Sprog's First Trackday, A Report.
Discussion
So I attended my first ever Trackday on Friday at Abingdon.
We arrived fairly early and got the noise test out of the way fairly quickly.
Looking around the paddock, I was a bit worried to see not many 'normal' cars. There were a few caterfields and MX5's but everything else looked purpose built.
The drivers briefing was informative and well presented, but blinking cold.
Back to the car to check it over and have a chat with the other fellas I was there with.
It was soon time for the sighting laps. 2 laps behind the organisers van and then 3 laps at speed.
As soon as the van peeled off I was overtaken by pretty much everything!
I was terrified! By the time I came back in, I was shaking so much I couldn't even roll a cigarette.
It was then time for my instruction.
My instructor was great, pointing out where I was going wrong, but also what I was doing right. He complemented my driving style and came me a lot more confidence.
Back to the pits to let the car cool down and have a can of drink.
I went out once more before lunch, and although I was still being overtaken by everyone, I felt a lot happier.
I had another couple of sessions in the afternoon and enjoyed myself immensely. Most of the proper cars had started to go home, so it was quieter.
I did find that after 5/6 laps I started to make mistakes, so kept the sessions short.
All in all I had a great day despite the shaky start, so much so, that I've booked on at Silverstone in March!
And the car was epic, for a 19 year old, totally standard Toyota, it was brilliant.
We arrived fairly early and got the noise test out of the way fairly quickly.
Looking around the paddock, I was a bit worried to see not many 'normal' cars. There were a few caterfields and MX5's but everything else looked purpose built.
The drivers briefing was informative and well presented, but blinking cold.
Back to the car to check it over and have a chat with the other fellas I was there with.
It was soon time for the sighting laps. 2 laps behind the organisers van and then 3 laps at speed.
As soon as the van peeled off I was overtaken by pretty much everything!
I was terrified! By the time I came back in, I was shaking so much I couldn't even roll a cigarette.
It was then time for my instruction.
My instructor was great, pointing out where I was going wrong, but also what I was doing right. He complemented my driving style and came me a lot more confidence.
Back to the pits to let the car cool down and have a can of drink.
I went out once more before lunch, and although I was still being overtaken by everyone, I felt a lot happier.
I had another couple of sessions in the afternoon and enjoyed myself immensely. Most of the proper cars had started to go home, so it was quieter.
I did find that after 5/6 laps I started to make mistakes, so kept the sessions short.
All in all I had a great day despite the shaky start, so much so, that I've booked on at Silverstone in March!
And the car was epic, for a 19 year old, totally standard Toyota, it was brilliant.
Nice one. Glad you enjoyed it. Thats the end of having any money in the bank 
It was a good day. My first outing in my tiger (the silver one) and it was cracking.
Dont be afraid to ask other peope for tips, passenger rides etc at trackdays. Everyone is super friendly Especially MSE events.
Gary Marsh runs an advanced drivers course at the same time which is well worth it. Get a few days under your belt first tho. A Need for Speed is the name of his company i believe.
It was a good day. My first outing in my tiger (the silver one) and it was cracking.
Dont be afraid to ask other peope for tips, passenger rides etc at trackdays. Everyone is super friendly
Especially MSE events.Gary Marsh runs an advanced drivers course at the same time which is well worth it. Get a few days under your belt first tho. A Need for Speed is the name of his company i believe.
I did the Gary Marsh limit handling thing in my mx5
It is a brilliantly structured way to learn how to drive your car faster. He does it on a separate bit on runway to the track day , we ended up doing the sighting laps at the beginning of the day and then had a thrash round at the end.
It is a brilliantly structured way to learn how to drive your car faster. He does it on a separate bit on runway to the track day , we ended up doing the sighting laps at the beginning of the day and then had a thrash round at the end.
Really pleased to hear you enjoyed yourself, I can well sympathise with the nerves that you experienced! As I said in your first thread we went out and did the sighting laps, then on the very first 'proper' lap I went in like my hair was on fire and spun out. The adrenaline sort of kicked in and I got the rest of the lap out the way and came in, it was only after that did the shakes arrive! Brilliant fun though, and worth every penny! Looked at booking any more up?
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff