Basic Track Info

[James Bond]

Hello friends

I've been perusing our forum for info on the basics of starting to learn track driving, but I couldn't find anything. Do feel free to point me in the right direction, but if not, I was hoping to grab some insights & wisdom from the sages here

I bought a GRY a few weeks ago and plan on using it to learn how to drive on the track. It is stock everything, and I'm not planning on messing around with its performance as I'd rather learn to drive it well than sit in it and let it do all the work

Just wondering, as I gain skills and experience - am planning to invest in track coaching to learn real skills - are there fundamental things I should consider in the short term (next twelve months)? I suspect tyres are a big one, and investing in semi-slicks or track-only tyres i can fit at the track

Around the streets, the GRY's brakes seem awesome, I wonder if they (or the pads) need to be changed up at some point to more performance oriented pads/system/brake fluid?

I was reading another thread (that to me sounded like it was written in an alien language given to jargon flying all over the place lol) re: oil pressures on track days - I don't know if that's relevant for the stock Yaris, and if so, if merely topping up the oil the day of a track outing would suffice to prevent major issues

I'm quite new to this but very keen to learn. Excited to build a new skill with the Yaris

- Bond

 

[Michael Knight]

once you get into speed you might want to upgrade brake lines and brake pads for. better suiting the track driving, but honestly you will be quite fine with stock equipment for the start. just remember to cool off brakes and car well after fast runs, and brake with correct technic (strong & fast braking is better than slow & long).

oil pressure will become more of and issue once you have stickier tyres and you start to drive car faster -> increased G-loads. with semi fast driving it is not maybe that big issue.

 

[Onehp]

There is a difference between taking the Yaris out on track to improve driving skills, and the run trackdays as thing by itself as the main enjoyment.

For the former, the stock car is just fine. Just be aware to keep stints short, the more intense the driving, the shorter the stints, in order to preserve tyres and brakes from too much heat and associated wear. In practice this is like 2-3 laps if a lap takes 2min and then have a cool down lap, then go again or come into the pit. And of course tuition is the way to go. You can also read up on driving technique, what lines to drive and I'm sure there are a few youtube vids too... my main takeaway is always aim to have the highest speed out of the bend with a clean early throttle application (no lifts or shimmys with the steering wheel), this is what calibrates every else. And definitely not try to go into the bend as fast as possible... Got these parts nailed, the fastest drive is the one doing the best braking.... bringing us to the next point.

If you get a bit more invested and speeds go up, braking gets harder and corner G's go up, more trackable pads, shims and brake fluid and perhaps tyres that take a bit more track work (e.g. GY Supersport) is the way to go. And maybe overfill the oil 0,5l (on your own risk - either way )

Then as you get carried away, the sky is the limit Personally I purposefully stay away from track days with this car as it has been shown that I do get carried away and end up with a car that no longer suits my road driving goals...

 

[Old64er]

I did my first track day last Monday at Donington Park.
My preparation was some wheels with Nankang NS2R's running stock pressures, these are 255 wide, flow formed Speedlines at ET35. Carbon fibre shims with good stock pads, 0.5ltr oil overfill.

As above I can get carried away on my mods, but the car seems to lean and load the front up a bit much for me, so I am in discussion with String Theory about their packages on offer as another GRY on track at the same time was running their setup and seemed considerably more controlled in the corners.

I don't use mine much on the road at all. In fact the battery was nearly flat and on the drive to the track the stop/start was inop due to battery charging.

Recommendations on strut braces are welcome though from forum members

 

[James Bond]

Thanks gents, appreciate your input. Didn't realise this part of the forum existed, as I was looking in the GRY section thinking track discussions would be more relevant based on model lol

just remember to cool off brakes and car well after fast runs

Cheers Mike, can I ask how you would go about cooling them down? I think in between runs (wouldn't say they would be particularly "fast" though lol), we have about thirty minutes to rest, so would letting the car sit there for that amount of time suffice?

For the former, the stock car is just fine ... If you get a bit more invested and speeds go up, braking gets harder and corner G's go up, more trackable pads, shims and brake fluid and perhaps tyres that take a bit more track work (e.g. GY Supersport) is the way to go

Do you reckon I should keep the tyre pressure at factory/road settings for a track day where the driving is (a bit) more spirited?

I hope in time I get to a point where I do benefit from upgraded braking system and tyres, but definitely keen on learning to drive first. Not avoiding the money spent, but I'd rather be a good driver in a standard car than a standard driver in a good car. lol

I don't use mine much on the road at all

I'm the same, I have a commuter car and an MX5 for road use, I've bought the Yaris to teach me how to drive on the track. I do try to drive it at least once a week though, to keep it alive lol

 

[Michael Knight]

Thanks gents, appreciate your input. Didn't realise this part of the forum existed, as I was looking in the GRY section thinking track discussions would be more relevant based on model lol



Cheers Mike, can I ask how you would go about cooling them down? I think in between runs (wouldn't say they would be particularly "fast" though lol), we have about thirty minutes to rest, so would letting the car sit there for that amount of time suffice?



Do you reckon I should keep the tyre pressure at factory/road settings for a track day where the driving is (a bit) more spirited?

I hope in time I get to a point where I do benefit from upgraded braking system and tyres, but definitely keen on learning to drive first. Not avoiding the money spent, but I'd rather be a good driver in a standard car than a standard driver in a good car. lol



I'm the same, I have a commuter car and an MX5 for road use, I've bought the Yaris to teach me how to drive on the track. I do try to drive it at least once a week though, to keep it alive lol

Cooling the brakes is best done driving +60kmh without using brakes. This can be done on track or off track.
I usually do 2 easy laps on track driving mostly without brakes or then off track 5-10min drive on road. both work well.