What track day should I do?
Discussion
Just got my first ever Porsche - a 911 (a '98 C2) . Absolutely love it, but now want to see what it can really do. Am I best just going on a track day, or would some 1:1 tuition on a track / airfield be better? And where (I live in Guildford in Surrey)
Also, I'm a bit worried about damaging it on a track day - other drivers touching me (which would of course lead me to do far more than just touch them!!
). Am I just being a big girl? How "racey" to people get on a track day.
>>> Edited by matt_33 on Tuesday 10th August 20:44
Also, I'm a bit worried about damaging it on a track day - other drivers touching me (which would of course lead me to do far more than just touch them!!
). Am I just being a big girl? How "racey" to people get on a track day. >>> Edited by matt_33 on Tuesday 10th August 20:44
I'd suggest some one-to-one training on an airfield or a track with plenty of run off space such as Bedford. That said, you should be fine on any PCGB track day (where training is usually available for a small fee) provided that you drive within your limits.
I've done several PCGB track days now and they have been well run and I have found the other drivers to be considerate and well-mannered on track. In fact, I usually feel safer driving on a track because every one is driving in the same direction and the standard of observation etc is much better than on the road. Most people are driving as fast as they feel comfortable and safe with and if you're sensible you can let faster drivers through so that you can find an empty stretch of the track and perfect your technique in relative safety.
I've so far avoided the commercial track day operators. This is partly because my insurance only covers PCGB days and also because I'd be worried that the general standard of driving and consideration for other cars might not be as high at these days.
I've also done Don Palmer's wet handling course and a day's road and airfield session with Ridedrive, both of which taught me a lot about how to drive a car smoothly, safely and quickly (ok, but not as quickly as some people!).
Have you done any track sessions in one of the circuit's cars yet? If not, you might want to try that first, e.g. Thruxton and Goodwood aren't too far from your neck of the woods.
Sorry if any of this is a bit basic but I've no idea how confident/experienced a driver you are!
I've done several PCGB track days now and they have been well run and I have found the other drivers to be considerate and well-mannered on track. In fact, I usually feel safer driving on a track because every one is driving in the same direction and the standard of observation etc is much better than on the road. Most people are driving as fast as they feel comfortable and safe with and if you're sensible you can let faster drivers through so that you can find an empty stretch of the track and perfect your technique in relative safety.
I've so far avoided the commercial track day operators. This is partly because my insurance only covers PCGB days and also because I'd be worried that the general standard of driving and consideration for other cars might not be as high at these days.
I've also done Don Palmer's wet handling course and a day's road and airfield session with Ridedrive, both of which taught me a lot about how to drive a car smoothly, safely and quickly (ok, but not as quickly as some people!).
Have you done any track sessions in one of the circuit's cars yet? If not, you might want to try that first, e.g. Thruxton and Goodwood aren't too far from your neck of the woods.
Sorry if any of this is a bit basic but I've no idea how confident/experienced a driver you are!
What John said.
Although You are pretty safe with the more established commercial track day organisers. I've done dozens of trackdays without ever seeing two cars collide (cars and armco are of course, another matter).
THE most important thing is to get some 1 to 1.
Don Palmer is worth every penny BTW.
Re: Circuits near you - Brands is a bit tight for a Porker - Bedford is a great start as it's wide with lots of run offs... you just HAVE to do Goodwood & Donington one day though
Have fun - shiny side up.
Steve
>> Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 10th August 21:48
Although You are pretty safe with the more established commercial track day organisers. I've done dozens of trackdays without ever seeing two cars collide (cars and armco are of course, another matter).
THE most important thing is to get some 1 to 1.
Don Palmer is worth every penny BTW.
Re: Circuits near you - Brands is a bit tight for a Porker - Bedford is a great start as it's wide with lots of run offs... you just HAVE to do Goodwood & Donington one day though
Have fun - shiny side up.
Steve
>> Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 10th August 21:48
If you are a beginner, avoid Goodwood.
Stunning as it is, its also treacherous in areas, particularly when wet. Save it for later.
Go to Bedford with the RMA or through Palmersport on one of their evening events. The track is fantastic, tons of run-offs loads of space, plenty of different corners. Plus its always open pit. Sessioned events have a tendency to make drivers feel they have to go as fast as possible in their short slot. (once did a brands gp full day and only have 45 minutes on track due to stoppages in sessions.)
Ive been doing trackdays for years, and its still my favorite place.
Stunning as it is, its also treacherous in areas, particularly when wet. Save it for later.
Go to Bedford with the RMA or through Palmersport on one of their evening events. The track is fantastic, tons of run-offs loads of space, plenty of different corners. Plus its always open pit. Sessioned events have a tendency to make drivers feel they have to go as fast as possible in their short slot. (once did a brands gp full day and only have 45 minutes on track due to stoppages in sessions.)
