Track Day Advice

[hueandcry71]

I am supposed to be going to Oulton Park tomorrow for a Novice track day and have just gone to book it and thought "is this really for me"?

I dont want to learn about preparing a car for the track, track etiquette and circuit driving but i do want to learn about how to handle the car should i lose the back end, begin to slide, when i can put my foot down, when best not to etc.

I appreciate that the stuff i want to know about is probably best taught on a track but will the day im considering booking be solely track racing orientated?

Will i be wasting £200+ if i book this type of track day??

[kevin ritson]

Oulton demands a lot of respect but seeing as you're with other novices you should be OK. I would just start at a pace you're comfortable with and build up from there. Do not feel you are under pressure to do a fast lap, in any case you can't use timing equipment.

It's a social. Have fun, enjoy using the car, chat to other owners (don't get ideas about their cars though ) and appreciate it for what it is.

[VladTheDad]

Don't expect everyone to be a novice despite what it says. Don't be shocked if there are a few people there who are reasonably experienced.

Also keep an half an eye out for debris on the track. Some 'novices' have bits fall off their cars (like a headlamp assembly in the middle of the main straight at Bedford two years ago!)

[RobM77]

Don't worry Track days are not racing; they're a million miles away. You won't be taught how to go faster, you'll be taught how to drive safely. I doubt they'll be an emphasis on car control; for that you'd be better off with Don Palmer or a Lotus day up at Hethel. You'll have a great time though. Don't feel pressured to drive fast by the other cars, just relax and enjoy not having to worry about speed limits or what's coming the other way

Enjoy

[squirejo]

it has been said many times before but spend £25 on some instruction early in the day. The instructor will put you at ease whilst you familiarise yourself with the circuit layout, such that it does not 'rush up' at you and you feel more prepared for each section or feature.

Start slow, look ahead - BUT ALSO LOOK IN YOUR MIRRORS and be prepared to let other traffic past; someone will always be faster and they won't be able to pressure you if you know they are there.

[crackthatoff]

did mine at the beginning of the month, bloody amasing is all I can say !!!!
get some piccies !

[robbieduncan]

If you want to learn about car control at the limit the something like this: http://www.carlimits.com/ might be better.

[S Works]

Get some training sessions booked on the day. One in the morning (as early as poss), one just after lunch. Take it easy and remember it's not a race.

[crackthatoff]

S Works said:

Get some training sessions booked on the day. One in the morning (as early as poss), one just after lunch. Take it easy and remember it's not a race.

thats what I did and its probably the best 40 quid spent ever!

[hueandcry71]

Tried to book it online earlier but the site was down. Just going to turn up with my mate who has booked and hopefully they will let me book on the day.

[S Works]

hueandcry71 said:

Tried to book it online earlier but the site was down. Just going to turn up with my mate who has booked and hopefully they will let me book on the day.

Who is the day being run by? Call them and book over the phone. Booking on the day may not be possible if all slots are pre-booked.

[hueandcry71]

S Works said:

hueandcry71 said:

Tried to book it online earlier but the site was down. Just going to turn up with my mate who has booked and hopefully they will let me book on the day.

Who is the day being run by? Call them and book over the phone. Booking on the day may not be possible if all slots are pre-booked.

motorvision i think. Im getting there for 7.30am and if all slots aere booked i can go in with my mate.

I havent sorted any insurance out, is this a big no-no for a novice day or am i and everyone else more than likely to come away unscathed?

[crackthatoff]

hueandcry71 said:

S Works said:

hueandcry71 said:

Tried to book it online earlier but the site was down. Just going to turn up with my mate who has booked and hopefully they will let me book on the day.

Who is the day being run by? Call them and book over the phone. Booking on the day may not be possible if all slots are pre-booked.

motorvision i think. Im getting there for 7.30am and if all slots aere booked i can go in with my mate.

I havent sorted any insurance out, is this a big no-no for a novice day or am i and everyone else more than likely to come away unscathed?

if you dont end up using your car don't forget the golden rule.... you bend it you mend it ! chill.. I didnt even eat my full english in the hotel, the butterflies were fluttering around that much, honestly its nothing to worry about.
the only worry you should have is how to fund the next and the next and the next !

Thats in my neck of the woods but unfortunately, My rears are shagged, the indicators have decided not to work, the mot run out 3 days ago and I need a geo done! grrr!

[hueandcry71]

crackthatoff said:

hueandcry71 said:

S Works said:

hueandcry71 said:

Tried to book it online earlier but the site was down. Just going to turn up with my mate who has booked and hopefully they will let me book on the day.

Who is the day being run by? Call them and book over the phone. Booking on the day may not be possible if all slots are pre-booked.

motorvision i think. Im getting there for 7.30am and if all slots aere booked i can go in with my mate.

I havent sorted any insurance out, is this a big no-no for a novice day or am i and everyone else more than likely to come away unscathed?

if you dont end up using your car don't forget the golden rule.... you bend it you mend it ! chill.. I didnt even eat my full english in the hotel, the butterflies were fluttering around that much, honestly its nothing to worry about.
the only worry you should have is how to fund the next and the next and the next !

Thats in my neck of the woods but unfortunately, My rears are shagged, the indicators have decided not to work, the mot run out 3 days ago and I need a geo done! grrr!

I have deliberated over going for a while but now i have made the decision i am excited.

When i bought this car i promised myself that i wanted to learn to drive this one properly. I have found myself putting my foot down more and more and i am becoming a little over confident. This means that now is exactly the right time to get some tuition.
My background is health and safety so i would be foolish to operate a machine that i am not competent to use.

I just know that after tomorrow i will come away wanting an Exige S though !!

[TIPPER]

In order to learn how to handle your car at the limit then a carlimits day would be more appropriate.
To have a lot of fun pushing your car towards its limits in a safe enviornment with no scameras and oncoming then a track day is great fun.

[RobM77]

I'd like to add to my reply above a few pieces of simple advice:

a) Take it easy. If you're careful, you'll have an entire day of fun and return home with a grin on your face. Get over-confident and make one small mistake and you might be taking the train home.

b) Keep your hands in one place on the wheel at all times (preferably quarter to three). Almost all track day accidents and offs that I've seen, both with my own eyes and on You Tube, involve overcorrection, usually caused by people shuffling the wheel around and losing track of where straight ahead is.

c) Build up the speed gradually, and feel the balance of the car. After all the complicated theory etc all that track driving is really about it balance. If you accelerate, weight comes off the front and you understeer; if you back off, the opposite happens. Be gentle with the controls and feel that balance.

d) Be gentle with the controls and relax. If you're driving properly, then it will look like you're half asleep in the cockpit.

Have fun