never trashed my own car. I am whitless here i mean will my tyres last 10 laps or 10 half days.

[simple1]

Really depends on how good the tyres are, and the type of tyre. Also the surface you are running on. Old airfields are the worst, usually concrete and highly abrassive. Normal tracks use a more roadsurface type tarmac with increased stone but not as harsh as concrete. I did two days at spa and apart from melting my tyres, really did not wear them that badly, they have now done three full tracks at spa, so 6 days, two at snetterton and two at castle combe. Still more than road legal but a bit out of shape so dont worry too much about that. As long as your discs and pads are healthy, you should get several days out of them. Dont forget to adjust your tyre pressures, some say up, some say down and I am sure someone will be along with an S4 who can advise you as to the best settings.

[flashyg]

Fuel is a biggie.
If you really go for it you could easily kill 4-5 tanks.
In your s4 best to get a hard pad for track work and definitely new brake fluid 5.1 or higher as high as you can go.
Then u may well enjoy the track day far more as your brakes will not be good after 2 laps if you don't.
Tyres should be a good brand ,perelli , mitch toyo, something that works well at temperature.
Soon as the tyres get warm on the track the pressure will rise so just keep an eye on pressure do let them run harder than 36 which is road cold rating.
If its we and you are on road tyres you will be good.
Make sure your alignment is spot on.
Start slow work your way up, brake as little as pos and hard when u do.
Do not feather the brakes .
Hows that?
G

O yea and try not to let that Simple1 overtake you in that automatic. bar steward

On a safe note, always let cars approaching from the back overtake.

Sorry I went off topic, here I am preaching, sure u know all this, what am I on!

[simple1]

Its a tiptronic Gord.........and yes, five tanks of fuel in a day is the norm, think at Spa I get 75 miles to a tank.

[StuH]

Cheers for your advice guys, you've done enoght to alay my fears! Me and my buddy who owns my old 944 have booked in for a Wheelnuts Car Trackday at Llandow circut near Cardiff on the 4th of August.

Fuel is something i never considered - i will let you know my miles per gallon whan i'm done

My pads are only slightly worn, discs about a 1/3 worn, new standard fluid,alignment recently done and , tyres are nearly new goodyear gsd3 f1's . The freindly organisers have said that i can use their garage so i'm taking some tools and a set of spare wheels with some no name cheapo tyres on. If the surface is very abrasive i'll whack them on spare my guilt. I might put these far lower grip tyres on the back only for a stint and see if it helps kill the understeer.

If any of you Audi owners fancy it there are 5 or so paces left, Iwould be intesting to see how your big boy RS's fear against the lamborghini murcielago , Gallardo and Nobels that are attending.

[ZeroK66]

Mr Hill... you must tell me when you do things like this... I want in!

[StuH]

Just did it this morning Leon - call Paul jackson on 0143251006 if you fancy it !

I'd say your yellow moster would be in with a shout againt the exotics





if i was driving it (-:

[DavidT]

I imagine you will get 10mpg, including warm up and cool down activities.

Watch the oil temps, the S4 only has the crappy oil/water heat exchanger as standard and the oil temp will rise fast, keep it below 120 is what most suggest.

Tyre pressures: I run 34f 36 or 38r. Understeer will be your problem really, but you can drive around it and running the rears harder does help. Don't exceed the max pressure rating on the tyres when hot.

Watch your brakes, a couple of full on laps will cause standard ones to wilt unfortunately, so you need to drive around that too.