Beginners track day advice
Discussion
Hi Guy and Gals,
I was hoping for some helpful tips from people who have been doing this for a while.
In terms of companies to use who do you recommend? Javelin was one but I am based in Guildford and don't really want to be travelling too far - brands hatch, goodwood and dunsfold are the nearest to me. I like the idea of tuition at the start.
I have put my name on the waiting list for goodwood membership.
Also how would i get involved in a group day out - it would be good to have some more experienced ppl around to ask advice etc.
Last question - Insurance. my company won't cover it, who are reputable? I don't want the cheapest but rather the most likely to pay out and do a good job - if that is also the cheapest then happy days.
Sorry if these are obvious questions but there seems a lot of choice and i am sure some know how to run a good day whilst others don't and i don't want a fun day turning into a disaster as some track warrior collides into me or it being so busy the joy of the track is overpowered by trying to avoid everyone else.
Al
I was hoping for some helpful tips from people who have been doing this for a while.
In terms of companies to use who do you recommend? Javelin was one but I am based in Guildford and don't really want to be travelling too far - brands hatch, goodwood and dunsfold are the nearest to me. I like the idea of tuition at the start.
I have put my name on the waiting list for goodwood membership.
Also how would i get involved in a group day out - it would be good to have some more experienced ppl around to ask advice etc.
Last question - Insurance. my company won't cover it, who are reputable? I don't want the cheapest but rather the most likely to pay out and do a good job - if that is also the cheapest then happy days.
Sorry if these are obvious questions but there seems a lot of choice and i am sure some know how to run a good day whilst others don't and i don't want a fun day turning into a disaster as some track warrior collides into me or it being so busy the joy of the track is overpowered by trying to avoid everyone else.
Al
I would recommend Snetterton as a first track to visit, good range of corners to learn on and good run off in most places so unlikely to cause damage if you do get it wrong. https://www.trackdays.co.uk is a useful tool to find days on circuits you want.
Book an instructor, you will learn loads in just one day and you will enjoy it so much more as you learn how to drive your car and interpret what the car is telling you in a way you just can't on the road.
Before you go make sure you have good quality brake pads fitted, normally OEM ones are not up to track use, same goes for fluid, get something like the Carbon Lorraine race fluid(actually their pads are very good as well).
Tyres, normal road tyres will be fine for your first few outings but they should not be more than half worn when you head out on your day and keep an eye on them during the day so you have enough rubber to get you home.
Try Reis for insurance, if this is to become a regular event then look at some of the more specialist insurance companies and get your normal road insurance from one that covers track use. Track insurance only covers 90% of your cars value and does not cover 3rd party at all, I don't bother with it most of the time and just accept that if I get it wrong it costs me to fix the car.
Book an instructor, you will learn loads in just one day and you will enjoy it so much more as you learn how to drive your car and interpret what the car is telling you in a way you just can't on the road.
Before you go make sure you have good quality brake pads fitted, normally OEM ones are not up to track use, same goes for fluid, get something like the Carbon Lorraine race fluid(actually their pads are very good as well).
Tyres, normal road tyres will be fine for your first few outings but they should not be more than half worn when you head out on your day and keep an eye on them during the day so you have enough rubber to get you home.
Try Reis for insurance, if this is to become a regular event then look at some of the more specialist insurance companies and get your normal road insurance from one that covers track use. Track insurance only covers 90% of your cars value and does not cover 3rd party at all, I don't bother with it most of the time and just accept that if I get it wrong it costs me to fix the car.
Munkeyfeet said:
I am based in Guildford and don't really want to be travelling too far
gruffalo said:
I would recommend Snetterton
I wouldn't recommend Snet, on the basis that it is quite a hike from Guildford and I disagree about the runoff.
I also disagree with the advice about upgrading brake fluid and pads for your first track day. Pointless.
OP - Brands Hatch and Goodwood are both quite short laps which can seem a bit frantic for a beginner. Goodwood isn't great for runoff - if you fall off there at any kind of speed you are highly likely to do some damage. If you fall off at Brands you are likely to get beached in gravel which is less bad but can still be nasty. If Silverstone or Donington aren't considered too far for you, have a look at those. Good advice above regarding instruction though. Definitely get some good quality instruction a few times during the day which will be massively beneficial.
