Discussion
Hi All,
Just booked my 1st ever track day. The only track based thing I've done before is one of those single seater driving experience things at Brands Hatch.
I'm doing Castle Combe mainly because its local and they offer free tuition to track newbies. From what I've read on PH this is not a good choice for track virgins as there's little room for error which is helping my nerves no end!
I'm using my own car and will be taking out track day insurance with Moris. I know my limits and will quite possibly be starting off as one of the slowest on the day but want to enjoy myself without regrets or destroying my car. I'm not going to be intentionally holding anyone up but at the same time i'm going to be a bit preoccupied with not messing up.
What sort of attitude can drivers like myself expect from other track users? Are you lot a forgiving bunch or will I get abuse and aggressive overtakes?
Just booked my 1st ever track day. The only track based thing I've done before is one of those single seater driving experience things at Brands Hatch.
I'm doing Castle Combe mainly because its local and they offer free tuition to track newbies. From what I've read on PH this is not a good choice for track virgins as there's little room for error which is helping my nerves no end!
I'm using my own car and will be taking out track day insurance with Moris. I know my limits and will quite possibly be starting off as one of the slowest on the day but want to enjoy myself without regrets or destroying my car. I'm not going to be intentionally holding anyone up but at the same time i'm going to be a bit preoccupied with not messing up.
What sort of attitude can drivers like myself expect from other track users? Are you lot a forgiving bunch or will I get abuse and aggressive overtakes?
You'll be fine - choose your pace and the quicker guys will drive around you and do all the work, just keep an eye on traffic behind and lift in the straights to help them overtake. Make it obvious you're letting them past with indicator and/or go off-line but claim the space after that and don't let too many bully you before the next corner.
Try and get the instruction as early as possible.
Ask a fellow billy with local knowledge to pax with you prior to that maybe.
Try and get the instruction as early as possible.
Ask a fellow billy with local knowledge to pax with you prior to that maybe.
I've lost count of the number of laps I've covered at Castle Combe. I've even done a couple of dozen on a road (ie. pedal) bike.
It's actually not as bad as the reputation - yes, you have to be careful at Avon Rise and Quarry - and Camp makes me a little apprehensive, so I've never really nailed it properly - but you'd have to be really ham-footed to get into too much trouble elsewhere.
It's actually not as bad as the reputation - yes, you have to be careful at Avon Rise and Quarry - and Camp makes me a little apprehensive, so I've never really nailed it properly - but you'd have to be really ham-footed to get into too much trouble elsewhere.
I would add...
Ask for a novice sticker (yellow with a black cross) at the driver instruction.
Do as many of the sighting laps as you can at the beginning of the session.
When you are out on track aim to complete no more than 4-5 laps at time before coming in to give your tyres/ brakes a chance to cool down.
Use you mirrors and indicate and stay right if you are being passed by cars going faster and remember to really look before getting back in the racing line, the car overtaking you might have a Caterham or similar right up his trumpet.
Enjoy yourself, it’s a blast
Ask for a novice sticker (yellow with a black cross) at the driver instruction.
Do as many of the sighting laps as you can at the beginning of the session.
When you are out on track aim to complete no more than 4-5 laps at time before coming in to give your tyres/ brakes a chance to cool down.
Use you mirrors and indicate and stay right if you are being passed by cars going faster and remember to really look before getting back in the racing line, the car overtaking you might have a Caterham or similar right up his trumpet.
Enjoy yourself, it’s a blast
Zooks said:
What sort of attitude can drivers like myself expect from other track users? Are you lot a forgiving bunch or will I get abuse and aggressive overtakes?
In my experience of just starting a couple of years back, everyone is very good-natured and friendly. People who are aggressive (or block) seem to be pretty rare. If you do come across one, just drop into the pits, take a minute or two to give yourself space, then go out again.Itsallicanafford said:
I would add...
Ask for a novice sticker (yellow with a black cross) at the driver instruction.
Do as many of the sighting laps as you can at the beginning of the session.
When you are out on track aim to complete no more than 4-5 laps at time before coming in to give your tyres/ brakes a chance to cool down.
Use you mirrors and indicate and stay right if you are being passed by cars going faster and remember to really look before getting back in the racing line, the car overtaking you might have a Caterham or similar right up his trumpet.
