DE
Guide

Track day
preparation

We see the same things trip people up at every event: cold brakes, a forgotten helmet, too little time in hand on the morning. This page is the checklist against that, in three stages from a week before to the start. Written by the people who run these events.

The short answer

What a track day actually is, what it costs and which car you need is covered in detail in the guide Your first track day. Here it is just about one thing: the checklist for the time between booking and the start, so nothing gets in the way on the day itself.

One week beforeCheck your car mechanically, sort out insurance, budget honestly for the extra costs.
The day beforePack your helmet, licence and tyre gauge, check your cockpit details, get an early night.
On the morning at the circuitTime for check-in and the drivers' briefing, sign the waiver, check cold tyre pressure.

One week before: your car

A track day does not need a modified car, but it does need a mechanically sound one. The best time to check that is a week before, so there is still time to sort out anything you find.

BrakesPads with noticeable life left, fresh brake fluid. Everything runs much hotter on track than on the road, and old fluid loses bite exactly when you need it.
TyresEnough tread and even wear, tyre pressure matched to your car and tyres. Semi-slicks are nice but not required to get started.
Oil and coolantCheck both, everything on track runs hotter than in everyday driving.
Clear the cabinFloor mats, bottles, tools, everything loose out. Otherwise it all flies around in the first fast corner.
Wheel boltsHave them re-torqued shortly before, especially if you changed tyres just before the event.
Tow hookPart of the pre-event info for our dates: a tow hook fitted to your car. You get that automatically before the event, with all the details for your circuit.

And if your car is on the loud side: some circuits measure noise levels over the course of the day. Check beforehand whether a silencer makes sense for your date.

One week before: insurance and budget

Two things need more lead time than a look under the bonnet: the answer from your insurer, and an honest look at what the day costs your car.

Many motor policies exclude driving on race tracks, often not visible in the policy itself. The best way to ask is in writing to your insurer, a verbal answer on the phone will not help you if something happens. All the details, including a template question, are in the guide Track day insurance.

And honestly budget for more tyre and brake wear than on the road, that is normal and part of it. Real numbers for that, not vague guesses, are in the guide What does a track day cost.

Also take another look at your cockpit: are your car and passenger details filled in completely? At some dates you can also pick a preferred race number there, before the remaining ones are assigned automatically.

The day before

The evening before matters more than most people think: whatever is already in the car, you will not be searching for in the morning, and arriving well rested means driving with a clearer head all day.

HelmetMandatory for everyone in the car, driver and passenger alike. Do not have one? Tell us in advance and we will sort it out.
Driving licenceThe normal one, no race licence and no club membership needed.
Tyre pressure gaugePressures rise a lot on track. Without a gauge you are guessing.
Route and time bufferCheck the route in advance, with an early gate time a night near the circuit beforehand is worth it.
An early nightA track day is more tiring than it looks. A clear head and sharp reflexes matter more than any part on the car.

On the morning at the circuit

From here on, one thing matters above all: do not rush. This is the same at every one of our dates, the exact times for yours are in your personal pre-event info.

Time for check-inAllow more time than you think you need. Better half an hour early than arriving in the middle of the drivers' briefing.
WaiverEveryone riding along, driver or passenger, signs it at check-in and gets their wristband afterwards.
Drivers' briefingMandatory for every driver, usually shortly after the gates open. Flags, overtaking rules and what is special about the circuit, explained in a few minutes.
While drivingHelmet and seatbelt mandatory for driver and passenger, windows kept mostly closed. Exact rules for your date are in the pre-event info.
Check cold tyre pressureMeasure it once before your first time out. That is your baseline for the day, pressure rises a lot once you are on track.
Plan breaksFor your car, so tyres and brakes cool down, and for yourself. A track day is more tiring than it looks.
Stay hydratedWith a helmet on in a hot car you lose more fluid than you notice. Catering is available with us in the paddock, the details for your date are in the pre-event info.

Important note on this page: This is guidance from our own experience running these events, not a workshop sign-off and not legal advice. The binding pre-event info for your specific date reaches you automatically before the event.

Frequently asked questions

Which car is right for a track day?
Yours, as long as it is mechanically sound. Anything from a standard road car to a race car works, you do not need a modified car with a cage and bucket seats. Race prep is a nice next step, but not required to get started.
Does the car need to be road registered?
No, not as a rule. On track, participants are liable to each other though: if your car has no valid third-party motor insurance, for example because it is not road registered, you need your own participant liability cover. Best to message us before booking and we will sort it out with you.
Do I need semi-slicks?
No. Sufficiently treaded, evenly worn standard tyres are perfectly fine to get started. Semi-slicks are a nice next step, but not required, least of all the first time.
What if I notice something wrong with my car on the morning at the circuit?
Flag it straight away with us or our instructors at check-in. We will look at it together and decide whether your car can drive safely. When in doubt, ask once too often rather than heading out with a bad feeling about it.
How much fuel should I plan for?
On track you burn two to three times what you use on the road. A hot hatch often gets through an open pit day on 50 to 80 litres, a thirsty sports car can easily double that. Better to fill up once too often than run dry halfway through the day.
Do I need to modify my car?
Not to get started. A mechanically sound standard car is completely fine, you do not need a cage, bucket seats or race prep. What you actually check are brakes, tyres and fluids, not converting your car.
Do I need a helmet, and what if I do not have one?
Yes, for everyone in the car, driver and passenger. A normal, undamaged motorcycle or car helmet is fine. Do not have one? Tell us in advance and we will sort it out.
How early should I arrive at the circuit?
Early enough to check in calmly and not miss the drivers' briefing, which is mandatory for every driver. The exact gate time for your date is in your pre-event info and your cockpit, better to allow half an hour more buffer than to cut it close.

Ready for your track day?

Next date is Sat 12 Sep 2026 at the Bilster Berg. All prices are listed openly on the booking page.

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