Thanks for the replies.
I have a ttrs so it should hold up ok on my first visit. I know another owner boiled his brake fluid but I have karted for a long time so know the secret is to be slow and build up lap by lap. I would not be pushing it to allow for run off until I have the upgrades done and know the circuit well.
Anyone used a company at brands or goodwood? I know brands seem to do mostly nights and that doesn't appeal as I guess it would be frantic and a different feel under floodlights.
Any groups you know of that go to either circuit?
I have two v young kids so telling wife I am off the night before so I can make the early registration isn't gonna fly at the moment.
I have a ttrs so it should hold up ok on my first visit. I know another owner boiled his brake fluid but I have karted for a long time so know the secret is to be slow and build up lap by lap. I would not be pushing it to allow for run off until I have the upgrades done and know the circuit well.
Anyone used a company at brands or goodwood? I know brands seem to do mostly nights and that doesn't appeal as I guess it would be frantic and a different feel under floodlights.
Any groups you know of that go to either circuit?
I have two v young kids so telling wife I am off the night before so I can make the early registration isn't gonna fly at the moment.
This page has some links to video's of different circuits so you can have a look through and make your own mind up regarding run off and things like that.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I stand by what I said about brakes, I have seen so many cars boil their brake fluid and the last thing you want is to get to the end of a straight and the peddle just sink to the floor all for the sake of £30 on fluid and half an hour with an eazi bleed.
I live in Marlow so not too far from Guildford, Snett is doable in a day from there or what we normally do is stay over the night before and drive home after the event.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I stand by what I said about brakes, I have seen so many cars boil their brake fluid and the last thing you want is to get to the end of a straight and the peddle just sink to the floor all for the sake of £30 on fluid and half an hour with an eazi bleed.
I live in Marlow so not too far from Guildford, Snett is doable in a day from there or what we normally do is stay over the night before and drive home after the event.
from Guildford i'd suggest Combe. most noob spins there are within any barriers. quite a benign circuit at 9/10ths. it's also sessioned so much less busy than Brands on track.
btw, most novices don't spin. and most spins aren't novices. There's a huge lump in the 'incident' bell curve between novice and expert...
btw, most novices don't spin. and most spins aren't novices. There's a huge lump in the 'incident' bell curve between novice and expert...
I agree 100% with Gruff above about brakes.
If your car doesn't go very fast you can still have fun on the day.
If you don't know the track you can still have fun on the day.
If you are only just learning about the ability of you & your car you can still have fun on the day.
If you hit the stop pedal at the end of the straight & it goes to the floor you will not be having fun!
You only find that out when it is too late.
For the sake of a couple of hours at the most fit better quality front pads, carry a spare set & change your fluid to Ate type 200 (formerly Superblue) and have fun.
If your car doesn't go very fast you can still have fun on the day.
If you don't know the track you can still have fun on the day.
If you are only just learning about the ability of you & your car you can still have fun on the day.
If you hit the stop pedal at the end of the straight & it goes to the floor you will not be having fun!
You only find that out when it is too late.
For the sake of a couple of hours at the most fit better quality front pads, carry a spare set & change your fluid to Ate type 200 (formerly Superblue) and have fun.
TTRS LondonTom
If i put racing brake fluid in - i assume this doesnt need to be changed back for road use and i can just leave it in?
Bedford and Snetterton are 2-3 hours away - what time do the days start as I would rather not be in the car for 4am trying to make a 7/8am registration
Who have you guys used to set up days at each track or do you go direct or via a club?
If i put racing brake fluid in - i assume this doesnt need to be changed back for road use and i can just leave it in?
Bedford and Snetterton are 2-3 hours away - what time do the days start as I would rather not be in the car for 4am trying to make a 7/8am registration
Who have you guys used to set up days at each track or do you go direct or via a club?
Edited by Munkeyfeet on Wednesday 6th April 16:36
Motorsport Events run airfield days at Abingdon which is a reasonable run from Guildford and it is a well run event suitable to learn the etiquette on. They do run them at Castle Coombe too but at a higher price and with a lower noise threshold. Motorport Events
Usual disclaimers apropos any connections...