Enjoy yourself, it’s a blast
Combe does not do open pitlane, it will be 20 min sessionsAsk for a novice sticker (yellow with a black cross) at the driver instruction.
Do as many of the sighting laps as you can at the beginning of the session.
When you are out on track aim to complete no more than 4-5 laps at time before coming in to give your tyres/ brakes a chance to cool down.
Use you mirrors and indicate and stay right if you are being passed by cars going faster and remember to really look before getting back in the racing line, the car overtaking you might have a Caterham or similar right up his trumpet.
Enjoy yourself, it’s a blast
CrutyRammers said:
In my experience of just starting a couple of years back, everyone is very good-natured and friendly. People who are aggressive (or block) seem to be pretty rare. If you do come across one, just drop into the pits, take a minute or two to give yourself space, then go out again.
Yes but report him/her too.Don't forget your driving licence and crash helmet, or you won't be going anywhere on track.
If the brakes start to go soft, go straight to the pits, as that is the start of boiling brake fluid and loss of all braking.
Castle Combe is particularly unforgiving if you lose your brakes - it's the close proximity of the barriers to the main corners that gives it its reputation.
The only other comments are to listen to the briefing (try not to nod off), remember which side of the track is for overtaking, and watch your mirrors.
As said above, indicating in the direction you are moving when letting people pass on the straights helps the overtaker to know your intentions.
Watch out for that second car following him through.
If the brakes start to go soft, go straight to the pits, as that is the start of boiling brake fluid and loss of all braking.
Castle Combe is particularly unforgiving if you lose your brakes - it's the close proximity of the barriers to the main corners that gives it its reputation.
The only other comments are to listen to the briefing (try not to nod off), remember which side of the track is for overtaking, and watch your mirrors.
As said above, indicating in the direction you are moving when letting people pass on the straights helps the overtaker to know your intentions.
Watch out for that second car following him through.
ThousandYardStare said:
Assume you're talking about the TT? - Don't think you'll better Moris.
But the Capri could be a better car to start off with at Castle Combe.
In the TT, you'll be coming up to Avon Rise at over 130mph. In the Capri, maybe 90-100mph. Believe me, that 30-40mph feels like a lot more!
Yes using the TT. The Capri is sorned. I've been watching the you tube vids of people overdoing it into Quarry. Definitely going to be careful there.But the Capri could be a better car to start off with at Castle Combe.
In the TT, you'll be coming up to Avon Rise at over 130mph. In the Capri, maybe 90-100mph. Believe me, that 30-40mph feels like a lot more!
QBee said:
Don't forget your driving licence and crash helmet, or you won't be going anywhere on track.
If the brakes start to go soft, go straight to the pits, as that is the start of boiling brake fluid and loss of all braking.
Castle Combe is particularly unforgiving if you lose your brakes - it's the close proximity of the barriers to the main corners that gives it its reputation.
The only other comments are to listen to the briefing (try not to nod off), remember which side of the track is for overtaking, and watch your mirrors.
As said above, indicating in the direction you are moving when letting people pass on the straights helps the overtaker to know your intentions.
Watch out for that second car following him through.
I have a decent open face bike lid i'm going to use. A trade off for better visibility over a full face. My car is a Coupe so I think this is allowed.If the brakes start to go soft, go straight to the pits, as that is the start of boiling brake fluid and loss of all braking.
Castle Combe is particularly unforgiving if you lose your brakes - it's the close proximity of the barriers to the main corners that gives it its reputation.
The only other comments are to listen to the briefing (try not to nod off), remember which side of the track is for overtaking, and watch your mirrors.
As said above, indicating in the direction you are moving when letting people pass on the straights helps the overtaker to know your intentions.
Watch out for that second car following him through.
Dakkon said:
Combe does not do open pitlane, it will be 20 min sessions
ThousandYardStare said:
I beg to differ - I do 2-3 OPL days a year at CC. It's dependent on the organiser, surely?
Correct, a number of ATDO members do open pit lane days at Combe.It's the 20min session 'action days' organised by CC themselves to avoid.
[quote=Itsallicanafford
Use you mirrors and indicate and stay right
timbo999 said:
Combe is usually stay left when being overtaken and overtake on the right as the pit entrance is on the left.
Also correct, overtaking is on the right at Combe, indicate and move left if being passed. It might be the only circuit in the uk like that I think?Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff