Most Gentlemanly Track Day?

[-Z-]

Hi folks, looking at doing a day or two now that I have a car (350Z) that is a) cheaper and therefore insurable and b) has relatively cheap consumables.

I'm very interested in doing a track day with very well controlled behaviour, having been on one in the past at which people ignored the rules and 1 even insisted on proper full on 45 degree drifting on *every* corner which resulted in an inevitable incident.

So who tends to organise the best track days for non-chavs who do actually want to obey the rules.

Interested in Bedford as I'm a novice and Brands as it's close and I've driven round it a few times.

All advice appreciated!

Edited by -Z- on Friday 19th March 17:55

[panic458]

lotus on track, (any 2 seater dosnt have to be a lotus) generally very high standard of driving.

[GaryU]

I have just done a novice only trackday at Snetterton. It was very gentlemanly.
For a first timer it was a perfect start.
They are organised by MSV.

[Stephanie Plum]

Yep - LOT are excellent. Also BAT don't generally take any nonsense. LOT have some novice days/evenings coming up this summer - check their website.

[Dan_1981]

I like the idea of a novice only track day.

I'd love to stick the mx5 on track but have absolutly no experience of track driving.

[GaryU]

I have just done a novice only trackday at Snetterton. It was very gentlemanly.
For a first timer it was a perfect start.
They are organised by MSV.

[seawise]

-Z- said:

So who tends to organise the best track days for non-chavs who do actually want to obey the rules.

try one of the GRRC trackdays at Goodwood - def no chavs and lots of gentlemen.... harsh but the more you spend, generally the higher standard of behaviour. RMA likewise are first class but expensive and no one likes to incur the wrath of Graeme or try a Goldtrack day, Melindi takes no nonsense.

[hyperblue]

Dan_1981 said:

I like the idea of a novice only track day.

I'd love to stick the mx5 on track but have absolutly no experience of track driving.

Do it! I had never done any track driving before, went to a Bedford Autodrome novice day and have been hooked since.

[aww999]

I was very nervous before my first track day, mainly because I was in a slow car and knew I would be going slowly. I went on a Goldtrack day at Bedford and it was brilliant with no hassle from other (much faster) cars and drivers. People who caught me up at the start of a series of bends would sit patiently behind me until I emerged onto a straight bit and signalled to let them past. No funny business, no intimidation, no problem!

Other days I have been on since have been a bit busier (more cars on track) and people slightly less well-behaved - I have yet to witness anything dangerous at any trackday, but that Goldtrack one was noticeably more civilised!

[matt 2LT]

the focused events day i went to at bedford last month, seemed to be mainly middle aged blokes, and a couple of younger lads (didn't look like chavs). i didn't see one chavy looking saxo/106.

going by the briefing they he seemed quite strict with the rules, IE

overtaking on a bend or without consent = black flag

2 spins = black flag

2 blue flags = black flag.

and 2 black flags = game over.


quite how strict they are in reality/ on track, i don't know as the day got cancelled due to snow.

but im back there next monday with them and hope its the same sort of people.

[edh]

I'd go with Goldtrack

[Guillotine]

try it...everyone was a newbie once and you almost certainly be the only one. Usually 5-6.

Easytrack/Goldtrack will be good starter, Silverstone or Goodwood.

Goodwood has low numbers, sstone is 8 cars wide and with big run offs

Andy

[T450t]

I'm afraid no matter where you go or who organises it you will get the 2 bob racing driver who thinks he is Alfonso Alonso. I would recommend a GP circuit for starters as it will have huge run offs and be pretty wide. Also hedge your bets with the track day if it's cheap it will attract the max power morrons so stay with as mentioned above, Goldtrack,LOT,BAT. Have a look around the pits before you venture out and see if you can spot the 2 bob racing drivers they usually were racing suits!. Remember that your destiny is in your hands be spaciously aware of what is around you and don't feel lesser by letting billy big balls past he is either very good or you will pass him on the next corner when he has spun out.

As I was told when first had lessons,drive your own car not somebody elses when you are out on track.

It is very very safe believe it or not, it is more dangerous getting there.

You have paid the same amount of money as the next chap so you have every right to be there...

[Myticeman]

I would agree about the cheaper trackdays with the exception of Javelin who run very safe days where the emphasis is on good behaviour and will black flag and even exclude anyone who isn't driving courteously. They also use a number of airfields where run off is wide.

[Cavey]

Check out www.motorsport-events.com. Ed (the owner/organiser) runs a very tight ship and the days are really well policed. Nice bunch of people too.

[Graham E]

gold track and on track are good. With any day though, no matter who orginises it, there's always a track day hero. If you end up next to them on circuit, pop in and out of the pit lane and you'll be safe again. This is why IMO open pitlane events are the best - you can shuffle rack position easily, and drive when you're on 100% concentration, not just go flat out for 1/2 hour stints when you;re not used to it.

[driverrob]

I found these people http://www.clubmsv.co.uk/car-home/novice-only.aspx (Club MotorSportVision) were exceptionally good the twice I've done trackdays at Brands Hatch.

[CatDriver]

I've always found BHP to be very good too. They seem to attract a good standard of driver and the very few that aren't are kept under good control.

Here

[Jon Doe]

I would agree with Motorsport events but not so good in the wet, some marshalls must have been hiding under brollies to miss the Ariel Atom next to me in a chicane, it then ended up on the grass then seemed to forget the 'spin and your in' rule. There is a good video on youtube (in the rain) at keevil with a car stuck behind another for about 4 laps.

They have a long briefing, so you cant help but understand the rules. The one incident I mention above and a lack of blue flags on one video stray away from the safety aspect which they are good at.

Saw much much worse with another organiser doing a track day at Castle Combe, people seemed to overtake wherever. Much prefer the airfield events for the massive run off areas (even if you never use them).

[sunnybono]

third vote for www.motorsport-events.com.