Usual disclaimers apropos any connections...
Munkeyfeet said:
TTRS LondonTom
If i put racing brake fluid in - i assume this doesnt need to be changed back for road use and i can just leave it in?
Bedford and Snetterton are 2-3 hours away - what time do the days start as I would rather not be in the car for 4am trying to make a 7/8am registration
Who have you guys used to set up days at each track or do you go direct or via a club?
Re the brake fluid, you are correct just leave it in and refresh every couple of years as normal.If i put racing brake fluid in - i assume this doesnt need to be changed back for road use and i can just leave it in?
Bedford and Snetterton are 2-3 hours away - what time do the days start as I would rather not be in the car for 4am trying to make a 7/8am registration
Who have you guys used to set up days at each track or do you go direct or via a club?
Edited by Munkeyfeet on Wednesday 6th April 16:36
For booking you can use MSV directly or through the track days web site.
I use Javlin, Open track, circuit days MSV as well as a couple of car clubs like Lotus on track and the BMWCC, not sure if Audi have a club that organise events.
Have you seen this thread?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Just so you know, Steve H on the above thread is an instructor and would be worth contacting regarding tuition, he has a very good way of getting things over.
He explains why not Bedford for a first outing on the above thread although I know lots have used it for this due to the amount of space, I would go to a proper circuit as they tend to flow better and they have a certain air about them that adds the the occasion in some strange way.
out of curiosity what is everyones preferences - open or full face helmet?
I was thinking about http://www.motoblouz.co.uk/helmet-roof-ro5-boxer-v... but unsure if when flipped it will annoy me in the seat but this would solve both my RS and karting needs.
I was thinking about http://www.motoblouz.co.uk/helmet-roof-ro5-boxer-v... but unsure if when flipped it will annoy me in the seat but this would solve both my RS and karting needs.
I have done a couple of evening track days at Brands, personally I would stay well clear as it's very busy on track and intimidating for a beginner!
Don't forget Thruxton, Goldtrack and Motorsport-events run days there. DB 90 noise level is low.
Don't forget Thruxton, Goldtrack and Motorsport-events run days there. DB 90 noise level is low.
Edited by Speedy300 on Wednesday 6th April 20:02
Speedy300 said:
Open-track run track days at Goodwood, I'm attending one with them on 18 April and there are only 30 cars booked. But it's £289...
I will keep an eye out for that company as if I wasn't away for work I would come along. Sounds great and with tuition included. Have a great day and thanks for the heads upI'm from Portsmouth and generally start the year off with a trip to Bedford, massive circuit, loads of run-off, every possible type of corner you could ask for. Due to the distance I drive up the night before and get a hotel (normally through late rooms), for the cost of the day the fuel the wear and tear on the car, £50 for a night closer to the circuit is nothing.
Generally I've used Javelin for most of my track days, not on purpose, it's just the way it works out from the dates and circuits I want to do. This year I have planned Bedford 16th Apr (with Javelin), Goodwood and Combe, one is Javelin the other is Opentrack (a very good TDO, that provide photo's and instruction free, garages free on first come, fist served and free doughnuts/coffee all day).
My insurance I get through MORIS and book all my dates for the year for a small discount. If you get insurance for one day you can expect to pay 1% of cars value, plus an admin fee (or I did anyway).
As for brakes etc, I have upgraded pads (Mintex 1144) and racing blue fluid., I also have grooved/drilled discs and braided lines. Those are the only Mods I've done.
I have now done about 10 TD's on my current set of tyres, maybe I drive like Miss Daisy, maybe it's because the car is light, I don't know. But I don't push the car too hard on TD's. I change gear at 5k (redline is 5.7k) and I give myself plenty of time for braking. The fun for me is in the corners and driving the line, I really don't chase times or anything, I just have fun (which is the way it should be I think).
I also try to be very curteous, I'd much rather have another car in front of me than behind, so when a car catches up I let them go asap, and when I do let them go, I lift right off if it's safe to do so. The sooner they're ahead the sooner I can get back on the throttle. I have absolutely no doubt I'm probably one of the slowest cars/drivers at most TD's.
