Castle Coombe 26th April, Disgraceful.
Discussion
Following on from my post which was added shortly before Ted closed the thread on 'Racing on the Road' started by Deltaf,
I went yesterday with my brother and a couple of mates to run a race prepared 205GTI around the track for its maiden voyage.
How disappointed I was at the lack of control from the organisers over the clear messages they put out in literature and briefings about unacceptable behaviour.
After watching two or three sessions, I decided that I was not going to drive amongst people that frankly did not give a fcuk about anything other than how fast they could manage to lose control.
Castle Combe did not appear to do anything other than spout over the tannoy system about "not driving beyond your or the cars capability" (strange thing for them to say when they did nothing about it to stop those persistently involved in 'incidents') but continued to take money from those that were driving much further than both, allowing them to further disrupt the enjoyment of those sensible enough to drive properly.
Then there were antics in the perimeter roads around the paddock and car parks. Tail spins and wheelies!!!
Why there? Why the same when leaving the site onto the public roads?
I understood track days were regulated strictly to control what is a dangerous sport so that minimum risk was taken by those in control and taking part . This is obviously not as important as the £20 pass to drive like a complete fcukwit in your £300 scrap heap endangering both classic cars and other peoples health.
How many threads have I read where people advocate higher speed limits and less nannying from the state about their conduct whilst driving motor vehicles?
From the evidence of yesterday, I can quite see why there is probably too much freedom given at the moment as the strict rules of the racing circuit were disregarded just as they are on the roads without penalty.
I have to say that there were some very capable drivers who were also using the track sensibly and properly but the majority were just dangerously out of control (and that was not an indication to the points where they were spinning and crashing). There appeared to be little ettiquette from drivers on the track and certainly no adherence to the rules.
Overtaking in braking points and on bends.
Failure to observe flags,
Throwing of lane seperation cones whilst behaving like yobbos in the paddock.
Wheel spinning in the parking areas.
Driving like fcukwits when leaving the event.
When the rain started, it was even worse!
I understand that these places are the sort of places where you can only get a real feel for the machine you own. But to do so and put everyone else at risk whilst you experiment is quite wrong. Behaving like a to55er amongst 6 0r 8 other vehicles travelling closely together at high speed is not on.
Castle Coombe was a day I was looking forwards to. I had a track pass which I got refunded as I was was not going to 'mix it' with idiots.
I will not attend again and from what I saw, when back to work next week, those that drive in Castle Coombe fashion in my vicinity will be shown no mercy!
I went yesterday with my brother and a couple of mates to run a race prepared 205GTI around the track for its maiden voyage.
How disappointed I was at the lack of control from the organisers over the clear messages they put out in literature and briefings about unacceptable behaviour.
After watching two or three sessions, I decided that I was not going to drive amongst people that frankly did not give a fcuk about anything other than how fast they could manage to lose control.
Castle Combe did not appear to do anything other than spout over the tannoy system about "not driving beyond your or the cars capability" (strange thing for them to say when they did nothing about it to stop those persistently involved in 'incidents') but continued to take money from those that were driving much further than both, allowing them to further disrupt the enjoyment of those sensible enough to drive properly.
Then there were antics in the perimeter roads around the paddock and car parks. Tail spins and wheelies!!!
Why there? Why the same when leaving the site onto the public roads?
I understood track days were regulated strictly to control what is a dangerous sport so that minimum risk was taken by those in control and taking part . This is obviously not as important as the £20 pass to drive like a complete fcukwit in your £300 scrap heap endangering both classic cars and other peoples health.
How many threads have I read where people advocate higher speed limits and less nannying from the state about their conduct whilst driving motor vehicles?
From the evidence of yesterday, I can quite see why there is probably too much freedom given at the moment as the strict rules of the racing circuit were disregarded just as they are on the roads without penalty.
I have to say that there were some very capable drivers who were also using the track sensibly and properly but the majority were just dangerously out of control (and that was not an indication to the points where they were spinning and crashing). There appeared to be little ettiquette from drivers on the track and certainly no adherence to the rules.
Overtaking in braking points and on bends.
Failure to observe flags,
Throwing of lane seperation cones whilst behaving like yobbos in the paddock.
Wheel spinning in the parking areas.
Driving like fcukwits when leaving the event.
When the rain started, it was even worse!
