Trackday show opens for booking

Next month to see first event of its kind

Rocking at Rockingham

A full-on trackday will flag off the petrolhead weekend of the year at Rockingham Motor Speedway, Northants -- the opener for the first ever Trackdays.com show (see link to earlier story below).

The show is scheduled for Sunday 30 April 2006, but the on-track action starts from 10am on the Saturday.

Track day

“Rockingham is a great circuit; we’ll be using the ‘international’ layout which provides for some superb track driving, including a quarter-mile blast round the famous banking,” said organiser Ian Raybould of Trackdays.com.

“Trackday regulars will know what’s in store, but we’ll also be catering for newcomers who want to make a weekend of it – instructors will be on hand, and those unfamiliar with the circuit will be fully briefed.”

“The day will cost £199, with the circuit open between 10am and 5pm, with a one hour lunch break at 1pm. We’re going to make it a ‘sessioned’ day, which means we’ll split each on-circuit hour into 20 minute novice, intermediate and advanced sessions so that newcomers will get the time and space to find their feet, and regular track users will be able to stretch their cars’ legs.

“It will also be a day when noisier cars can take to the track – we’ll have a 105dB noise limit, which should allow us to cater for most.”

Additional drivers cost £29, while passengers will be charged £10. Details are available through the Web site (see link below), but as a basic guide, drivers will need to have a full UK driving licence (bring both parts), while passengers must be over 16 and meet minimum height limits.

The show

Raybould said: “The show is totally focussed on trackdays, trackday and performance products and driving experiences. It will cater for people who want to find out more about trackdays as much as it will for experienced track-users.

“There are thousands of people who participate in trackdays, but we are highly aware that there are many more car owners and users who are perhaps curious, mystified or even intimidated by the thought of venturing out on to a race circuit.

“But by visiting the show they will discover and learn a great deal from experienced trackday fans, car preparation experts, track day event organisers and other businesses who support or supply trackdays and trackdayers.”

Tickets are £12 in advance or £15 on the day. The on-track action on April 30 will include opportunities for visitors to drive a BMW M3, Lotus Elise or MINI Cooper S subject to availability and at extra cost in addition to entry ticket prices, plus demos and displays by manufacturers and tuners. High-speed passenger rides will be also be on offer. There will also be off-road driving experiences, again at extra cost over entry ticket price, displays by clubs and event organisers and a retail area with enhancement, parts, tuning, clothing and equipment specialists.