Bedford Autodrome GT - right day for me?
Discussion
Just wanted to check with those that have done MSV general trackdays that this type of event would be suitable for me as I'm a little unsure.
I've done 3 sessioned days in an NA mx5. I would say I'm reasonably confident, but am under no illusion as to my skill level given my relative lack of experience. Due to having no leave left + other commitments, I can't attend any novice or road car only events. So I'm a bit stuffed for options and for the next few months that pretty much leaves Bedford.
I'm just a bit concerned that a novice in a relatively slow car is going to spend the day sitting on the right, letting people past, and holding up the more experienced drivers in dedicated track cars in the corners?
I've done 3 sessioned days in an NA mx5. I would say I'm reasonably confident, but am under no illusion as to my skill level given my relative lack of experience. Due to having no leave left + other commitments, I can't attend any novice or road car only events. So I'm a bit stuffed for options and for the next few months that pretty much leaves Bedford.
I'm just a bit concerned that a novice in a relatively slow car is going to spend the day sitting on the right, letting people past, and holding up the more experienced drivers in dedicated track cars in the corners?
I did some of my first trackdays at Bedford. I'm going on an MSV day to the GT circuit on 30th April, in my NA MX-5, but this will be its first outing since I had a turbo fitted.
Its a really big circuit, its wide with plenty of space and as such, you shouldn't find yourself holding anyone up, as long as you're watching the mirrors. There will always be a huge mixture of cars and talent, and you've got to start somewhere. I'd just book it and go for it. Its a big enough track that you can find space and if someone does come up behind, they can easily get past.
A real plus in my book is that at Bedford you don't tend to get grids of race cars using trackdays as a test session the days before their clubs host a race weekend at the track, unlike Brands, Snetts, Donington etc, which is often a good thing.
Get stuck in. If you are going on April 30th, look out for a white mx-5. Do say hi.
Its a really big circuit, its wide with plenty of space and as such, you shouldn't find yourself holding anyone up, as long as you're watching the mirrors. There will always be a huge mixture of cars and talent, and you've got to start somewhere. I'd just book it and go for it. Its a big enough track that you can find space and if someone does come up behind, they can easily get past.
A real plus in my book is that at Bedford you don't tend to get grids of race cars using trackdays as a test session the days before their clubs host a race weekend at the track, unlike Brands, Snetts, Donington etc, which is often a good thing.
Get stuck in. If you are going on April 30th, look out for a white mx-5. Do say hi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G621uNP-5k4
MX5 Turbo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmS7DdTr5tU
MX5 na
Having done Bedford in both i can honestly say the na was just as much fun as the Turbo. Depending on how brave you are in the corners you will catch up with a lot of "faster" cars in these sections, of which there are plenty. where other cars are braking for the corners you will just be dropping a gear or two and throwing it in. The "chicane Straight" is where most cars will go past you, time for a fag, catch up on eMails or munch on a kebab before the chicane, then the cornering begins again.
It will be light on brakes as you wont have too much speed to scrub off, my turbo was a lot heavier on the brakes though i blame most of the wear on my lad being a bit more "enthusiastic" than me.
Bedford is a long circuit so plenty of places for others to overtake you and there will be times when you feel you are out there on your own. enjoy the day and, have fun and remember when all the big boys are tweaking their tyre pressures, talking lap times and heads under the bonnet in the pits your MX5 will be lapping and lapping and lapping, stopping only for fuel.....
If you are worried, last time i was there the staff were giving out novice stickers to those who wanted them. Dont be too proud to wear it as the more experienced will back off your rear bumper if they see it...........to at least 6"
D
MX5 Turbo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmS7DdTr5tU
MX5 na
Having done Bedford in both i can honestly say the na was just as much fun as the Turbo. Depending on how brave you are in the corners you will catch up with a lot of "faster" cars in these sections, of which there are plenty. where other cars are braking for the corners you will just be dropping a gear or two and throwing it in. The "chicane Straight" is where most cars will go past you, time for a fag, catch up on eMails or munch on a kebab before the chicane, then the cornering begins again.
It will be light on brakes as you wont have too much speed to scrub off, my turbo was a lot heavier on the brakes though i blame most of the wear on my lad being a bit more "enthusiastic" than me.
Bedford is a long circuit so plenty of places for others to overtake you and there will be times when you feel you are out there on your own. enjoy the day and, have fun and remember when all the big boys are tweaking their tyre pressures, talking lap times and heads under the bonnet in the pits your MX5 will be lapping and lapping and lapping, stopping only for fuel.....
If you are worried, last time i was there the staff were giving out novice stickers to those who wanted them. Dont be too proud to wear it as the more experienced will back off your rear bumper if they see it...........to at least 6"
D
HughS47 said:
I did some of my first trackdays at Bedford. I'm going on an MSV day to the GT circuit on 30th April, in my NA MX-5, but this will be its first outing since I had a turbo fitted.
Its a really big circuit, its wide with plenty of space and as such, you shouldn't find yourself holding anyone up, as long as you're watching the mirrors. There will always be a huge mixture of cars and talent, and you've got to start somewhere. I'd just book it and go for it. Its a big enough track that you can find space and if someone does come up behind, they can easily get past.
A real plus in my book is that at Bedford you don't tend to get grids of race cars using trackdays as a test session the days before their clubs host a race weekend at the track, unlike Brands, Snetts, Donington etc, which is often a good thing.
Get stuck in. If you are going on April 30th, look out for a white mx-5. Do say hi.
I'll be there on the 30th in a E60 M5. I'm meeting up with another PHer who also has a E60 M5, both Silverstone. Its a really big circuit, its wide with plenty of space and as such, you shouldn't find yourself holding anyone up, as long as you're watching the mirrors. There will always be a huge mixture of cars and talent, and you've got to start somewhere. I'd just book it and go for it. Its a big enough track that you can find space and if someone does come up behind, they can easily get past.
A real plus in my book is that at Bedford you don't tend to get grids of race cars using trackdays as a test session the days before their clubs host a race weekend at the track, unlike Brands, Snetts, Donington etc, which is often a good thing.
Get stuck in. If you are going on April 30th, look out for a white mx-5. Do say hi.
Done plenty of track days over the years and did have a Mk2 Golf 2.016V caged out track toy that I used to take to Lydden my local track. Majority of my track days were in the Golf, Sierra Cosworth and M3 Evo. Did a day at Brands last year in the M5 and was suprised at how much fun it was for big heavy old car, SMG box was great on track. I won't be pushing too hard as brakes and tyres cost a fortune on the M5. Just looking forward to opening it up a bit without the worry of getting done for speeding !
I will look out for you.
Simon.
Ok thanks for that info on the fuel station.
It was the other fellow PHer that wanted to do Bedford as I think other than one time at the Rimg it's his first trackday so he was looking for somewhere with big run off areas and a long straight to wind up a big heavy car. I had reservations when I booked it as I've always only ever considered and driven proper racing circuits not airfields. I was thinking it must be very flat with no camber and very wide with cones placed everywhere to mark out the track. Still looking forward to it though and thinking about it more it's probably the most suitable track in the UK for a heavy car with a bit of power.
It was the other fellow PHer that wanted to do Bedford as I think other than one time at the Rimg it's his first trackday so he was looking for somewhere with big run off areas and a long straight to wind up a big heavy car. I had reservations when I booked it as I've always only ever considered and driven proper racing circuits not airfields. I was thinking it must be very flat with no camber and very wide with cones placed everywhere to mark out the track. Still looking forward to it though and thinking about it more it's probably the most suitable track in the UK for a heavy car with a bit of power.
It is very flat indeed. However it's got a really good variety of corners, a couple of decent straights and it's very well sighted and difficult to have a nasty accident at.
It also flatters novice drivers as the way it's laid out doesn't always require you to carry lots of speed through corners before the straights, they've been quite canny in that the longer straights are on the exit from slow corners. It's still challenging enough that the driver makes a difference though.
I really rate the place, a proper racetrack is a different beast as they often are more technical and to be quick you absolutely have to drive properly whereas at Beford you can get away with chucking the car at the corner without too much penalty, but for sheer fun and learning about your car it's a cracker.
It also flatters novice drivers as the way it's laid out doesn't always require you to carry lots of speed through corners before the straights, they've been quite canny in that the longer straights are on the exit from slow corners. It's still challenging enough that the driver makes a difference though.
I really rate the place, a proper racetrack is a different beast as they often are more technical and to be quick you absolutely have to drive properly whereas at Beford you can get away with chucking the car at the corner without too much penalty, but for sheer fun and learning about your car it's a cracker.
That sums it up very well. The 4.2 mile lap of the GT circuit will swallow a large number of cars without seeming busy, you never get a big queue of traffic so it's easier for a beginner who doesn't want to spend the entire time watching mirrors. Just stay to the right on the wide straights, job done.
There are some cones, as they run a variety of track layouts, but not many. It was an old WW2 bomber base, but MSV have resurfaced it and, with Jonathon Palmer at the helm, turned it into a decent race track.
As you get more experience you will start to prefer race tracks with gradients and more corners than straights (eg Cadwell, Oulton, Brands, and even Mallory, Knockhill and Spa), but many tracks are based on WW2 airfields (Silverstone, Thruxton, Castle Combe, ?Angelsey, Croft, Snetterton which doesn't make them, or Bedford, bad tracks, far from it.
Snetterton would be a good place to try after Bedford in my opinion.
There are some cones, as they run a variety of track layouts, but not many. It was an old WW2 bomber base, but MSV have resurfaced it and, with Jonathon Palmer at the helm, turned it into a decent race track.
As you get more experience you will start to prefer race tracks with gradients and more corners than straights (eg Cadwell, Oulton, Brands, and even Mallory, Knockhill and Spa), but many tracks are based on WW2 airfields (Silverstone, Thruxton, Castle Combe, ?Angelsey, Croft, Snetterton which doesn't make them, or Bedford, bad tracks, far from it.
Snetterton would be a good place to try after Bedford in my opinion.
I live near Bedford so have done many days there, it's a great circuit to go and push the car without the fear of a major accident.
However, I've now done others like Cadwell and unless it was a the day I do each February with a group of friends I can't see me booking another.
The noise limits mean I'm stepping off the pedal at certain points and the long straights aren't suited to my car which is geared down.
However, I've now done others like Cadwell and unless it was a the day I do each February with a group of friends I can't see me booking another.
The noise limits mean I'm stepping off the pedal at certain points and the long straights aren't suited to my car which is geared down.
Just booked a hotel room as I'm coming up from Canterbury in Kent and want a lie in lol !
Staying at Woodlands manor hotel in Clapham, says its 5 miles from the circuit. Not sure whether to have breakfast at the hotel, can you get food at the circuit ? Also is it like most circuit windy and cold this time of year ?
Thanks
Simon
Staying at Woodlands manor hotel in Clapham, says its 5 miles from the circuit. Not sure whether to have breakfast at the hotel, can you get food at the circuit ? Also is it like most circuit windy and cold this time of year ?
Thanks
Simon
cosworth330 said:
Just booked a hotel room as I'm coming up from Canterbury in Kent and want a lie in lol !
Staying at Woodlands manor hotel in Clapham, says its 5 miles from the circuit. Not sure whether to have breakfast at the hotel, can you get food at the circuit ? Also is it like most circuit windy and cold this time of year ?
Thanks
Simon
Yes and yes. Staying at Woodlands manor hotel in Clapham, says its 5 miles from the circuit. Not sure whether to have breakfast at the hotel, can you get food at the circuit ? Also is it like most circuit windy and cold this time of year ?
Thanks
Simon
The cafe is pretty good and as far as I remember you can grab a bacon roll and tea/coffee on arrival. The hotel breakfast will probably be the better choice, though the track food is ok, just a bit blokey.
It's an old WW2 bomber base - flat, exposed and loads of open space. Wear warm clothes in layers. You and your car will most likely be out in the open.
Ok thanks for that info. Quite looking forward to going to a track that i haven't been to before.
The hotel breakfast is £10.50 so might go for that then depending how early I have to get up. Just waiting for email info from MSV to give times of sign on and briefing, most places are anywhere from 7.30-8.30. Would like to get there as late as allowed without missing anything obviously.
The hotel breakfast is £10.50 so might go for that then depending how early I have to get up. Just waiting for email info from MSV to give times of sign on and briefing, most places are anywhere from 7.30-8.30. Would like to get there as late as allowed without missing anything obviously.
It's usually sign on between 7.30 and 8.30, briefing 8.30, sighting laps 9.00 ish, 9.20 banzai!!!!!!!
If you don't need much car prep time then rocking up at 8.00 to 8.15 should suffice. They normally noise test on the way in. Briefing is in the cafe, and then you all go over to the pit area in convoy.
If you don't need much car prep time then rocking up at 8.00 to 8.15 should suffice. They normally noise test on the way in. Briefing is in the cafe, and then you all go over to the pit area in convoy.
That sounds good.
After the sighting laps I normally come in and don't bother going out for 30 mins as I find everybody is out straightaway and it can get a bit busy but with Bedford being such a long circuit I guess you don't get too much of that.Normally by 2 or 3 pm I've had enough.
After the sighting laps I normally come in and don't bother going out for 30 mins as I find everybody is out straightaway and it can get a bit busy but with Bedford being such a long circuit I guess you don't get too much of that.Normally by 2 or 3 pm I've had enough.
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