Trackday in a 306

[306Puggy]

just looking at the website for my local track:

http://www.lyddenhill.co.uk/

And it seems you can get track time for £20 quid per 20 minutes which seems reasonable, so somewhere in between motorcycle lessons, my turbo project and paying off my uni overdraft I was thinking of getting some track time in, just as an introduction.

My concerns are as follows:

Cooling:

The only good point in terms of cooling is that I have a new radiator, nothing has been upgraded in that respect.

Boost:

I am currently running 26 psi (on veg) on a K14 which I think might blow the head gasket if used continuously.

Those are the only things I can think of, suspension and brakes are in good condition. I am wary of blowing the head gasket basically. I know a few guys on here have been on track days so if you could shed some light I would appreciate it, thanks

[Piggy]

correct me if Im wrong, but you still on 247mm brakes?....I can cook them on fast road easily so I would be worried about those.
tyres though for me are the biggest thing...what are you planning on using?

as for cooling, consider a fan switch so you can turn it on yourself and also a oil cooler.

that should deal with cooling issues

[Just Sean]

Cooling isn't an issue because of the air flow over the rad. I did 3 hard sessions at combe and my temps didn't rise above 90.

Oil cooler on the other hand is a must! Specially at 20 main sessions! I'd advise with brake cooling too. I think I'm gonna run some ducting from my fogs to the brakes to help

[Piggy]

I can get my temp up to 97/98 by some hard boosting on long fast road drives...a switch will be installed soon for the 2.1 I expect!!

[bigcheez2k3]

Wait...if that's your local, that means you're near-ish to me...

[4WayDiablo]

Cooling isn't an issue because of the air flow over the rad. I did 3 hard sessions at combe and my temps didn't rise above 90.

Oil cooler on the other hand is a must! Specially at 20 main sessions! I'd advise with brake cooling too. I think I'm gonna run some ducting from my fogs to the brakes to help

Engine cooling is very different in a gti to a tuned diesel. They get bloody hot!
Especially the xud's

But +1 on the others :-)

As said get some decent grippy tyres and get to know them and take it out then

[Piggy]

Wait...if that's your local, that means you're near-ish to me...

rather you!!

[Jtrigga]

I've done lydden before in a 205 rally cross car it's a really fun track for a novice, first track session you won't be pushing to hard just get a feel what it's like on track.

[Poodle]

Decent pads will make the most difference imo - you can always run a slow lap to let your water temps drop, but once your brakes are cooked thats it for half an hour. The brakes were the one bit of my car that I felt really let it down on track, whereas cooling wasn't an issue at all. Theres a bloke selling some ferodo 247mm pads in the parts section atm.

[Rippthrough]

I've got some Mintex 1144's in Bendix 247mm pattern, although you're probably on ATE?

[306Puggy]

Wow, some excellent advice in this thread, thanks chaps.

Yes Ripp you are right, friggin Lucas!