Airfields in the NW
Discussion
I'm wanting to do a trackday in the northwest. I'm going to do it with my mate and share my car. We'd be right near Oulton Park but were thinking that might be a bit risky for a first time in the car. Is there any airfields options... Abingdon and Bedford are the closest I know of and they're a bit far.
Nathan, Oulton is awesome.
If it's your first trackday, just take it easy! After a few laps you'll get a good feel of your car anyway. Just don't drive beyond your limit.
I understand your thinking behind doing a 'runway' event first but they are quite different experiences IMO.
The problem with living in the NW is that there are no open spaces such as Elvington or Bruntingthorpe that are close enough.
If it's your first trackday, just take it easy! After a few laps you'll get a good feel of your car anyway. Just don't drive beyond your limit.
I understand your thinking behind doing a 'runway' event first but they are quite different experiences IMO.
The problem with living in the NW is that there are no open spaces such as Elvington or Bruntingthorpe that are close enough.
Do Oulton and book instruction, I'mn not a huge fan of airfields unless you want to really try and learn to slide the car. Airfields offer less reference points and the maze of cones can be more confusing than a proper track.
I'd wager that you'd learn more at a proper track, with a 20 min instruction session, than you would all day at an airfiled bombing around on your own.
Tony
I'd wager that you'd learn more at a proper track, with a 20 min instruction session, than you would all day at an airfiled bombing around on your own.
Tony
Oulton is worth doing I agree, but if you still feel less than inclined there are the odd ones done at Aintree too, its dead simple circuit but its also a nice gentle place to learn - there's a nice long straight to give some 'ammer too if you feel the need. A mate of mine goes to most of them and they are ok days, theres some local guys with decent machinery turn up to them too, F40 is the obvious one that springs to mind.
Failing that Elvington is the obvious choice for us NWers, but as has been said, what with poor Hammsters situation that might be on hold for some time.
Failing that Elvington is the obvious choice for us NWers, but as has been said, what with poor Hammsters situation that might be on hold for some time.
Just to let you know that the situation is perfectly normal at Elvington. Our next event is on 28th October.
www.javelintrackdays.co.uk.
www.javelintrackdays.co.uk.
wee_skids said:
Do Oulton and book instruction
Definitely go with the instruction. I found oulton very frustrating as a first timer. It's not like places such as Cadwell or brands indy where you can drive it badly and still have a laugh, it's very technical in places and using the wrong lines will really spoil your fun.
I agree with what wee_skids about airfields - I have done track and airfield days and the driving standard on airfield days is arguably lower than on tracks because there is less scenery to hit.
If we have convinced you to do a track day, also look into Donington (which is less of a journey than Elvington). It has a large amount of run-off, but is also an interesting circuit to drive - especially Craner Curves.
Try and get a day on the National circuit (rather than the GP circuit, which is crap as it only adds two hairpis to the National), book some instruction & have a ball!
The circuit organises trackdays themselves ( www.donington-park.co.uk/trakzone/ ) for £99 from October to February, and they have days organised for most Sundays from now until Christmas.
Which reminds me, I must go back there again!
Mike...
If we have convinced you to do a track day, also look into Donington (which is less of a journey than Elvington). It has a large amount of run-off, but is also an interesting circuit to drive - especially Craner Curves.
Try and get a day on the National circuit (rather than the GP circuit, which is crap as it only adds two hairpis to the National), book some instruction & have a ball!
The circuit organises trackdays themselves ( www.donington-park.co.uk/trakzone/ ) for £99 from October to February, and they have days organised for most Sundays from now until Christmas.
Which reminds me, I must go back there again!
Mike...
Edited by mike_knott on Wednesday 27th September 22:00
Edited by mike_knott on Wednesday 27th September 22:01
Nathan
Have done Oulton many times and its a great circuit.I dont think its too daunting for a novice and MSV have novice days there.You can always book some instruction and the instructors are first class. Aintree have a trackday this Saturday and its a good little cicuit and only £99- though it does get booked up quickly. It`s run in sessions from novice to single seaters so you get good value for your money.Why not pop down and judge for yourself.
Don't be too imtimtaed by Oulton - it can be a bit dfaunting in places but that is good as it focus's the mind a bit more. This forces you to drive within yourself and this is what you have to do when starting out.
The track is excellent, possibly my favourite UK circuit (In the International layout).
The key is to be thinking all day when driving. I'd say do a few laps on your own to get a feel for the circuity layout, then go out with an instructor (If you book with Easytrack it might even be me!) and listen to what they are saying. Then go out again and practice what has ben told you - whihc will be in terms of line, positioning, throttle usage, braking, gear choice, etc.
But you must be open minded and ready to learn and think about what you are doing on the track - rather than reacting to the car and track.
If your laps feel white knuckled you are trying to hard. Fast lapping should actually be quite relaxed - because you know what you are doing, where you are placing the car, anticipating what the car will do at each moment. Lightly grip the wheel - let the car talk to you through the wheel. You'll feel the tyres squiming and moving. Use all this information. And don't try to hard too soon. Don't be afriad to be slow at first!
Don't let the tail wag the dog - you are in charge of the car at all times - if it feels to be controlling you ease off and work out why.
Tony
The track is excellent, possibly my favourite UK circuit (In the International layout).
The key is to be thinking all day when driving. I'd say do a few laps on your own to get a feel for the circuity layout, then go out with an instructor (If you book with Easytrack it might even be me!) and listen to what they are saying. Then go out again and practice what has ben told you - whihc will be in terms of line, positioning, throttle usage, braking, gear choice, etc.
But you must be open minded and ready to learn and think about what you are doing on the track - rather than reacting to the car and track.
If your laps feel white knuckled you are trying to hard. Fast lapping should actually be quite relaxed - because you know what you are doing, where you are placing the car, anticipating what the car will do at each moment. Lightly grip the wheel - let the car talk to you through the wheel. You'll feel the tyres squiming and moving. Use all this information. And don't try to hard too soon. Don't be afriad to be slow at first!
Don't let the tail wag the dog - you are in charge of the car at all times - if it feels to be controlling you ease off and work out why.
Tony
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