First Track Day, but where? and what helmet
Discussion
At long last I have finally got my track project E46 M3 ready to go! woo hooo
I want to get out there asap but wanted to get peoples advice on a couple of things.
1) I am a novice, I have been around a track, done a few experience days but never been out there in my own car. The closet circuit to me is Castle Combe (literally 10 mins if that from my house) but I have been there lots of times before, and see that there is really ZERO run off..... is this really a good circuit to start on? I am thinking maybe an airfield shake down might be best? I have had a search but there doesn't seem to be a session at Hullavington for a while
- thoughts?
2) I need a helmet - what are peoples thoughts on this? http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/helmets/s... - I was thinking Carbon as I want it to be light but as its not full face will it really cause me problems I if I want to go for a ride in a mates Atom?
thanks!
GP
I want to get out there asap but wanted to get peoples advice on a couple of things.
1) I am a novice, I have been around a track, done a few experience days but never been out there in my own car. The closet circuit to me is Castle Combe (literally 10 mins if that from my house) but I have been there lots of times before, and see that there is really ZERO run off..... is this really a good circuit to start on? I am thinking maybe an airfield shake down might be best? I have had a search but there doesn't seem to be a session at Hullavington for a while
- thoughts?2) I need a helmet - what are peoples thoughts on this? http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/helmets/s... - I was thinking Carbon as I want it to be light but as its not full face will it really cause me problems I if I want to go for a ride in a mates Atom?
thanks!
GP
Hi, I know Castle Combe quite well and it is quite a daunting circuit, perhaps not the first to sample as it is very fast and has Quarry, arguably the most demon corner on the track day circuit.
Doing an airfield is not a bad idea at all, you may find the surfaces are harsh and cause stone chips but they have more run off, good to learn on.
If you hunt around there are TDOs that do mostly airfields and there's bound to be one at Keevil or somewhere near you (I think Hullavington may have been sold off for housing development). If you do end up at Castle Combe, the best advice is to get an instructor in the car to show you the ropes. In fact do that anywhere you go. Really, it's the best thing.
Helmet is ok I think, first one I got was open face for a similar price. As for the Atom thing, you may need a full face for an open top car.
I expect somewhere like Bedford Autodrome would be a good starter circuit, lots to learn and only one corner where the runoff is a bit shallow (from memory). The sad fact about track days is, you have to drive for miles to get there, usually. Once you've been bitten by the bug you may end up in France, Belgium or Germany, which are a long way away!
Doing an airfield is not a bad idea at all, you may find the surfaces are harsh and cause stone chips but they have more run off, good to learn on.
If you hunt around there are TDOs that do mostly airfields and there's bound to be one at Keevil or somewhere near you (I think Hullavington may have been sold off for housing development). If you do end up at Castle Combe, the best advice is to get an instructor in the car to show you the ropes. In fact do that anywhere you go. Really, it's the best thing.
Helmet is ok I think, first one I got was open face for a similar price. As for the Atom thing, you may need a full face for an open top car.
I expect somewhere like Bedford Autodrome would be a good starter circuit, lots to learn and only one corner where the runoff is a bit shallow (from memory). The sad fact about track days is, you have to drive for miles to get there, usually. Once you've been bitten by the bug you may end up in France, Belgium or Germany, which are a long way away!
Edited by Oilchange on Thursday 1st September 19:06
Definitely wouldn't go to Castle Combe for a first track experience - or Llandow, your other local-ish option.
As said, MSE do airfield days, with decent instructors, so go with them first.
As for a helmet, I know this will be very controversial, but I'd just buy a 50 quid motorbike helmet. (I ride bikes, so use one of my bike helmets for car track days)
As said, MSE do airfield days, with decent instructors, so go with them first.
As for a helmet, I know this will be very controversial, but I'd just buy a 50 quid motorbike helmet. (I ride bikes, so use one of my bike helmets for car track days)
I'd disagree about 'your own pace' at CC - there are a couple of places which can and will bite back against a novice. If you lift in the wrong place through Avon Rise and Quarry, you'll crash. Tower is a scary place as it's so quick with no run-off at all, and Camp is the scene of many really big accidents. I really do think you need some more experience before taking it on.
Most track day insurance companies specifically exclude CC, as it is statistically the most dangerous circuit in the UK.
Most track day insurance companies specifically exclude CC, as it is statistically the most dangerous circuit in the UK.
Trabi601 said:
I'd disagree about 'your own pace' at CC - there are a couple of places which can and will bite back against a novice. If you lift in the wrong place through Avon Rise and Quarry, you'll crash. Tower is a scary place as it's so quick with no run-off at all, and Camp is the scene of many really big accidents. I really do think you need some more experience before taking it on.
Most track day insurance companies specifically exclude CC, as it is statistically the most dangerous circuit in the UK.
I'll have to bow to your greater knowledge and experience then..sorry OP.Most track day insurance companies specifically exclude CC, as it is statistically the most dangerous circuit in the UK.
ps never go to Thruxton.
Another in the corner for having a go at CC. yes, some points are a little daunting but that also teaches you to respect yours and the cars limits. My first track day was at combe and I've done many many there since as I too am local. Never hit anything (well that's not quite true, but there was a reason for that), conversely I went to bedford and rolled the car, total write off.
The point is that driving at high speeds on any circuit can bite. Go to castle combe, take the day easily, get instruction, enjoy.
I'd hazard a guess that CC is on the insurers watch list due to those 'action' days they run. Do not go to one of those. BHP trackdays do a very good day there one monday of each month, very low car numbers and good etiquette generally.
