Ready for the First Trackdays of the Season? How to Avoid Typical Early-Season Mistakes...
The long, grey winter is finally behind us. The covers are coming off, the battery charger’s unplugged, and you’re eyeing up that first trackday of the year with a mix of excitement and nerves. Whether you’re heading to Silverstone Circuit, Brands Hatch or Donington Park, the start of the season always feels special.
But early-season trackdays can catch even experienced drivers out. After months away from the circuit, it’s all too easy to make simple mistakes that spoil your day – or worse. Here’s how to avoid the most common ones and start the season the right way.
Treating the First Session Like a Qualifying Lap
You’ve waited all winter. The helmet’s on, the marshal waves you out, and suddenly it’s very tempting to drive like you’re chasing pole position.
Don’t.
Your first session of the year should be about reacquainting yourself with the car and the circuit – not setting personal bests. Tyres will be cold, brakes may feel different, and your own reactions won’t be as sharp as they were last autumn. Build pace gradually over several laps. Focus on smooth inputs, braking points and vision rather than outright speed.
Give yourself – and the car – time to warm up properly.
Skipping a Proper Pre-Event Check
Cars don’t like sitting around. Seals dry out, batteries weaken, and fluids degrade. A quick wash the night before simply isn’t enough preparation.
Before your first trackday, check:
Brake pad thickness and disc condition
Brake fluid (consider fresh high-temperature fluid if it’s been a while)
Tyre condition and age (cracks in sidewalls are a red flag)
Oil level and coolant
Wheel nut torque
Many early-season issues stem from neglect rather than abuse. A thorough once-over in the garage can save you from a wasted day in the paddock.
Ignoring Tyre Pressures
Cold morning air and long periods of storage can mean your pressures are way off. Starting with road pressures and never checking them again is a classic mistake.
Set your cold pressures sensibly before heading out, then check them as soon as you come in after your first session. Hot pressures will likely be much higher than you expect. Adjust accordingly and keep an eye on wear patterns across the tread.
Proper pressure management improves grip, extends tyre life and makes the car far more predictable.
Forgetting That You’re Out of Practice
Even if you’ve been sim racing all winter, real-world track driving is different. Your braking references may feel unfamiliar. Your heel-and-toe timing might be rusty. Traffic judgement takes a few laps to recalibrate.
Use the first couple of sessions to rebuild rhythm. Concentrate on:
Looking further ahead
Being smooth on throttle application
Progressive braking rather than stamping on the pedal
Confidence will return quickly – forcing it rarely ends well.
Overlooking Driver Prep
It’s not just the car that needs attention. You probably haven’t spent months sitting in a bucket seat wearing a helmet. Fatigue creeps in faster than you think, especially on that first busy day back.
Bring water. Eat properly. Take breaks between sessions rather than chasing every available minute of track time. If you feel yourself getting sloppy, sit one out.
Trackdays are about enjoyment and improvement, not endurance.
Letting Ego Take the Wheel
Early-season days can attract everything from daily-driven hot hatches to serious machinery. It’s easy to get caught up chasing something faster down the straight or defending against a car in your mirrors.
Remember: it’s not racing.
Stick to the rules of the event, give clear signals, and focus on your own driving. A calm, methodical approach will see you improving far more than any half-baked attempt at heroics.
Start Smart, Finish Smiling
The first trackday of the season sets the tone for everything that follows. Approach it with patience, preparation and realistic expectations. Warm everything up properly, ease yourself back into the groove, and treat the day as a foundation rather than a finale.
Do that, and you’ll head home tired, grinning – and already planning the next one.