Silverstone GP Driving Tips

[Willbee]

I'm off to Silverstone again soon. It will be my fifth trackday ever, so I'm really looking forward to the prospect of getting back on track again. Im inexperienced as far as performance driving but I've started to become accustomed to driving on the track now. Not sure what everyone else's experience was of their first trackday but it was certainly a lot to take in for me! There was certainly a lot of mirror watching, as I didn't want to get in the way of any quick drivers. Since then I've started getting a little more confident with my lines as Ive driven Silverstone a few times now. I'm using a lot more throttle and overall pace and I'm taking what I think are more or less the correct lines. Braking is proving to be a much bigger challenge. A particularly difficult corner for me is the one at the end of Hanger Straight. Im not quite sure when to turn in as I know its a very quick corner but never really come at all near to the red and white curb on the exit. Im not sure whether this is due to me turning in too late or just not going fast enough, possibly both! Im also trying to get my head around bridge corner. I know im turning in too late and not carrying the speed. Im also looking for some tips on Luffield. I always presumed that its best to stick to the inside of the corner. When I was watching the F1s going round there they seem to hang a few feet off the curb. Is this for downforce /speed reasons or for more grip. On trackdays everyone seems to keep tight to the curb though. Maybe it just due to the difference in dynamics involved with an F1 car as opposed to a track or road car, that suit that line. In general I think improving my pace is about driving smootly. In throttle and brake application and concentrating on braking later and harder. Hopefully this will lead to quicker laps. Any other comments, tips and techniques on driving Silverstone welcome!

[The Russian]

You have obviously spent sometime analysing the correct lines to use, breaking points etc.
I'm sure you will get many tips from the guys/girls who lurk on this forum. The best advice I could
give is spend more money than you want to on an instructor. It’s the only way for you to find the lines and hit the break and turning in points. An instructor will speed up your learning cruve safely and they will also push you. I booked an instructor for 1/2 a day when I first drove at Silverstone and it as worth every penny. I still use an instructor as you can never stop learning!

[Willbee]

The Russian said:

You have obviously spent sometime analysing the correct lines to use, breaking points etc.
I'm sure you will get many tips from the guys/girls who lurk on this forum. The best advice I could
give is spend more money than you want to on an instructor. It’s the only way for you to find the lines and hit the break and turning in points. An instructor will speed up your learning cruve safely and they will also push you. I booked an instructor for 1/2 a day when I first drove at Silverstone and it as worth every penny. I still use an instructor as you can never stop learning!

Good advice regarding an instructor probably. I May well do that at some point. Still even if im not quick at the moment it still feels quick

[grahamn]

Will, have a chat with Melinda @ Goldtrack. I am sure they do free sighting laps with Calum Lockabie, he would soon sort out your lines and braking points.

Graham

[The Russian]

Willbee, all I will say is when you first go skiing you have lessons, when you learn to play golf you get lessons. Driving on a track is not like driving on the road, it’s a skill that you have to be taught. I can promise you Lewis Hamilton had lessons.
Enjoy your day, keep one eye on the mirror and the other on the road...

[PetrolTed]

I'd echo that. Half an hour with an instructor will cost you about £50. Standards of instruction vary but it's rare that you don't learn something from it.

You're welcome to jump in with me for a few laps. I'll not claim to be able to teach you anything, but it can be useful to get a different perspective.

[Hoofty]

And if it rains, definitely get an instructor - the racing line will be anywhere except where you'd expect it to be. It was last surfaced about 12 years ago, after all...

Priory's my favourite, just because it's blind. Find it quite exciting carrying speed into a corner you can't see. I can't help you with Luffield - nothing I've tried ever works round there!

[Willbee]

PetrolTed said:

I'd echo that. Half an hour with an instructor will cost you about £50. Standards of instruction vary but it's rare that you don't learn something from it.

You're welcome to jump in with me for a few laps. I'll not claim to be able to teach you anything, but it can be useful to get a different perspective.

Thats a very kind offer, would be more than useful I'm sure! I am very new to driving quickly and have ogled over the GT3RS since it came out when I was 19. Ive had a ride in a Cayman S (on the road) which was most enjoyable. Would be interesting to see track-focused Porsche on-track.

[The Russian]

Willbee, take PertolTed up on his offer, he defiantly knows his way around Silverstone.
The only time I have ever caught up with PertolTed was on the drive home ;0)
GT3s are such great cars it will be an experience you will never forget.......

[Willbee]

The Russian said:

Willbee, take PertolTed up on his offer, he defiantly knows his way around Silverstone.
The only time I have ever caught up with PertolTed was on the drive home ;0)
GT3s are such great cars it will be an experience you will never forget.......

Sounds like praise indeed! I think I was in the same pit garage as petrolTed on my very first trackday at Silverstone. My friend remembered because he recognised the number plate off a topgear episode. Think it was where they were making a track car where they got points for over taking people on track and lost points for being overtaken. Think petrolTed was one of the other cars on track, I may be wrong...

[PetrolTed]

Yep, that was me on TG - briefly

I'm no driving god but I'm comfortable at Silverstone (in the dry!) so happy to offer you a ride. Just come and find me - I've booked a garage but don't know which one it is yet.

Edited by PetrolTed on Tuesday 9th September 13:35

[Willbee]

PetrolTed said:

Yep, that was me on TG - briefly

I'm no driving god but I'm comfortable at Silverstone (in the dry!) so happy to offer you a ride. Just come and find me - I've booked a garage but don't know which one it is yet.

Edited by PetrolTed on Tuesday 9th September 13:35

Thanks a lot PetrolTed! Looking forward to it, not sure which pit garage we are yet too. I'll have a walk down to you at some point for sure.

[GlynnsportRacing]

If your Silverstone outing is with Goldtrack, I'd fully recommend that you invest in a session with Callum Lockie (assuming he's not fully booked already). Expert tuition from a very very good racer, money well spent!