Cadwell Park for First Trackday?
Discussion
Might have the opportunity to go to Cadwell for a trackday & it'll be my first time on track. (well second if you count a tuition day at mallory 7 years ago)
How would you rate Cadwell for a novice - good idea? My main worry is damaging my car at all (Clio 182 Trophy) given my lack of track experience. Ideally I would want to start out at somewhere open like Bedford before moving to a "proper" circuit but that isn't an option in the timescale.
Any feedback on the circuit would be much appreciated!
How would you rate Cadwell for a novice - good idea? My main worry is damaging my car at all (Clio 182 Trophy) given my lack of track experience. Ideally I would want to start out at somewhere open like Bedford before moving to a "proper" circuit but that isn't an option in the timescale.
Any feedback on the circuit would be much appreciated!
Is it the long or short circuit?
I'd be a bit wary of doing my first track day there to be honest - it's pretty narrow and there isn't much (or any!) run off for most of the corners, and it's even worse round the back part of the long circuit.
It is a great circuit, but one that's more enjoyable if you've got a bit of track driving experience under your belt.
I'd be a bit wary of doing my first track day there to be honest - it's pretty narrow and there isn't much (or any!) run off for most of the corners, and it's even worse round the back part of the long circuit.
It is a great circuit, but one that's more enjoyable if you've got a bit of track driving experience under your belt.
Assuming it's a proper trackday with the general public (rather than a private session), err, it's a bit brave.
Although the barriers are moving back through the Mountain loop (assuming you are doing the full circuit), it's still a bit intimidating. It is a circuit that really benefits from knowing the line and your car - so if there is the opportunity for tutoring, it would be good.
Run off is mainly grass then bank, sometimes with not a lot of grass. So if you are planning to go off, you could choose better. However, if you don't plan to go off, aren't prone to the red misties, and build up carefully, it's the one place where you will be certain to catch the trackday bug. You certainly won't be disappointed.
Although the barriers are moving back through the Mountain loop (assuming you are doing the full circuit), it's still a bit intimidating. It is a circuit that really benefits from knowing the line and your car - so if there is the opportunity for tutoring, it would be good.
Run off is mainly grass then bank, sometimes with not a lot of grass. So if you are planning to go off, you could choose better. However, if you don't plan to go off, aren't prone to the red misties, and build up carefully, it's the one place where you will be certain to catch the trackday bug. You certainly won't be disappointed.
I don't see a problem with Cadwell, full circuit only though - short circuit is a waste of time. Just take it easy and don't try to keep up with others, go at your own pace. Most importantly, take and instructor out after you've learned where the circuit goes - worth its weight in gold.
There is lots of run off around the back of the circuit. The only bits to watch for are the Hall Bends and the 90 degree right immediately after them. You're in a front wheel drive car so you shouldn't lose it over the mountain (RWD can spin the wheels and spit you sideways here).
Enjoy.
There is lots of run off around the back of the circuit. The only bits to watch for are the Hall Bends and the 90 degree right immediately after them. You're in a front wheel drive car so you shouldn't lose it over the mountain (RWD can spin the wheels and spit you sideways here).
Enjoy.
I did a track day on the full circuit at Cadwell last August. It wasn't my first track day, but it was the first one in my Westfield. It was fantastic, but was not an ideal place to learn the behaviour of your car. I certainly never got close to the limit of the car on Coppice and Charlies, both of which require a level of confidence I did not have. Nonetheless, this was by far the best track day I had been on. Just take it easy at first and gradually build up. Also, as has been said, get an instructor out with you as early as possible. Go for it. If I lived nearer it would be the only track I used.
miniandy said:
Are you going to one of the Renault Sport days?
I posted something similar and the general view was that Oulton Park was the one to go for.
Cheers
Cadwell hmmm I love the place.
Personally I think youve more of a chance of car damage at Oulton than Cadwell, yes Cadwell is v tight in the mountain bit, but in those bits its pretty slow, Oulton on the other hand is fast in the dodgy bits.
