Track days in the winter
Discussion
I find winter track days and wet days a lot of fun. I've got a car with similar power to yours, and assuming yours is stock, you'll have no issues flying around a wet track so long as you've got half sensible tyres.
It's things like GT3s on semi-slicks which won't go anywhere near a wet track, normal road cars usually behave well on them.
I did my very first track day in my 330d at Oulton park on 6th Jan 2007:
Great day!
It's things like GT3s on semi-slicks which won't go anywhere near a wet track, normal road cars usually behave well on them.
I did my very first track day in my 330d at Oulton park on 6th Jan 2007:
Great day!
true, just as likely to get rain winter.summer.spring.autumn but winter does have the following issues
you get fog that can last all morning
cold weather can make the track tyres not work
rain can compound the above
snow can get it cancelled
you probably get 1-2 hours less track time due to light
you get fog that can last all morning
cold weather can make the track tyres not work
rain can compound the above
snow can get it cancelled
you probably get 1-2 hours less track time due to light
If you're relatively new to track, then wet/winter days can actually be more beneficial and enjoyable than summer ones. Generally they are a bit quieter and if it's wet, then you'll learn a lot more about your car's handling capabilities, and your own, at much lower speeds. The slower speeds are also more mechanically sympathetic for your car.
Respect the conditions and you'll love it.
Silverstone Feb 2010
Ant
Respect the conditions and you'll love it.
Silverstone Feb 2010
Ant
As others have said, it won't necessarily be wet. Winter days are cheaper with some companies, the only problem is that they are not as good as summer ones in the respect that it'll always be chilly even if it is sunny.
I booked a trackday a couple of years back in my towcar as I wanted to get it on circuit to see how it performed but mainly I wanted to get on a wet circuit to learn some things in the wet. I booked an afternoon at Brands on 16th December and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.
I booked a trackday a couple of years back in my towcar as I wanted to get it on circuit to see how it performed but mainly I wanted to get on a wet circuit to learn some things in the wet. I booked an afternoon at Brands on 16th December and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.
I think winter days are more likely to be wet - purely from the point of view that if the track is damp, it takes ages for it to drop when it's cold/cloudy. However if you get a downpour in the summer, it will dry out in a few hours with good amount of sun/wind/warmth.
Book yourself on some though, you'll have great fun.
Book yourself on some though, you'll have great fun.
epoch911 said:
If you're relatively new to track, then wet/winter days can actually be more beneficial and enjoyable than summer ones. Generally they are a bit quieter and if it's wet, then you'll learn a lot more about your car's handling capabilities, and your own, at much lower speeds. The slower speeds are also more mechanically sympathetic for your car.
Respect the conditions and you'll love it.
Silverstone Feb 2010
Ant
Not on R888's I am guessing !Respect the conditions and you'll love it.
Silverstone Feb 2010
Ant
Last time I used my GT3 was May
So have booked a day at Silverstone in Dec (3rd I think?)
One of the good things about a winter trackday is the cool air for the car.
Dan7357 said:
Not on R888's I am guessing !
Last time I used my GT3 was May
So have booked a day at Silverstone in Dec (3rd I think?)
One of the good things about a winter trackday is the cool air for the car.
It was on R888's. Last time I used my GT3 was May
So have booked a day at Silverstone in Dec (3rd I think?)
One of the good things about a winter trackday is the cool air for the car.
Worst conditions I have ever seen and I span off a number of times in the standing water...but I wasn't going to mention that!
epoch911 said:
Dan7357 said:
Not on R888's I am guessing !
Last time I used my GT3 was May
So have booked a day at Silverstone in Dec (3rd I think?)
One of the good things about a winter trackday is the cool air for the car.
It was on R888's. Last time I used my GT3 was May
So have booked a day at Silverstone in Dec (3rd I think?)
One of the good things about a winter trackday is the cool air for the car.
Worst conditions I have ever seen and I span off a number of times in the standing water...but I wasn't going to mention that!
JQ said:
What are they like?
I'm not an experienced track day driver and am contemplating a day at Oulton Park in November in my MX5. I'm just worried it won't be as much fun on a cold and wet day and that I'll fly off the track backwards in a ball of flames.
Oulton Park, winter time, pissing down, R888, roof off, bloody great.I'm not an experienced track day driver and am contemplating a day at Oulton Park in November in my MX5. I'm just worried it won't be as much fun on a cold and wet day and that I'll fly off the track backwards in a ball of flames.
One having tuition from Micheal (can you turn the heating up) Cainey (Porker Carrera Cup Driver),
Wet days are more fun, as long as you build up speed. Have done oulton on a frosty december in my westie & had the pleasure of seeing a delta evo park into the armco at hissy's on the second lap giving it too much beans. Will be at oulton on the 12th nov in my 5, hardtop will be fitted!
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