Hope this helps.
Generally I've used Javelin for most of my track days, not on purpose, it's just the way it works out from the dates and circuits I want to do. This year I have planned Bedford 16th Apr (with Javelin), Goodwood and Combe, one is Javelin the other is Opentrack (a very good TDO, that provide photo's and instruction free, garages free on first come, fist served and free doughnuts/coffee all day).
My insurance I get through MORIS and book all my dates for the year for a small discount. If you get insurance for one day you can expect to pay 1% of cars value, plus an admin fee (or I did anyway).
As for brakes etc, I have upgraded pads (Mintex 1144) and racing blue fluid., I also have grooved/drilled discs and braided lines. Those are the only Mods I've done.
I have now done about 10 TD's on my current set of tyres, maybe I drive like Miss Daisy, maybe it's because the car is light, I don't know. But I don't push the car too hard on TD's. I change gear at 5k (redline is 5.7k) and I give myself plenty of time for braking. The fun for me is in the corners and driving the line, I really don't chase times or anything, I just have fun (which is the way it should be I think).
I also try to be very curteous, I'd much rather have another car in front of me than behind, so when a car catches up I let them go asap, and when I do let them go, I lift right off if it's safe to do so. The sooner they're ahead the sooner I can get back on the throttle. I have absolutely no doubt I'm probably one of the slowest cars/drivers at most TD's.
Hope this helps.
Brands Hatch / MSV hold novice days (which were only £50 when I did them about 3 years ago) and the driving standards have always been pretty good when I've been there.
http://www.brandshatch.co.uk/trackdays/car-calenda...
Novice days were great opportunity for getting some experience, without feeling intimidated by quicker cars / drivers. Remember to check your oil, brake pads and tyre pressures. Also remember to remove any crap from inside the car and the boot, so that it doesn't get flung around. You might want to take a towel and a bottle of water, as it can get quite warm when your pounding around the circuit. Most important thing is to have fun though.
http://www.brandshatch.co.uk/trackdays/car-calenda...
Novice days were great opportunity for getting some experience, without feeling intimidated by quicker cars / drivers. Remember to check your oil, brake pads and tyre pressures. Also remember to remove any crap from inside the car and the boot, so that it doesn't get flung around. You might want to take a towel and a bottle of water, as it can get quite warm when your pounding around the circuit. Most important thing is to have fun though.
Trackdays...
I did one in a TTRS once. It's a very fast car and keeps up with most things. Be prepared to have all sorts of P155 ripped out of you though...
My advice would be not to be intimidated or feel you have to go fast. Do your own thing and avoid any trouble. Being on a track is a great experience and you don't have to be the quickest to have a great time.
Take lots of breaks, don't be the first out at the start of the day (tends to be too busy and very wild), Don't stay out too long. Be courteous to other drivers.
Remember it's a bit of fun; not a cock competition...
Oh... and I'd avoid Brands at the start. Tends to be very very busy; lots of cars on a short track. You won't know where to look to avoid the fast guys. It's a shame because it's a fantastic circuit.
My favourite is Cadwell. Suits a fast car like yours and is scary, exhilarating, enjoyable, interesting. Worth the drive. Plus you can get air!
I did one in a TTRS once. It's a very fast car and keeps up with most things. Be prepared to have all sorts of P155 ripped out of you though...
My advice would be not to be intimidated or feel you have to go fast. Do your own thing and avoid any trouble. Being on a track is a great experience and you don't have to be the quickest to have a great time.
Take lots of breaks, don't be the first out at the start of the day (tends to be too busy and very wild), Don't stay out too long. Be courteous to other drivers.
Remember it's a bit of fun; not a cock competition...
Oh... and I'd avoid Brands at the start. Tends to be very very busy; lots of cars on a short track. You won't know where to look to avoid the fast guys. It's a shame because it's a fantastic circuit.
My favourite is Cadwell. Suits a fast car like yours and is scary, exhilarating, enjoyable, interesting. Worth the drive. Plus you can get air!
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff