Track day instruction
Discussion
Hello. I am looking into doing my first ever track day in the coming weeks. Would like to get some coaching by someone qualified to learn the basics and not make a fool of myself or have an accident on the first try. I know many track day providers offer tuition in 20 min slots. But I can only get one or two of those in most cases (Javelin allows three), so doesn't seem enough. And that the likes of MSVT have a track academy for the full day, but it's a bit pricey at £400 for the day. I am wondering if anyone knows of independent instructors that might be able to offer something in between. Thanks in advance.
Whereabouts you based / what track are you thinking of going to?
To be honest if it's your first ever track session the track and time of year is possibly quite important. Did a summer trackday at donington with a novice and she got absolutely mugged by the racecars there testing. But conversely a winter day at bedford would be a lot less intimidating.
Also a first day you'll be unlikely to be doing that many sessions anyway, 3 lots of 20 minutes is probably half of your driving for the day, most standard cars wouldn't like to be pushed that much. What car is it?
To be honest if it's your first ever track session the track and time of year is possibly quite important. Did a summer trackday at donington with a novice and she got absolutely mugged by the racecars there testing. But conversely a winter day at bedford would be a lot less intimidating.
Also a first day you'll be unlikely to be doing that many sessions anyway, 3 lots of 20 minutes is probably half of your driving for the day, most standard cars wouldn't like to be pushed that much. What car is it?
brillomaster said:
Whereabouts you based / what track are you thinking of going to?
Should have mentioned. I'm north-east London, so was thinking Snetterton, Bedford, or Brands (not for the first one ideally though)brillomaster said:
To be honest if it's your first ever track session the track and time of year is possibly quite important. Did a summer trackday at donington with a novice and she got absolutely mugged by the racecars there testing. But conversely a winter day at bedford would be a lot less intimidating.
That's a good point, maybe waiting for later in the year would be a good idea. Or wait for a dedicated novice sessionbrillomaster said:
Also a first day you'll be unlikely to be doing that many sessions anyway, 3 lots of 20 minutes is probably half of your driving for the day, most standard cars wouldn't like to be pushed that much. What car is it?
Also a good point. Had not thought about that. Can imagine it must be physically and mentally tiring too. So maybe a shorter evening session first would be better? Car will either be a 2005 Impreza or a 2011 911 GTS (prob the Impreza first). Neither would be pushed too hard. But I get your point, and therefore the 20 mins slots might be enough. Thanks!!!Bedford or Snetterton would both be fine as a novice, both flat with relatively straightforward corners. Brands is quite technical and potentially busy as the indy loop is a short track.
Bedford has no races so therefore rarely has any racecars at all. Snetterton might, but if you go after the main summer motorsport season there will be less.
Other than that, it's standard first trackday stuff - make sure the car is in good mechanical shape, all fluids topped up and that you have some meat on the pads. Then it's just drive with a bit of mechanical awareness... warm up lap, a few quick laps, and a cool down lap. Keep sessions short to manage heat build up and look after tyres and brakes - if you notice the effectiveness of either beginning to fade, its time to cool down and come in. Your tyres will heat up, so take a gauge to bleed some pressure off.
Oh and most importantly, have fun!
Bedford has no races so therefore rarely has any racecars at all. Snetterton might, but if you go after the main summer motorsport season there will be less.
Other than that, it's standard first trackday stuff - make sure the car is in good mechanical shape, all fluids topped up and that you have some meat on the pads. Then it's just drive with a bit of mechanical awareness... warm up lap, a few quick laps, and a cool down lap. Keep sessions short to manage heat build up and look after tyres and brakes - if you notice the effectiveness of either beginning to fade, its time to cool down and come in. Your tyres will heat up, so take a gauge to bleed some pressure off.
Oh and most importantly, have fun!
Firstly, you will not make a fool of yourself!
Getting an instructor or a coach is the best money you can spend. If it’s your first day, it might be ideal to both have some time with an instructor and some time on your own (I.e. have a session to get confidence, then a session later on to build).
Bedford is a great place for a first track day, Snetterton is a great track, but I haven’t done a track day there so can’t comment.
There’s a database of instructors on ARDS, however, I’m sure if you contact the track directly they can recommend a local instructor.
Personally, I like the long—term relationship you build with a coach.
Getting an instructor or a coach is the best money you can spend. If it’s your first day, it might be ideal to both have some time with an instructor and some time on your own (I.e. have a session to get confidence, then a session later on to build).
Bedford is a great place for a first track day, Snetterton is a great track, but I haven’t done a track day there so can’t comment.
There’s a database of instructors on ARDS, however, I’m sure if you contact the track directly they can recommend a local instructor.
Personally, I like the long—term relationship you build with a coach.
Firstly, don't worry about making a fool of yourself. You won't find any Alonso's racing about. Most drivers on track days are amateurs, though the odd professional might turn up with their race motors.
Secondly, I'd advise against having an instructor on your first day. There's simply far too much to take in all at once. You'll be trying to get to grips with the circuit and your car, and then having someone banging on about racing lines whilst encouraging you to push on—it's just too much for a first outing.
Get yourself familiar with the track and your car first. Then come back to the same circuit in a month's time and get some proper instruction. You'll be in a much better position to make the most of it once you've got the basics sorted..
Secondly, I'd advise against having an instructor on your first day. There's simply far too much to take in all at once. You'll be trying to get to grips with the circuit and your car, and then having someone banging on about racing lines whilst encouraging you to push on—it's just too much for a first outing.
Get yourself familiar with the track and your car first. Then come back to the same circuit in a month's time and get some proper instruction. You'll be in a much better position to make the most of it once you've got the basics sorted..
I would suggest that the first day is exactly the right time to get some help and tuition but I take Paddy’s point that it is a very busy day with a lot going on.
Most organisers will offer a one hour or half day tuition slots as well as 20 minute sessions. If you can get an hour in the morning it might be a good way of keeping the cost down and not getting overwhelmed with information whilst also making sure you get off on the right foot.
If you do want all day tuition then £400 is around the going rate (varies between instructors of course) although in the case of the MSV Academy most of that goes to the track rather than the instructor.
In terms of circuit choice I would recommend Snett as the best of your list of alternatives. Brands is short and so tends to be quite busy and being an experience venue Bedford is a poor place to learn and can teach habits that will not help you when you visit a proper race track. If you check the circuit’s calendar and pick a week when there isn’t a race meeting that weekend you should find a good mix of cars and not an excess of racers.
Most organisers will offer a one hour or half day tuition slots as well as 20 minute sessions. If you can get an hour in the morning it might be a good way of keeping the cost down and not getting overwhelmed with information whilst also making sure you get off on the right foot.
If you do want all day tuition then £400 is around the going rate (varies between instructors of course) although in the case of the MSV Academy most of that goes to the track rather than the instructor.
In terms of circuit choice I would recommend Snett as the best of your list of alternatives. Brands is short and so tends to be quite busy and being an experience venue Bedford is a poor place to learn and can teach habits that will not help you when you visit a proper race track. If you check the circuit’s calendar and pick a week when there isn’t a race meeting that weekend you should find a good mix of cars and not an excess of racers.
OP,
Some very good comments on here, and I would agree to avoid Brands as it’s not the best circuit for a novice and also has a reputation for being a bit hectic on track days. Snetterton is a favourite track of mine and had a lot of space for everyone to enjoy themselves.
In regards to finding an instructor I would personally recommend ‘Steve H’ above, as he’s very well regarded and got a very good communication style which is vital for communicating how the driver and car and reacting to each other. Driving fast and safely on a track is ultimately a skill, some of it learnt and some maybe natural.
In summary, a day at Snetterton with Steve in the seat will probably be one of the most rewarding and entertaining days you can have.
Some very good comments on here, and I would agree to avoid Brands as it’s not the best circuit for a novice and also has a reputation for being a bit hectic on track days. Snetterton is a favourite track of mine and had a lot of space for everyone to enjoy themselves.
In regards to finding an instructor I would personally recommend ‘Steve H’ above, as he’s very well regarded and got a very good communication style which is vital for communicating how the driver and car and reacting to each other. Driving fast and safely on a track is ultimately a skill, some of it learnt and some maybe natural.
In summary, a day at Snetterton with Steve in the seat will probably be one of the most rewarding and entertaining days you can have.
I've done 6 or so track days but always found that two 20 mins instructor sessions in the day are spot on.
Go out steady on your own first, get a feel for the car and track. Then have a 20 min instructor slot.
I will say every instructor I have had has given just a few simple pointers on where to improve.
Brake hard here, turn in here, stay out a bit wider here etc. Not one of them, at any of the tracks overloaded me with instructions.
Focus on the points he/she mentions, you will know when you have them correct as it will just flow and feel right. Then maybe have another instructor session in the afternoon to fine tune or feedback on how you have improved.
Go out steady on your own first, get a feel for the car and track. Then have a 20 min instructor slot.
I will say every instructor I have had has given just a few simple pointers on where to improve.
Brake hard here, turn in here, stay out a bit wider here etc. Not one of them, at any of the tracks overloaded me with instructions.
Focus on the points he/she mentions, you will know when you have them correct as it will just flow and feel right. Then maybe have another instructor session in the afternoon to fine tune or feedback on how you have improved.
Edited by twibs on Wednesday 13th August 20:14
Edited by twibs on Wednesday 13th August 20:16
I did my first two track days this year, both at Brands Hatch Indy and I thought it was perfect for learning. I probably did get a bit lucky though as neither day was crazy busy. The short length of the circuit may cause some traffic but it also means you can go there with a plan for every corner ahead of time and it is super easy to learn and remember your initial plan.
From watching videos before hand it looked way less sketchy to me to do open pit lane rather than sessions. I don't like the idea of getting all the inexperienced people together and sending them out on track at once. Plus open pit is a lot less pressure, you come and go as you please rather than have a set window every hour or two that you need to make the most of. If you only have 20mins and you find yourself in some heavy traffic you might feel like you need to continue to make the most of your time where as on an open pit lane day you can just back off for a bit or drive through the pits or box and go out again a bit later.
I haven't done tuition but you should consider an open pit lane day for your first track day, I did my first one in March of this year and despite me being pretty nervous before hand and there being quite a lot of race cars there (I assume prepping for upcoming race seasons) it was a fantastic experience. I came home and immediately booked track day number two
From watching videos before hand it looked way less sketchy to me to do open pit lane rather than sessions. I don't like the idea of getting all the inexperienced people together and sending them out on track at once. Plus open pit is a lot less pressure, you come and go as you please rather than have a set window every hour or two that you need to make the most of. If you only have 20mins and you find yourself in some heavy traffic you might feel like you need to continue to make the most of your time where as on an open pit lane day you can just back off for a bit or drive through the pits or box and go out again a bit later.
I haven't done tuition but you should consider an open pit lane day for your first track day, I did my first one in March of this year and despite me being pretty nervous before hand and there being quite a lot of race cars there (I assume prepping for upcoming race seasons) it was a fantastic experience. I came home and immediately booked track day number two
I love all the different and valid opinions on instruction (20-minutes to a lifetime coach) and tracks (Bedford, Brands, Silverstone & Snetterton).
Shows there are positives and negatives to each and we need to pick what works best for us.
Agree that Brands Indy is short and it's easy to learn the layout. Same time, I can still remember the first time I turned into Paddock Hill Bend!
Shows there are positives and negatives to each and we need to pick what works best for us.
Agree that Brands Indy is short and it's easy to learn the layout. Same time, I can still remember the first time I turned into Paddock Hill Bend!
Thank you all so much for your comments and advice, extremely helpful.
Did the full track day at Snetterton with MSVT on the 19th and took on two 20 mins tuition slots, one at the very beginning after the sighting laps, and one in the middle. Very good combo. The first was good for learning the basics of the track and how to negotiate traffic. Then I had a couple of outing by myself to get comfortable with the car and track. And the second tuition session was good for learning where and how to push harder safely.
I must admit, it was quite overwhelming at the beginning. Apparently it was a particularly tricky day because it was a session right before a racing weekend and there were a lot of teams testing their cars. I’m not kidding, easily a third of the cars were Caterham-style. Driving super tight and getting up to your bum. But everyone was very patient and well behaved.
I thoroughly enjoyed, amazing experience, and I’m hooked.
Lessons learned: car power and suspension are good enough, but need much better brakes. And I need to memorise the turns and corresponding gear changes better because I made a mess a few of times.
Did the full track day at Snetterton with MSVT on the 19th and took on two 20 mins tuition slots, one at the very beginning after the sighting laps, and one in the middle. Very good combo. The first was good for learning the basics of the track and how to negotiate traffic. Then I had a couple of outing by myself to get comfortable with the car and track. And the second tuition session was good for learning where and how to push harder safely.
I must admit, it was quite overwhelming at the beginning. Apparently it was a particularly tricky day because it was a session right before a racing weekend and there were a lot of teams testing their cars. I’m not kidding, easily a third of the cars were Caterham-style. Driving super tight and getting up to your bum. But everyone was very patient and well behaved.
I thoroughly enjoyed, amazing experience, and I’m hooked.
Lessons learned: car power and suspension are good enough, but need much better brakes. And I need to memorise the turns and corresponding gear changes better because I made a mess a few of times.
Brilliant!
I find track familiarisation is an important part to building confidence. While Snetterton is an amazing track & good for novices, being flat and having around 12 corners it can take longer to learn.
So you might find another day at Snetterton even more rewarding.
I remember seeing race cars in the paddock intimidating. I also see how Caterhams can also be intimidating (due to their poor aerodynamics they like to follow one another & avoid braking).
Every different type of car and driver experience level has different needs on track. That said, while they’re used to driving close to one another in my experience race cars don’t need to be more intimidating than any other group.
As long as everyone follows the track day rules (& in my experience race drivers are no worse than any other group) we can all have fun together.
(As I’m in my second season Caterham racing I admit to being biased).
I find track familiarisation is an important part to building confidence. While Snetterton is an amazing track & good for novices, being flat and having around 12 corners it can take longer to learn.
So you might find another day at Snetterton even more rewarding.
I remember seeing race cars in the paddock intimidating. I also see how Caterhams can also be intimidating (due to their poor aerodynamics they like to follow one another & avoid braking).
Every different type of car and driver experience level has different needs on track. That said, while they’re used to driving close to one another in my experience race cars don’t need to be more intimidating than any other group.
As long as everyone follows the track day rules (& in my experience race drivers are no worse than any other group) we can all have fun together.
(As I’m in my second season Caterham racing I admit to being biased).
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