rockingham speedway.

[peterpeter]

I was thinking about a track day there in Sept.
How does it compare to tracks like bedford, or silverstone?
Is it a wide track? Good facilities?
Are there often incidents?

help much appreciated thanks.

[elderly]

Rockingham is a much better 'experience' than Bedford;
Plenty of good pit garages, that great sight of all those grandstands when you
first open up the pit garage door.
Then there's driving on the banking, which is so different from any
other circuit I've driven in this country.
Some of the infield is a little unsatisfactory but IMO Rockingham is a much
more enjoyable venue than Bedford.
Silverstone is ..... Silverstone - I think it's just great to be there.
But don't forget with all three circuits you have mentioned
that they offer alternative layouts; some more intersting than others.

[BadgerBenji]

Rockingham infield is superb, it is amazing what they have done with such limited space. The surface has excellent grip in the dry, but be very cautious if its damp. The upkeep of the grass in the infield could be much better, but you arent going for the gardening.

[Phil. S.]

I quite enjoyed Rockingham, but didn't feel any great urge to go back. Silverstone GP (I haven't tried the other layouts), on the other hand is one of the best. I went in Feb, and went back this month. I plan to do another TD at Silverstone later this year. It's a much faster and thrilling track than Rockingham, which is more technical. Also, when I did Rockingham they wouldn't let us use the garages.

[BadgerBenji]

But some of us like a technical track, that way you get to test yourself as a driver and your chassis. Rockingham rocks.

[jleroux]

it's interesting to see what different people want/expect from a circuit. personally I think silverstone GP is one of the most boring ciruits in the country - unless you've got 500bhp to play with I guess.

Rockingham on the other hand suits most cars from 100bhp upwards - it's also significantly cheaper (average of £200 vs £300 for SGP?)

Life would be dull if everyone liked the same thing though :-)

Jonny
BaT

[Phil. S.]

Yep, different things are going to suit different folk. Don't get me wrong: Rockingham was fun. But going to Rockingham made me realize that what I really like are fast flowing bends. But others prefer a more technical challenge.

BTW: I disagree with the view that Silverstone GP is boring unless you have huge power. I have a 170bhp Westfield, and it was superb. I did both track days at Silverstone with Lotus on Track, so it was mainly Elises, i.e. mostly cars within the 135-195bhp range. Most people seemed to agree with me that it was excellent.

[BadgerBenji]

If cadwell park is the mini-nurburgring, silverstone is the mini m25. Yes it flows, but is it a challenge of driving ability or nerve?

[Phil. S.]

Silverstone requires quite a bit of nerve (more than I have), but it is not just that. For example, the maggots/beckets complex requires a very good line to take it fast, and most of the bends reward smooth driving and good lines. But there is no point going on about whether one track is better than another. As has been said, different tracks will suit different people and cars. I was just saying that I and many others I know really enjoyed Silverstone.