Rockingham single-seater circuit experience
Discussion
Thanks to my lovely daughters, I'm off to Rockingham next Saturday for the above. I'm as excited as a teenager (ah, just about remember that), I've never driven a single seater, and never driven on a track. We've also never been to Rockingham before, so the best advice of the highly knowledgeable PH throng is requested.
The family's accompanying me on this adventure - what are the facilities like at Rockingham for "friends and family" on these days, does anyone know? Will they be able to get food and drink? (I know Rockingham must have facilities, but will they be open at such an event?), and what sort of trackside access will they get?
I did try the Rockingham website, but it's not too helpful on the above, and their invitation letter only informs you of the time to be there (12:30), and the clothing and footwear they recommend you wear. Thank you everybody, in anticipation of loads of good info from you all.
The family's accompanying me on this adventure - what are the facilities like at Rockingham for "friends and family" on these days, does anyone know? Will they be able to get food and drink? (I know Rockingham must have facilities, but will they be open at such an event?), and what sort of trackside access will they get?
I did try the Rockingham website, but it's not too helpful on the above, and their invitation letter only informs you of the time to be there (12:30), and the clothing and footwear they recommend you wear. Thank you everybody, in anticipation of loads of good info from you all.
There is very little track side access at Rockingham at any time. During a race meeting you can watch from on top of the pits, by the fence behind the pits and from the stands, so I guess access during one of these days will be similar.
I'm doing the V8 Supercar course in June
The info I have says the circuit cafe will be open, but as the food choice there even during race days is often pretty poor I may use the one at the Asda down the road!
I'm doing the V8 Supercar course in June
The info I have says the circuit cafe will be open, but as the food choice there even during race days is often pretty poor I may use the one at the Asda down the road!Edited by Marc W on Monday 5th May 22:24
jpivey said:
superkartracer said:
Ask to remove the stop from the go pedal, max revs you want Sir.
I run that event at Rockingham ( but won't be there on saturday )there isn't a stop on the go pedal you will find the SS quick enough!!
You sure LOL, normally they are limited at 4k most tracks do, good to hear you don't.I run that event at Rockingham ( but won't be there on saturday )there isn't a stop on the go pedal you will find the SS quick enough!!
superkartracer said:
jpivey said:
superkartracer said:
Ask to remove the stop from the go pedal, max revs you want Sir.
I run that event at Rockingham ( but won't be there on saturday )there isn't a stop on the go pedal you will find the SS quick enough!!
You sure LOL, normally they are limited at 4k most tracks do, good to hear you don't.I run that event at Rockingham ( but won't be there on saturday )there isn't a stop on the go pedal you will find the SS quick enough!!
There are limited but to about 6000 so they can lap the Oval at around 130 mph in fact the pace cars that you follow are slower than some of the customer cars, no idea why!!!
Rupert,
Whatever you do, don't use the brakes!!! Aim squarely at the wall, don't lift off the power, sit back & enjoy!!! That's what many tend to do!!!
[/quote]
Howie how true!!!!!!!! But might need the brakes as don't think you can get round Alfie's FLAT.
Before you ask new driver to SS yes it does have three pedals yes there close together and yes there in the same place as your road car!!
jpivey said:
Rupert,
Whatever you do, don't use the brakes!!! Aim squarely at the wall, don't lift off the power, sit back & enjoy!!! That's what many tend to do!!!
Howie how true!!!!!!!! But might need the brakes as don't think you can get round Alfie's FLAT.Whatever you do, don't use the brakes!!! Aim squarely at the wall, don't lift off the power, sit back & enjoy!!! That's what many tend to do!!!
Before you ask new driver to SS yes it does have three pedals yes there close together and yes there in the same place as your road car!!
rupert the dog said:
Thanks to my lovely daughters, I'm off to Rockingham next Saturday for the above. I'm as excited as a teenager (ah, just about remember that), I've never driven a single seater, and never driven on a track. We've also never been to Rockingham before, so the best advice of the highly knowledgeable PH throng is requested.
The family's accompanying me on this adventure - what are the facilities like at Rockingham for "friends and family" on these days, does anyone know? Will they be able to get food and drink? (I know Rockingham must have facilities, but will they be open at such an event?), and what sort of trackside access will they get?
I did try the Rockingham website, but it's not too helpful on the above, and their invitation letter only informs you of the time to be there (12:30), and the clothing and footwear they recommend you wear. Thank you everybody, in anticipation of loads of good info from you all.
You will love it I did The family's accompanying me on this adventure - what are the facilities like at Rockingham for "friends and family" on these days, does anyone know? Will they be able to get food and drink? (I know Rockingham must have facilities, but will they be open at such an event?), and what sort of trackside access will they get?
I did try the Rockingham website, but it's not too helpful on the above, and their invitation letter only informs you of the time to be there (12:30), and the clothing and footwear they recommend you wear. Thank you everybody, in anticipation of loads of good info from you all.
hot metal said:
rupert the dog said:
Thanks to my lovely daughters, I'm off to Rockingham next Saturday for the above. I'm as excited as a teenager (ah, just about remember that), I've never driven a single seater, and never driven on a track. We've also never been to Rockingham before, so the best advice of the highly knowledgeable PH throng is requested.
The family's accompanying me on this adventure - what are the facilities like at Rockingham for "friends and family" on these days, does anyone know? Will they be able to get food and drink? (I know Rockingham must have facilities, but will they be open at such an event?), and what sort of trackside access will they get?
I did try the Rockingham website, but it's not too helpful on the above, and their invitation letter only informs you of the time to be there (12:30), and the clothing and footwear they recommend you wear. Thank you everybody, in anticipation of loads of good info from you all.
You will love it I did The family's accompanying me on this adventure - what are the facilities like at Rockingham for "friends and family" on these days, does anyone know? Will they be able to get food and drink? (I know Rockingham must have facilities, but will they be open at such an event?), and what sort of trackside access will they get?
I did try the Rockingham website, but it's not too helpful on the above, and their invitation letter only informs you of the time to be there (12:30), and the clothing and footwear they recommend you wear. Thank you everybody, in anticipation of loads of good info from you all.
Just did one of the Driving Experience Days at Rockingham yesterday.
So it was this sort of order & points from 10 for each activity;
Mini Cooper S - 8.5 Great fun scored 92% and found out the Mini (the 2nd new one, which I didn't like as a car) was a hoot to drive.
Aussie V8 / VXR8 racecar - 9.5 amazing & loud. Growing up in NZ I used to watch these cars racing and couldn't believe I was sitting in one. Instructor was Joe Osbourne he encouraged me to give the beans and I ended up with a score of 84%. I can confirm there isn't a limiter and you really only need 3rd & 4th on the National Circuit.
Both of the above cars had a GPS, Speed thingy which gave you a print out of your lines & speed at the end of the day & you get to keep the Memorycard to bore your other half with when you get in.
BMW Skidcar (the one with shopping trolley underneath) 7. I wasn't silly enough to loose the back end too much so probably could have enjoyed this more!
Single Seater - 8. Estmated by instructor 110 mph flat out? in 4th about 6ft from the concrete walls of the oval was something else. TO ensure you a 'safe' 3 drivers are in a convoy behind the instructor, but it was great to keep close and follow his lines.
Ferrari 360 - 10. On the national circuit. Had Chris Hodgetts as my instructor! He was fantastic, kept pushing me to go quicker & quicker this car was something else...
Autotest - 7.5. Driving a Kart around a cone dodging horseshoe. This was timed and I was about 4th in our group. Good fun as Kart's always are, you got a practice & two timed runs.
All in all a fantastic day. I felt the instructors we're pushing you more than on a day I had a Thruxton and you really did get close to the limits on all the Cars on the National Circuit. To have a 2 times BTCC Champion was also a bonus - a great instructor and really nice guy - even signed an autograph for me.
Probably ranks as a top 10 day in the life of this 32 year old.
So it was this sort of order & points from 10 for each activity;
Mini Cooper S - 8.5 Great fun scored 92% and found out the Mini (the 2nd new one, which I didn't like as a car) was a hoot to drive.
Aussie V8 / VXR8 racecar - 9.5 amazing & loud. Growing up in NZ I used to watch these cars racing and couldn't believe I was sitting in one. Instructor was Joe Osbourne he encouraged me to give the beans and I ended up with a score of 84%. I can confirm there isn't a limiter and you really only need 3rd & 4th on the National Circuit.
Both of the above cars had a GPS, Speed thingy which gave you a print out of your lines & speed at the end of the day & you get to keep the Memorycard to bore your other half with when you get in.
BMW Skidcar (the one with shopping trolley underneath) 7. I wasn't silly enough to loose the back end too much so probably could have enjoyed this more!
Single Seater - 8. Estmated by instructor 110 mph flat out? in 4th about 6ft from the concrete walls of the oval was something else. TO ensure you a 'safe' 3 drivers are in a convoy behind the instructor, but it was great to keep close and follow his lines.
Ferrari 360 - 10. On the national circuit. Had Chris Hodgetts as my instructor! He was fantastic, kept pushing me to go quicker & quicker this car was something else...
Autotest - 7.5. Driving a Kart around a cone dodging horseshoe. This was timed and I was about 4th in our group. Good fun as Kart's always are, you got a practice & two timed runs.
All in all a fantastic day. I felt the instructors we're pushing you more than on a day I had a Thruxton and you really did get close to the limits on all the Cars on the National Circuit. To have a 2 times BTCC Champion was also a bonus - a great instructor and really nice guy - even signed an autograph for me.
Probably ranks as a top 10 day in the life of this 32 year old.
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