Which track day for the gf and I?
Discussion
I'm after a track day, and I've had a little experience on tracks and know I'll enjoy it, but would also like the girlfriend to have a chance to drive too. Now she's never driven anything quicker than her Aygo, and I suspect that it would be a very large step up to put her in my Atom. Any ideas on what the options are?
Would a day at a race school somewhere make more sense? We live close to Donnington so that's a possibility. Has anyone used the race school there?
Would a day at a race school somewhere make more sense? We live close to Donnington so that's a possibility. Has anyone used the race school there?
I wouldn't go for the BaT option on this one, you may just as well use the Atom and stick a restrictor on the throttle! Use some of the money you've save to get insurance cover and an instructor for the day to help get her settled in.
If you wanted to buy something to get her comfortable on track then a cheap hot-hatch would be the obvious way to go, 106GTi, Golf, Clio, Civic etc, but there are places and TDOs that can rent you a car like that for the day. One day should be enough to get an idea of whether it's something she enjoys and how safe she is then you can decide if you want to get her out in the Atom or buy a hatch for her to drive.
If you wanted to buy something to get her comfortable on track then a cheap hot-hatch would be the obvious way to go, 106GTi, Golf, Clio, Civic etc, but there are places and TDOs that can rent you a car like that for the day. One day should be enough to get an idea of whether it's something she enjoys and how safe she is then you can decide if you want to get her out in the Atom or buy a hatch for her to drive.
I would highy reccommend the experiences at silverstone. I first did the Exige one, and although you don't get a huge amount of time on the track, having an instructer next to you telling you to go faster is great, plus yoy get to drive on some of the GP circuit. I have also done the single seaters which are great to drive and you have more time on track, but no one on one tuition.
If you have money to burn http://www.catdrivertraining.co.uk/index.php/cat-d...
Might be a good option.
Also there is another company/guy who does handling courses but his name escapes me right now.
Otherwise I'd say got to Bedford and book her plenty of sessions with an instructor.
Might be a good option.
Also there is another company/guy who does handling courses but his name escapes me right now.
Otherwise I'd say got to Bedford and book her plenty of sessions with an instructor.
Willbee said:
snowdude2910 said:
I'd take her out on the road a few times driving the atom to get a feel for it before going on track in an unfamiliar car, anglsey is a good place to start although I'd imagine donny is too but it is a bit dull
I'm not sure I'd call the Craner Curves dull! 
The problem with letting her drive YOUR Atom is that I suspect you're going to be in the passenger seat and be very worried about her driving YOUR car. Your 'backseat' driving will consequently have a very negative effect on her driving and neither of you will enjoy it. If you don't have a big fall out I would be very surprised!
I agree with the idea of going for the hired Caterham. With that you can take turns with driving it, with and without and instructor and just enjoy yourselves. Leave it right until the end of the day before you both go out in at the same time and you might even leave the day still as a couple.
I agree with the idea of going for the hired Caterham. With that you can take turns with driving it, with and without and instructor and just enjoy yourselves. Leave it right until the end of the day before you both go out in at the same time and you might even leave the day still as a couple.
I've got a few cars and my girlfriend has driven all on track. The one she feels most comfortable driving and the one she drives the best is my S2 ExigeS
TC and ABS help me feel comfortable when she is driving as well
but as for driving days, Simple! take her to the Palmersport day. You will both love it and get to sample lots of cars of varying speeds and abilities. The instructors are great as well.
Donno dull??? its AMAZING! driving it sunday, Cant wait!
I always think Bedfords the best place for anyone to start. You have an off. It wont hurt the car or either of you unless you are soooooooooooo unlucky
TC and ABS help me feel comfortable when she is driving as well
but as for driving days, Simple! take her to the Palmersport day. You will both love it and get to sample lots of cars of varying speeds and abilities. The instructors are great as well.
Donno dull??? its AMAZING! driving it sunday, Cant wait!
I always think Bedfords the best place for anyone to start. You have an off. It wont hurt the car or either of you unless you are soooooooooooo unlucky
Edited by Porkie on Friday 16th September 16:06
I've got a similar problem with my girlfriend actually!
She's had a bit of experience- she did a supercars day and drove a Lambo, Ferrari 430 and a Cayman around Thruxton. We're surprosed to be doing an all day Exige experience soon too (around 15 laps worth with an instructor).
Thing is, I can't bring myself to let her drive my Megane 250. Partly because it's my baby (and without sounding selfish, I paid for it!), and secondly if she did overcook it and we went off, she'd feel awful about damaging it, and I know I'd be annoyed at myself for letting her drive it (and her for crashing it!).
We did a trackday this weekend and a VX220 had a very nasty encounter with the tyre wall which ripped off the front bumper. I think she's seen how easy it is to cause an accident.
Our plan is to look at getting a Clio 182 or similar so she can learn in something with a bit less power (And will cost us less to run).
She's had a bit of experience- she did a supercars day and drove a Lambo, Ferrari 430 and a Cayman around Thruxton. We're surprosed to be doing an all day Exige experience soon too (around 15 laps worth with an instructor).
Thing is, I can't bring myself to let her drive my Megane 250. Partly because it's my baby (and without sounding selfish, I paid for it!), and secondly if she did overcook it and we went off, she'd feel awful about damaging it, and I know I'd be annoyed at myself for letting her drive it (and her for crashing it!).
We did a trackday this weekend and a VX220 had a very nasty encounter with the tyre wall which ripped off the front bumper. I think she's seen how easy it is to cause an accident.
Our plan is to look at getting a Clio 182 or similar so she can learn in something with a bit less power (And will cost us less to run).
My misses loves trackdays - but mainly at bedford where there's lots of space and good marshalling. She's not so happy on an actual "track" where you can see barriers. Which is fair enough, she knows here comfort zone.
She uses my R26R - its a good/safe car for her to get time in. The RenaultSport trackdays, next one is tomorrow at brands are excellent. I usually just stand back and let her drive at these days, instruction is always available and very worthwhile. She had some time with one of the Palmersport instructors recently and what a difference that made to her confidence.
I'm all for more women at trackdays; these days many events are becoming quite boring, my xxxx is bigger than your xxxx sausagefests!! And have often thought that if an organiser did a women only day they'd get a massive uptake - certainly know my misses would be at the front of the queue.
She uses my R26R - its a good/safe car for her to get time in. The RenaultSport trackdays, next one is tomorrow at brands are excellent. I usually just stand back and let her drive at these days, instruction is always available and very worthwhile. She had some time with one of the Palmersport instructors recently and what a difference that made to her confidence.
I'm all for more women at trackdays; these days many events are becoming quite boring, my xxxx is bigger than your xxxx sausagefests!! And have often thought that if an organiser did a women only day they'd get a massive uptake - certainly know my misses would be at the front of the queue.
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