Ive been doing trackdays for years, and its still my favorite place.
Good advice from all.
I'll just add: on PCGB days "racing" is not allowed...most other Track Day organisers enforce this too.
You pass on the straights and only if the car in front indicates and moves to the side of the track.
Passing is only allowed on *one* side which varies with the circuit - the criteria being the pit entry and exit positions. At Silverstone its on the left and at Castle Combe the right.
Drivers do NOT drive close to one another and go through the corners one at a time.
Done properly the idea is that should a spin occur then only one car is ever involved.
Given your location Brands, Thruxton, Castle Combe, Goodwood and Silverstone are all within striking distance.
Castle Combe tends to be quite good value.
I'll just add: on PCGB days "racing" is not allowed...most other Track Day organisers enforce this too.
You pass on the straights and only if the car in front indicates and moves to the side of the track.
Passing is only allowed on *one* side which varies with the circuit - the criteria being the pit entry and exit positions. At Silverstone its on the left and at Castle Combe the right.
Drivers do NOT drive close to one another and go through the corners one at a time.
Done properly the idea is that should a spin occur then only one car is ever involved.
Given your location Brands, Thruxton, Castle Combe, Goodwood and Silverstone are all within striking distance.
Castle Combe tends to be quite good value.
matt_33 said:
(I live in Guildford in Surrey)
Also, I'm a bit worried about damaging it on a track day - other drivers touching me (which would of course lead me to do far more than just touch them!!
>>> Edited by matt_33 on Tuesday 10th August 20:44
I had the same worries but did my first trackday at Goodwood.
Its an excellent choice for you since its very close and when its a 98db day then only 10 cars are permitted to join the track ata a time.
I did my day with Book-a-track and they ran a sessioned day.
15 minute session every hour and they let the cars on to the track with 10 second (ish) intervals. This meant that the cars were so well spaced there was no traffic and no need to overtake on anywhere but the straights as you didnt mind waiting. Also good long straights there.
I entered the novice group as I was also afriad of getting in peoples way on my first day. It was the right group for me but I found that everybody was quite friendly and there were no problems during the day.
As for damaging your pride and joy, I had that worry too. I got seperate trackday cover through Competition Car insurance (www.competition-car-insurance.co.uk/) for about 2/3 the value of the car.
I also didnt go as hard as I possibly could as I didnt want to take the risks.
Well....that is a bit of a fib really.
What I actually did was start off very slow and then as the day progressed I picked up speed as I got to know the track. Then mid mornign I got in some tuituon and after that my speed must have doubled!
AS the day went on I found myself pushing the car as hard as it wanted to go but I still braked early for some of the corners.
Its not a race so whats the point?
Really its just enjoying a good blast on some private roads and getting to know what your sports car can really do.
I strongly recommend tuition and am about to get some more with Goldtrack on the Silverstone GP circuit.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Previous to all this I did also do an airfield day. This was quite useful as I did spin off the coned track couple of times. This at least taught me where the cars limits are and what the best measures to take are when spinning. I found praying helped!
Make sure you do a track day soon though.
After your first one you'll wish you had started earlier!
Don said:
Castle Combe tends to be quite good value.
All very good advice Don but Coombe doesnt have alot of run off.
Id like to drive the circuit one day but not as one of my first.
Having said that, I have only ever driven on 2 circuits though (Thruxton and Goodwood) and didn't need the run off areas. (Although came very close!).
BTW: See you tonight!
First thing to say is you have to do one - no excuses
Beyond that find a good company. I have always found GOld track good - they are not cheap and I think this helps keep some of the nutters away.
That said they do evenings at Bruntingthorpe nr Leicester for £69. I would guess these would be ideal for getting the hang of it - not too technical but a mix of slow, fast and one very fast corner, and very quiet, no more than half a dozen cars on track at any one time and tuition is always available.
Donnington and silverstone have loads of run of in most parts, though both are much more technical.
Gold track can be reached on 01327 361 361
Beyond that find a good company. I have always found GOld track good - they are not cheap and I think this helps keep some of the nutters away.
That said they do evenings at Bruntingthorpe nr Leicester for £69. I would guess these would be ideal for getting the hang of it - not too technical but a mix of slow, fast and one very fast corner, and very quiet, no more than half a dozen cars on track at any one time and tuition is always available.
Donnington and silverstone have loads of run of in most parts, though both are much more technical.
Gold track can be reached on 01327 361 361
Hi Matt, as a relative newby to high performance Porsches (I had a 964 some years ago but this didn't scare me half as much as my TT!) I can thoroughly recommend you do a day with Bernard Aubrey. He'll teach you the real basics of high performance driving like heel and toe and correct steering.
Then, do a day with Don Palmer. He'll teach you not to be afraid of the car approaching and beyond the limit. This course will save you when you have a moment (well, it would be a moment before his course!). You will be able to confidently catch and hold slides that might otherwise turn into spins!
A day with don is a riot! I can't wait to do it again!
After this, try bruntingthorpe and always use the instructors. You'll be amazed how quickly your skills and speed develops!
Then, do a day with Don Palmer. He'll teach you not to be afraid of the car approaching and beyond the limit. This course will save you when you have a moment (well, it would be a moment before his course!). You will be able to confidently catch and hold slides that might otherwise turn into spins!
A day with don is a riot! I can't wait to do it again!
After this, try bruntingthorpe and always use the instructors. You'll be amazed how quickly your skills and speed develops!
Hi Matt
Can I just underline the wisdom in aceparts suggestion above , of first contacting Bernard Aubrey?
Apart from being just about the gentlest human being on the planet and a genius of a driver - instructor, he lives just up the road from you!
I don't know if he still has access (I'm sure he has) to the private test track at Cobham, again it's close by to you.
He deals with as much about the correct mental attitude required in addressing the driving of a fast car as simple technique. His road driving stuff is amazing too and he 'marries' a car and a circuit.
It's worth saying that I'm sure there are a few fine instructors nation wide and money spent with them is never wasted. Just that Bernard is one of the very best and a joy to be with; ask any of his patients!
If you need a phone number, let us know.
>> Edited by john m on Thursday 12th August 12:28
Can I just underline the wisdom in aceparts suggestion above , of first contacting Bernard Aubrey?
Apart from being just about the gentlest human being on the planet and a genius of a driver - instructor, he lives just up the road from you!
I don't know if he still has access (I'm sure he has) to the private test track at Cobham, again it's close by to you.
He deals with as much about the correct mental attitude required in addressing the driving of a fast car as simple technique. His road driving stuff is amazing too and he 'marries' a car and a circuit.
It's worth saying that I'm sure there are a few fine instructors nation wide and money spent with them is never wasted. Just that Bernard is one of the very best and a joy to be with; ask any of his patients!
If you need a phone number, let us know.
>> Edited by john m on Thursday 12th August 12:28
For Matt and John,
For Bernard Aubry’s Masterclass advanced one to one driver training stuff, speak to Bernard on 01798 875211. Yes, he is still using the Chobham test track which is a perfect facility with big open areas, safe high speed straights and vertically curvy too, where he has a pretty exclusive deal. It distinctly non-damaging, low ego, sensible basics, very much tailored to what he sees you need. It’ll be the best few bob’s worth you’ll spend on your car, but as Bernard is more of an artist than a racer, it’s probably NOT for boy racers or stunt drivers.
Other contact details for Bernard are, depending on wind direction, mobile 07768 391552 or if he can raise the steam pressure a bit, use bernardaubry@ukgateway.net. He’s actually based in Pulborough West Sussex, but works nationally.
Hope it all works out. You’ll have such fun.
For Bernard Aubry’s Masterclass advanced one to one driver training stuff, speak to Bernard on 01798 875211. Yes, he is still using the Chobham test track which is a perfect facility with big open areas, safe high speed straights and vertically curvy too, where he has a pretty exclusive deal. It distinctly non-damaging, low ego, sensible basics, very much tailored to what he sees you need. It’ll be the best few bob’s worth you’ll spend on your car, but as Bernard is more of an artist than a racer, it’s probably NOT for boy racers or stunt drivers.
Other contact details for Bernard are, depending on wind direction, mobile 07768 391552 or if he can raise the steam pressure a bit, use bernardaubry@ukgateway.net. He’s actually based in Pulborough West Sussex, but works nationally.
Hope it all works out. You’ll have such fun.
This sounds like excellet traiing.
I too live a stones throw from Cobham. I wonder if its worh getting two or three folk together to split the cost of a full day with this chap?
I have only had a bit if tuition, but find I prefer a session with an intructor then a session to proactice on my own followed by another instiducitr session to highlight the fualts which creep in. This might suit a small group.
Sitting here nursing a very sore rib injury from a kart incident at Buckmore on Saturday is all the evidenceI need that a bit of intrcution in in oder before I go and do the same thing in the Porshce.
Anyone up for it.
James
I too live a stones throw from Cobham. I wonder if its worh getting two or three folk together to split the cost of a full day with this chap?
I have only had a bit if tuition, but find I prefer a session with an intructor then a session to proactice on my own followed by another instiducitr session to highlight the fualts which creep in. This might suit a small group.
Sitting here nursing a very sore rib injury from a kart incident at Buckmore on Saturday is all the evidenceI need that a bit of intrcution in in oder before I go and do the same thing in the Porshce.
Anyone up for it.
James
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff