Good trackdays for novices - Proximity to London ideal

[C70R]

As my group-owned car and its drivers finds its feet (in talent and mechanical terms), we'd like the opportunity to do some trackdays that are perhaps a bit easier for novices. We're looking for tracks that are probably slightly shorter/easier-to-learn than the average, and perhaps those with plenty of run-off would be wise for a starter. As we're based in Central London, places within a 2-2.5hr drive would be ideal, so we could get a few days under our belt in quick succession.

[Hol]

I'd probably recommend an airfield day to start, as they are usually flat, which means your friends wont have to worry about gradients when cornering.

Having said that, Brands IS a short track and has sectioned novice days. But you might not all get to drive more than once.

[motco]

Motorsport Events at Abingdon. Great circuit for an airfield, and well run.

[james_gt3rs]

Bedford the obvious choice!

[Pebbles167]

Castle combe. Very fast, but straightforward to learn the basics and sits on j17 of the M4.

[C70R]

Thanks all. Going to throw all of those suggestions into the pot!

[HustleRussell]

Pebbles167 said:

Castle combe. Very fast, but straightforward to learn the basics and sits on j17 of the M4.

Among the least forgiving circuits in the UK.

[anonymous-user]

Yeah, Combe is geographically good and a great track, but not somewhere to take a car you've not driven in anger before. It's not as bad as some make out, but as the previous poster rightly said it is not forgiving. Bedford or Abingdon are ideal for first timers IMO.

[nurseholliday]

Hol said:

I'd probably recommend an airfield day to start, as they are usually flat, which means your friends wont have to worry about gradients when cornering.

Having said that, Brands IS a short track and has sectioned novice days. But you might not all get to drive more than once.

I agree with this, but having 3 drivers, you'll barely get any time per person if you do a novice evening or sessioned day.

Bedford is nice and flat and wide with plenty of run-off but I think Brands is a much better track.

I'd say Brands Indy on one of the Open Track open pitlane days as there's usually a low % of morons on their days.

[NDNDNDND]

Carlimits activity days. If you're a novice, it's a chance to learn a lot about how your car behaves and how to control it and there's an entire airfield to spin off into if you get it wrong...

Just checked, and sadly booked up for the rest of the year.

Learn to heel n' toe.

[Hackney]

james_gt3rs said:

Bedford the obvious choice!

Second vote for Bedford.
Flat and large run off areas.

[EvoIV NL]

bedford or snetterton

brands isnt too bad either (was my first ever trackday) but you can end up in the gravel traps if caught out - is unlikely youll hit a barrier. Biggest advantage is the track is small so quite easy to learn, but will take time to master.

[mattdaniels]

I'm going to go against the grain and say absolutely not Brands Indy! I don't know what it is about that circuit but it seems to attract a higher percentage of morons/people with an inverse talent:ambition ratio than any other circuit I know. It's also pricey and there's a limited number of days available.

Given your circumstances per your other thread, I'd recommend an open pitlane day not a sessioned day, possibly at an airfield to start with.

[james_gt3rs]

Brands is too small for a novice I think - your mirrors will be filled all day, Bedford or Snetterton teh cars are so much more spread out.

[C70R]

Thank you again.
On reflection, I think an airfield-type day might be our best bet here. I'm going to look into Abingdon and Bedford as a priority, as neither is a terrible drive from London.

[Office_Monkey]

I've booked at Bedford for my first car track day to see how I get on with the new car - have done bike days but none in a car to date. Really looking forward to it

[daniel-5zjw7]

another vote for Bedford here, given the type of track your looking for and your location it would seem ideal.

[Smitters]

motco said:

Motorsport Events at Abingdon. Great circuit for an airfield, and well run.

Another vote for MSE at Abingdon. Good mix of corners, lots of run off, well run day, reasonably priced tuition (recommended) and they don't tolerate silliness, which is reassuring as a novice. Also, not such a loss if there's a car problem, versus a £££ day at Donington or Silverstone.

[EvoIV NL]

daniel-5zjw7 said:

another vote for Bedford here, given the type of track your looking for and your location it would seem ideal.

What date you booked in for ? Ill be up there on the 23rd.

[sjtgeray]

RAF Woodbridge (Ipswich) airfield day would fit the bill as straight up the A12. As others have said before, plenty of run-off (though i did see a guy hit an old concrete plinth that once had a landing light on it)....then again, he was some way off the track at that point !
Javelin and others run days there. Track can be abrasive for some but never been an issue with my old MX5