Airfield days...
Discussion
Hi all...
Am looking at driving Woodbridge airfield in a few weeks and was just wondering what they are like compared to a "proper" circuit...
For example, how do they set the "route" of the track out? Is it more difficult to gauge the line compared to a proper track? What is the surface usually like? (concrete, tarmac, slippery, abrasive, grippy?)
Have driven Castle Combe and Brands before but this will be the first time on an airfield day and was just wondering if they are cheap for a reason or great value for money.
Cheers
Am looking at driving Woodbridge airfield in a few weeks and was just wondering what they are like compared to a "proper" circuit...
For example, how do they set the "route" of the track out? Is it more difficult to gauge the line compared to a proper track? What is the surface usually like? (concrete, tarmac, slippery, abrasive, grippy?)
Have driven Castle Combe and Brands before but this will be the first time on an airfield day and was just wondering if they are cheap for a reason or great value for money.
Cheers
Good thing is that there is generally no Armco to hit. Indeed, nothing to hit. Track laid out using cones, and you will have a lot of fun as you can really try right up to, and beyond, the limit.
Surface - not been to Woodbridge, so don't know.
Operational RAF bases like Wittering and Marham can be stoney and the main runway hard on tyres, Blyton is very nice tarmac.
Surface - not been to Woodbridge, so don't know.
Operational RAF bases like Wittering and Marham can be stoney and the main runway hard on tyres, Blyton is very nice tarmac.
Woodbridge isn't as exciting as somewhere like Brands Hatch due to the flat topogrophy but is an interesting and enjoyable circuit. Mostly marked out by cones, it has some great sections weaving in-between the old aircraft hangers which is good.
One thing to note - the tarmac/concrete surface is very rough. Don't take your best set of new semi-slicks along, they'll get shredded in a few laps. Stick to road tyres.
One thing to note - the tarmac/concrete surface is very rough. Don't take your best set of new semi-slicks along, they'll get shredded in a few laps. Stick to road tyres.
I did a track day at Bedford Autodrome a couple of weeks ago. GT circuit, 3.8 miles. Yes, it's an old airfield, but no, it isn't boring. Loads of well thought out corners, fast and slow, good straights, good facilities, and when I got it wrong, nothing to hit.
An Exige had a spin at the end of the day, taking the corner onto the pits straight at well over 100 mph. Huge squeal of tyres, followed by about 100 metres of lawnmowing. No damage to the car, driver well happy. Do that at a race circuit, five figure repair bill. Do bear that in mind (he said, having booked an evening at Cadwell Park this week).
Try both, see which you prefer. I have so far had 11 spins on airfield track days, only twoof which were simple carelessness. The rest were all because I was trying. I got lucky when I had a spin at Snetterton, too fast into Hamilton - there's just enough run off on the outside of the corner.
An Exige had a spin at the end of the day, taking the corner onto the pits straight at well over 100 mph. Huge squeal of tyres, followed by about 100 metres of lawnmowing. No damage to the car, driver well happy. Do that at a race circuit, five figure repair bill. Do bear that in mind (he said, having booked an evening at Cadwell Park this week).
Try both, see which you prefer. I have so far had 11 spins on airfield track days, only twoof which were simple carelessness. The rest were all because I was trying. I got lucky when I had a spin at Snetterton, too fast into Hamilton - there's just enough run off on the outside of the corner.
I`ve no particular issue with airfield days.
Don`t sit on the car bumper of the car in front and stone chips aren`t a big problem. I`ve seen a TDO with a huge `hurricane` blower they use to clear the circuit, this removes a lot of loose debris.
Tyre wear is higher than a `proper` track IMO, but even an airfield didn`t wear my tyres as much as Thruxton !.
They can be pretty dull, but Woodbridge has you going through the old hangers which made it quite interesting. Cones and no armco does make it a bit more attractive for novices.
I`ve done plenty airfield days and plenty circuit days. If I could only do 1 again it would be a circuit, but in their place, I find an airfield day enjoyable.
Don`t sit on the car bumper of the car in front and stone chips aren`t a big problem. I`ve seen a TDO with a huge `hurricane` blower they use to clear the circuit, this removes a lot of loose debris.
Tyre wear is higher than a `proper` track IMO, but even an airfield didn`t wear my tyres as much as Thruxton !.
They can be pretty dull, but Woodbridge has you going through the old hangers which made it quite interesting. Cones and no armco does make it a bit more attractive for novices.
I`ve done plenty airfield days and plenty circuit days. If I could only do 1 again it would be a circuit, but in their place, I find an airfield day enjoyable.
There was a sprint at Woodbridge Sunday run by Javelin. The course used most of the track day circuit. Yes it is a little bumpy as for stones Javelin have sorted that. Never heard anyone complain about shredded tyres infact some cars were double driven and all legal to drive home.
One thing about Woodbridge is that there is no shelter either from the sun or rain!!!
One thing about Woodbridge is that there is no shelter either from the sun or rain!!!
Mrs Muttleysnoop said:
One thing about Woodbridge is that there is no shelter either from the sun or rain!!!
So take a nice large golfing umbrella (leave the bats at home), or even nick that nice large one that came with the patio furniture. And it's metal base. And a comfy deck chair for when the driver needs to cool off. And a cold box with soft drinks and snacks. Leave the portapotty at home - it might spill at the hairpin, and then you really will be in the s
t..... 
I went to Woodbridge last weekend (never been before) and had a right laugh. I thought it was a "fun" track, nothing too serious and a good day out. I personally found the course quite interesting, what with driving around the old hangar type buildings etc, and the way it was laid out meant there was a variety of high/low speed bends, tight and open stuff and a couple of long straights. It seems a "safe" circuit, without armco etc and plenty of run off if it goes pear shaped. As others have said, its not the same as a "proper" race track and the experience is slightly different, but for out and fun its good value at the price. I will agree though that its hard on tyres, and a mate I went with got a stone chip on his windscreen during the sighting laps 
, this maybe the reason that there were a lot more "track slags" than road cars compared to a "proper" track (track slags don't need pristine bodywork etc 
)
, this maybe the reason that there were a lot more "track slags" than road cars compared to a "proper" track (track slags don't need pristine bodywork etc )My 1st track days were at Castle Combe, then I branched out to Goodwood and then Silverstone. Then I spotted a cheap day at Abingdon maybe 6 years ago and I now do the vast majority of my track days there as its local and suits my car very well. It's Tarmac and I have just as much fun as when at Combe, Silverstone or Goodwood. I have been to Bruntingthorp and Hulluvington as well but didn't enjoy either as much as Abingdon.
Herman Toothrot said:
My 1st track days were at Castle Combe, then I branched out to Goodwood and then Silverstone. Then I spotted a cheap day at Abingdon maybe 6 years ago and I now do the vast majority of my track days there as its local and suits my car very well. It's Tarmac and I have just as much fun as when at Combe, Silverstone or Goodwood. I have been to Bruntingthorp and Hulluvington as well but didn't enjoy either as much as Abingdon.
I agree...Abingdon is better than Hullavington or Keevil. They're all tremendous value, but for my Westfield (2.0 litre Pinto power) with modest maximum speed but sharp handling, good braking and acceleration, the layout is ideal.Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff