Track days for beginners | PH Explains

[RM10]

QBee said:

There's a thread on here for cancelled track days being offered for sale. I will find it and edit

Edited to add:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

See UTH's post, 3 from the end

Edited by QBee on Tuesday 22 June 08:14

Thank you very much

[coldel]

Good read through - I got my first track day in two weeks (Llandow) some mates and I booked it for ourselves so no randoms on track. Everyone talked about pads and brake fluid so both done. Insurance seems to be the biggest cost at £250+ with £1k excess !

[C70R]

Have you used InsureMyTrackday?

[coldel]

C70R said:

Have you used InsureMyTrackday?

No, I had a tentative look around but will try that thanks

[C70R]

coldel said:

C70R said:

Have you used InsureMyTrackday?

No, I had a tentative look around but will try that thanks

I use them, and although I haven't had to claim, the level of cover and price seems about right.

They are a sub-brand of these guys, who do lots of competition insurance products: https://www.ryanmi.com/en/

They even cover TF days on the Ring, including barrier damage.

[coldel]

Thanks again, £150 on the one above. Although reduced cover on cars over 8 years old. But still better than I was getting!

[Ben Lowden]

I'm insured with Greenlight and can pay £60 per track day for insurance or £150 which covers five track days per year (UK only). I've also used MORIS and REIS in the past for track days at Spa and have paid around £70/80 – excess is typically 10% of the value of the car.

Naturally the one off insurance is a lot cheaper on cars that are worth less, mine having always been <£12k.

[C70R]

Ben Lowden said:

I'm insured with Greenlight and can pay £60 per track day for insurance or £150 which covers five track days per year (UK only).

Ditto.

I've avoided using them for the trackday stuff in the past because I was concerned that an on-track claim would impact my road NCD.

It just so happens that they offered a great rate for my track car's road policy, and their customer service is solid.

[coldel]

Greenlight will only cover trackdays if you are insured with them on your regular on the road cover (according to their website)

[Ben Lowden]

coldel said:

Greenlight will only cover trackdays if you are insured with them on your regular on the road cover (according to their website)

Sorry yes I should have made that clear – they offer bolt ons to your regular road policy. Might be worth considering moving to them or another insurer that offers a similar product if you're looking to do several track days a year.

[Mr_Buller]

Having just accompanied a friend on a track day at Goodwood as a passenger I'm keen to have a go myself. However seeing the state of his tyres and brakes after the session I wonder if it would be better/cheaper to go down the experience days route. Is there a separate topic or thread for this?

I have done one before 6-7 years ago on a stag do which while fun didn't actually teach you anything it was just the "instructor" shouting at you to either nail the accelerator or brake and steer of course - at Dunsfold btw. I'm guessing the Ultimate Driving Experience at Goodwood is probably better than most - judging by the friendliness and professionalism of the team on the day I just went to, but there is no availability until October!

I am also tempted by the Racing addict experience at Thruxton - as driving a single seater appeals and who doesn't want to meet and have a passenger lap with Tiff. Like wise the F4 master as Brands also appeals.

Does anyone have any experience of the above and am I likely to learn more than the previous stag do or are all of these more about fun than learning (I want both). Cheers

[C70R]

Not everyone destroys a set of tyres and pads in a single day. In fact, outside of internet heroes I'd say it was pretty rare.

For example, I ran road tyres and road biased pads on a very hot day at a fast track (Bedford), and was absolutely fine.

Don't overthink it. You don't need to drive at 11/10ths nonstop all day to have fun. Just make sure your car is in decent condition, and go enjoy a day.

[Mr_Buller]

It's a mix of expensive tyres and brakes (Porsche 997 which is my daily) and the fact that I don't really know what I'm doing track driving wise.

I guess the question I'm asking is will I learn anything from the experience days or am I better doing a track day at Goodwood and paying the extra for some time with the instructors?

[C70R]

Mr_Buller said:

It's a mix of expensive tyres and brakes (Porsche 997 which is my daily) and the fact that I don't really know what I'm doing track driving wise.

I guess the question I'm asking is will I learn anything from the experience days or am I better doing a track day at Goodwood and paying the extra for some time with the instructors?

A good experience day (like Palmersport or Thruxton), yes. Some supercars on an airfield, probably not.

[coldel]

Echo the above. I took (albeit lightweight car) my VX220 turbo on track for a day, had Kumhos with about 2k miles on them. Ran it all day with a bit of tyre squeal but nothing drastic, and drove it home and tyres still well within legal limits. A guy in his M4 completely destroyed his new Michelins that day, but he was going hard at it lap after lap.

[Commander2874]

My first track day later today! Doing brands hatch indy circuit evening session but forecast is heavy rain!!

[coldel]

Commander2874 said:

My first track day later today! Doing brands hatch indy circuit evening session but forecast is heavy rain!!

Did you survive? It rained like hell had descended upon us in the south east last night!

[Pedaller]

Would anyone know what the "novice only car 2" and "novice only car 3" items are on this page?

https://car.msvtrackdays.com/Calendar/Car/BedfordA...

Quite confused by it. The way they are named almost sounds like it's a way to bring 2 or 3 cars, but that can't be correct can it!? But on the other hand, there is a reserve list for "car 1", so if "car 2" and "car 3" are the same product then why does the reserve list exist?

[nickfrog]

Pedaller said:

Would anyone know what the "novice only car 2" and "novice only car 3" items are on this page?

https://car.msvtrackdays.com/Calendar/Car/BedfordA...

Quite confused by it. The way they are named almost sounds like it's a way to bring 2 or 3 cars, but that can't be correct can it!? But on the other hand, there is a reserve list for "car 1", so if "car 2" and "car 3" are the same product then why does the reserve list exist?

As it's a sessionned format rather than open pit lane I think it refers to what group you would be in. 1 would have the first 20mn session, 2 would do the second and 3 the third one and then presumably 1 would do the 4th, 2 the 5th etc ...

[QBee]

nickfrog said:

Pedaller said:

Would anyone know what the "novice only car 2" and "novice only car 3" items are on this page?

https://car.msvtrackdays.com/Calendar/Car/BedfordA...

Quite confused by it. The way they are named almost sounds like it's a way to bring 2 or 3 cars, but that can't be correct can it!? But on the other hand, there is a reserve list for "car 1", so if "car 2" and "car 3" are the same product then why does the reserve list exist?

As it's a sessionned format rather than open pit lane I think it refers to what group you would be in. 1 would have the first 20mn session, 2 would do the second and 3 the third one and then presumably 1 would do the 4th, 2 the 5th etc ...

I was wondering what it could mean, but that makes perfect sense.

It's no worry at all being in a later group, they run strictly to time, so if say Group 1 suffers a car failure and they have to red flag it to recover the failed car, it's their time they lose, not yours.
It's actually not a bad thing to be in a later group. About 1 in 3 track days start with a damp track, so having the racing line dried a bit by others can be quite helpful. The only downside is you are later into the cafe at lunchtime

Honestly, you will either love it or just think "meh". If you love it, you will be back for more, and as soon as you feel confident enough, go on road car only open pit lane days. This avoids tangling with race cars having a pre-race shakedown.
If you do go on an open pit lane day, one tip - ignore the first 20 minutes of track time and go out when things have calmed down a bit. If you have ever owned dogs, you will recognise the first 20 minutes as being a bit like releasing 40 over-excited spaniels into your back garden.