Which circuit for a trackday newbie?
Discussion
Lichtgestalt said:
Can't wait to get my Exige out on track so was wondering which track would be the best for a first timer. I'm from London so Brands would be fab but wonder how it is in terms of abrasiveness, etc? Or is it best to rent a car anyway?
Brands is good, it's airfields that tend to have really abrasive surfaces. Another place to consider is Abbeville with Lotus on Track. It's not dear so even adding the cost of a return Channel crossing can make it cheaper than a UK trackday plus you can pick up cheap booze on the way back. Wherever you go make sure you book instruction and check that your car is not too loud for the circuit.
Bruntingthorpe is good (wide and open with lots of run off) but only does a few trackdays per year. Bedford is good for the same reasons but it's hard to know where you are because the track is so featurless. So both of these tracks will allow you to make a mistake with a reduced liklihood of you damaging your car.
http://www.bigthunder.co.uk
http://www.bedfordautodrome.com/
http://www.bigthunder.co.uk
http://www.bedfordautodrome.com/
There's a LoT novices day at Brands in July. Not too late to join LoT(£30) and book the Novice Day.
Its well worth joining LoT (Lotus on Track) as its a club for Lotus owners or enthusiasts only - 2 seater cars only (mainly Elises/Exiges and Caterfields) and excellent standards of behaviour.
Have a look at the LoT website to get an idea of whats available throughout the year (lots of TDs
).
Its well worth joining LoT (Lotus on Track) as its a club for Lotus owners or enthusiasts only - 2 seater cars only (mainly Elises/Exiges and Caterfields) and excellent standards of behaviour.
Have a look at the LoT website to get an idea of whats available throughout the year (lots of TDs
).Bedford is great for your first track days: loads and loads of run off onto grass (voe
).
Just be wary of the noise levels though. They test your static before they let you on track and monitor drive-by around the circuit - one fail on drive-by and your out. No chances to try and sort the problem or remember to keep the revs down, just the black flag and an apology. Only happened to me once and that was late in the day on my third visit - no problems at all before!!
).Just be wary of the noise levels though. They test your static before they let you on track and monitor drive-by around the circuit - one fail on drive-by and your out. No chances to try and sort the problem or remember to keep the revs down, just the black flag and an apology. Only happened to me once and that was late in the day on my third visit - no problems at all before!!
I recently did my first trackday in my Exige S @ Goodwood & found it an excellent circuit to learn on - yes some areas dont have much of a run off but with only 5 cars on track at any one time you can learn the track without having to be continually worried about other cars
Otherwise i'd say Brands or Bedford would be a choice for a 1st trackday based on reports from people who have done those circuits on the RS Owners Club
Otherwise i'd say Brands or Bedford would be a choice for a 1st trackday based on reports from people who have done those circuits on the RS Owners Club
LOT Novice evening @ Brands will be a good start. If not, there's a Novice day at Snetterton on 24th Jul for £119 with MSV (7 x 20 mins sessions), an easy track to learn and a relatively safe track too (just a bit more character than Bedford which is a very long featureless track if on the GT circuit).
(As an intro to circuit driving for my Company car club members, I've arranged for a large group of novices to attend on this day. Drop by to say "Hi" if you can make it)
Rgds
Tom
(As an intro to circuit driving for my Company car club members, I've arranged for a large group of novices to attend on this day. Drop by to say "Hi" if you can make it)
Rgds
Tom
Goodwood is fairly close to you and is a great old fashioned high speed sweeping circuit - just be sensible and have some tuition. That was where I did my first track time over 20 years ago and I still think it is one of the best circuits.
Otherwise Brands Hatch GP circuit, Thruxton (if they do them), Castle Combe and Oulton Park.
If you are up for something exciting then ferry to France and do Spa and then Nurburgring - they are real circuits for you...
Otherwise Brands Hatch GP circuit, Thruxton (if they do them), Castle Combe and Oulton Park.
If you are up for something exciting then ferry to France and do Spa and then Nurburgring - they are real circuits for you...
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