Worst Track Day, Organisers & Most Expensive.....
Discussion
I have participated in a number of RMA days over the last 5 years and they are my preferred TDO because 1. there is usually lots of interesting cars at their events, 2. I like the over taking rule flexibility.
However, I would say that if you are a TD novice in a slow car their days would be quite intimidating, since there is often a high proportion of racing cars running slicks - and hence why I can see why people consider them to be a little like test days.
I did a track day with another organiser at Silverstone recently with much stricter over taking rules and was in a group with some novices. It was definitely a better day for the novices, but personally I found the over taking rules meant that I got very few clear laps - now a problem - but would prefer to be able to pass more freely.
The RMA briefing style has in my view become a bit of a caricature and lacks any useful information and is incredibly patronising - and I think it is getting worse!, Hence, fine if you are an experienced track day driver or racer but useless for a novice.
I still like doing RMA days and really enjoy the overtaking freedom, mix of cars and have not had problems with the driving standards - but I think novices should start with days with more controlled over taking rules and more informative briefings briefings. RMA should look at this to keep and attract new customers - but I think they have a core of regular customers who know the score.
However, I would say that if you are a TD novice in a slow car their days would be quite intimidating, since there is often a high proportion of racing cars running slicks - and hence why I can see why people consider them to be a little like test days.
I did a track day with another organiser at Silverstone recently with much stricter over taking rules and was in a group with some novices. It was definitely a better day for the novices, but personally I found the over taking rules meant that I got very few clear laps - now a problem - but would prefer to be able to pass more freely.
The RMA briefing style has in my view become a bit of a caricature and lacks any useful information and is incredibly patronising - and I think it is getting worse!, Hence, fine if you are an experienced track day driver or racer but useless for a novice.
I still like doing RMA days and really enjoy the overtaking freedom, mix of cars and have not had problems with the driving standards - but I think novices should start with days with more controlled over taking rules and more informative briefings briefings. RMA should look at this to keep and attract new customers - but I think they have a core of regular customers who know the score.
F40GT346 said:
I have participated in a number of RMA days over the last 5 years and they are my preferred TDO because 1. there is usually lots of interesting cars at their events, 2. I like the over taking rule flexibility.
However, I would say that if you are a TD novice in a slow car their days would be quite intimidating, since there is often a high proportion of racing cars running slicks - and hence why I can see why people consider them to be a little like test days.
I did a track day with another organiser at Silverstone recently with much stricter over taking rules and was in a group with some novices. It was definitely a better day for the novices, but personally I found the over taking rules meant that I got very few clear laps - now a problem - but would prefer to be able to pass more freely.
The RMA briefing style has in my view become a bit of a caricature and lacks any useful information and is incredibly patronising - and I think it is getting worse!, Hence, fine if you are an experienced track day driver or racer but useless for a novice.
I still like doing RMA days and really enjoy the overtaking freedom, mix of cars and have not had problems with the driving standards - but I think novices should start with days with more controlled over taking rules and more informative briefings briefings. RMA should look at this to keep and attract new customers - but I think they have a core of regular customers who know the score.
About spot on.However, I would say that if you are a TD novice in a slow car their days would be quite intimidating, since there is often a high proportion of racing cars running slicks - and hence why I can see why people consider them to be a little like test days.
I did a track day with another organiser at Silverstone recently with much stricter over taking rules and was in a group with some novices. It was definitely a better day for the novices, but personally I found the over taking rules meant that I got very few clear laps - now a problem - but would prefer to be able to pass more freely.
The RMA briefing style has in my view become a bit of a caricature and lacks any useful information and is incredibly patronising - and I think it is getting worse!, Hence, fine if you are an experienced track day driver or racer but useless for a novice.
I still like doing RMA days and really enjoy the overtaking freedom, mix of cars and have not had problems with the driving standards - but I think novices should start with days with more controlled over taking rules and more informative briefings briefings. RMA should look at this to keep and attract new customers - but I think they have a core of regular customers who know the score.
I've been on a few RMA days and I think they're great. Without question…they're different to normal track days.
Having booked through the GRRC I wasn't fully aware of the difference with conventional track days, and yes it was a little intimidating. I had an elderly, much slower car and it was nerve-wracking to be turning in onto a BTCC car that had appeared out of nowhere.
The organiser was true to his word and chucked off a few reckless drivers before lunch.
Still...I have fond memories of overtaking an appallingly driven GT3.
I'd recommend them.
corporalsparrow said:
The organiser was true to his word and chucked off a few reckless drivers before lunch.
Having one reckless driver in half a day is surely bad enough, but several who driving was bad enough to be thrown out sounds like these days attract a particular sort of driver, and that the briefing style clearly doesn't work. Maybe decking someone in the briefing might get the desired result? Number 7 said:
Having one reckless driver in half a day is surely bad enough, but several who driving was bad enough to be thrown out sounds like these days attract a particular sort of driver, and that the briefing style clearly doesn't work. Maybe decking someone in the briefing might get the desired result?