Oh and @ cadwell just come off off the power as you come over the mountain, coz fwd cars can spit driveshafts out there.
>> Edited by iguana on Tuesday 7th February 21:58
The tightness of Cadwell probably works well on a drivers self preservation to calm down a bit, whereas the more open Oulton encourages you to press on more...
You can get a flavour of a lap of cadwell from this site www.justgofaster.com/JGFWiki/tabid/70/topic/Cadwell+Park/Default.aspx
(Cut and paste as the space mucks up the link within the forum)
You can also download a flying lap video from my race car.
Cadwell can be a little intimidating and it may put some people of trackdays if they have a bad day there. You might want to try a more open track (like Oulton). If you check that site you will find some video of other tracks (such as Oulton and Angelsey)
Personally I love Cadwell.
Tony
You can get a flavour of a lap of cadwell from this site www.justgofaster.com/JGFWiki/tabid/70/topic/Cadwell+Park/Default.aspx
(Cut and paste as the space mucks up the link within the forum)
You can also download a flying lap video from my race car.
Cadwell can be a little intimidating and it may put some people of trackdays if they have a bad day there. You might want to try a more open track (like Oulton). If you check that site you will find some video of other tracks (such as Oulton and Angelsey)
Personally I love Cadwell.
Tony
I love Cadwell but for a first trackday I'd choose somewhere wider with less intimidating barriers, easier corners, less gradient and loads more run-off, particularly if your main concern is damaging the car!!!!!
I suggest Bedford, Snetterton and Silverstone as better tracks or even an airfield day where there's nothing to hit except other cars and you can learn about your limits before you find your car's. If you really want a superb track with gradient and a reasonable amount of runoff you could do worse than go to Donington.
I suggest Bedford, Snetterton and Silverstone as better tracks or even an airfield day where there's nothing to hit except other cars and you can learn about your limits before you find your car's. If you really want a superb track with gradient and a reasonable amount of runoff you could do worse than go to Donington.
Fantastic, local to me and a track where you don't need a lot of power to have fun.
As said above though, you'd be better off doing a day at Donington before venturing to Cadwell, you'll appreciate just how good Cadwell is then. I did 2 full open pit days and 2 track evenings there last year, love it. Will be there on the 19th snow permitting.
>> Edited by GVK on Thursday 9th February 01:14
As said above though, you'd be better off doing a day at Donington before venturing to Cadwell, you'll appreciate just how good Cadwell is then. I did 2 full open pit days and 2 track evenings there last year, love it. Will be there on the 19th snow permitting.
>> Edited by GVK on Thursday 9th February 01:14
Just to temprer things a bit, Cadwell is a demanding circuit, but it ain't the Nordschleife. You can do it as a novice, and you are likely to get a pretty decent bunch of drivers with you (quite a low muppet count). I have seen novices there.
On the plus side, if you bring the car home in one piece, you WILL be hooked. And if you drive sensibly (build up slowly, keep within your ability, find a clear piece of track, and don't baulk or hassle faster/slower cars), you will bring the car home safely.
If you do decide to go for it, check for some advice oin previous threads, and ask for some basic tips. Or blag a copy of the circuit guide. Perhaps more than any UK circuit, it's very useful to know not to run the outside kerb over the Mountain, or the classic "aim for the telegraph pole to catch the blind apex at Charlies 1"...
On the plus side, if you bring the car home in one piece, you WILL be hooked. And if you drive sensibly (build up slowly, keep within your ability, find a clear piece of track, and don't baulk or hassle faster/slower cars), you will bring the car home safely.
If you do decide to go for it, check for some advice oin previous threads, and ask for some basic tips. Or blag a copy of the circuit guide. Perhaps more than any UK circuit, it's very useful to know not to run the outside kerb over the Mountain, or the classic "aim for the telegraph pole to catch the blind apex at Charlies 1"...
