Who do you go on trackdays with?

[brillomaster]

Just wondering, who do people go on trackdays with?

Solo?
Share the drive with a family member?
Share the drive with a mate?
Go with a group of mates?
Go with a group of people off a forum?
Go with a race team or race series?

Reason I ask, is that im a self certified track addict. Id be on track every month if I could, but my main problem is finding people to go with! I don't really like just going on my own, I like to have someone to share the experience with, and possibly even share the driving of my car with.

But despite going to uni with a bunch of engineers, working at a motorsport company and being on car specific forums, finding people keen on trackdays is really tricky. Either work or family or money commitments get in the way, or (to my amazement) people try it, then arent keen to do more. Maybe im the exception... most guys my age (late 30s) have kids and mortgages to take care of.

So... how do you do trackdays? Do I just need to go as a solo driver and get social on the day?

Alternatively... if anyone is in the midlands, has time and inclination to do trackdays and maybe wants a drive of a boxster, let me know...

[Jamescrs]

Small group of mates or me (four of us usually) we do get others we know coming occasionally too. I have considered going it alone in the past, I probably would but so far it hasn't happened.

[Timbo_S2]

I'm happy to go solo, as I'll always find people to share a garage with. Surely this is the beauty of a shared hobby?

But i'd rather go with mates, usually manage to drag others along. Have you tried Forums / facebook groups?

Euro's, there's always a good group of us. Think we totaled 17 at Portimão last year...

[mmm-five]

I tend to go with previous single marque car forum / car club acquaintances...but am also happy to go solo and make new friends at the track.

We now don't necessarily own the same make or model of car that brought us together (e34 M5s originally), but there'll always be a couple of us who fancy the same off-season / weekday trackday/Ring trip...even if it's just as a passenger/2nd driver.

[brillomaster]

In fairness, I used to take very cheap cars on track, which id allow pretty much anyone to have a go in - back in my twenties before kids arrived, many people were keen to come along and have a go.

But now ive progressed to a more valuable car, people are less keen to take it out for risk of crashing. Even my mate who races doesn't want to take the risk of driving my car. Which then limits me to people who have their own track cars, which is a far bigger financial outlay to stomach.

Perhaps I should go back to super cheap cars that anyone can have a go in... might get a few more takers.

[SkinnyPete]

I’ve been to a couple solo, but they are definitely more fun with friends.

Did you really cling to the heels of a GT3, if nobody saw it?

[PistonbrokePaul]

I am in a similar situation, none of my mates are interested in doing a track day or have young families so their money goes elsewhere but I am a bit wary about going on a trackday on my own in case its a bit boring without anyone to chat to or have a bit of fun with on track.

[LennyM1984]

I nearly always go solo. I sometimes bring friends for passenger rides and I have various friend made via racing or track days that I bump into but to be honest, I kind of enjoy just having a day to zen out a bit.

With two kids, I rarely get time alone so the prospect of just smashing it round a track for a few hours alone is greatly appealing. It feels like a mental health day for me (although I cannot convince my boss to let me claim it as such!)

Edited by LennyM1984 on Wednesday 22 April 10:06

[Crumpet]

LennyM1984 said:

I nearly always go solo. I sometimes bring friends for passenger rides and I have various friend made via racing or track days that I bump into but to be honest, I kind of enjoy just having a day to zen out a bit.

With two kids, I rarely get time alone so the prospect of just smashing it round a track for a few hours alone is greatly appealing. It feels like a mental health day for me (although I cannot convince me boss to let me claim it as such!)

Same! My friend got me into track days last year but he’s out of action at the moment so I’ve been going solo. I’ve got other friends into cars but they won’t entertain track days for some reason. In any case, with families and children it’s impossible getting them together for a curry and a few pints, let alone a whole day away.

It feels a bit like the male (I know girls do them too) equivalent of a spa day to me so I quite enjoy going solo. That being said, I’ve always got chatting to various people throughout the day so it’s somewhat social and it’s always nice to chat about cars and poke around them.

I tend to book last minute but I’ve got one booked at Blyton Park on 22 June - the JayEmm and friends one - so more than happy if the OP wants to tag along? You’re the one who suggested a Cayster as a replacement for my 911 in the other thread so I’d be very interested to have a look at one.

[brillomaster]

Hmmm might have to try going solo... sounds like there are possibly more solo guys going than I thought. And there will always be a porsche driver of some description to chat to.

JayEmms trackday looks good, but im generally happy paying less and having a busier track. Especially at Blyton... £300 a day gets me onto Oulton or Donington, which are more enjoyable tracks IMO.

[Crumpet]

brillomaster said:

JayEmms trackday looks good, but im generally happy paying less and having a busier track. Especially at Blyton... £300 a day gets me onto Oulton or Donington, which are more enjoyable tracks IMO.

Yes, I have to agree that Blyton Park looks a little underwhelming from in-car footage I’ve seen. Maybe it’s because it’s harder to relate to it unlike with the ‘proper’ tracks where we’re used to watching touring cars and the like.

I’ve had a few days on busy tracks where the race cars kind of spoil it; either they’re binning it onto the grass / barriers and giving endless red flags, or they’re harassing you in the corners. But then on some other busy days it’s been amazing and you always find yourself with some space to enjoy at some point; and you can always sit in the paddock and wait for the faster cars to come in before heading out. But I’m also new to all this and very careful with my car, so I fancied a low numbers and low pressure day with decent run-off.

They’re also apparently encouraging passenger rides so, as I’m looking for a more dedicated track car, it’ll be quite interesting to see if I can get chatting to some people and get some rides out in some different cars.

[LennyM1984]

Crumpet said:

I ve had a few days on busy tracks where the race cars kind of spoil it; either they re binning it onto the grass / barriers and giving endless red flags, or they re harassing you in the corners.

Some tracks are definitely worse for that...

I do some track days in my race car (as do some of my friends) and we always respect the rules of the day (not least because we often know the marshalls/organisers and it's embarrassing to get told off for being a d1ck)

Where it can maybe be "confusing" is that - in general - race cars will be sooooo much quicker through the corners and so you either find yourself accidentally coming up very quickly on somebody through a bend or (as is the case for me) you can't keep up on the straights (my race car isn't particularly quick) but you then ending up bunching up with people as soon as you get to a corner and they go much slower than you expect.

There usually isn't any malice so just crack on and move over when it is safe (even if you are faster on the straight )

[reggie747]

Just the wife and I. We both drive.
We take a van with tools, spare wheel/tyres and scoff and refreshments.

[Glenn63]

Me and the Mrs for me, non of my friends are into cars really more that football stuff. Luckily she’s a big petrol head as well so enjoys it and will have a drive herself.

[reggie747]

Just the wife and I. We both drive.
We take a van with tools, spare wheel/tyres and scoff and refreshments.

[SuperNads]

brillomaster said:

Just wondering, who do people go on trackdays with?

Solo?
Share the drive with a family member?
Share the drive with a mate?
Go with a group of mates?
Go with a group of people off a forum?
Go with a race team or race series?

Reason I ask, is that im a self certified track addict. Id be on track every month if I could, but my main problem is finding people to go with! I don't really like just going on my own, I like to have someone to share the experience with, and possibly even share the driving of my car with.

But despite going to uni with a bunch of engineers, working at a motorsport company and being on car specific forums, finding people keen on trackdays is really tricky. Either work or family or money commitments get in the way, or (to my amazement) people try it, then arent keen to do more. Maybe im the exception... most guys my age (late 30s) have kids and mortgages to take care of.

So... how do you do trackdays? Do I just need to go as a solo driver and get social on the day?

Alternatively... if anyone is in the midlands, has time and inclination to do trackdays and maybe wants a drive of a boxster, let me know...

I used to do a few track days a year in my S2000 and GR Yaris but having since sold them, I've not done one in about 2 years. I'm similar in that I don't really have friends who are car/driving enthusiasts so maybe we could do something together. I'm 34, based down in Portsmouth but happy to travel! I do have a mortgage and daughter but thanks to a fairly chilled out wife it rarely stops me having fun.

I currently have an R53 Mini Cooper S which is completely standard but I have been planning to slowly modify it for more track use. Send me a PM and we'll sort something out.