Pure speculation IMO. Over the years I've used most TDO's and have seen some appaling driving at most. As a general rule the cheaper the day the worse the driving. The better TDO's have a quiet word and or kick the idiots off. The one day I've done with RMA a couple of weeks ago was notable only for it's generally very fast and courteous driving. I can see how some people are intimidated by that but as one of the slowest cars there I still found it great fun. AW10 said:
Interesting to note that the track day company that's the original subject of this thread is no longer listed on the ATDO's website and the track day company has removed most (but not all 
) references to the ATDO from their own website...
well first positive thing ive heard about RMA then coz ATDO is a bit like FIFA in their make up! ) references to the ATDO from their own website...fblm said:
Why is that positive? If they are no longer in atdo, which appears to be your implication, that just means no insurance...
"no insurance".....not sure what you mean, I'm pretty sure RMA will still have insurance and I know i still do for trackdays. Does your insurance stipulate "must be a member of ATDO"?
Sounds like you need better cover
shim said:
fblm said:
Why is that positive? If they are no longer in atdo, which appears to be your implication, that just means no insurance...
"no insurance".....not sure what you mean, I'm pretty sure RMA will still have insurance and I know i still do for trackdays. Does your insurance stipulate "must be a member of ATDO"?
Sounds like you need better cover
Northern Chap said:
Ive attended many over the years, when trackdays were quite new.... My first in 1999 in a lowly std Subaru.... A lot of the Forums used to organise the days as well as a number of companies, some who are still here, some who are not....
I qualified as an ARDS instructor mainly to help & enjoy the " hobby ", I remember doing near 3-5 days a week when times were really good.... Often attending corporate days for manufacturers, I remember Honda back in 2001/2 bringing NSX's & some down to a Silverstone day & myself, Tim Mullen & Phil Bennett taking "Customers" out for hot laps....
Then I supported my son in karting for the next 10yrs.....
So getting back into the odd trackday over the last year or two Ive done some UK & Spa meets. The companies Ive attended have always been professional, FIRM but courteous, helpful etc with a good amount of banter....
Id never attended this other companies day before but it seemed high end, professional & the fact they had a two day event at Spa fitted in quite well for my wife & I who made it into a long weekend trip etc....
Ive come away quite shocked to be honest & simply wanted to share our experience with others. Some wont mind being treated as such, some will....
An extra note..... We were using the F1 garages..... I was sharing with a race team who had brought their own race fuel, dispensing it out of the usual fuel drums via suction.... Other teams were also doing this.... Yet the organiser himself smoking a large cigar often came into the garages for a look around whilst still smoking....
Unbelievable !
We will not attend any of their days again.
Grow up and grow some. If you're that good you shouldn't have to attend the briefings anyhow - but you can always wear ear plugs and a helmet if you're that intimidated.I qualified as an ARDS instructor mainly to help & enjoy the " hobby ", I remember doing near 3-5 days a week when times were really good.... Often attending corporate days for manufacturers, I remember Honda back in 2001/2 bringing NSX's & some down to a Silverstone day & myself, Tim Mullen & Phil Bennett taking "Customers" out for hot laps....
Then I supported my son in karting for the next 10yrs.....
So getting back into the odd trackday over the last year or two Ive done some UK & Spa meets. The companies Ive attended have always been professional, FIRM but courteous, helpful etc with a good amount of banter....
Id never attended this other companies day before but it seemed high end, professional & the fact they had a two day event at Spa fitted in quite well for my wife & I who made it into a long weekend trip etc....
Ive come away quite shocked to be honest & simply wanted to share our experience with others. Some wont mind being treated as such, some will....
An extra note..... We were using the F1 garages..... I was sharing with a race team who had brought their own race fuel, dispensing it out of the usual fuel drums via suction.... Other teams were also doing this.... Yet the organiser himself smoking a large cigar often came into the garages for a look around whilst still smoking....
Unbelievable !
We will not attend any of their days again.
Edited by Northern Chap on Thursday 25th September 07:35
Edited by cuda on Tuesday 7th October 17:33
I called Manning this morning and I am not covered for the RMA event at Donny on Friday.
Mine was a late booking made after RMA left the ATDO so there is no discretion allowed by the underwriters in my case.
Bit cheesed as weather looking OK and I was going to take one of the '64RS - as it is I will be in a rather lardy B7 RS4 - still it will be interesting to see what it can do......
Mine was a late booking made after RMA left the ATDO so there is no discretion allowed by the underwriters in my case.
Bit cheesed as weather looking OK and I was going to take one of the '64RS - as it is I will be in a rather lardy B7 RS4 - still it will be interesting to see what it can do......
asbi said:
Mine was a late booking made after RMA left the ATDO so there is no discretion allowed by the underwriters in my case.
Is there any explanation as to why RMA is no longer a member of the ATDO? Pure coincidence, or due to this thread, or due to QBee's complaint, or due to RMA leaving of their own volition?Just curious...
ukkid35 said:
asbi said:
Mine was a late booking made after RMA left the ATDO so there is no discretion allowed by the underwriters in my case.
Is there any explanation as to why RMA is no longer a member of the ATDO? Pure coincidence, or due to this thread, or due to QBee's complaint, or due to RMA leaving of their own volition?Just curious...
I received a response within 15 minutes telling me that they were already aware, had received several formal complaints, and were investigating.
If RMA have left the ATDO there has to be far more to it than just this one event.
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