Say you wanted to do your first proper trackday in a 7...
Discussion
And you lived in Surrey (Guildford area) Some questions if I may:
- where would people suggest I go that's relatively close and good for a first outing?
- would I be mad driving there and back and doing the day in the middle or should I go out and buy a trailer first?
I'd really like to do it this year but obviously want to do it right.
Thanks in advance,
Tom
- where would people suggest I go that's relatively close and good for a first outing?
- would I be mad driving there and back and doing the day in the middle or should I go out and buy a trailer first?
I'd really like to do it this year but obviously want to do it right.
Thanks in advance,
Tom
If you have never done a track day, I would say try Goodwood. They only allow about 6 cars out at a time, let everyone overtake you then you can just get on with the driving as you will have the track to your self. If you belong to the LC7 club, then your best bet would be to sign up for the Dunsfold handling day and try out the TopGear circuit.
Brands evening sessions are good if you fancy that. I'm not sure I'd recommend Goodwood because you might end up waiting around a lot. Donington is great but further away. Many people like Bedford although personally I find it terminally boring.
You could certainly drive to BH, Goodwood or Bedford.
You could certainly drive to BH, Goodwood or Bedford.
I did Goodwood when I lived down the road from you in Petersfield. They let a certain amount of people out for a drive, then call them back in, you just join the back of the queue again and soon enough you're back out. I only did half a day but found it fine for me.
Abingdon was another track day I had a few passenger laps on. It's an airfield and seemed to suit the nature of the Caterham quite well.
Abingdon was another track day I had a few passenger laps on. It's an airfield and seemed to suit the nature of the Caterham quite well.
Guys, as ever, many thanks for the info. I'll look at all of those options.
I should have said that as a L7C member last year I did indeed do the Dunsfold handling day as its on my doorstep and may well go again this year. Just fancy a proper track day as well this year.
Pleased to hear others have driven there and back too. Can't really be bothered with a trailer if I can help it. Don't have a tow hook or anywhere to store it for a start
I should have said that as a L7C member last year I did indeed do the Dunsfold handling day as its on my doorstep and may well go again this year. Just fancy a proper track day as well this year.
Pleased to hear others have driven there and back too. Can't really be bothered with a trailer if I can help it. Don't have a tow hook or anywhere to store it for a start
Can highly recommend motorsport-events.com days. Have been a couple of times to Abingdon airfield. Affordable and very well run, there's plenty of run off should you need it...but you won't as you'll be driving your pride and joy!!. They also offer helmet hire if you need it along with tuition from race drivers.
Also can highly recommend Hethel, the Lotus test track. Very smooth surface, fast sweeping corners and two long straights.
Regards
SKC
Also can highly recommend Hethel, the Lotus test track. Very smooth surface, fast sweeping corners and two long straights.
Regards
SKC
Tom, for your first trackday I would really strongly recommend doing a sevens-only one.
On mixed days there can be some very large and/or powerful tintops, some with very inexperienced drivers, that can be quite intimidating on your first time in a small exposed 7.
Also, take advantage of the free tuition at L7Club trackdays as early in the day as possible.
There is the L7Club Brands GP in July, and I suspect there may be a Club only session on a Brands Indy day at some point.
Keep an eye on the Trackday forum on blatchat
On mixed days there can be some very large and/or powerful tintops, some with very inexperienced drivers, that can be quite intimidating on your first time in a small exposed 7.
Also, take advantage of the free tuition at L7Club trackdays as early in the day as possible.
There is the L7Club Brands GP in July, and I suspect there may be a Club only session on a Brands Indy day at some point.
Keep an eye on the Trackday forum on blatchat
My first track day was at Abingdon airfield. Great venue, loads of run off, very safely organised by motorsport-events.com. They did a great job, well organised, made it very safe. All the drivers obeyed the rules, & were very civilised making it track day beginner friendly. Plus lots of track side friendly chit chat. I recommend.
Helluvaname said:
Tom, for your first trackday I would really strongly recommend doing a sevens-only one.
On mixed days there can be some very large and/or powerful tintops, some with very inexperienced drivers, that can be quite intimidating on your first time in a small exposed 7.
Also, take advantage of the free tuition at L7Club trackdays as early in the day as possible.
There is the L7Club Brands GP in July, and I suspect there may be a Club only session on a Brands Indy day at some point.
Keep an eye on the Trackday forum on blatchat
I recommend what he says! I did Silverstone GP track not long ago with my Ultima, felt for the few Caterham drivers out on the track on that day. Even I was getting constantly overtaken by the Radicals and race spec exotic stuff. Rules about not overtaking on bends & moving over to allow faster cars to overtake was very relaxed. It was suppose to be a track day, however looking at all the pro race team trucks, race non road spec cars & intensity of the driving it felt like a race car testing day. Ult-jimOn mixed days there can be some very large and/or powerful tintops, some with very inexperienced drivers, that can be quite intimidating on your first time in a small exposed 7.
Also, take advantage of the free tuition at L7Club trackdays as early in the day as possible.
There is the L7Club Brands GP in July, and I suspect there may be a Club only session on a Brands Indy day at some point.
Keep an eye on the Trackday forum on blatchat
I built our Caterham a couple of years ago and wondered the same about my first track day.
In the end I went with a Novice day with Club MSV at Brands Hatch ... and I drove there from about the same distance as you, just the other way around M25.
The bacon sandwiches are very good. After the first few laps it felt very comfortable, the briefing was good, the 'sighting lap' is helpful behind a safety car, the other participants followed most of the rules.
First time I went I shared the sessions with my wife, she loved it and had a 20min instructor session as well which she really enjoyed. After that went with friends who really enjoyed the experience too. Max 3 times as a novice.
Generally a great day.
In the end I went with a Novice day with Club MSV at Brands Hatch ... and I drove there from about the same distance as you, just the other way around M25.
The bacon sandwiches are very good. After the first few laps it felt very comfortable, the briefing was good, the 'sighting lap' is helpful behind a safety car, the other participants followed most of the rules.
First time I went I shared the sessions with my wife, she loved it and had a 20min instructor session as well which she really enjoyed. After that went with friends who really enjoyed the experience too. Max 3 times as a novice.
Generally a great day.
Stuart0620 said:
Goodwood, Brands Hatch or Castle Combe
All easily driveable there and back in the day and doing the trackday
What is a trailer !?
Castle Combe is a fast circuit with lots of run off if you go one way but not so much if you go the other.All easily driveable there and back in the day and doing the trackday
What is a trailer !?
Llandow is a fun track in somethibng small like a Caterham and also pretty safe.
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