Is anyone else finding it harder to drive for fun?
Discussion
nickfrog said:
DoubleD said:
Probably because everyone enjoys different things. You find driving on a track fun, but others may not.
Do you reckon a majority of driving enthusiasts would have more fun on the public road than on a track day ? I like to slide my car at will so going on a trackday isn't always ideal for that. Also they need far more planning than just grabbing the keys and going for a balls out thrash on the road...
I get far more from driving courses than I do going round and round on a circuit.
ffhard said:
Round my way we have what would be an excellent driving road...BUT, as so many others have said cyclists have just taken it over except in the absolute depths of winter. You have to constantly deal with groups of 10 or more riding 3 abreast on a quite narrow road. And they make absolutely zero effort to pullinto single file to healp you get past. Of course I don't (much) wish for any harm to come to them but one day an HGV driver is not going to be paying attention, come round a corner a bit quick and wipe out 15 or so of them.
Oh I know it'll be his fault but they really don't sem to have any sense of self preservation themselves.
To put this in perspective my middle daughter lives at the other end of this lovely road but, in Summer, I'll be as likely to take the Micra to visit her as the Type R.
I am a cyclist and a keen driver , but yes 3 a breast is totally unacceptable and i actually beeped some guys riding this way last week , I wanted to stop and explain to the cyclists why all the car drivers queuing up behind were so peed off , not all cyclists are dicks . Oh I know it'll be his fault but they really don't sem to have any sense of self preservation themselves.
To put this in perspective my middle daughter lives at the other end of this lovely road but, in Summer, I'll be as likely to take the Micra to visit her as the Type R.
nickfrog said:
DoubleD said:
Probably because everyone enjoys different things. You find driving on a track fun, but others may not.
Do you reckon a majority of driving enthusiasts would have more fun on the public road than on a track day ? There are at least 3 great local driving 'circuits' within a stonesthrow of where I live on the Lancashire Yorkshire Cumbria borders. These roads really do offer broadly 'unrestricted' driving opportunities on a fantastic selection of rapid mainly typical UK B roads with the odd section of great A road as well.
Given that the proximity of these circuits allows a spur of the moment driving opportunity often during dry or perfect weather and at the quietest times traffic wise I consider myself very fortunate indeed.
nickfrog said:
Back on topic if I may.
The bit I don't get is why such a seemingly small proportion of driving enthusiasts do track days.
In the UK we have many of the best tracks, probably the best TDOs and definitely the best track etiquette.
Why would you prefer a public road using one of the densest road network which is primarily designed for function rather than fun, and is in advanced state of disrepair?
I’m guessing cost is a big factor. They’re certainly not a cheap day out and some people might be a bit intimidated by them.The bit I don't get is why such a seemingly small proportion of driving enthusiasts do track days.
In the UK we have many of the best tracks, probably the best TDOs and definitely the best track etiquette.
Why would you prefer a public road using one of the densest road network which is primarily designed for function rather than fun, and is in advanced state of disrepair?
Keep seeing a Gold 944 when I am cycling near Tatton Park in Cheshire, seen it several times recently and never at less than maximum attack, he seems to be enjoying himself but he does go past the entrance to the park flat out which doesn't seem a good idea.
Not sure what model it is but it is definitely flat out, anyone on here ?
Not sure what model it is but it is definitely flat out, anyone on here ?
nickfrog said:
DoubleD said:
Different people enjoy different things.
Yes sure, you said that already but that doesn't explain the paradox of people not being able to have fun in an environment not designed for fun (the public road) yet not taking part in events designed for fun. ffhard said:
Round my way we have what would be an excellent driving road...BUT, as so many others have said cyclists have just taken it over except in the absolute depths of winter. You have to constantly deal with groups of 10 or more riding 3 abreast on a quite narrow road. And they make absolutely zero effort to pullinto single file to healp you get past. Of course I don't (much) wish for any harm to come to them but one day an HGV driver is not going to be paying attention, come round a corner a bit quick and wipe out 15 or so of them.
Oh I know it'll be his fault but they really don't sem to have any sense of self preservation themselves.
To put this in perspective my middle daughter lives at the other end of this lovely road but, in Summer, I'll be as likely to take the Micra to visit her as the Type R.
I'm going to bite. Oh I know it'll be his fault but they really don't sem to have any sense of self preservation themselves.
To put this in perspective my middle daughter lives at the other end of this lovely road but, in Summer, I'll be as likely to take the Micra to visit her as the Type R.
Your issue with cyclists taking up the road is that you can't drive in such a manner that you can't reasonably stop if you encounter them. Whether they are 1, 2 or 3 abreast is inconsequential - they are on the road and entitled to be there as is a horse & cart, milk float or broken down car.
(As a keen cyclist who lives in an area with a LOT of club cyclists, it's exceptionally rare that I've encountered a 3 abreast group.
If your middle daughter was a cyclist would you be happy for harm to come to her just because of her chosen form of transport/hobby?
Neil1323bolts said:
ffhard said:
Round my way we have what would be an excellent driving road...BUT, as so many others have said cyclists have just taken it over except in the absolute depths of winter. You have to constantly deal with groups of 10 or more riding 3 abreast on a quite narrow road. And they make absolutely zero effort to pullinto single file to healp you get past. Of course I don't (much) wish for any harm to come to them but one day an HGV driver is not going to be paying attention, come round a corner a bit quick and wipe out 15 or so of them.
Oh I know it'll be his fault but they really don't sem to have any sense of self preservation themselves.
To put this in perspective my middle daughter lives at the other end of this lovely road but, in Summer, I'll be as likely to take the Micra to visit her as the Type R.
I am a cyclist and a keen driver , but yes 3 a breast is totally unacceptable and i actually beeped some guys riding this way last week , I wanted to stop and explain to the cyclists why all the car drivers queuing up behind were so peed off , not all cyclists are dicks . Oh I know it'll be his fault but they really don't sem to have any sense of self preservation themselves.
To put this in perspective my middle daughter lives at the other end of this lovely road but, in Summer, I'll be as likely to take the Micra to visit her as the Type R.
nickfrog said:
Back on topic if I may.
The bit I don't get is why such a seemingly small proportion of driving enthusiasts do track days.
In the UK we have many of the best tracks, probably the best TDOs and definitely the best track etiquette.
Why would you prefer a public road using one of the densest road network which is primarily designed for function rather than fun, and is in advanced state of disrepair?
I think the majority of drivers - the vast majority - don't have an extra "toy" (I hate that term) and perhaps even those that do don't want to risk smashing it up.The bit I don't get is why such a seemingly small proportion of driving enthusiasts do track days.
In the UK we have many of the best tracks, probably the best TDOs and definitely the best track etiquette.
Why would you prefer a public road using one of the densest road network which is primarily designed for function rather than fun, and is in advanced state of disrepair?
On a trackday you are far more likely to have a bang, you're not insured either. That totally rules it out for me. I used to do motorbike track days but my bikes are too nice/expensive for me to crash.
It's not an option for 99.99% of people.
Now someone will pop up and say you can get track day insurance - sure, at a huge cost with a huge excess and often with a liability limit. I've a suspicion that when you crash your M3 into a tyre wall they won't be providing a hire car for six months while it gets fixed either.
Someone will also probably pop up and say that they're safer than the roads. Hmmm. Well every time I see a trackday there are a couple of crashes out of say 50 cars. Driving to work I'll see thousands and thousands of cars and most days they don't crash.
Motorbikes are different - they aren't usually sole methods of transport, often cheaper and easier to store. Most people in the UK barely have room to store their main car what with a garage full of garden crap, let alone a track car, or have the means to transport it.
Trackdays in cars is something for proper car enthusiasts who can afford to lose the car they're driving.
Just my 2p.
Depends where you live. I spend all my time on the North West England motorway network and it's as much fun as the clap. You can get some speed up when quieter but for some reason almost every time someone seems to think I am laying down some challenge and wants to prove some kind of point or race.
Dog Star said:
I think the majority of drivers - the vast majority - don't have an extra "toy" (I hate that term) and perhaps even those that do don't want to risk smashing it up.
On a trackday you are far more likely to have a bang, you're not insured either. That totally rules it out for me. I used to do motorbike track days but my bikes are too nice/expensive for me to crash.
Just my 2p.
Not true. I am insured for all of my trakdays I have done for the last 5 years (about 10 per year) which 6 comes with my policy. On a trackday you are far more likely to have a bang, you're not insured either. That totally rules it out for me. I used to do motorbike track days but my bikes are too nice/expensive for me to crash.
Just my 2p.
fastraxx said:
Dog Star said:
I think the majority of drivers - the vast majority - don't have an extra "toy" (I hate that term) and perhaps even those that do don't want to risk smashing it up.
On a trackday you are far more likely to have a bang, you're not insured either. That totally rules it out for me. I used to do motorbike track days but my bikes are too nice/expensive for me to crash.
Just my 2p.
Not true. I am insured for all of my trakdays I have done for the last 5 years (about 10 per year) which 6 comes with my policy. On a trackday you are far more likely to have a bang, you're not insured either. That totally rules it out for me. I used to do motorbike track days but my bikes are too nice/expensive for me to crash.
Just my 2p.
I share the OP's frustration. Everyone seems to be a cyclist now since lockdown and there are far more people out walking than there ever used to be. This isn't a problem in itself, but it's the fact that (especially during lockdown/summer months) there were a lot of clearly inexperienced cyclists out with no idea of what they were doing on the road and sometimes out with the whole family, kids wobbling around onto the wrong side of the road out of sight of the keen father upfront...a recipe for disaster on the narrow lanes round here! Same for people walking in groups sticking to the left with no thought of the blind bend they're dawdling along in front of - there must have been some very near misses.
The other thing that really spoils it for me now is other drivers and the notion that using your dashcam to dob people in is your utmost civic duty. I was genuinely shocked to watch a few videos shared about on facebook from local police forces showing dashcam clips of very minor/not particularly dangerous stuff and the multiple points and large fines dished out as a result, at the end of the video encouraging everyone to send their clips in to their dedicated dashcam email address!
If I'm out for a drive on open, well sighted NSL roads around me in the peaks then I'm likely to (safely) overtake a few people. More recently I've noticed that no matter how legal the move, how slowly I actually pass them I get flashed, waved at, and some point to what must be a dashcam. As much as I used to enjoy going on drives like this, I really get fed up of the idea that someone could shop me in for going a little bit quickly in a very fast/noisy car in a location miles from anyone where I can see for a good mile or so up the road. I'm not talking about speeding through residential streets or driving like an idiot, just enjoying the car and the roads where I can without being silly.
I understand the trackday thing and I do them myself, but even in my Clio it's an expensive hobby. My last day at Donington cost me the best part of £500 in TDO fee, petrol, prep and consumables and I have the dedicated car I use for them that I can afford to crash/be without. There's no way I'd take my AM on a day like that, there's plenty of red flags, accidents, the issue of insurance and the fact that a lot of manufacturers will void your factory warranty if you take it on track...it's just not worth it!
The other thing that really spoils it for me now is other drivers and the notion that using your dashcam to dob people in is your utmost civic duty. I was genuinely shocked to watch a few videos shared about on facebook from local police forces showing dashcam clips of very minor/not particularly dangerous stuff and the multiple points and large fines dished out as a result, at the end of the video encouraging everyone to send their clips in to their dedicated dashcam email address!
If I'm out for a drive on open, well sighted NSL roads around me in the peaks then I'm likely to (safely) overtake a few people. More recently I've noticed that no matter how legal the move, how slowly I actually pass them I get flashed, waved at, and some point to what must be a dashcam. As much as I used to enjoy going on drives like this, I really get fed up of the idea that someone could shop me in for going a little bit quickly in a very fast/noisy car in a location miles from anyone where I can see for a good mile or so up the road. I'm not talking about speeding through residential streets or driving like an idiot, just enjoying the car and the roads where I can without being silly.
I understand the trackday thing and I do them myself, but even in my Clio it's an expensive hobby. My last day at Donington cost me the best part of £500 in TDO fee, petrol, prep and consumables and I have the dedicated car I use for them that I can afford to crash/be without. There's no way I'd take my AM on a day like that, there's plenty of red flags, accidents, the issue of insurance and the fact that a lot of manufacturers will void your factory warranty if you take it on track...it's just not worth it!
DoubleD said:
nickfrog said:
DoubleD said:
Different people enjoy different things.
Yes sure, you said that already but that doesn't explain the paradox of people not being able to have fun in an environment not designed for fun (the public road) yet not taking part in events designed for fun. I'd rather do the speed limit on quiet open roads than high speed on a track. For me an enjoyable drive is about the scenery and the opportunity to explore.
Each to their own!
Shrimpvende said:
... and there are far more people out walking than there ever used to be...
Most of whom seem to walk round the apex of corners then look offended when you have to slam on the brakes when the appear in your view.OH and I walk a fair distance to our local down a wiggly country lane. We swap sides so we are always on the outside of corners. Not really rocket science.
I have no idea where some of you live and drive but seems like you are tripping over people, cyclists, animals etc. Yep, if I were you I would just give up on driving too.
Meanwhile I will continue to enjoy great drives where I make fast and unhindered progress minutes from my door in the SE...
Meanwhile I will continue to enjoy great drives where I make fast and unhindered progress minutes from my door in the SE...
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