Cadwell Trackday
Discussion
As far as the car is concerned, make sure it is well serviced, top up levels and make sure thee is plenty of meat on the tyres and brakes. After the day you will know if you need to make improvements. Definitely agree with steve about instruction.
Take it easy early in the day as hall bends can be slippery and catch out slot of drivers. Don't be tempted to try for too much air over the mountain.
Mike
Take it easy early in the day as hall bends can be slippery and catch out slot of drivers. Don't be tempted to try for too much air over the mountain.
Mike
Don't take the initial turn into Hall by driving up the inside of the track right over the apex like people seem to do on track days(then proceed to spin out, there always a few that do that).
Take it wide, stick to the left and trust the marshal not to let someone out of the pits into your path and turn in giving yourself a straightish line to the second apex, fastest and safest entry I find.
Other than that it's relatively straight forward but massively fun
Try and come in after less than 10 laps as you might find you start to cook breaks and tyres depending on what rubber/pads you're using.
The majority of the track rewards smooth driving so try to find the natural path the car wants to take and just build up speed gradually.
Yes to tuition also if you're not overly confident.
Take it wide, stick to the left and trust the marshal not to let someone out of the pits into your path and turn in giving yourself a straightish line to the second apex, fastest and safest entry I find.
Other than that it's relatively straight forward but massively fun
Try and come in after less than 10 laps as you might find you start to cook breaks and tyres depending on what rubber/pads you're using.
The majority of the track rewards smooth driving so try to find the natural path the car wants to take and just build up speed gradually.
Yes to tuition also if you're not overly confident.
Not tried Grumpy Twigs line but it sounds counter-intuitive (not saying it's wrong though). But the suggestion of a line different to most other poeples would definitely suggest instruction would be good after all power on through gooseneck is also counter intuitive but it works for me. Instuctors who know the track can help your enjoyment (and future enjoyment) massively. Probably safer than learning by trial and error.
I'm there on Monday, I'll take a look at the alternative line entering Hall . . .
I'm there on Monday, I'll take a look at the alternative line entering Hall . . .
I think what Grumpytwig means (or at least how I take it) is to keep left fairly late as you approach the pitlane exit and as you take the first right apex, stay right for an extra yard or so to make the turn to the first left apex harder and tighter. What this does is straighten the exit of that left allowing much more power to be applied with good stability allowing you to carry much more speed all the way to the hairpin, you really notice the difference when you get there!!
The more obvious line that a lot use involves carrying lots of speed in that you then scrub off at the left apex with braking that then destabilises the car (all the way to the barriers in some cases
); it is quicker in but only for a few yards and usually results in everything after the first left apex being slower.
The more obvious line that a lot use involves carrying lots of speed in that you then scrub off at the left apex with braking that then destabilises the car (all the way to the barriers in some cases
); it is quicker in but only for a few yards and usually results in everything after the first left apex being slower.Sorry probably didnt explain it particularly well, the idea is to stay left for as long as practical past the pits turning into the initial right handers apex onto the trailing edge so that you brake (if you need to) in a straightish line up to next turn.
A lot of people on track days seem scared of sticking to the left of the track past the pits, end up either in the middle of the track or over to the right, try to carry speed into the esses while braking at the same time and spin or hit the rather large kerb on the inside and spin.
Not sure how that could ever be counter-intuitive given it's the fasted way through there and generally if you watch professionals getting round there will be the line they take.
I only mentioned it because I've seen a fair few ruin everyone elses day or pile their car into the barries there.
p.s. I think Steve H got it
it works for me and my car and the instructors/racers that I've spoken to but maybe not everyone.....
A lot of people on track days seem scared of sticking to the left of the track past the pits, end up either in the middle of the track or over to the right, try to carry speed into the esses while braking at the same time and spin or hit the rather large kerb on the inside and spin.
Not sure how that could ever be counter-intuitive given it's the fasted way through there and generally if you watch professionals getting round there will be the line they take.
I only mentioned it because I've seen a fair few ruin everyone elses day or pile their car into the barries there.
p.s. I think Steve H got it
it works for me and my car and the instructors/racers that I've spoken to but maybe not everyone.....Ninjaboy said:
Well i'm back and enjoyed my first trackday and learned Road cars and track cars are very diffrent things lol. I think the little TF did well but i really seem to struggle with tyres. Cadwell is a cracking track i would recommend it to anyone
Glad you enjoyed it, Cadwell is a bit of an addiction 
Yes... it certainly shows up the fact a good road car is nothing like a good track car and road tyres really don't appreciate the sustained abuse.
V8mate said:
I'm keen on visiting Cadwell.
Looking on the Google satellite image, there doesn't appear to be any pit garages. Is that the case?
Is there anywhere to set down tools and wheels and stuff out of the weather?
No garages at all. There is a scrutineers bay, but it's not really weather proof or secure.Looking on the Google satellite image, there doesn't appear to be any pit garages. Is that the case?
Is there anywhere to set down tools and wheels and stuff out of the weather?
Cadwell is an awesome track. One of my favorite. I wouldn't say its the best track to start with as its quite technical in parts with not that much room for error in some places. You will however thoroughly enjoy.
Just take it slow and steady, get some instruction and no more then 15-20 mins out on track and any one time.
Check car over before you go out. Oil level, wheel nuts, air psi might need reducing ever so slightly as they will over inflate as they heat up, take anything that can move around the in cabin and boot.
When you come into the pits every time check the above again. Also DO NOT PUT YOUR HANDBRAKE ON. Leave the car in gear.
Enjoy and stay safe out there.
Here a quick video i took of me going around in my Integra on my first visit to Cadwell.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzGizfwSfWk
p.s. i forgot to add. do not floor it over the "mountain" i.e. the steep little hill infront of the exit as you could potentially blow your engine up. Saw a yellow EVO 8 do it when i was there. Red flagged the track for a good 10-15 mins to clean up the mess as it split its guts. come of the accelerator. Around 60% power. its not worth the risk if you have to drive home at the end of the day.
Just take it slow and steady, get some instruction and no more then 15-20 mins out on track and any one time.
Check car over before you go out. Oil level, wheel nuts, air psi might need reducing ever so slightly as they will over inflate as they heat up, take anything that can move around the in cabin and boot.
When you come into the pits every time check the above again. Also DO NOT PUT YOUR HANDBRAKE ON. Leave the car in gear.
Enjoy and stay safe out there.
Here a quick video i took of me going around in my Integra on my first visit to Cadwell.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzGizfwSfWk
p.s. i forgot to add. do not floor it over the "mountain" i.e. the steep little hill infront of the exit as you could potentially blow your engine up. Saw a yellow EVO 8 do it when i was there. Red flagged the track for a good 10-15 mins to clean up the mess as it split its guts. come of the accelerator. Around 60% power. its not worth the risk if you have to drive home at the end of the day.
Edited by zorba_the_greek on Friday 7th October 21:43
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