MSV Novice only trackdays - any experiences?
Discussion
I've done a couple, one at Cadwell one at Oulton. Good days, done in 20min sessions which are allocated to you in the morning. From memory you get 5 or 6 sessions. There are often bikes their too but obviously you don't share any track time.
Advantages:
Tend to be cheap (presumably to try and get people into trackdays)
No race cars blowing your doors off on the way past
Pretty slow pace so no pressure to drive fast too soon
I think MSV are on the whole a pretty professional bunch
Disadvantages
Your day is mapped out so lots of clock watching
If you had a problem during a session and came back in you've effectively written off a chunk of track time
Some are very novice and drive really slowly except for on the straights which could frustrate.
Hope this helps
Tim
Advantages:
Tend to be cheap (presumably to try and get people into trackdays)
No race cars blowing your doors off on the way past
Pretty slow pace so no pressure to drive fast too soon
I think MSV are on the whole a pretty professional bunch
Disadvantages
Your day is mapped out so lots of clock watching
If you had a problem during a session and came back in you've effectively written off a chunk of track time
Some are very novice and drive really slowly except for on the straights which could frustrate.
Hope this helps
Tim
StottyEvo said:
Thanks for the replies. I'll book on and hopefully it will be a good day.
I'm at an awkward stage of not quite being novice (completed a sprint season and was competitive) but I have very little track time/experience.
If you can drive then I wouldn't bother. I'd imagine it will be pretty staid.I'm at an awkward stage of not quite being novice (completed a sprint season and was competitive) but I have very little track time/experience.
foxsasha said:
StottyEvo said:
Thanks for the replies. I'll book on and hopefully it will be a good day.
I'm at an awkward stage of not quite being novice (completed a sprint season and was competitive) but I have very little track time/experience.
If you can drive then I wouldn't bother. I'd imagine it will be pretty staid.I'm at an awkward stage of not quite being novice (completed a sprint season and was competitive) but I have very little track time/experience.
I did a novice day at Oulton Park the other year. It was good fun but the start of it wasnt very organised, i.e. announcements didnt match what was happening. Didnt spoil the day, but made a few of us look like prize plums. The 20minute sessions were good but I preferred the open pit lane I did before that. There felt like less stress and rush as everyone wasnt on the same cycle so to speak.
I did a Snetterton 300 novice day a couple or 3 years back with my oldest boy, he was then around 19/20yo. The timed sessions were about right and we had a blast. He was much quicker than me, partly because it wasn't his car and mainly because he was a GT3 "legend" but his gaming track time did make a difference in terms of apex and general line and length. To be honest I simply over-drove the car and over-heated the tyres. Was generally well behaved, minis BMs Clios a couple of Tivs etc generally folks just going around the track. The bikers were lunatics though, fortunately we were separated.
We're at Snetterton again this Thursday 5 May but for the open pitlane evening session to see what they are like. If it's too much we'll take pics but hope to get a few laps in too.
We're at Snetterton again this Thursday 5 May but for the open pitlane evening session to see what they are like. If it's too much we'll take pics but hope to get a few laps in too.
Edited by checkmate91 on Tuesday 3rd May 20:26
If you are truly a novice driver, then novice days are probably for you.
If you are in your middle years, already drive a quick road car, then go for a normal track day, but book some instruction early on. And blag passenger rides with anyone who looks like an experienced driver when you are not on track.
You have 6-7 hours. You will spend no more than 2-3 hours driving. Use the rest to watch others and blag passenger rides
If you are in your middle years, already drive a quick road car, then go for a normal track day, but book some instruction early on. And blag passenger rides with anyone who looks like an experienced driver when you are not on track.
You have 6-7 hours. You will spend no more than 2-3 hours driving. Use the rest to watch others and blag passenger rides
Jimbob36 said:
Anybody at Caldwell tomorrow? Will be there in black rx8 with the wife. Come and say hi.
Only just seen this, what a cracking day... hope you both enjoyed it! Spoke to a few people but there wasn't much time between sessions, which was a good thing I guess!I certainly enjoyed my first visit to Cadwell... (was in the 205 GTI)
I did a few at Brands and thought they were a great introduction. Also meant I was able to get some experience without being intimidated by quicker, more experienced cars and drivers. It also meant I didn't get in the way of those same cars and drivers. Added bonus was they were only £50!
I think it might be good if everyone started off on a couple of novice days? Whilst I'm sure there are some driving gods out there, it's not just about them.
I think it might be good if everyone started off on a couple of novice days? Whilst I'm sure there are some driving gods out there, it's not just about them.
Saw the RX7 and 205, I should have read this thread again before going so Id have known to come and say hello. We were in the black 330D. My Mrs really enjoyed it. Me less so, not used to not driving when at a race track and its frustrating being in the car with a newbie. She will be booking another track day, looking for a suitable one today.
foxsasha said:
Saw the RX7 and 205, I should have read this thread again before going so Id have known to come and say hello. We were in the black 330D. My Mrs really enjoyed it. Me less so, not used to not driving when at a race track and its frustrating being in the car with a newbie. She will be booking another track day, looking for a suitable one today.
Why didn't you sign on as a second driver? It would have cost an extra £20. Opportunity missed?Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff