New to track days

[prg123]

Hi,

I'm looking for my first trackday..... Preferably at weekends.

I have bought a car specifically for trak days (Xsara VTS). Can someone recommend a good company that I can use to book one.

Also any ideas what I should xpect on the day.... And how I should prepare the car.

Thanks

- Pete

[MikeATD]

As far as the car is concerned, probably do the obvious things without spending a fortune on it.
Good service
Good quality brake pads
Possibly renew brake fluid
Ensure tyres have reasonable tread depth if you plan to drive it home after

On the day, keep a close eye on temperatures, do not stay out for too long at a time, maybe 15 to 20 mins maximum. Your brakes will be suffering by then and keep an check on tyre pressures as they will generally increase by as much as 5 to 10 psi when they are hot.

Also on the day, try to get some instruction....even the best drivers benefit from it.

Then pick your circuit, probably not go to one miles away from home just in case you have car issues but one that is fairly forgiving if you spin off.

Get yourself out there....you'll love it!!

Mike

[prg123]

Thanks Mike....

Need to sort out insurance before I set out, but really looking forward to it....

- Pete

[MikeATD]

You dont necessarily need insurance. I have never insured any of my cars on track. Depends on the cost though and the excess.

Mike

[harryowl]

Probably worth picking a track with decent run off areas for peace of mind. Bedford maybe?

[MikeATD]

Or Blyton, Donington, Anglesey?

Mike

[prg123]

Cool thanks only want to insure it for the road, not track....

At some point if I get into it bg time, I'll invest in a trailer..... But not for now

What companies do you guys use to book your track days?


- Pete

[MikeATD]

I organise them myself now.
Pick which circuit you fancy though and then check who does the days and then compare price, what's included and maximum number of attendees.

Mike

[spyderman8]

Can I recommend you stick to companies recognised by the Association of Track Day Organisers:
http://www.atdo.co.uk/atdo.php?pg=members&ls=a...

[prg123]

Thanks I'll look through those.... I'm in Berkshire would prefer a track in the south east for my first one

- pete

[Typhoons]

Try one of the Novice track days orgaised by ClubMSV. Brands hatch is not too far away and its short track so easy to learn the corners. They do evening trackdays which might help.

[motco]

prg123 said:

Cool thanks only want to insure it for the road, not track....

At some point if I get into it bg time, I'll invest in a trailer..... But not for now

What companies do you guys use to book your track days?


- Pete

Seeing that you're in the Thames Valley I would recommend Motor Sport Events

[MagicalTrevor]

I did my first track day at Silverstone, it was organised by Silverstone themselves and was very good. They're not the cheapest but I felt reassured by their professionalism and as Silverstone is a big, wide circuit with big runoffs then I never felt worried about trashing my car and hence why I didn't bother getting TD insurance.

So, my recommendation would be Silverstone on an Amateur day (although I wouldn't say the 'amateur' part would be necessary)

[bikerstu]

Have to agree with the above!

Make sure the car is ready and you have your drivers licence

I use club msv mainly, i have used others but i always find myself going back. They do the tracks i like and i know the layout. I've done car and bike stuff with them and really cannot complain

[DiscoColin]

I'd recommend an MSV novice day personally - simply as it means that most of the other machinery there will be somewhat less intimidating and you aren't going to have racing cars bearing down of you out of nowhere. You'll be fine with that after a couple of days experience, but for a first time better to save yourself the stress - you will enjoy it more that way.

[Steve H]

I would advise against novice days, why would you want to be on track with drivers who have as little experience as little as you do?

[bikerstu]

I would rather be out on a novice day as my first time and not an open pit which can have racers and race cars out there...

[SkyUK]

Steve H said:

I would advise against novice days, why would you want to be on track with drivers who have as little experience as little as you do?

I guess so that you don't get in the way of people who know what they are doing. Or even worse be unpredictable through inexperience and potentially be the cause of a crash.

I used to race bikes (15 years ago?) and haven't been on a track since. I'll be taking my MK out soon and even though its a monster I'll be booking into novice and then if its appropriate I'll see if theyll let me move up. I want to be safe first, and learn the car without braking too early for someone else or cocking up the line and being unpredictable, or worse lose it on the way in and take someone out.

I just want to be considerate to everyone out there who also wants to enjoy. When I was racing (club level, nothing hard core), when people caught me up I'd let them through and follow them and try to work out what they did that was faster than. Maybe not so good for the result of that race, but I learned quicker that way

[Evangelion]

I'd advise against a weekend trackday if possible, 'cuz that's when you get the barryboys in the Corsas and Saxos, who think they're Ayrton Senna reborn and don't bother listening to the briefings. I've had these twunts overtaking in braking areas, racing each other two and sometimes even three abreast, flashing me halfway round a bend, taking completely stupid and unpredictable lines, braking too early and so on. Weekdays seem to be better.

Definitely go for an open pitlane event. That way you can do a few laps to get a feel, come in and try again, and also pick a time when there's fewer cars on track (there will be fewer anyway than a sessioned trackday).

The other problem with sessions is that they're only 15 minutes or so, and if the session gets ruined for some reason (see above for barryboys) then that's it. With OPL no-one's in a hurry so it's much better.

[Steve H]

SkyUK said:

Steve H said:

I would advise against novice days, why would you want to be on track with drivers who have as little experience as little as you do?

I guess so that you don't get in the way of people who know what they are doing. Or even worse be unpredictable through inexperience and potentially be the cause of a crash.

I used to race bikes (15 years ago?) and haven't been on a track since. I'll be taking my MK out soon and even though its a monster I'll be booking into novice and then if its appropriate I'll see if theyll let me move up. I want to be safe first, and learn the car without braking too early for someone else or cocking up the line and being unpredictable, or worse lose it on the way in and take someone out.

I just want to be considerate to everyone out there who also wants to enjoy. When I was racing (club level, nothing hard core), when people caught me up I'd let them through and follow them and try to work out what they did that was faster than. Maybe not so good for the result of that race, but I learned quicker that way

I know that less experienced track drivers feel that they would be more comfortable with similar drivers around them but for me it still doesn't make sense.

If you do make a mistake then you will be safer surrounded by drivers with some experience and they will be fine with having novices on the track so long as they do their best to keep an eye on their mirrors and let faster drivers by. If you want to learn from the other drivers on the circuit then the last place you want to be is amongst other first-timers!

BTW, I also started on track racing bikes (25 years ago ), we all have to start somewhere and 99% of experienced trackdayers will be happy to have novices along if they show the sensible attitude that you have.