First track day - at Castle Coombe - any advice?
Discussion
So take it carefully! Wilco!
I'm definitely going to see if I can have a run with an instructor - I'm well aware that I know almost nothing about circuit driving.
I'll take a pump for the tyres and a spare litre of oil.
What's wrong with the petrol station outside the circuit? £££?
Apparently I can hire a helmet when I get there, though if the day 'clicks', I'll just buy one for myself.
I'm definitely going to see if I can have a run with an instructor - I'm well aware that I know almost nothing about circuit driving.
I'll take a pump for the tyres and a spare litre of oil.
What's wrong with the petrol station outside the circuit? £££?
Apparently I can hire a helmet when I get there, though if the day 'clicks', I'll just buy one for myself.
Well, what an excellent day!
After a silly early alarm to get to the circuit for the 07:30 start, the car park appeared to be full of relatively normal cars. Until the serious people arrived! Lots of kit cars on trailers etc. Noise testing was a walk in the park (only 80dB of a 100dB limit!), then the safety briefing. A really relaxed and nice atmosphere.
I first went out at 9:45 with the novice group - especially for people who'd never been on track before. After 10 laps or so, I came in, had a bacon butty, then went out again with an instructor. Thanks to everyone who recommended tuition - it really helped to teach me the lines and helped me to be a bit smoother. Tuition was also FREE! Bonus!
I went out 4 more times, for about 15 minutes each during the day. I felt after 12 or so minutes my tyres were becoming a bit soft and it was getting more difficult to clip the apexes! I found it easier to perfect the line if I left the car in 4th the entire time. Only on the last two sessions did I use 3rd for the slow stuff.
Met some great people, and got a ride round the track in a TVR Griff 500, owned by another newbie to track days.
It seemed the most popular petrol station was the Sainsbury's one in Chippenham - about 5 miles away - as it had their version of the high octane stuff. I say this, as the availability of petrol was a bit of a worry for me yesterday.
Things I found out:
- The S2000 isn't as twitchy as reputation would suggest. As long as you're not a complete hooligan with it, it's got a lot of grip even on normal road tyres and plenty of drive out of the corners.
- All previous thoughts about supercharging it have gone out of the window. I now want stickier tyres, stiffer suspension and bigger brakes!
- My hands get extremely sweaty (ooh-err!) - may have to invest in gloves
- Tuition is FREE at Combe!
- Everyone I stopped to talk to was really friendly.
- Just because the car behind you looks like a standard Citroen Xsara, doesn't mean it's not a LOT faster than you!
- (Luckily) you don't have to be anywhere near the fastest driver out there to have fun!
I'm hooked!
After a silly early alarm to get to the circuit for the 07:30 start, the car park appeared to be full of relatively normal cars. Until the serious people arrived! Lots of kit cars on trailers etc. Noise testing was a walk in the park (only 80dB of a 100dB limit!), then the safety briefing. A really relaxed and nice atmosphere.
I first went out at 9:45 with the novice group - especially for people who'd never been on track before. After 10 laps or so, I came in, had a bacon butty, then went out again with an instructor. Thanks to everyone who recommended tuition - it really helped to teach me the lines and helped me to be a bit smoother. Tuition was also FREE! Bonus!
I went out 4 more times, for about 15 minutes each during the day. I felt after 12 or so minutes my tyres were becoming a bit soft and it was getting more difficult to clip the apexes! I found it easier to perfect the line if I left the car in 4th the entire time. Only on the last two sessions did I use 3rd for the slow stuff.
Met some great people, and got a ride round the track in a TVR Griff 500, owned by another newbie to track days.
It seemed the most popular petrol station was the Sainsbury's one in Chippenham - about 5 miles away - as it had their version of the high octane stuff. I say this, as the availability of petrol was a bit of a worry for me yesterday.
Things I found out:
- The S2000 isn't as twitchy as reputation would suggest. As long as you're not a complete hooligan with it, it's got a lot of grip even on normal road tyres and plenty of drive out of the corners.
- All previous thoughts about supercharging it have gone out of the window. I now want stickier tyres, stiffer suspension and bigger brakes!
- My hands get extremely sweaty (ooh-err!) - may have to invest in gloves
- Tuition is FREE at Combe!
- Everyone I stopped to talk to was really friendly.
- Just because the car behind you looks like a standard Citroen Xsara, doesn't mean it's not a LOT faster than you!
- (Luckily) you don't have to be anywhere near the fastest driver out there to have fun!
I'm hooked!
Cheers guys - there's a temptation to rush out and start upgrading stuff... I'm going to have a few more sessions and a bit more instruction first. I know I'm nowhere near getting the most out of the car - see the Nurburgring S2000 video on YouTube - wow...
I've owned a few quick cars so far, one was monumentally rapid, but the S is by far the most fun!
I've owned a few quick cars so far, one was monumentally rapid, but the S is by far the most fun!
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