Suggestions on Tracks

Suggestions on Tracks

Author
Discussion

jh_007

Original Poster:

564 posts

241 months

Thursday 6th January 2005
quotequote all
Hi Guys.

I've just picked up my new Boxster S, and want to take it on a track.

Having never done it before, and living in central London, where do you suggest?

(For my birthday pressie from girlfriend, in Feb)

Thanks! James.

rodentracing

1,502 posts

272 months

Thursday 6th January 2005
quotequote all
www.bedfordautodrome.com

Its down south, lots of run off in case you spin, supposed to be an excellent circuit.

daydreamer

1,409 posts

258 months

Thursday 6th January 2005
quotequote all
What he said!

The only real option - a proper track so you won't get covered in stone chips and there really is very little to hit.

Either do the day through Palmersport (the above link) or RMA are also very good.

Rich

phatgixer

4,988 posts

250 months

Thursday 6th January 2005
quotequote all
Being based in London, it would be rude not to go to Brands Hatch..

Look out for Goldtrack, Easytrack or RMA doing days there and make sure you book to go on the GP circuit, not the indy.

tonyhetherington

32,091 posts

251 months

Thursday 6th January 2005
quotequote all
I agree with Bedford. It is sometimes a little expensive, but well worth it - ESPECIALLY if it's a new boxter s you're taking round, rather than an old 205gti or something like that.

The circuit is designed with people like us in mind - there are HUGE run off areas of GRASS, so you'll spin and spin and stop without hitting anything and without getting gravel in your engine. There is only one corner at the back of the circuit they say dont attach too hard as it only has about 5m of run off before a wall.

I did Bedford in my pride and joy and thought it was fantastic!

jaker

3,925 posts

270 months

Thursday 6th January 2005
quotequote all
if your car is brand new, you might wanna think about running it in first?

phatgixer

4,988 posts

250 months

Thursday 6th January 2005
quotequote all
The problem with Bedford is that there are no real character corners (even in Gran Turismo guise)and it never really feels you are stretching the car IMHO. And they keep throwing me off for being too noisy!

Paddock Hill Bend and Hawthorns at Brands are brilliant experiences, and you actually feel you are somewhere special. They will challenge car and driver and you will be rewarded by improving your performance through the day. Bedford is very bland (apart from the braking area into the chicane) and never feels like you are achieving anything good.

tonyhetherington

32,091 posts

251 months

Thursday 6th January 2005
quotequote all
Very good point that PhatGixer!

daydreamer

1,409 posts

258 months

Thursday 6th January 2005
quotequote all
Agree to a point - you can outgrow Bedford from a challenge perspective - but with a relatively new car, and I'm assuming not that much track experience, I still don't think that it can be beaten.

On my last visit to Brands I managed three dnf's, so don't rate that one too highly on the safety (of car) front .

Rich

Edit to add:- Still a fantastic circuit though - and one that needs doing at some time!

>> Edited by daydreamer on Thursday 6th January 12:45

phatgixer

4,988 posts

250 months

Thursday 6th January 2005
quotequote all
daydreamer said:

On my last visit to Brands I managed three dnf's, so don't rate that one too highly on the safety (of car) front .

Rich

Edit to add:- Still a fantastic circuit though - and one that needs doing at some time!


On my last visit to Brands I got a trophy....

jh_007

Original Poster:

564 posts

241 months

Thursday 6th January 2005
quotequote all
Thanks very much guys!

I am an absolute novice at this, so will take your advice!

James.

Don

28,377 posts

285 months

Thursday 6th January 2005
quotequote all
Brands is brilliant.

Make sure your car is thoroughly run in before you cane it on track though. Once on circuit the revs will not drop below the level they recommend you don't go above whilst running in...

>> Edited by Don on Thursday 6th January 14:54

Don

28,377 posts

285 months

Thursday 6th January 2005
quotequote all
Oh...and GET INSTRUCTION!

Join the PCGB and come on the track days - nice atmosphere. £20 for a twenty minute instructional session...good value.

Incorrigible

13,668 posts

262 months

Friday 7th January 2005
quotequote all
If you've never been on track before, I wouldn't go for Brand GP, try the indy circuit

Because it's shorter you're more likely to get sequneces of corners "just right" which is what it's about IMHO

RichB

51,605 posts

285 months

Friday 7th January 2005
quotequote all
daydreamer said:
Agree to a point - you can outgrow Bedford from a challenge perspective - but with a relatively new car, and I'm assuming not that much track experience, I still don't think that it can be beaten.
I would agree... www.greenbear.org.uk/Bedford.htm

Martin Hayter

29 posts

245 months

Wednesday 12th January 2005
quotequote all
Good advice given above, although I'd recommed avoiding Brands initially - both GP and Indy, mainly because Paddock Hill bend is pretty scary for a newcomer since the run-off is a huge gravel trap, where you could destroy your paintwork (and people often seem to go off there).

The criteria I'd look at are run-off (so Bedford would be my main recommendation), and ease of learning the circuit. Therefore I'd also suggest Snetterton. The layout at Snett is straightforward to visualise (two right handers then a left/right chicane, followed by two right handers and a right/left chicane), so you can learn where the track goes very easily. It also has the advantage of giving you a breather between corners by having a straight between most of them. This means you can concentrate on them one at a time, and getting one wrong doesn't mean you're off line for the next. Bookatrack.com are there on the 27th of Feb, and can provide instruction. They are very safety conscious and novice friendly.

gtdc

4,259 posts

284 months

Friday 14th January 2005
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I think you'd love Brands Indy. Snett is fab but you'll need to make friends with the M11 to get there.

Silverstone is also well worth the journey. As a virgin you should get free initial coaching on any good trackday.

Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk

PetrolTed

34,428 posts

304 months

oldtimer

300 posts

257 months

Friday 14th January 2005
quotequote all
another vote for bedford plus book some tuition!

trackdemon

12,193 posts

262 months

Friday 14th January 2005
quotequote all
James, get yourself along to Bedford on February 5th - there are several PH'ers going already. Only £129, open pitlane, GT circuit. Bargain!

http://easytrack.co.uk/events/allevents.asp

Seriously, Bedford is an excellent circuit for first timers due to the layout and is pretty easy to get to from London too. Post here if you sign up:

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=18&h=&t=147552