MSV Track Academy

[MrBarry123]

I'm planning to get one booked as the weather becomes better however wanted to find out if anyone has been on one and if so, what are/were your thoughts? I've had a look through old threads and other forums however the majority of what I can find referencing this event relates to bikes rather than cars.

A bit of background regarding my track experience; I have very little. I've been on a couple of supercar track events etc. but nothing in my own car. My objectives from such a day would be two-fold i.e. to develop my understanding of how to best drive my car on track and learn how to be a "good*" track driver.

I'm of course happy to look at alternative courses and/or recommendations if people have any.

*By "good" I don't necessarily mean fast but rather safe and effective.

[Steve H]

You would be better off (and probably cheaper) just booking an instructor for a day to attend a trackday with you. There would be plenty of recommendations from PHers on here I'm sure.

What kind of car do you have and where which track did you have in mind?

[4.7]

You are effectively paying £399 for an instructor for the day. They are normally an A our S grade Ards instructor and are covered under MSV's PLI. So that gives you something to compare against when looking at alternatives.

[MrBarry123]

Thanks for the input guys - appreciated.

The car is my Scirocco. It'll have braided lines, higher spec fluid and [probably] higher spec pads before the outing. I may also have changed the MPSS tyres currently fitted for MPSC2 tyres however that all depends on whether the SS have worn down by then.

I'll be planning on doing the track day sometime in May/June and I'm relatively flexible with regards to location; I was looking at either Bedford Autodrome or Brands Hatch with MSV.

[AdamR172]

Agreed with what Steve said. All ARDS-registered instructors are covered by the ARDS insurance anyway. Sounds a bit daft, but in my opinion just by using an A or S grade instructor it might not mean you get the best value for money. By the time you've spent so long in the profession (this goes for anything), enthusiasm wains...

Edited by AdamR172 on Thursday 18th February 10:05

[EAndy]

Being a safe track day driver is down to your own mentality, awareness and common sense.

Being a good track driver takes a bit of time and patience, learning the circuit building up confidence in your own manner, mine is effectively repetitive laps pushing harder till I find the limit if the tarmac has vanished from underneath me and I'm cutting daisy's I've passed the limit

My first session ever on a track was taking my GT-R onto Nurburgring for a Green Hell weekend a few years back that was a good way to jump into the deep end.

[Steve H]

AdamR172 said:

Agreed with what Steve said. All ARDS-registered instructors are covered by the ARDS insurance anyway. Sounds a bit daft, but in my opinion just by using an A or S grade instructor it might not mean you get the best value for money. By the time you've spent so long in the profession (this goes for anything), enthusiasm wains...

How could your enthusiasm wain for doing the best job in the world?

OP, I wouldn't worry about the tyres unless they are ready to be changed, SuperSports are very good wet or dry, I'm not sure how the MPSC2s go in the wet but I'm sure others could advise.

For venues if you could make it up to Rockingham or Donington you'd be rewarded for the extra mileage (I'm assuming you're in the south). Rockingham run some of their own trackdays that are well worth a look and Circuit Days are at Donny a few times over the summer if you wanted a date there.

[AdamR172]

Steve H said:

How could your enthusiasm wain for doing the best job in the world?

Haha. I know, but the amount of times I've seen 'Brake now, turn here, zzzzzz...' type instruction without any sort of depth to it is disappointing.

This is why I recommend someone 'privately' - you can have a good chat with them beforehand, make sure you get on, and get a feel for how passionate they are (which will directly relate to how much you get out of the day). SteveH has been doing this for years and helped me with my route into the ARDS system - he's a top bloke and I am absolutely certain you would have a thoroughly enjoyable and productive day with him!

Edited by AdamR172 on Friday 19th February 10:02

[MrBarry123]

Thanks again guys.

Steve - I'm not averse to travelling to either Rockingham or Donington but Rockingham would be my preference. Do you provide track day tuition at either?

[Steve H]

Adam, thanks for the reference, you're very kind . I don't disagree with you about the "instructing by numbers" that goes on, it's sad that some people lose the enthusiasm for something that (presumably) they once loved, also unfortunate that they continue doing it anyway . But I digress!

OP, I'd be happy to see if I can help out, feel free to drop me a PM.

[nickfrog]

Rockingham? Really? Not sure what that brings compared to Bedford. More like Mickey Mouse and concrete wall.

Too much tuition is counter productive IMO. Too much info condensed in one day. I would book a Javelin day with x3 20 min sessions strategically placed to leave practice time in between. And repeat after a couple of weeks. Bedford would be my first choice when learning the basics.

[mattnoss]

AdamR172 said:

SteveH has been doing this for years and helped me with my route into the ARDS system - he's a top bloke and I am absolutely certain you would have a thoroughly enjoyable and productive day with him!

Edited by AdamR172 on Friday 19th February 10:02

Completely agree with Adam, Steve has helped me tremendously over the last few years with various aspects of trackdaying, instructing and racing advice. Can wholeheartedly recommend him.

[Steve H]

Matt, cheers, glad to help .

nickfrog said:

Rockingham? Really? Not sure what that brings compared to Bedford. More like Mickey Mouse and concrete wall.

Mickey Mouse? You must have been to a different track to me there fella .

I understand that Bedford will always be popular because a novice can dog round overdriving the car all day on the wrong line because it's so wide and still feel safe because there's lots of run off, but you don't learn a lot that way (not saying this is you BTW, but it is many)(also not saying it actually is particularly safe, just feels it...... ).

For me, Bedford's fine but it's deeply unsatisfying compared to a proper racetrack that you actually have to drive correctly. Rockingham is hugely underrated as a trackday venue, it's got all types of corner, camber changes and combinations, the only thing it lacks is the big elevation changes you get at places like Donny, Oulton, Cadwell etc.

[MrBarry123]

Thanks for the recommendation guys.

Steve - you'll have a PM shortly.