SPA 2013

[Cockernee]

If anyone is interested, then AM are running their track day at SPA in 2013 on Monday 9th & Tuesday 10th September.

Obviously it was that popular that they are running it over 2 days. I am already booking mine, so I will happily travel over with fellow PHer's as I did last year. Did I mention SPA last year at all??

contact Les Goble - [e-mail] - Sorry Les.........

[krisdelta]

Any idea of costs? Also, I'm slow

[yeti]

Hmm, 10th September will be my 39th birthday... who fancies celebrating with me?

[Cockernee]

krisdelta said:

Any idea of costs? Also, I'm slow

around £1k for the track day, plus tyres if you want them. Plus Fuel, Eurotunnel, hotel, alcohol etc. So around £2K i guess....

As for slow, don't worry about that - you can have an instructor all day who will make you fast

I was going to say something witty like "well you have a V8, of course you are " there I said it.

Edited by Cockernee on Thursday 3rd January 13:43

[Cockernee]

yeti said:

Hmm, 10th September will be my 39th birthday... who fancies celebrating with me?

I have booked the 9th as I can travel on Sunday and be there on Monday. I would then probably travel back Tuesday unlike last year, which ended up a late return home.

[mikey k]

Have we got a poll going on the superlative

[jonby]

I've never quite 'got' the Aston track days - what's the experience from those who've been and how do they compare to more typical track days ?

My attitude has always been that you can go to a top track, one of those where they keep the numbers sensible and are quick to take off track anyone being an idiot, for a few hundred pounds. I've done some exclusive days at Silverstone for instance with open pit lane, pretty low numbers, a private garage, basic food & drink, etc for £400ish.

So what exactly does the £1,000 for a typical Aston track day buy you ? I actually prefer seeing a variety of makes on track rather than just Astons and instruction doesn't cost that much - what are the other differences ?

[Tony V12V]

Email sent to Les

[Cockernee]

jonby said:

I've never quite 'got' the Aston track days - what's the experience from those who've been and how do they compare to more typical track days ?

My attitude has always been that you can go to a top track, one of those where they keep the numbers sensible and are quick to take off track anyone being an idiot, for a few hundred pounds. I've done some exclusive days at Silverstone for instance with open pit lane, pretty low numbers, a private garage, basic food & drink, etc for £400ish.

So what exactly does the £1,000 for a typical Aston track day buy you ? I actually prefer seeing a variety of makes on track rather than just Astons and instruction doesn't cost that much - what are the other differences ?

You don't get some tosser in a track car trying to take you off the circuit..... Until last year when I attended that is

I can agree, when I looked into it I thought the same. Then I went there and met with other Aston owners and realised that I wanted to be here with Aston, with my Aston. Also if you go on their day the warranty covers any breakage AND you can hire wheels/tyres . I met Alwin and his wife and another geyser from Belguim (Jean Claude or something ), who I am now in fairly regular contact, so I got that too. I know they have taste, as they own V12V's also .

All this from a man that spent £170K on a car and £10K on a watch huh........ Get your money out and take that lovely V12VR around SPA.

[George29]

What exactly do you get for your £1000 that you don't get on a normal open pitlane track day at Spa for half the price (1/3rd the price if you go in April!)?

[Cockernee]

George29 said:

What exactly do you get for your £1000 that you don't get on a normal open pitlane track day at Spa for half the price (1/3rd the price if you go in April!)?

As above, You don't get some tosser in a track car trying to take you off the circuit.

[George29]

Cockernee said:

As above, You don't get some tosser in a track car trying to take you off the circuit.

I see.

Ill stick to 2 wheels - Only 6 weeks to go until the track day season starts again

[jonby]

Cockernee said:

All this from a man that spent £170K on a car and £10K on a watch huh........ Get your money out and take that lovely V12VR around SPA.

I knew that would come ! :-) We all have different ideas of what we are prepared to spend our money on :-)

Cockernee said:

You don't get some tosser in a track car trying to take you off the circuit..... Until last year when I attended that is

I accept that can be a real issue, but from my fairly limited experience, the days that cost say £300-350+ compared to those that cost say £150-250 do seem to do a fairly good job of separating the majority of the idiots from the sensible people

Cockernee said:

Also if you go on their day the warranty covers any breakage AND you can hire wheels/tyres

Tyres package is a good one - I do remember reading that and thinking it was a good idea
What's the situation with the warranty then - does it mean the standard Aston warranty still applies but would not if something could be proven to have broken in direct relation to a non-Aston track day ? The aston warranty is not invalidated as such just by attending a track day

Also, what is the situation re insurance, both on your car and damaging the circuit, on an Aston track day ? As I understand it, no-one can claim against another car for damage to them or their car on a track day. Track day insurance normally covers damage to your car or claims from the circuit, if I understand correctly. Excess is normally very high. My Locktons policy covers me on that basis for UK track days but not overseas ones, where it costs about £300 I think for a day's track cover

And how much instruction is 'standard' on an Aston day - is it time limited ?

[krisdelta]

Cockernee said:

krisdelta said:

Any idea of costs? Also, I'm slow

around £1k for the track day, plus tyres if you want them. Plus Fuel, Eurotunnel, hotel, alcohol etc. So around £2K i guess....

As for slow, don't worry about that - you can have an instructor all day who will make you fast

I was going to say something witty like "well you have a V8, of course you are " there I said it.

Edited by Cockernee on Thursday 3rd January 13:43

Cheers! That's proper money mind, I'm liking the look of the RMA trackday - it's about a 1/3rd of the price and sessions split for various capabilities I think too. Yes I know my V8 is slow, but I'd be no faster in a big boys V12 either

[Cockernee]

jonby said:

Cockernee said:

All this from a man that spent £170K on a car and £10K on a watch huh........ Get your money out and take that lovely V12VR around SPA.

I knew that would come ! :-) We all have different ideas of what we are prepared to spend our money on :-)

You set them up and I will knock them in

jonby said:

Cockernee said:

You don't get some tosser in a track car trying to take you off the circuit..... Until last year when I attended that is

I accept that can be a real issue, but from my fairly limited experience, the days that cost say £300-350+ compared to those that cost say £150-250 do seem to do a fairly good job of separating the majority of the idiots from the sensible people

And £1,000 ensures you have other Aston drivers who do not want any damage and therefore mainly sensible (except me of course)

Cockernee said:

Also if you go on their day the warranty covers any breakage AND you can hire wheels/tyres

jonby said:

Tyres package is a good one - I do remember reading that and thinking it was a good idea
What's the situation with the warranty then - does it mean the standard Aston warranty still applies but would not if something could be proven to have broken in direct relation to a non-Aston track day ? The aston warranty is not invalidated as such just by attending a track day

Also, what is the situation re insurance, both on your car and damaging the circuit, on an Aston track day ? As I understand it, no-one can claim against another car for damage to them or their car on a track day. Track day insurance normally covers damage to your car or claims from the circuit, if I understand correctly. Excess is normally very high. My Locktons policy covers me on that basis for UK track days but not overseas ones, where it costs about £300 I think for a day's track cover

And how much instruction is 'standard' on an Aston day - is it time limited ?

So many questions.

I am honestly not sure on the warranty for non-Aston trackdays, but they make a point of saying that your warranty covers any failure on the trackday. Insurance is covered for no extra cost from Locktons for me as I insisted on it. Don't tell Lottery winner TonyV12V though.. You can have an instructor all day, Richard did.

[jonby]

I don't think Locktons policy would cover track days outside the UK......will have to look into that !

I have to say though, I'm still wary of taking it on track even with locktons cover - £16,600 excess applies !!! I've been thinking of getting a track toy when funds permit for that very reason, something like say a Porsche 968 CS

[Tony V12V]

I have it on good authority that AM are also doing full GP circuit at Brands this year - Date/Costs tbc

[Cockernee]

Tony V12V said:

I have it on good authority that AM are also doing full GP circuit at Brands this year - Date/Costs tbc

Bugger, that will be me then Grrrrrrr

[jarodw]

Tony V12V said:

I have it on good authority that AM are also doing full GP circuit at Brands this year - Date/Costs tbc

Nothing mentioned about Brands Hatch here: http://www.astonmartinbig5.com

[George29]

Tony V12V said:

I have it on good authority that AM are also doing full GP circuit at Brands this year - Date/Costs tbc

Let us know when the dates are decided, I may come down and watch that