I understand that these places are the sort of places where you can only get a real feel for the machine you own. But to do so and put everyone else at risk whilst you experiment is quite wrong. Behaving like a to55er amongst 6 0r 8 other vehicles travelling closely together at high speed is not on.
Castle Coombe was a day I was looking forwards to. I had a track pass which I got refunded as I was was not going to 'mix it' with idiots.
I will not attend again and from what I saw, when back to work next week, those that drive in Castle Coombe fashion in my vicinity will be shown no mercy!
Superflid said: I had been looking for a relatively cheap track day, unfortunately this is probably a good reason to keep the cost high enough to keep out the a*seholes. Will just have to get more cash together and hope not too many drivers of exotica laugh at my car.
I dont think that the type of car is important or how exotic it is as long as the driver is aware of its and his/her limitations when on the track and adherence to the rules with a lot of ettiquette. I saw drivers of standard road cars deliberately blocking those with faster machines and other such behaviour which sucks of " You might have a more expensive motor mate but I am in front and you aint going there!"
There were some drivers of older, less exotic cars that did behave impeccably. The majority however did not.
If you are on a limited budget and want to use your only method of transport to see what it is capable of and what you are capable of, that is fine providing that you don't do it in the vicinity of other drivers whom you have no chance whatsoever of beating because of either their experience or their extra performance.
Anyone doing so risks a high personal penalty and possibly a ride home on a recovery truck.
Our car was trailered there and back so getting back was not a problem. I just did not want to get involved in battles on a track with people that think they are better than they are and are trying to prove it in circumstances that are likely to affect those that are doing it properly.
I've only done one track day, apart from one or two wild card entrants it was purely a TVR day. Only a couple of daft 'excess of enthusiasm over ability' moments all day, and one of those was mine... :ahem:...
I wouldn't go on a 'run what ya brung' with the Max Twat brigade. Perhaps the best way to keep them off the public roads IS to let them all loose on the track: then they can knock the crap out of each other as well as their cars and leave the roads a nicer place for the rest of us.
For the record, I don't go in for the traffic-light GP, but I will cheerfully admit to winding up the V8 over the A66 the other night, apparently to the annoyance of Mr. Mondeo, Mr. Alfa and two young bloods in their cack-boxes (couldn't be bothered to identify them). However, I know where the Police tend to loiter over there, so I backed off as appropriate. Needless to say the heroes all took those opportunities to get past me. Alas the chaps in the lemon curd butties were noticeable by their absence....
Pushing your luck is one thing: knowing when to stop pushing is quite another.
Ian
I wouldn't go on a 'run what ya brung' with the Max Twat brigade. Perhaps the best way to keep them off the public roads IS to let them all loose on the track: then they can knock the crap out of each other as well as their cars and leave the roads a nicer place for the rest of us.
For the record, I don't go in for the traffic-light GP, but I will cheerfully admit to winding up the V8 over the A66 the other night, apparently to the annoyance of Mr. Mondeo, Mr. Alfa and two young bloods in their cack-boxes (couldn't be bothered to identify them). However, I know where the Police tend to loiter over there, so I backed off as appropriate. Needless to say the heroes all took those opportunities to get past me. Alas the chaps in the lemon curd butties were noticeable by their absence....
Pushing your luck is one thing: knowing when to stop pushing is quite another.
Ian
robp said: Madcop - who was the trackday organised by?
I can't say because I didn't take a note and the tickets were arranged by my brother. I will find out and let you know. I was just surprised to find that the authorities at Castle Coombe did not step in and regulate it properly as they have responsibility for their own reputation.
madcop said:
robp said: Madcop - who was the trackday organised by?
I can't say because I didn't take a note and the tickets were arranged by my brother. I will find out and let you know. I was just surprised to find that the authorities at Castle Coombe did not step in and regulate it properly as they have responsibility for their own reputation.
Yeah, it would be interesting to know.
A few months ago I was planning a trackday and began a thread on it. The general advice given to me was; you get what you pay for.
It doesn't change then. Used to go every year (it was on my car club's calendar as a cheap way to get members out on track) but only ever went out first thing in the morning before anyone got too overconfident.
Every time there's been a few cars with major damage. Lots of instances of people bunching up, overtaking under braking, I've even seen stuff like cars 3 abreast into Quarry.