Well I think I have decided to pass on the trackday, even if it is a freebie (with very limited track time by the sounds of it). If I wasn't having to use my main car I'd have no hesistation but I just couldn't afford any damage (even though I don't think I'd be prone to red mist). I think I'd also want to do some work on the car first like uprated pads.
Thanks everyone for your opinions - they've been very helpful. I'll have to get to Cadwell one of these days, after all I have heard it descibed as the UK's Nurburgring! Just got to get off my arse and prep the 205 now...
Thanks everyone for your opinions - they've been very helpful. I'll have to get to Cadwell one of these days, after all I have heard it descibed as the UK's Nurburgring! Just got to get off my arse and prep the 205 now...
egomeister said:
Well I think I have decided to pass on the trackday, even if it is a freebie (with very limited track time by the sounds of it). If I wasn't having to use my main car I'd have no hesistation but I just couldn't afford any damage (even though I don't think I'd be prone to red mist). I think I'd also want to do some work on the car first like uprated pads.
Thanks everyone for your opinions - they've been very helpful. I'll have to get to Cadwell one of these days, after all I have heard it descibed as the UK's Nurburgring! Just got to get off my arse and prep the 205 now...
Cadwell would make an excellent first time and if you dont get much time on track, it would be gentle to your car too
You would love it.... its excellent in the torrential rain too, makes you focus on the technical In my humble (and very amateur opinion), I honestly think that the only reason people get the impression that trackdays are dangerous, is that so many people spin and have off's, usually as a consequence of pushing their and their cars limits. Buy a decent race/track driving book and learn how to drive... that way, even the less than average driver can enjoy a season of trackdays entirely on the blackstuff, still have immense fun and even lap more quickly than you would ever expect, without "pushing the envelope"
Thinking about it my main reservation wasn't the potential for damage (although I couldn't afford to damage the car) but the lack of time/money to prepare for it. If I was to take the clio around a track i'd want to uprate the pads and change the oil first, which I just do't have the time to do right now.
Cadwell is definitely on the top of my list though, having investigated it some more it looks like a really involving track and a lot of fun!!
Cadwell is definitely on the top of my list though, having investigated it some more it looks like a really involving track and a lot of fun!!
I have driven Cadwell in 2 fiat seicento 600m's and its a superb circuit.Its very fast, with lots of twisty sections and quite narrow, but if you're sensible you can have loads of fun.I'm there on the 28th for a marshals track day and cant wait to have some more fun.
I found it an easy track to learn the layout. Yes it can bite you back but so can any race circuit if you get it wrong.Go and have a go, you won't regret it.
I found it an easy track to learn the layout. Yes it can bite you back but so can any race circuit if you get it wrong.Go and have a go, you won't regret it.
I've just booked my first trackday every and its at Cadwell!!(25-02-2006), I was planning to easy mys elf in gently and book for my wife and myself at Bruntingthorpe. I thought it would be pretty safe for her,long straight, not many corners and loads of run off. Now I find its been cancelled due to lack of interest and were off to Cadwell Park instead!!
I did a bit off rallying in my twenties (41 now), but had to give it up when the family came along due to finances, Ive done a bit of karting since, but I've bought my first performance car since then (BMW 330ci sport) and fancied trying it out on a track. I'm mildly confident I'll be ok, but not sure about my wife , the stability programs pretty good, so I'll leave it on for her until she finds here feet. I'd be gutted if it got bumped. Presenty downloading as many in car videos of Cadwell as I can!!!!
Anyone know of any driving games that cover Cadwell Park?
I did a bit off rallying in my twenties (41 now), but had to give it up when the family came along due to finances, Ive done a bit of karting since, but I've bought my first performance car since then (BMW 330ci sport) and fancied trying it out on a track. I'm mildly confident I'll be ok, but not sure about my wife , the stability programs pretty good, so I'll leave it on for her until she finds here feet. I'd be gutted if it got bumped. Presenty downloading as many in car videos of Cadwell as I can!!!!
Anyone know of any driving games that cover Cadwell Park?
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