Best track for inexperienced drivers
Discussion
I am new to having a reasonably quick car, and have read the track day section on PH. I just wanted to know which would be the best circuit to start on, as having only recently upgraded from a 1.2 clio to a chim, I know I have limited ability, so do not want to start off on a circuit which is too technical.
Any thoughts?
Any chance of a Pistonheads Novices day at an airfield Ted? Work and family stuff over the last ten years or so means that the whole Track Day thing has pretty much passed me by, but I'd like to start soon. Be more fun to do it with this lot than strangers. I think I'm a crap driver and if I'm going to hold my head up here I need to get my act together.
Hi
personally I don't like the JP aerodrome - there's no barriers to hit !
If you want a proper track - Brands Indy or Snetterton are pretty good. The big off at Brands is possibly clearways (the gravel at paddock will stop you !) and at Snett - the big off is Coram - be careful with Coram !
Open reflection - go to Brands - there's no other corner in the world like Paddock and the first time you go round is amazing. LAte turn in, balance throttle at the clipping point then gentle power as you go downhill (actually the corkscrew and Laguna Seca is similar, but slower !)
>> Edited by woof on Wednesday 27th November 18:52
personally I don't like the JP aerodrome - there's no barriers to hit !
If you want a proper track - Brands Indy or Snetterton are pretty good. The big off at Brands is possibly clearways (the gravel at paddock will stop you !) and at Snett - the big off is Coram - be careful with Coram !
Open reflection - go to Brands - there's no other corner in the world like Paddock and the first time you go round is amazing. LAte turn in, balance throttle at the clipping point then gentle power as you go downhill (actually the corkscrew and Laguna Seca is similar, but slower !)
>> Edited by woof on Wednesday 27th November 18:52
yertis said: Any chance of a Pistonheads Novices day at an airfield Ted? Work and family stuff over the last ten years or so means that the whole Track Day thing has pretty much passed me by, but I'd like to start soon. Be more fun to do it with this lot than strangers. I think I'm a crap driver and if I'm going to hold my head up here I need to get my act together.
That's a good idea. I'll talk to Bookatrack about getting a group along for one of their days. Could we have a show of hands to determine interest?
) and plenty of space. The nearest one to home..
You'll be totally mashed after your first track day and you *might* have to limp your car home..
Just a thought.
Airfields definitely best for first track day experience though. Zero pressure. Unfortunately, owing to past irresponsibility on the part of some trackday organisers, very few airfields are still open to such events. At the moment, Elvington (York) is the only one I know about.
That aside, Book-a-Track do the best days - organisation & safety/discipline wise. And they're amongst the cheapest.
Have fun - a track day is a wonderfully liberating thing to do in your car.. even more so in someone else's
Edited to say - you say you don't want too technical a circuit for your first time. Speak to M@H on here - he moved up from an S2 to a Chim 400. Had never been on a track. We went to Anglesey Circuit. It's a very short, highly technical circuit and he had a brilliant day. We all did in fact.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=20919&f=23&h=0
My opinion is that you should avoid longer circuits where you build more speed and go for short technical circuits for a number of reasons..
i) Faster you go on straights, the more you knacker your brakes, fluid & discs, tyres and suspension in the braking zone before the twisties..
ii) A more technical circuit will give you much greater opportunity to explore the handling characteristics of the car and you'll learn much more in a day.
iii) If you fall off the circuit, would you rather do it on a circuit where you're likely to be doing 60 or 120?
iv) Small technical circuits are much cheaper than the likes of Silverstone, Goodwood etc..
Hope this helps..
>> Edited by CarZee (moderator) on Wednesday 27th November 19:57
You'll be totally mashed after your first track day and you *might* have to limp your car home..
Just a thought.
Airfields definitely best for first track day experience though. Zero pressure. Unfortunately, owing to past irresponsibility on the part of some trackday organisers, very few airfields are still open to such events. At the moment, Elvington (York) is the only one I know about.
That aside, Book-a-Track do the best days - organisation & safety/discipline wise. And they're amongst the cheapest.
Have fun - a track day is a wonderfully liberating thing to do in your car.. even more so in someone else's
Edited to say - you say you don't want too technical a circuit for your first time. Speak to M@H on here - he moved up from an S2 to a Chim 400. Had never been on a track. We went to Anglesey Circuit. It's a very short, highly technical circuit and he had a brilliant day. We all did in fact.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=20919&f=23&h=0
My opinion is that you should avoid longer circuits where you build more speed and go for short technical circuits for a number of reasons..
i) Faster you go on straights, the more you knacker your brakes, fluid & discs, tyres and suspension in the braking zone before the twisties..
ii) A more technical circuit will give you much greater opportunity to explore the handling characteristics of the car and you'll learn much more in a day.
iii) If you fall off the circuit, would you rather do it on a circuit where you're likely to be doing 60 or 120?
iv) Small technical circuits are much cheaper than the likes of Silverstone, Goodwood etc..
Hope this helps..
>> Edited by CarZee (moderator) on Wednesday 27th November 19:57
PetrolTed said:
yertis said: Any chance of a Pistonheads Novices day at an airfield Ted? Work and family stuff over the last ten years or so means that the whole Track Day thing has pretty much passed me by, but I'd like to start soon. Be more fun to do it with this lot than strangers. I think I'm a crap driver and if I'm going to hold my head up here I need to get my act together.
That's a good idea. I'll talk to Bookatrack about getting a group along for one of their days. Could we have a show of hands to determine interest?
Yes
Preferably as far north as possible -(Ideally Knockhill like), but anywhere north of Birmingham an Ill make a determined attempt to be there.
Pete.
>> Edited by pistol pete on Wednesday 27th November 20:05
PetrolTed said:That's a good idea. I'll talk to Bookatrack about getting a group along for one of their days. Could we have a show of hands to determine interest?
Ted, I would be, If it's before March/April time would it be ok if I attend with a MSA license and not a driving license, any time after March/April it should be fine and yup I'd definately be up for it.
Edited to add: Providing I'm better of course
>> Edited by Graham.J on Wednesday 27th November 20:28
The jiffle king said: Yes from me, and it sounds like a great idea to have a starters day. I am in the south, but will happily travel.
Looking forward to it
Basically what I'm saying, I'nm sure there is a compromise somewhere. Birmingham, I mensioned as a limit is about 6-7 hours South from here (central Scotland), so I think its fair to say I would travel...
Also, I've just mentioned this to a couple of mates, and I think there's a possibility of a few of us up here in the far flung North, but I wouldn't like to commit to anything for them just now. I'm definitely up for it tho.
Pete
Edited to say: This might be a stupid question, but, where's Folembray???...
>> Edited by pistol pete on Wednesday 27th November 22:58
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