Think it was last year they introduced compulsory briefings (good idea but most weren't listening) and the yellow/red card system. Problem is most people are only there for one or two sessions, and they didn't do anything until the end of each session. Drive like a twat in two sessions and go home.
This was the first year I didn't go, apparently they were taking off some of the worst offenders during sessions, but from the pics it looks like the bunching and overcrowding was as bad as ever:
Just annoys me because I've spoken to a few people who've spectated at things like this who've been put off the whole idea of trackdays. They're really a world away from what a properly organised day is like.
Every time there's been a few cars with major damage. Lots of instances of people bunching up, overtaking under braking, I've even seen stuff like cars 3 abreast into Quarry.
Think it was last year they introduced compulsory briefings (good idea but most weren't listening) and the yellow/red card system. Problem is most people are only there for one or two sessions, and they didn't do anything until the end of each session. Drive like a twat in two sessions and go home.
This was the first year I didn't go, apparently they were taking off some of the worst offenders during sessions, but from the pics it looks like the bunching and overcrowding was as bad as ever:
Just annoys me because I've spoken to a few people who've spectated at things like this who've been put off the whole idea of trackdays. They're really a world away from what a properly organised day is like.
Where would one suggest, as a venue to shake down a newly finished car?
I dont want to be surrounded by the likes of the dipturds that Madcop has described, and i certainly dont want one of these morons writing me off on my maiden outing. Its gonna be hard enuff just keeping it clean and tidy and learning the cicuit, without having to continually worry about Laxative Power Boy and his neon dustcaps smashing into me.
How much to pay, and where would be best? Any suggestions?
As has been suggested already,(wedg1e i think), maybe they SHOULD be let loose to go wreck their stupid selves on a track day......makes the roads and tracks safer for the rest of us.
As for not driving beyond their limits and their cars, its obvious that they have no conception of what or where the limits may lie.
I dont want to be surrounded by the likes of the dipturds that Madcop has described, and i certainly dont want one of these morons writing me off on my maiden outing. Its gonna be hard enuff just keeping it clean and tidy and learning the cicuit, without having to continually worry about Laxative Power Boy and his neon dustcaps smashing into me.
How much to pay, and where would be best? Any suggestions?
As has been suggested already,(wedg1e i think), maybe they SHOULD be let loose to go wreck their stupid selves on a track day......makes the roads and tracks safer for the rest of us.
As for not driving beyond their limits and their cars, its obvious that they have no conception of what or where the limits may lie.
Oh my god ! How many cars are on the track in that photo ? I did a track day at Castle Coombe a couple of years back and they were only letting about six cars at a time on the track in timed intervals. It was a very well organised event. I think it was organized by Arrow something?
The only slight downside was that I was still learning the limits of my car and taking it easy and there were a load of race spec Caterhams there that were using it as a practice day for a round of the championship at the track the following weekend. So I was moving over every few minutes to let a faster car past so I never really got a proper rhythm up.
I would expect to pay 100 to 150 quid for a properly organized track day. This thing just sounds and looks like a max muppet cruise held at a race track.
The only slight downside was that I was still learning the limits of my car and taking it easy and there were a load of race spec Caterhams there that were using it as a practice day for a round of the championship at the track the following weekend. So I was moving over every few minutes to let a faster car past so I never really got a proper rhythm up.
I would expect to pay 100 to 150 quid for a properly organized track day. This thing just sounds and looks like a max muppet cruise held at a race track.
My god - HOW many cars? I too last drove Combe a good few years ago - it was back when track days were virtually unhead of and David Hendry (TVR dealer) booked the entire track and invited people to attend (and financially contribute). This was about 1996/7 as I recall.
The rules were very strict and we had no more than 6-10 cars out at any one time.
But those photos look downright scary.
Looks like the M4 on a Friday night rather than a track day!
The rules were very strict and we had no more than 6-10 cars out at any one time.
But those photos look downright scary.
Looks like the M4 on a Friday night rather than a track day!On one of the sessions I counted 45 cars out on the track at one go. Is it any wonder they spent a heck of a long time clearing up the track from debris, thus having to squeeze more into the pit area so they could get their money. On one occasion, my brother had to wait 1 hour 20 minutes in the queue to get back on the track. Fortunately he is very experienced and did not get involved in any stupidity, waiting for the idiots to get out of the way before he used his car.
