Donington National or Silverstone GP?

[muckymotor]

I'm looking to book my next track day soon and as I haven't driven either of these circuits and also because of the F1 link I'd like to try one but deciding between them is tricky so I'm throwing it open to you lot. Which do you prefer and why?

I'm leaning slightly towards Donington at the moment mainly due to the elevation changes as I find flat circuits less of a challenge. The one thing that suprised me about the Donington National circuit is that it is shorter than Cadwell. Silverstone is a fair bit longer than Donington so it has that in its favour.

If it helps my track history so far is Cadwell, Anglesey, Blyton plus Elvington and Cottesmore airfield circuits. I'll be using a Volvo T5 with uprated pads and suspension.

[spyderman8]

I agree that the elevation changes make Donington more interesting than Silverstone.

[BoostMonkey]

I've just booked (as of 15 mins ago)on Javelin's day at Doninghton 29th March for £199 which I think is very good value.
Donny is usually around £250-300, just got to do the praying now to the weather gods.

Silverstone is £100-200 more than that.

Having not driven donny before I can't offer a comparison, but back in December thoroughly enjoyed silverston, but to date my favourite UK circuit is Oulton Park

[nsa]

I like Donington and Silverstone equally. Silverstone might be preferable in the wet though because it has more run-off. Don't rule out Bedford, which is wide and flat but has a lot of interesting corners.

[muckymotor]

Thanks for the comments. I think it's going to be Donington this time although I do want to try Silverstone at some point.

[Clark3y]

You won't regret donington, fantastic circuit. Don't worry about run off there is loads.

[Clark3y]

You won't regret donington, fantastic circuit. Don't worry about run off there is loads.

[sheps]

I really enjoyed Silverstone. Fast corners keep me entertained.

I too will be at Donington on March 29th.

[nsa]

Clark3y said:

You won't regret donington, fantastic circuit. Don't worry about run off there is loads.

True. I often wonder how getting out of shape on the Craner Curves would work out though. Am there this Sunday, fingers crossed I won't find out.

[chris7676]

I have done Dony many times and it's one of my favourites next to Cadwell.
Still would like to try Silverstone GP but it looks a bit boring and expensive.
Does anyone actually prefer Silverstone GP over Donington National and if so why?

[Clark3y]

nsa said:

True. I often wonder how getting out of shape on the Craner Curves would work out though. Am there this Sunday, fingers crossed I won't find out.

I've put it off the track at 80mph through craners in the wet, I was seriously pushing my luck with entry speed though. I just slid over some grass then came to rest in the gravel at the bottom and got towed out. No harm done aside from taking the splitter off the front, went a little easier next time.

The real danger zone is going up under Starkeys bridge, if you are driving a rear drive machine and don't have the skills to control it, it could go wrong. My rather sedate e36 would lose stability a bit at 100mph or so, no problem for me. Some people just lose the plot though when it gets squirmy at high speed, panic, then stove it into the perimeter wall. Many seem to have no idea how to judge their entry to McLeans either, so many go in the gravel and you can guarantee the grass is a total mess after a wet day.

I've never driven Silverstone and tbh I'm not that enthused by it. Strikes me that it is a power circuit, not so much in the way of technicality.

[kbooker]

Clark3y said:

I've put it off the track at 80mph through craners in the wet, I was seriously pushing my luck with entry speed though. I just slid over some grass then came to rest in the gravel at the bottom and got towed out. No harm done aside from taking the splitter off the front, went a little easier next time.

The real danger zone is going up under Starkeys bridge, if you are driving a rear drive machine and don't have the skills to control it, it could go wrong. My rather sedate e36 would lose stability a bit at 100mph or so, no problem for me. Some people just lose the plot though when it gets squirmy at high speed, panic, then stove it into the perimeter wall. Many seem to have no idea how to judge their entry to McLeans either, so many go in the gravel and you can guarantee the grass is a total mess after a wet day.

I've never driven Silverstone and tbh I'm not that enthused by it. Strikes me that it is a power circuit, not so much in the way of technicality.

I'd agree, I've seen 2 cars hit the wall on the left just after Starkys.....

[Terzo204]

Which is better...Theres only one way to find out - FIGHT!

Difficult choice. I think Solverstone is an amazing track but for the money, I would do donny. £500 OPL. It a lot for one day. For that cash, I would do Spa.

[spyderman8]

nsa said:

I often wonder how getting out of shape on the Craner Curves would work out though. Am there this Sunday, fingers crossed I won't find out.

Depends how wet the grass is!

In-car from a guy who joined our series last year. Have seen this on video from other cars and I still don't really know why it went...

http://youtu.be/oT-OwkuGukc?t=2m8s

Gave me some more points, though!

[pingu393]

Looked like his suspension compressed, he started to turn (with more grip than he expected, and more turn in). He slightly straightened. The suspension decompressed, he tried to turn again (but with less than the grip he just had). He then turned more, the rear end started to come around, tried to correct, but saw grass, then turned left too much and rear end was lost.

It was the dip that done him. It's easily done when the car "goes light".

Glad to see that there is a good run-off.

Where's the link to the £199 on 29/03?

[muckymotor]

Here's the 29.3 day

http://www.javelintrackdays.co.uk/trackday/index.p...

[muckymotor]

Although checking the entry list it looks more like a test day than a track day, the MGs and BMWs seem to be racing at Donington the following week

[pingu393]

Does this mean I should avoid it as a 1st trackday, or is it better to jump in at the deep end?

[muckymotor]

I've never had a problem with people testing on track days before and it's pretty common. You'll have the best view in the house too if you want to get up close to race prepared cars.

[spyderman8]

I would just say that if there are a lot of race cars on track, you're going to get overtaken quite a bit and you will have to be wary about moving around on track. Use your mirrors a lot and don't do anything sudden - the closing speed can be considerable. You will likely get overtaken in what you will likely consider to be your braking zone. Not trying to put you off, just want you to be aware. Once you're used to it, its really inspiring to see how skilled race drivers can be.