Where to start - A novice day at Brands?
Discussion
Hi,
I've just bought myself a 106 track car, with the aim of taking part in the Stock Hatch series sometime in the future. I've jumped straight in, I have only one track day under my belt, one of the days hel by Vauxhall/VXR.
So, do you think it would be best to start on a novice only day? Brands Hatch is my local track and have a novice day once a month. Or will I be ok going straight to a normal day? I've never driven the car.
Anyway, here is a picture of the car, could do with a little cosmetic work, but it's ready to roll.
I've just bought myself a 106 track car, with the aim of taking part in the Stock Hatch series sometime in the future. I've jumped straight in, I have only one track day under my belt, one of the days hel by Vauxhall/VXR.
So, do you think it would be best to start on a novice only day? Brands Hatch is my local track and have a novice day once a month. Or will I be ok going straight to a normal day? I've never driven the car.
Anyway, here is a picture of the car, could do with a little cosmetic work, but it's ready to roll.
Edited by jimmyd123 on Sunday 3rd August 15:26
Edited by jimmyd123 on Sunday 3rd August 15:32
I don't think it really matters too much what day you do as long as you get it on track.
When I started on track days there was no such thing as Novice days, you just got out there and got on with it and I never had any problems. As long as you follow the rules, be observant and courteous to other track users i.e. behave as you would do on the road, then you will be fine. Novice days may have benefits of reduced price or free tuition, if so it's worth doing a novice day over a "normal" track day.
Also consider airfield days which tend to be slightly cheaper than track days. The surface won't be as good as a proper track but you tend to have a lot less to hit once you leave the black stuff.
I was explaining to a friend the other day who was on about modding a car for the track I said the best mod you can do is get tuition, it will make you quicker in any car and unlike a performance camshaft you can use in your next car too
Nice little motor you got there
When I started on track days there was no such thing as Novice days, you just got out there and got on with it and I never had any problems. As long as you follow the rules, be observant and courteous to other track users i.e. behave as you would do on the road, then you will be fine. Novice days may have benefits of reduced price or free tuition, if so it's worth doing a novice day over a "normal" track day.
Also consider airfield days which tend to be slightly cheaper than track days. The surface won't be as good as a proper track but you tend to have a lot less to hit once you leave the black stuff.
I was explaining to a friend the other day who was on about modding a car for the track I said the best mod you can do is get tuition, it will make you quicker in any car and unlike a performance camshaft you can use in your next car too
Nice little motor you got there
I'd recommend the motorsportvision novice track days at Brands. I've done a couple. They're very well done; little chance of being cut up on a corner or forced off. It's just down to you. I also think Brands is a great circuit, You don't get hills or camber changes on an airfield circuit.
jimmyd123 said:
Does anyone know what the Bedford Autodrome circuit is like? Thinking about booking the one on the 23rd. Suitable for a 106?
It's good because you don't hit things when you off. (But you can hit birds on the long straight at 120MPH as I learned to my cost).
Its quite hard to know where you are or where the track is going because it is featureless. It's hard on brakes (mine fade badly after three laps
but its a heavy car)A 106 should be fine.
Edited by petermansell on Sunday 3rd August 22:12
driverrob said:
I'd recommend the motorsportvision novice track days at Brands. I've done a couple. They're very well done; little chance of being cut up on a corner or forced off. It's just down to you. I also think Brands is a great circuit, You don't get hills or camber changes on an airfield circuit.
I'd love to do one at Brands, but I won't be able to make one there until early October. The Bedford event is on a Saturday which is a big bonus, and it's soon(ish).I hadn't considered the hills and cambers. Flat will be fine for the minute.
I'm going to do quite a few in the coming months, then take the ARDS test. I will deinately be going to Brands Hatch in the near future.
petermansell said:
jimmyd123 said:
Does anyone know what the Bedford Autodrome circuit is like? Thinking about booking the one on the 23rd. Suitable for a 106?
It's good because you don't hit things when you off. (But you can hit birds on the long straight at 120MPH as I learned to my cost).Its quite hard to know where you are or where the track is going because it is featureless. It's hard on brakes (mine fade badly after three laps
but its a heavy car)A 106 should be fine.
Edited by petermansell on Sunday 3rd August 22:12
Thanks for the help.
chris7676 said:
I remember doing a "novice" day at Brands but it had more experienced drivers than novices and I think too many cars at the time. It was MSV. I would not bother with that format again, just do any openpitlane on a safe(ish) track.
I did one too and there were people trailering Caterhams there and cars were there with slick tyres !!I'm booked for another one towards the end of August, this time they say you shouldn't have done more than 3 track days, maybe they are toughening up although I'm not sure how they tell
(apart from full fireproof suits, Sparco boots, tyre marks down the side of your car)SimonV8ster said:
chris7676 said:
I remember doing a "novice" day at Brands but it had more experienced drivers than novices and I think too many cars at the time. It was MSV. I would not bother with that format again, just do any openpitlane on a safe(ish) track.
I did one too and there were people trailering Caterhams there and cars were there with slick tyres !!I'm booked for another one towards the end of August, this time they say you shouldn't have done more than 3 track days, maybe they are toughening up although I'm not sure how they tell
(apart from full fireproof suits, Sparco boots, tyre marks down the side of your car)SimonV8ster said:
chris7676 said:
I remember doing a "novice" day at Brands but it had more experienced drivers than novices and I think too many cars at the time. It was MSV. I would not bother with that format again, just do any openpitlane on a safe(ish) track.
I did one too and there were people trailering Caterhams there and cars were there with slick tyres !!I'm booked for another one towards the end of August, this time they say you shouldn't have done more than 3 track days, maybe they are toughening up although I'm not sure how they tell
(apart from full fireproof suits, Sparco boots, tyre marks down the side of your car)That said, I'd be happy to go to another day to Brands now that I'm a bit more confident on track.
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff