track day virgin needs advice
Discussion
sniff diesel said:
Just keep a look out in your mirrors for faster cars, indicate and move to the right to let them pass and you'll be fine. Have a great time.
That works for every track other than Castle Combe where you overtake on the right as the pit lane entry is on the left. So make sure you pull over to the left when letting faster cars go by. Oh and if you are faster on the straights than other cars, but they are on your rear bumper in the corners, then let the car past, as it will be doing faster laps than you and don't try to out accelerate it on the next straight.Just listen carefully to the briefing and be sensible and enjoy your day
Don't try to go flat out straight away and don't be too worried.
I always remember what Martin Brundle said once to a reporter when she asked about how crazy a race looked, basically he said it's a lot calmer when you're participating because everyone around you is moving in the same direction at roughly the same speed.
And he's right, when your on track it is alot less intimidating, people arn't usually blasting past you or outbraking you, it's a bit like a motorway, just make sure you check mirrors and blind spot before you move across the track and let anybody faster past.
I always remember what Martin Brundle said once to a reporter when she asked about how crazy a race looked, basically he said it's a lot calmer when you're participating because everyone around you is moving in the same direction at roughly the same speed.
And he's right, when your on track it is alot less intimidating, people arn't usually blasting past you or outbraking you, it's a bit like a motorway, just make sure you check mirrors and blind spot before you move across the track and let anybody faster past.
Treat Quarry with a bit of respect, the rise makes the car go light, so you dont really want to be braking whilst going over it. Seen too many cars end up in the barrier at Qaurry.
Also check your tyre pressures, coolant, oil and brake fluid levels before going out.
Most of all have fun, start off slow and steady and build your speed up, keep an eye on your mirrors for faster cars and move to the left (at Combe) to let them past.
Also check your tyre pressures, coolant, oil and brake fluid levels before going out.
Most of all have fun, start off slow and steady and build your speed up, keep an eye on your mirrors for faster cars and move to the left (at Combe) to let them past.
I empathize; 6 years ago I did my first ever trackday at Combe (also not in the first flush of youth).
As already said, Quarry can bite and there's not too much room for error at Combe in general.
My advice is to take a couple of sessions of instruction.
The first, as near to the start of precedings as possible and then later on in the day once you have had a chance to put into practce what who have been told, or to remind you of what you have forgotten!!!
As already said, Quarry can bite and there's not too much room for error at Combe in general.
My advice is to take a couple of sessions of instruction.
The first, as near to the start of precedings as possible and then later on in the day once you have had a chance to put into practce what who have been told, or to remind you of what you have forgotten!!!
sniff diesel said:
Just keep a look out in your mirrors for faster cars.
Can't stress this enough. You'll find - probably even as a novice - that you end up overtaking some people and in fact trying to get past someone who hasn't noticed you (or doesn't care) is way more offputting than being overtaken yourself. Keep an eye on your mirrors and signal, then pull over, on the next convenient straight.How did you get on? Combe is the only circuit I've driven so far and I'll echo people comments about Quarry - I went into it with no brakes after cooking them halfway through the session at a CCC Action day and it's scary to say the least.
Mind it also makes you realise that you've been taking the corners at your limits rather than the cars on previous laps when you suddenly discover you can take them 20mph faster than you have been
Yes I was driving like a girl and spent most of that first track session letting everyone past
Mind it also makes you realise that you've been taking the corners at your limits rather than the cars on previous laps when you suddenly discover you can take them 20mph faster than you have been
Yes I was driving like a girl and spent most of that first track session letting everyone past
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