MSV Novice only trackdays - any experiences?

[StottyEvo]

Has anyone been on one of these? What can you expect from the day and how much track action? I'm looking at booking the Cadwell Park 16th May hopefully.

[TiM3]

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

[4.7]

Exactly as above. Instructors get busy so book in advance.

[foxsasha]

I've just booked Mrs Fox in for the day on the 16th. Might see you there

Edited by foxsasha on Monday 25th April 08:31

[masekwm]

I looked at one at Cadwell and decided to go for a normal day.

I hate sessions and the worry of a bike stacking it and there being a long closure meaning I'd not get our for a while.

[StottyEvo]

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.

[foxsasha]

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.

[StottyEvo]

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.

Fair advice. This looks more fitting I suppose Track Evening although I am worried about a congested track. I tried a public track day once at Teeside and someone careered into the back of me as a slowed for a spun car

[Jim1985]

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.

[Rude-boy]

I would say that they are a great way to introduce yourself to the whole thing and that i would be making sure that i had an instructor with me on at least two runs, if not more.

[checkmate91]

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.

Edited by checkmate91 on Tuesday 3rd May 20:26

[P Simmo]

I've booked up Cadwell Park on the 16th in the 205 for its first proper shakedown with me, and am looking forward to some tuition and starting off slowly, and would still consider myself a novice only having done a full day at Snetterton and the Ring in my Focus RS...

[QBee]

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

[Jimbob36]

Anybody at Caldwell tomorrow? Will be there in black rx8 with the wife. Come and say hi.

[P Simmo]

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)

[e21Mark]

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.

[foxsasha]

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.

[QBee]

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?

[P Simmo]

I wondered what the black BMW had in it... Was going well!

[Jimbob36]

Was a great day! Loved it! The Rx behaved well and got me home! The bmw did go well! The Mrs had a go in the Rx but felt she was holding people up so only had one stint.