The point is that driving at high speeds on any circuit can bite. Go to castle combe, take the day easily, get instruction, enjoy.
I'd hazard a guess that CC is on the insurers watch list due to those 'action' days they run. Do not go to one of those. BHP trackdays do a very good day there one monday of each month, very low car numbers and good etiquette generally.
MOTK said:
Another in the corner for having a go at CC. yes, some points are a little daunting but that also teaches you to respect yours and the cars limits. My first track day was at combe and I've done many many there since as I too am local. Never hit anything (well that's not quite true, but there was a reason for that), conversely I went to bedford and rolled the car, total write off.
The point is that driving at high speeds on any circuit can bite. Go to castle combe, take the day easily, get instruction, enjoy.
I'd hazard a guess that CC is on the insurers watch list due to those 'action' days they run. Do not go to one of those. BHP trackdays do a very good day there one monday of each month, very low car numbers and good etiquette generally.
Something like 90% of all UK track day crashes happen at Quarry, apparently.The point is that driving at high speeds on any circuit can bite. Go to castle combe, take the day easily, get instruction, enjoy.
I'd hazard a guess that CC is on the insurers watch list due to those 'action' days they run. Do not go to one of those. BHP trackdays do a very good day there one monday of each month, very low car numbers and good etiquette generally.
Quarry isn't even the dangerous bit... it's making a mistake at Avon Rise that causes it.
When you've done some miles at CC, it's easy to forget just how tricky it is. I love the place, but even after a good dozen or so track days there, I still approach it with respect and never feel I've really nailed a good lap.
Trabi601 said:
Something like 90% of all UK track day crashes happen at Quarry, apparently.
Quarry isn't even the dangerous bit... it's making a mistake at Avon Rise that causes it.
When you've done some miles at CC, it's easy to forget just how tricky it is. I love the place, but even after a good dozen or so track days there, I still approach it with respect and never feel I've really nailed a good lap.
That's some stat if true!Quarry isn't even the dangerous bit... it's making a mistake at Avon Rise that causes it.
When you've done some miles at CC, it's easy to forget just how tricky it is. I love the place, but even after a good dozen or so track days there, I still approach it with respect and never feel I've really nailed a good lap.
Avon rise is a lot more 'comfortable' these days since it was resurfaced a year or so ago. Although in typical CC style they only did 3/4 of it. The other quarter coming into camp is lethal in winter/wet!
MOTK said:
Another in the corner for having a go at CC. yes, some points are a little daunting but that also teaches you to respect yours and the cars limits. My first track day was at combe and I've done many many there since as I too am local. Never hit anything (well that's not quite true, but there was a reason for that), conversely I went to bedford and rolled the car, total write off.
The point is that driving at high speeds on any circuit can bite. Go to castle combe, take the day easily, get instruction, enjoy.
I'd hazard a guess that CC is on the insurers watch list due to those 'action' days they run. Do not go to one of those. BHP trackdays do a very good day there one monday of each month, very low car numbers and good etiquette generally.
You rolled at Bedford - Wow you must have been trying really hard!! lol (were you the chap in the M3 CS? - i was there that day, very sobering)The point is that driving at high speeds on any circuit can bite. Go to castle combe, take the day easily, get instruction, enjoy.
I'd hazard a guess that CC is on the insurers watch list due to those 'action' days they run. Do not go to one of those. BHP trackdays do a very good day there one monday of each month, very low car numbers and good etiquette generally.
I've done a few at Bedford and would also recommend it for a newbie, loads of run off, nice and wide and tonnes of visibility. I would thoroughly recommend it...in fact we're going on the 19th of Sept
Castle Combe is my nearest track too, it is one of my favourites now and as the guys above have said is probably a bit daunting for a relative newcomer I had a huge moment coming into Avon rise trying to be billy big b
ks which made me appreciate the track itself. I'd personally recommend going to somewhere like Silverstone as its only an hour and a bit away and has massive run off if you're worried about that whilst learning the car, not sampled Bedford yet but have been told its a great track day venue.
ks which made me appreciate the track itself. I'd personally recommend going to somewhere like Silverstone as its only an hour and a bit away and has massive run off if you're worried about that whilst learning the car, not sampled Bedford yet but have been told its a great track day venue.Bedford GT (with Javelin) was an excellent introduction to trackdays for me. It's nice and flat (plenty of visibility, no adverse cambers), long enough to be challenging, and has a load of run-off for when it all goes wrong.
I found Javelin to be well organised and attended, and had a bloody great time. We hired helmets (£20 a pop) as we didn't have time to get our own, which might be an option for you.
I found Javelin to be well organised and attended, and had a bloody great time. We hired helmets (£20 a pop) as we didn't have time to get our own, which might be an option for you.
Chr1sch said:
You rolled at Bedford - Wow you must have been trying really hard!! lol (were you the chap in the M3 CS? - i was there that day, very sobering)
Indeed that was me 
I was trying some setup changes on the intrax before going to spa the next week, with poor tyres on the rear I was well and truly caught out. Managed to find the one gravel trap there as you know and dig in. I remember arriving at Bedford that day and saying to my mate this is the one place you can't crash! The irony.
My insurance company will cover any track in the UK, with the exception of Castle Coombe. Having done a couple of days there I can see why. Llandow I find far less intimidating due to the lower speeds involved, and the cars there tend to be kit car types and smaller hatchbacks. Short straights are a good leveller when there are a variety of cars on track. Half the price of CC too.
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