The first UK track day?

[Chris71]

I know people have been let on the Ring for decades (it is afterall a road not a track technically), but when was the first conventional, modern track day in the UK?

It's possible that posing this sort of question is evidence that I have too much time on my hands, but it stems from seeing an old '90s car review which said it would be perfect for track days. Being a young'un I thought they were a 21st century invention!

[t11ner]

I was trackdaying in 96 with the Group B Car Club and the MLR (Lancer Turbo Register as it was back then). It certainly wasn't anything like as mainstream as it is now.

Steve H
TA-OL

[mmm-five]

My first one was at Castle Combe in 1994.

[thegreenhell]

I remember going to Castle Combe around 1987 or 88 to spectate at the De Tomaso Driver's Club Supercar Test Day, a trackday in all but name. I remember from the programme, which I still have kicking around somewhere, that they also ran similar days at Goodwood. Although they seemed to allow anyone who paid the fee (in advance) out on track, it was very much a playground for exotica, with numerous examples of Panteras, Lamborghini Countach and Aston Martin Vantage, as well as some really rare stuff like a Ferrari 288GTO.

Edited by thegreenhell on Monday 22 June 19:18

[Vario-Rob]

There was as set up based here in Bury St. Edmunds called Club 89 I think who were into the whole track day scene quite early on. From memory they had an E30 M3 with the whole Club 89 thing emblazoned across it, wonder what happened to them?

As for the Supercar Test Days they are alive and well today, still under the DTDC banner, still at Goodwood and I suspect there are one or two members of the message board that took part in them, Mr B?

[HellDiver]

People have been racing their cars around old airfields since the 50s.

[Colin Lingus]

Club 89 is now Motor Sport Vision after being through a couple of different owners I believe.

My first track day was at Snetterton back in 1986.