cadwell or oulton park?

[craig-A]

planning a little birthday present for myself in october, both of these tracks are available on the day i'm interested in but which is better for me, i'm travelling from Fife and have done a few track days but not at any of these venues. The price of the 2 events is very similar.

any advice and opinions welcome

C.

[gdr]

Both excellent. Oulton quite a lot easier to get to from Scotland though while I suspect that on balance likely to be drier at Cadwell (east vs west).
Have been to Oulton once this summer, heading to Cadwell in 2 weeks
Oulton is fast, flowing, and armco close in places. Cadwell more varied, has a twisty bit (also with close barriers) but also an open and fast section with a lot of run off. Cadwell seeems a bit more laid back (to me anyway), Oulton bigger, better facilities.
Whichever you choose, won't go wrong.

[chris7676]

...you won't go wrong unless you crash your car. enjoy anyway

[boxsey]

I can't comment on Cadwell as I've not been there (yet). Oulton is brilliant in my book and I've yet to hear anyone say they don't like it as a circuit. It seems to suit just about any type of car. I would advise you get some instruction early on so that you get full enjoyment. Druids and cascades are particularly challenging sections of the track.

[Big 968 Dave]

BOTH.....
Actually they are both as good as each other....

[RMac]

Both fabulous tracks. My personal favourite is Cadwell. Both are worth instruction at especially Cadwell.

[snorkel sucker]

oulton is fantastic- a whole day driving round and it never failed to entertain or challenge.

+1 for the tuition, on any track you go to

[NTEL]

If I was travelling all that way, I would opt for Oulton Park. Try to book a garage (there are none at Cadwell) because if the weather is a bit grim then you can shelter in there and keep you and the car a bit dryer. Oulton is a fantastic circuit and very rewarding when you get it right. Also i think there are probably less places to cause any serious damage at Oulton. If its a bit damp just take it easy around druids and you will be fine.

[agent006]

I found cadwell much more fun to start with. Oulton is more obviously challenging, and you KNOW when you're doing it wrong whereas you can do all the wrong lines at cadwell and still have a great time.

[Wilder]

NTEL said:

If I was travelling all that way, I would opt for Oulton Park. Try to book a garage (there are none at Cadwell) because if the weather is a bit grim then you can shelter in there and keep you and the car a bit dryer. Oulton is a fantastic circuit and very rewarding when you get it right. Also i think there are probably less places to cause any serious damage at Oulton. If its a bit damp just take it easy around druids and you will be fine.

Less places to cause serious damage?? Ive yet to go to Oulton and not see a car seriously damaged or written off on a trackday - Oultons well known for biting the unwary - especially at the final uphill section leading onto the start/finish line where a number of cars end up in the barriers. As a post script, my race instructor caused £3k of damage to my car last time out on that circuit - kind of proves the point..

Edited by Wilder on Thursday 4th September 21:54

[projectpug]

I agree Oulton definately bites especially in the wet, not much run off and accidents occur all around because of it. Just take your time a bit more in the wet and you should be ok.

[craig-A]

Just booked Oulton park for the 1st of October, booked a session with an instructor as well, anyone else going?

[mattsayle]

craig-A said:

Just booked Oulton park for the 1st of October, booked a session with an instructor as well, anyone else going?

I would come and take some pictures for you if i wasnt in college and it wasnt my birthday

[ginettajoe]

Wilder said:

NTEL said:

If I was travelling all that way, I would opt for Oulton Park. Try to book a garage (there are none at Cadwell) because if the weather is a bit grim then you can shelter in there and keep you and the car a bit dryer. Oulton is a fantastic circuit and very rewarding when you get it right. Also i think there are probably less places to cause any serious damage at Oulton. If its a bit damp just take it easy around druids and you will be fine.

Less places to cause serious damage?? Ive yet to go to Oulton and not see a car seriously damaged or written off on a trackday - Oultons well known for biting the unwary - especially at the final uphill section leading onto the start/finish line where a number of cars end up in the barriers. As a post script, my race instructor caused £3k of damage to my car last time out on that circuit - kind of proves the point..

Edited by Wilder on Thursday 4th September 21:54

I'm intrigued to know who your instructor was!!! ???

[Wilder]

Lets just say he was a director of the ARDS, and actually passed me for my MSA licence. In fairness, the problem with a trackday is you have some people with no experience let loose on a track with other drivers who may be in cars that are way faster.
Thats not a good recipe. In my case a car swung suddenly accross the track needing avoiding action, and a trip on the grass into the barriers.

