Like most things in motor racing, testing is all about time. Get the most out of your test time and chances are it will show in your lap time. These days this is doubly important because at a higher level, from FIA F3 up, there’s very little testing time to be had because of cost-led restrictions. It is, then, vital that teams hone their testing skills at every opportunity.
There are still quite a few opportunities to do just this, too, as many categories do not have major restrictions on testing – most of the junior single seater formulae for a start, as well as the GT series in which giving amateur drivers seat time is important. And if you are in this fortunate position, where your team is free to test, then the first thing to address is what type of day to attend.
Using the UK as an example – though this will be similar elsewhere – there are a number of types of test days, but to begin with it’s worth addressing the controversial practice of testing at track days. Track days are supposed to be wholly uncompetitive for insurance purposes – you’re not supposed to time laps, for example – and single seaters, some specific days aside, are seldom welcome. But beyond all this track days can also be counterproductive for a race team, largely because of the huge performance differences when you have road cars sharing the circuit with racecars, which can cause frustration for all.
Test match
Regular types of proper test days are open pitlane (the car goes out at any time); sessioned (groups of similar cars, for instance single seaters and closed wheel cars will rarely be mixed); semi-exclusive (a small number of cars share a circuit with an open pitlane) and exclusive, where you have the track to yourself; the ideal option, but very expensive.
It’s worth pointing out here, though, that the point made above about large speed differentials between cars at
