Preparing your Porsche for a track day

If you really want to test your Porsche’s maximum performance, a track day is a much better place to do it than on public roads. With no distractions like cyclists, police officers and other motorists observing the speed limit to deal with at race circuits, it is easy to understand why so many Porsche owners love track days. 

There are a variety of circuits across the UK which stage track days, ranging from world famous venues such as Silverstone and Donington Park to former airfields. Tracks within easy travelling distance of the Revolution Porsche workshop in Brighouse include Elvington Airfield near York, Blyton Park in Gainsborough, Croft Circuit near Darlington and Oulton Park in Cheshire.

Whichever one you choose, you’ll need to ensure your Porsche is in the right condition and that you are prepared for a different kind of driving. It helps if the car has been serviced recently, but there are some checks you should make anyway.

Brakes

You are likely to be much harder on the brakes during a track day than in everyday driving, so they will be exposed to higher temperatures than usual. If there is plenty of wear left in the pads and discs that won’t be a problem, but if the parts are nearing the end of their life there is a risk of brake fade, so you should check their condition before heading to the track.

One other issue to consider is your Porsche’s brake fluid. If it hasn’t been changed for a while, it is likely to have absorbed some moisture and will have a lower boiling point, making it less able to cope with the temperatures involved in hard braking. Brake fluid should be changed every two years anyway, so it is worth having it done ahead of a track day.

There are a couple of steps you can take at the track to avoid excessive brake wear. Always ease off for a cool down lap before parking up in the pits and react to any sign of the pedal going long by slowing down and allowing the components to cool.

Tyres

There are special track day tyres on the market, but there is no reason to go to that expense unless you are a regular. As long as your standard N-rated tyres are in a good condition, they will easily cope with some high speed laps.

It is important to have plenty of tread remaining on the rubber – and not only to improve the handling if it rains. Tyre wear rates are slightly higher in track conditions (unless you go mad on the circuit and slide your Porsche around, which will make the rates much higher) and you’ll need enough rubber to be road legal for the trip home.

There’s often talk among track day enthusiasts about what to do with tyre pressures to optimise performance, but don’t worry about the conflicting advice generated by the debate. Sticking with the standard Porsche recommended figure is the best option for safety and maximising tyre life – and as this is a fun day out and not Formula 1, that’s more important than shaving a tenth off your best time.

Oil

Your Porsche’s engine will be under more strain on the track than on the road, so it is sensible to change the oil (using the recommended Mobil oil) ahead of the big day.

As you’ll be using higher revs on the track, your engine may consume more oil than usual. Despite that, avoid the temptation to fill up right to the top of the dipstick or even overfill as a precaution, as that risks the oil overflowing as the temperature rises – an embarrassing mistake to make in front of fellow petrolheads.

It is well worth checking the oil level a couple of times during the track day and before you drive home to ensure it hasn’t got too low. Take a can with you in case you need to fill up.

Noise

All circuits now have noise limits and you will be subject to static and drive-by tests, with the black flag to follow if your car is found to be too loud. Limits vary from track to track, but a standard Porsche 911 or Boxster exhaust should pass everywhere.

If you have a sport exhaust kit or have extensively modified the exhaust, it is a good idea to check what the limit is before you book your track day. Give us a call if you need some advice about how to reduce your Porsche’s noise levels.

Fuel

You’ll have heard F1 commentators talking endlessly about how fuel effects the weight and, as a result, the speed of cars, but you don’t really need to worry about that. A bigger concern is having enough fuel, as not all circuits have petrol available on site.

Your Porsche will use significantly more fuel when you are hammering it on the track and some drivers have been caught out by that before. It is sensible to have at least half a tank of petrol at the start of the track day (you should be used to the car’s handling with a reasonable amount of fuel in, so it won’t cause you any problems). And don’t forget the credit card for the inevitable fill-up on the way home!

Suspension

It is possible to adjust the suspension to optimise handling for race circuits, but unless you have a Porsche just for track days, that is an expensive option. The standard settings you have for everyday use should be fine for the track.

However, if your Porsche has a lowered suspension, you may find the handling and ride quality is poor at speed. Not all circuits have a great surface and limited suspension travel can make things uncomfortable.

Rules and paperwork

The condition of your Porsche isn’t the only thing you need to check before heading to the circuit. Each track has its own rules and failing to comply with them will see you stopped from taking part, so read the instructions carefully and look out for details about things such as driving licences (you’ll almost certainly need it), clothing, availability of helmets and the time of the safety briefing.

Don’t assume that your standard car insurance will cover you for bumps on the track – most policies don’t. Many insurers offer additional cover for non-competitive track driving for a small premium, but if yours doesn’t there are some firms that sell accident policies specifically for track days. Crashes are much less common than you may imagine given the number of novices trying to maximise the performance of their cars, but why take the risk of not having insurance for a valuable asset?

A track day car

If you get the bug and decide to buy a Porsche just for track days, Revolution Porsche can help you to get it into shape. We may not be able to turn you into Allan McNish, but we can carry out the type of modifications that will transform your Porsche from a great road car into a track day monster that gives you the best chance of setting those coveted fastest lap times.

To discuss the feasibility of modifications and performance upgrades or to request a quote for the work, call us on 01484 717342 or get in touch via the website.

Thanks to Stephen Hill and Brian Snelson for the images.