[ginettajoe]

Wilder said:

Lets just say he was a director of the ARDS, and actually passed me for my MSA licence. In fairness, the problem with a trackday is you have some people with no experience let loose on a track with other drivers who may be in cars that are way faster.
Thats not a good recipe. In my case a car swung suddenly accross the track needing avoiding action, and a trip on the grass into the barriers.

But surely, another car swinging suddenley across the track, requiring you to take avoiding action, is not something an instructor would be likely to anticipate, and I can't see how you could apportion the blame at the instructor. Obviously I wasn't there, and don't fully understand the circumstances of how the accident unfolded, and as such, I wouldn't want to make any assumption.

Obviously from what you've said, it wasn't a resident Oulton Park instructor, because there is no-one there who is an ARDS director, and would be on track instructing!

Oulton Park is in my opinion, the most demanding circuit in the country, and if there is a hint of dampness, needs to be driven with utmost respect. The general advice given to the OP, from various people regarding instruction there, is the most valuable advice he will receive. Both Oulton & Cadwell have technical, and slippery sections, which unfortunately are not too far from the barriers, ........... but isn't that what makes them the circuits that they are!!!

[Wilder]

ginettajoe said:

Wilder said:

Lets just say he was a director of the ARDS, and actually passed me for my MSA licence. In fairness, the problem with a trackday is you have some people with no experience let loose on a track with other drivers who may be in cars that are way faster.
Thats not a good recipe. In my case a car swung suddenly accross the track needing avoiding action, and a trip on the grass into the barriers.

But surely, another car swinging suddenley across the track, requiring you to take avoiding action, is not something an instructor would be likely to anticipate, and I can't see how you could apportion the blame at the instructor. Obviously I wasn't there, and don't fully understand the circumstances of how the accident unfolded, and as such, I wouldn't want to make any assumption.

Obviously from what you've said, it wasn't a resident Oulton Park instructor, because there is no-one there who is an ARDS director, and would be on track instructing!

Oulton Park is in my opinion, the most demanding circuit in the country, and if there is a hint of dampness, needs to be driven with utmost respect. The general advice given to the OP, from various people regarding instruction there, is the most valuable advice he will receive. Both Oulton & Cadwell have technical, and slippery sections, which unfortunately are not too far from the barriers, ........... but isn't that what makes them the circuits that they are!!!

Agree with that.
I also wasnt in the car so I dont know exactly what happened, but the fact that it did calls into question the wisdom of letting people who may have no track experience whatsoever, loose with 30+ other cars after a 10 minute briefing, which lets be honest, goes in one ear & out of the other once the fun starts & the red mist descends.
Accidents happen, and I know that this one in particular was unforseen, by one of the best (and highly regarded) instructors in the business. That shows it can happen to anyone, but as you say Oulton is not forgiving, and in the wet it can be very tricky.

[ginettajoe]

Wilder said:

ginettajoe said:

Wilder said:

Lets just say he was a director of the ARDS, and actually passed me for my MSA licence. In fairness, the problem with a trackday is you have some people with no experience let loose on a track with other drivers who may be in cars that are way faster.
Thats not a good recipe. In my case a car swung suddenly accross the track needing avoiding action, and a trip on the grass into the barriers.

But surely, another car swinging suddenley across the track, requiring you to take avoiding action, is not something an instructor would be likely to anticipate, and I can't see how you could apportion the blame at the instructor. Obviously I wasn't there, and don't fully understand the circumstances of how the accident unfolded, and as such, I wouldn't want to make any assumption.

Obviously from what you've said, it wasn't a resident Oulton Park instructor, because there is no-one there who is an ARDS director, and would be on track instructing!

Oulton Park is in my opinion, the most demanding circuit in the country, and if there is a hint of dampness, needs to be driven with utmost respect. The general advice given to the OP, from various people regarding instruction there, is the most valuable advice he will receive. Both Oulton & Cadwell have technical, and slippery sections, which unfortunately are not too far from the barriers, ........... but isn't that what makes them the circuits that they are!!!

Agree with that.
I also wasnt in the car so I dont know exactly what happened, but the fact that it did calls into question the wisdom of letting people who may have no track experience whatsoever, loose with 30+ other cars after a 10 minute briefing, which lets be honest, goes in one ear & out of the other once the fun starts & the red mist descends.
Accidents happen, and I know that this one in particular was unforseen, by one of the best (and highly regarded) instructors in the business. That shows it can happen to anyone, but as you say Oulton is not forgiving, and in the wet it can be very tricky.

Yes, I agree in your entirety, & what I would say is that the briefing does set the tone for the day, and I feel that the content of most briefings is necessary, albeit boring, but the emphasis needs to be on the on track behaviour, and the seriousness of people who either ignore the rules, or have no respect for others on track!! That is what creates frustration, and in turn accidents.