5 Track Driving Tips and How To Get Started 

Photo by Christian Guirguis on Unsplash

Track driving can be an exhilarating experience, but it can also be scary if you’re not prepared or experienced enough. When done the right way, however, it can be one of the most fun and rewarding experiences in your life. Most people who have an interest in racing want to eventually have a track driving or hot laps experience, since it is the closest they will ever get to actually being amidst the chaos and excitement of the F1 races. If you are hoping to go for one such experience, here are some tips on how to get started and advice on what to do if you want to get really good at it.

1) Preparing your car

Auto racing is an industry that is growing dramatically, which is no surprise considering how exciting it can be. However, when you are planning a race experience, it’s best to begin the preparation in your own car. Before you hit the track, there are a few things you should do like oil change and rotating your tires rotated, in the case where you are using your own car. Track driving is about performance and not comfort. Be prepared for an uncomfortable experience until you get used to it. If you have time before your track day, check tire pressure. Track driving puts more stress on tires than normal street driving. Track pressures are usually 20% higher than normal street pressures (30psi instead of 25psi). If you have time before your track day, check tire pressure. 

2) Preparing yourself

While an exhilarating experience, track driving can also cause some serious nerves. It’s crucial that you are physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared for your hot laps before you get started. This includes being rested, having eaten a healthy meal, and being both mentally and physically focused on what you’re going to do. On most occasions, the company that is providing the experience will help you out with a list of ways to stay prepared. They may also offer refreshments on the track course, nonetheless, it is best to always ask what to expect and then plan accordingly.

3) Getting the right gear

What most people don’t know is that if you’re going track driving for fun, your regular street car is more than adequate. Moreover, there are many race cars available where the service is being offered, however, to use them, you will need more specialised training. On the other hand, if you want to get good at track driving, or take it on as a regular hobby, and eventually even enlist yourself for races, you might want a set of racing gear, a new race car or new race tires, which offer more grip on curves and better braking. Additionally, you’ll want a solid roll cage and race seats for safety during hot laps; your own seat belts alone won’t cut it in a crash. You may also need fire extinguishers and window nets (to prevent flying debris from getting into your car). Most importantly, don’t forget a helmet. You can rent these items when you go track driving. But if you want the most personal experience or want to save money in the long run, it might make sense to buy your own equipment, moreover with so many options in the supercar market, who wouldn’t want to at least have one of these in their own garage?

4) The hot laps experience

Before your first track driving experience, set realistic expectations. You will get hot and sweaty (and dirty). It’s uncomfortable. You’ll start out slow and eventually find your groove, but it takes a while before you start getting hot laps—those times when everything comes together and you can push yourself faster without making mistakes. Don’t expect to be perfect on your first try; just remember that with practice, you can do it. The most important thing is to enjoy every moment of track driving; you don’t have to be fast right away. However, if hot laps is all you want to experience, then there are specific platforms that offer just hot laps experiences. They are more expensive than other track driving experiences for obvious reasons, nonetheless, if you really want a once in a lifetime experience, why not go directly into the most exciting aspect of racing?

5) Don’t stress about it

Track driving can be intimidating if you don’t know what you’re doing, but it is really not that hard. The biggest issue for most people isn’t learning how to drive fast—it’s actually learning how to handle a track in general. If you keep yourself from panicking and get accustomed to your car on a track, you will do just fine. Remember that many people have been in your place, and always do your research about the places that are providing these experiences so you are more confident about their support and credibility.

Ultimately, track driving experiences may not be for everyone, and one may eventually realise that when they are preparing for it. That is what’s good about preparation, when you are researching and applying changes before being on track, it will help you understand whether you are comfortable doing this. Moreover, going to the track driving experience and deciding not to do it on spot because of nerves or other factors would mean you spent your money for nothing, as most won’t offer a full refund, this is why preparation will also save you money.