Safest circuit for exploratitive hooning?

[3Dee]

Guys, for next year...

like many, I would like the opportunity to explore the limits of my car - both in acceleration/ top speed, and equally important, cornering ability (both car and me)... which leads me to think about trying to find the best and safest circuit in the UK for doing precisely that!

Somewhere were overcooking on corners will not result in barrier worship, with plenty of space and flat tarmac to mimimise flips or turnovers if you get it very wrong... Ok, you can't completely guard against something unexpected happening, but if the layout is such that it minimises the risk of cannoning into hard objects when things get fraught then all the better....

I spent a bit of time on the international circuit at silverstone this year, but TBH whilst fun, I was way too concerned about other fast cars, and those barriers, so didn't feel too keen on pushing the boundaries.... something perhaps less formal with fewer participants might be better?

Ideas please?

[Justaredbadge]

Somewhere not licensed for racing would be a good bet as they won't have to have the armco etc.

For what you are after, some sort of trackday at Bruntingthorpe would seem ideal. The only major downside is that the tarmac surface is fairly abrasive for tyres.

[Abbosevolution]

3Dee said:

Guys, for next year...

like many, I would like the opportunity to explore the limits of my car - both in acceleration/ top speed, and equally important, cornering ability (both car and me)... which leads me to think about trying to find the best and safest circuit in the UK for doing precisely that!

Somewhere were overcooking on corners will not result in barrier worship, with plenty of space and flat tarmac to mimimise flips or turnovers if you get it very wrong... Ok, you can't completely guard against something unexpected happening, but if the layout is such that it minimises the risk of cannoning into hard objects when things get fraught then all the better....

I spent a bit of time on the international circuit at silverstone this year, but TBH whilst fun, I was way too concerned about other fast cars, and those barriers, so didn't feel too keen on pushing the boundaries.... something perhaps less formal with fewer participants might be better?

Ideas please?

Have used an old USAF airfield in Woodbridge Suffolk for my track days - you can see it via Javelin track days, no barriers, very long straights - not that many cars - grass and gorse are the worst you find in any off track excursions - although the surface can be a little abrasive

[deadscoob]

Bedford autodrome.

[Stig]

Perhaps and airfield - but you'd be surprised at the damage a runway light will do and the car will be shotblasted by the inevitable grit all over the place.

For a 'proper' track - Silverstone - without doubt. Most tarmac runoff of any UK circuit.

[macgtech]

Stig said:

Perhaps and airfield - but you'd be surprised at the damage a runway light will do and the car will be shotblasted by the inevitable grit all over the place.

For a 'proper' track - Silverstone - without doubt. Most tarmac runoff of any UK circuit.

Agreed

[Justaredbadge]

deadscoob said:

Bedford autodrome.

Yes...but there are some very silly corners there that have less than fk all wiggle room. West 8 for example. any mistake and you are in the barrier there.

[Storer]

Agree with Silverstone as very good.

Bruntingthorp may be out unless you have public liability insurance in the future. Due to some prat claiming after an accident this year the owners will probably require substantial public liability insurance in future.

You will struggle to find anywhere where you can run alone as these places cost money to operate.


Paul

[Web13]

Storer said:

Agree with Silverstone as very good.

Bruntingthorp may be out unless you have public liability insurance in the future. Due to some prat claiming after an accident this year the owners will probably require substantial public liability insurance in future.

You will struggle to find anywhere where you can run alone as these places cost money to operate.


Paul

There is very little run off at the first half of bruntingthorp, those plastic barriers close to the edge and cars just the other side of them, and let's not forget the planes dotted everywhere.

Worse since manheim has moved in.

[V8Dom]

macgtech said:

Stig said:

Perhaps and airfield - but you'd be surprised at the damage a runway light will do and the car will be shotblasted by the inevitable grit all over the place.

For a 'proper' track - Silverstone - without doubt. Most tarmac runoff of any UK circuit.

Agreed

yep that was my route, learnt a lot about my car and my first track day too..

the comments afterwards spoke for themselves, the car goes well, handles well and there is a loon behind the wheel who likes to explore the limits...:0)

[TuxMan]

Most of the proper big circuits are very safe , Silverstone is very safe , only corner too watch is coming onto the new start finish straight , Spa is pretty epic as well and very safe !! both very well suited to our type of high powered cars . Bedford is ok but noise restrictions virtually unusable . Snetterton 300 is ok but there are a few corners with Armco around the outside .

airfield days have cones ....lots of them !!! loose it and whack a few cones at your peril , also the stone chips are bad and the surface can be very tough on tyres !!

[LuckyP]

I need to destroy a set of tyres in the Carrera GT next spring. I'll be up for sharing a hire with 10 or so peeps?

Be interested to hear what peeps think.

Silverstone also the safest track for me too, but agree on new start straight first corner. Not one to mess up!!

HA!

Edited by LuckyP on Thursday 19th December 12:52

[deadscoob]

Justaredbadge said:

Yes...but there are some very silly corners there that have less than fk all wiggle room. West 8 for example. any mistake and you are in the barrier there.

Is that the hairpin before the long straight? There's nowhere that's totally safe, but as a circuit to learn your car, relatively safely, it's great imo. I feel far safer there than donington or brands for example, and it's more enjoyable than any airfield, all imo of course.

[macgtech]

Would also suggest that Blyton Park is worth looking at too.

[Pedders]

LuckyP said:

I need to destroy a set of tyres in the Carrera GT next spring. I'll be up for sharing a hire with 10 or so peeps?

Edited by LuckyP on Thursday 19th December 12:52

I'd be up for this, and know a couple of sensible others with some fairly serious metal who might be interested.

Edited by Pedders on Thursday 19th December 21:38

[Justaredbadge]

Has anyone tried plastidip on their panels for airfield days.

It may be a cheaper and more temporary option to armourfend.

[Crazy of Cookham]

Really used to enjoy Silverstone as a novice, its a bit like skiing, let the pro's go around you safely!. Its fairly obvious where the leading edges of the car are and I used to cover most up with masking tape (including lights) this helped keep most chipping down. Took a nasty bash from a bolt on the windscreen, reminded me why its not best to use an aeroscreen on a Canam on track. Without wishing to be a snob!, I found it better to go for an expensive track day as it keeps a few of the boy racers away and their disposable cars.