Open track days. What's the best way to deal with cool down laps?

[radiantm3]

I've rented Thunderhill Raceway for 2 days (not consecutive) so I can get a lot of seat time with a couple friends. 2-3 of us have the full track to ourselves and so managing our laps will become very important. I'm not worried about tires, gas, or pad wear. I'll be going with an extra set of pads and tires. I'm more concerned about not straining the engine/transmission any more than a normal HPDE.

Besides needing to pull into the pits to rest myself, is there a good reason that the car should sit to cool down for a long period or would coasting around the track to let the car cool down be sufficient in most cases? I figured I would get the car warmed up, run a hot lap, then a cool down, and then another hot lap. Spend my cool down laps thinking about how I'm going to attack some of the corners on the next hot lap. After a couple of those, I'd just coast around the track a few laps to cool the car down.

I guess it's better to just pull over after a nice cool down and let the car sit for 20-30 minutes? I know I'll probably be more tired than anything so this won't be much of an issue, but I'm used to 20-30 minute sessions with traffic so this empty track thing is all new to me.

[Sebringjetta]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

I've rented Thunderhill Raceway for 2 days (not consecutive) so I can get a lot of seat time with a couple friends. 2-3 of us have the full track to ourselves and so managing our laps will become very important. I'm not worried about tires, gas, or pad wear. I'll be going with an extra set of pads and tires. I'm more concerned about not straining the engine/transmission any more than a normal HPDE.

Besides needing to pull into the pits to rest myself, is there a good reason that the car should sit to cool down for a long period or would coasting around the track to let the car cool down be sufficient in most cases? I figured I would get the car warmed up, run a hot lap, then a cool down, and then another hot lap. Spend my cool down laps thinking about how I'm going to attack some of the corners on the next hot lap. After a couple of those, I'd just coast around the track a few laps to cool the car down.

I guess it's better to just pull over after a nice cool down and let the car sit for 20-30 minutes? I know I'll probably be more tired than anything so this won't be much of an issue, but I'm used to 20-30 minute sessions with traffic so this empty track thing is all new to me.

empty track feels much different...im running an open day with some close friends at T-HILL next month...i generally will run a solid 20-30 minutes then take a cool down lap/coast then depending on how im feeling will either pull to the pits for 15-20 minutes then back out again...obviously track tempts, the way your body feels will all play a part as you never want to over do it...i sometimes forget to hydrate on open days as i get more excited so thats something to think about...but back to original question i still run 20-30min then do a full cool/coast lap and head in...just my 2 cents

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by Sebringjetta

empty track feels much different...im running an open day with some close friends at T-HILL next month...i generally will run a solid 20-30 minutes then take a cool down lap/coast then depending on how im feeling will either pull to the pits for 15-20 minutes then back out again...obviously track tempts, the way your body feels will all play a part as you never want to over do it...i sometimes forget to hydrate on open days as i get more excited so thats something to think about...but back to original question i still run 20-30min then do a full cool/coast lap and head in...just my 2 cents

Thanks. Yea I'm worried that I'll get in the zone and forget to take a break.

[klammer]

I've done a few open lapping, closed track days and I'll say it was me not the car that needed the cool down lap. At one point I was running for about 45 minutes straight (just me and 2 fully prepped e36 race cars) and had to stop as I caught myself daydreaming as the other 2 ran ahead to play, leaving me all alone and this was in 90+ degree heat. The car was fine, but the next time I went out under similar circumstances, I wouldn't stay out more than 30 minutes and mostly 15-20, but went out much more frequently. My thought is that unless you're working up to or practicing for endurance racing, would just limit the sessions and do a boatload more, although I do like the idea of 2 on 2 off, if you will and could just stay out there indefinitely, but in that scenario, think you'll be the one needing a cool down. Have fun and make some crazy videos for us. Only 4 more months to track season

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by klammer

I've done a few open lapping, closed track days and I'll say it was me not the car that needed the cool down lap. At one point I was running for about 45 minutes straight (just me and 2 fully prepped e36 race cars) and had to stop as I caught myself daydreaming as the other 2 ran ahead to play, leaving me all alone and this was in 90+ degree heat. The car was fine, but the next time I went out under similar circumstances, I wouldn't stay out more than 30 minutes and mostly 15-20, but went out much more frequently. My thought is that unless you're working up to or practicing for endurance racing, would just limit the sessions and do a boatload more, although I do like the idea of 2 on 2 off, if you will and could just stay out there indefinitely, but in that scenario, think you'll be the one needing a cool down. Have fun and make some crazy videos for us. Only 4 more months to track season

Thanks for sharing your experience. Helps a lot.

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

I figured I would get the car warmed up, run a hot lap, then a cool down, and then another hot lap. Spend my cool down laps thinking about how I'm going to attack some of the corners on the next hot lap. After a couple of those, I'd just coast around the track a few laps to cool the car down.

This describes how I proceed with an empty track. Typically 2 hot laps for me, 3 at most, then a cool down lap. Compose myself, let the car cool down a bit, brakes recover (if applicable). I think this is the most fun and least stressful way to spend a session, honestly. And the best way to get the absolute most enjoyment out of a private track day as well. Alternatively, you could find yourself exhausted by lunch. Hard to see an empty track and not be gluttonous, but believe you'll get more out of it pacing yourself as planned.

[Sebringjetta]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

Thanks. Yea I'm worried that I'll get in the zone and forget to take a break.

Track conditions at t-hill right now are perfect so safety as far as you will be the main focus

[M3 Esq]

I agree with what others have said, I think the driver will need a cool down long before the car. Sounds like fun just he safe. Getting into the zone isn't a bad thing for the experienced driver. If you have ever read any of Ross Bentley's books he would say "getting into the zone" or driving without thinking is essential to being a good driver. He would say you need to drive without thinking so you can concentrate on what the car is telling you. I'm not there yet.

So my a point is when Klammer found himself daydreaming, maybe that's not a bad thing. Maybe you were getting to that next level, sort of.

[bigjae1976]

Keeping the car moving with a couple of cool down laps would be much better than stopping.

But yeah, as soon as you get that dazed feeling its probably time to come in.

[okusa]

Originally Posted by klammer

At one point I was running for about 45 minutes straight (just me and 2 fully prepped e36 race cars) and had to stop as I caught myself daydreaming as the other 2 ran ahead to play, leaving me all alone and this was in 90+ degree heat. The car was fine...

No overheating issues?

[r53s65e90]

T-Hill off season rentals are awesome and a huge bargain. Too bad I wasn't able to get one (late to the party). You will have fun and will probably overheat before the car does as many have said. Fuel will run out in 1h so your cars will take a break.

[klammer]

Originally Posted by okusa

No overheating issues?

I've never had overheating issues but I have had the M24 upgraded oil cooler installed so guess its a testament to that. I've had plenty of days though (95+) where my phone, sitting in the center console, has overheated out there, but luckily the cars been good thus far. Been thinking about upgrading the radiator and getting a DCT cooler just to keep the party going

[JEllis]

How many sets of tires and how much power steering fluid are you bringing with you?

[ki__]

That's going to be a lot of fun. Can't wait to hear how it goes. Looking forward to videos

[Ginger_Extract]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

? I figured I would get the car warmed up, run a hot lap, then a cool down, and then another hot lap. Spend my cool down laps thinking about how I'm going to attack some of the corners on the next hot lap. After a couple of those, I'd just coast around the track a few laps to cool the car down.

IMO, this doesn't sound like a very effective strategy for driving. Constantly toggling on and off from your own personal "Race Mode" every lap seems like you would not be effectively taking in how to handle successive flying laps.

If you're really concerned about cooling, pick an arbitrary number, say 5-10 laps, then do a cool-down lap, then get back into it.