That is scary!!
I went to Castle Coombe with Bookatrack back in the early part of the year. They only let a maximum of 13 cars on track at any one time. Although you sometimes had a bit of a wait to get back on track, when you were out there it was fantastic! At times, it felt like I was the only car on the track! That meant I could concentrate on keeping the car on the road, rather than having to defend my position on it...
I hope that this isn't the reason that track day insurance is getting harder to come by.
I went to Castle Coombe with Bookatrack back in the early part of the year. They only let a maximum of 13 cars on track at any one time. Although you sometimes had a bit of a wait to get back on track, when you were out there it was fantastic! At times, it felt like I was the only car on the track! That meant I could concentrate on keeping the car on the road, rather than having to defend my position on it...
I hope that this isn't the reason that track day insurance is getting harder to come by.
Madcop have a look at this thread www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=35330&f=18&h=0 and then the link to www.palmersport.com
I did a Subaru Autocar day back in March 2001 and it was very well organised. Safety briefing before going out on track, only a certain number of cars are allowed on the day and these are split into two groups. Each car is then given two numberplate stickers which has a colour, either red or blue (indicating group) and then a number. This allows the organisers to identify the cars on track and if necessary black flag an offending car and throw them out. Following the briefing each group went out on track behind one of the instructors, to get a visual indication of braking points etc.
Then the sessions were set so that cars went out when called by number from the first group with a lap allowance, probably 5. Once you had done those laps you had to pit to allow other people on the track; once everyone from the first group had used the track, the same would then happen with the other group, before finally an unrestricted session with an open pitlane would operate.
The only problems with this that I can see for you Madcop are that:
a) I have no idea how close you are to Bedford, and
b) I don't know if palmersport are doing just standard trackdays this year.
Hope this helps.
I did a Subaru Autocar day back in March 2001 and it was very well organised. Safety briefing before going out on track, only a certain number of cars are allowed on the day and these are split into two groups. Each car is then given two numberplate stickers which has a colour, either red or blue (indicating group) and then a number. This allows the organisers to identify the cars on track and if necessary black flag an offending car and throw them out. Following the briefing each group went out on track behind one of the instructors, to get a visual indication of braking points etc.
Then the sessions were set so that cars went out when called by number from the first group with a lap allowance, probably 5. Once you had done those laps you had to pit to allow other people on the track; once everyone from the first group had used the track, the same would then happen with the other group, before finally an unrestricted session with an open pitlane would operate.
The only problems with this that I can see for you Madcop are that:
a) I have no idea how close you are to Bedford, and
b) I don't know if palmersport are doing just standard trackdays this year.
Hope this helps.
Jeez,
Why is it as soon as you find something you'll enjoy, you find that a runaway horde of monkeys have already broken in and crapped all over the place.
Thanks for saving my mint paintwork on this one madcop, l was invited to a 'run wot you brung' day only two weeks ago, and l actually thought of going....
Why is it as soon as you find something you'll enjoy, you find that a runaway horde of monkeys have already broken in and crapped all over the place.
Thanks for saving my mint paintwork on this one madcop, l was invited to a 'run wot you brung' day only two weeks ago, and l actually thought of going....
I've attended a few track days over the last year and intend to do quiet a few more this year once the car is sorted, from what I have seen and heard on here, the day out you had 
madcop is far from a 'normal' track day IMHO.
My limited advice would be to go with one of the established track day companies, some of which can be found in the PH calender and most I believe belong to the 'association of track day companies'.
As has already been said it may cost you £100 -150 (slightly less for a airfield day), but you can rest assured they are properly run and the only hazard to your car is what you may do it yourself
.
Harry
PSwhilst your sitting in the 'motor' next week remember its the max muppets you're after, not the exoitca that may be transgressing 
madcop is far from a 'normal' track day IMHO. My limited advice would be to go with one of the established track day companies, some of which can be found in the PH calender and most I believe belong to the 'association of track day companies'.
As has already been said it may cost you £100 -150 (slightly less for a airfield day), but you can rest assured they are properly run and the only hazard to your car is what you may do it yourself
. Harry
PS
whilst your sitting in the 'motor' next week remember its the max muppets you're after, not the exoitca that may be transgressing Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff