Any suggestions on what car to use?
Discussion
Never done a track day before, thinking of doing Oulton Park in a couple of months.
I could take my BMW but its a 318i Touring so its not the quickest, and not the most precise car either. Would it be a good idea to take this car or get something else? Something old and a bit quicker maybe?
Im just not sure being new to all this kind of thing, so any suggestions appreciated
I could take my BMW but its a 318i Touring so its not the quickest, and not the most precise car either. Would it be a good idea to take this car or get something else? Something old and a bit quicker maybe?
Im just not sure being new to all this kind of thing, so any suggestions appreciated
Well im in my mid 20's and had a licence for a few years so insurance and such isnt a problem on something bigger. The budget could be high but to be honest, i want to start as cheap as possible, in case i only go once or twice a year or might not even like it!
Not too fussed about anything being track prepared, this is something i could do in time.
Not too fussed about anything being track prepared, this is something i could do in time.
Your BMW 318i Touring will be fine for your first time, and your second, third, fourth..... The car doesn't really matter that much, you can enjoy a track day in pretty much anything, and you can learn track driving in pretty much anything.
When you've done a few days and decided you like it, then is the time for considering a dedicated track day car, you'll have a better idea of what you want having seen the variety of cars you'll see on the days you do.
Seriously, get an instructor for your first day, especially at Oulton, and not just for a 20 minute session, at least a half day if not a full day. Yes, I'm an instructor, but I'm not touting for business, there are several good instructors located near to Oulton. If you start off with good instruction you will learn much more quickly and will be less likely to develop any bad habits. You might think paying an instructor for a day is expensive, but honestly, you'll soon realise it's worth every penny and more.
BTW - I've instructed a guy at Oulton in his wife's Skoda Fabia VRS Estate with a "Baby on Board" sign in the back window, and we weren't the slowest car on track, by far!
When you've done a few days and decided you like it, then is the time for considering a dedicated track day car, you'll have a better idea of what you want having seen the variety of cars you'll see on the days you do.
Seriously, get an instructor for your first day, especially at Oulton, and not just for a 20 minute session, at least a half day if not a full day. Yes, I'm an instructor, but I'm not touting for business, there are several good instructors located near to Oulton. If you start off with good instruction you will learn much more quickly and will be less likely to develop any bad habits. You might think paying an instructor for a day is expensive, but honestly, you'll soon realise it's worth every penny and more.
BTW - I've instructed a guy at Oulton in his wife's Skoda Fabia VRS Estate with a "Baby on Board" sign in the back window, and we weren't the slowest car on track, by far!
I agree wholeheartedly, the best thing I ever did was tuition, which made track days more fun, much much safer and me much faster was tuition.
To put in context, I have lightweighted my car, uprated suspension, brakes, engine and body kit, but I shared an instructor one summer with a friend over about 6 - 8 track days including specialist driving at Llandow where we just pushed and pushed to get a feel for over and under steer and when the car is on the edge and how to control it.
Not suggesting you do this now, but do have an instructor for at least a couple if not three sessions will make a massive difference to your fun, confidence, safety and skill acquisition.
To put in context, I have lightweighted my car, uprated suspension, brakes, engine and body kit, but I shared an instructor one summer with a friend over about 6 - 8 track days including specialist driving at Llandow where we just pushed and pushed to get a feel for over and under steer and when the car is on the edge and how to control it.
Not suggesting you do this now, but do have an instructor for at least a couple if not three sessions will make a massive difference to your fun, confidence, safety and skill acquisition.
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