Track Days?? (Run Your Own or Race Series)
Discussion
Does anyone have any experience of taking their car(s) to any track days?
Any recommendations?
I once took my old 996TT to Bruntingthorpe and the front got peppered with stones from the car in front, which has always made me a little cautious, but I’ve been thinking of trying a track day or two this year.
If I enjoy it, which I’m pretty sure I will, I might then look to buy a track day toy, like the Radical, KTM or Westfield ... Radical even has its own race series which could be fun and help learn the basics.
Cheers
Any recommendations?
I once took my old 996TT to Bruntingthorpe and the front got peppered with stones from the car in front, which has always made me a little cautious, but I’ve been thinking of trying a track day or two this year.
If I enjoy it, which I’m pretty sure I will, I might then look to buy a track day toy, like the Radical, KTM or Westfield ... Radical even has its own race series which could be fun and help learn the basics.
Cheers
S1M VP said:
Does anyone have any experience of taking their car(s) to any track days?
Any recommendations?
I once took my old 996TT to Bruntingthorpe and the front got peppered with stones from the car in front, which has always made me a little cautious, but I’ve been thinking of trying a track day or two this year.
If I enjoy it, which I’m pretty sure I will, I might then look to buy a track day toy, like the Radical, KTM or Westfield ... Radical even has its own race series which could be fun and help learn the basics.
Cheers
Lots of choices around here in the UK. Depending on the car you want to take, Silverstone GP is typically the one I go to in the UK but have also been to a few other tracks, Donington and Snetterton etc. Brands GP is great but getting through the noise test is going to be a pain for most sports cars of the type found on the subforum here. If you haven't been to Spa you really definitely should give it a try as well. Any recommendations?
I once took my old 996TT to Bruntingthorpe and the front got peppered with stones from the car in front, which has always made me a little cautious, but I’ve been thinking of trying a track day or two this year.
If I enjoy it, which I’m pretty sure I will, I might then look to buy a track day toy, like the Radical, KTM or Westfield ... Radical even has its own race series which could be fun and help learn the basics.
Cheers
Would recommend if you're a trackday novice to consider getting an instructor as well the first few times you go, a good instructor will do far more for you in terms of improvement than getting a faster car!
I do regular track days all year round and also race.
I don't use my supercars for trackdays though as I have a track prepared Exige 350 Sport which is insured for track. I tend to go to track days with the Lotus club guys and rocking up in my other stuff doesn't seem fair. In any case I prefer to take a car with a manual box and that can be repaired without selling my children should something happen, it lets me relax and take the car to the limit more comfortably. Its also buttons to insure for track and if I'm quicker than the other guys I'm quicker because of me, not 600bhp.
I have taken some of my other cars on track and would strongly recommend getting a track car rather than using something you cherish.
I've been doing trackdays for 15 years. I started racing in 2015. I thought I was a quick and safe driver until I started getting driver instruction from Jamie Stanley. He taught me loads during my rookie season and the multiple sessions I had with him at tracks all over the UK were the best money I spent.
I would strongly recommend driver training.
Tracks wise my favourites are Donnington (largely because I spend all day seeing how quickly I can take Craners without soiling myself), Cadwell (a throwback to when I had a bike engined track car as it was ideal there), Snetterton (again just because it's a challenge to see how fast I can take Bombhole and the long right hander afterwards) and Silverstone (because of maggots and beckets for similar reasons stated above - get it right at speed and I'm laughing for half a lap). Quite like Oulton but I think that's more just a general liking of the whole place as I can't pick a section out.
There's not much more fun to be had than a track day in a track specific car that you're comfortable to explore the limits in. Generally speaking the people at track days are a friendly bunch (with odd exceptions) and as it's a track day, rather than race weekend, there's no pressure, no stress. I spend half of each race weekend worrying I'm in the right place at the right time doing the right thing before and after the race. Great fun but not relaxing like a track day.
Just had a rather cold, slippy but fun day at Blyton with some friends between Christmas and New year. Not a great circuit but we still had fun.
I don't use my supercars for trackdays though as I have a track prepared Exige 350 Sport which is insured for track. I tend to go to track days with the Lotus club guys and rocking up in my other stuff doesn't seem fair. In any case I prefer to take a car with a manual box and that can be repaired without selling my children should something happen, it lets me relax and take the car to the limit more comfortably. Its also buttons to insure for track and if I'm quicker than the other guys I'm quicker because of me, not 600bhp.
I have taken some of my other cars on track and would strongly recommend getting a track car rather than using something you cherish.
I've been doing trackdays for 15 years. I started racing in 2015. I thought I was a quick and safe driver until I started getting driver instruction from Jamie Stanley. He taught me loads during my rookie season and the multiple sessions I had with him at tracks all over the UK were the best money I spent.
I would strongly recommend driver training.
Tracks wise my favourites are Donnington (largely because I spend all day seeing how quickly I can take Craners without soiling myself), Cadwell (a throwback to when I had a bike engined track car as it was ideal there), Snetterton (again just because it's a challenge to see how fast I can take Bombhole and the long right hander afterwards) and Silverstone (because of maggots and beckets for similar reasons stated above - get it right at speed and I'm laughing for half a lap). Quite like Oulton but I think that's more just a general liking of the whole place as I can't pick a section out.
There's not much more fun to be had than a track day in a track specific car that you're comfortable to explore the limits in. Generally speaking the people at track days are a friendly bunch (with odd exceptions) and as it's a track day, rather than race weekend, there's no pressure, no stress. I spend half of each race weekend worrying I'm in the right place at the right time doing the right thing before and after the race. Great fun but not relaxing like a track day.
Just had a rather cold, slippy but fun day at Blyton with some friends between Christmas and New year. Not a great circuit but we still had fun.
Thanks for replies and info chaps, very useful.
I’ve been getting quite excited about the idea of track days and a mate of mine also fancies it in his M3. I’ve spent most of the morning looking at various websites, MSO track days being quite useful.
Not sure I’d be able to take either Aventador though, as since Lamborghini changed the seat back-stops which force the seat to be more upright that my old 2012 car, I don’t have much headroom as it is and doubt I’d be able to even sit in either car if I was wearing a helmet.
Also wondering if noise levels may also be an issue in either car, although I don’t know how loud they are in decibel terms at either static or drive-by.
The FF might be ok but being more of a GT it’s hardly the ideal track car, so might just plump for hiring one of their cars for my first outing and hopefully the 720 will have a bit more headroom when it arrives in Feb. Wouldn’t want to take any of them on a track though, until I have tried a day or two first just to see how much of a hammering the cars take.
Even started looking at specific track day cars, which applying ‘man maths’ seems perfectly justifiable... nothing super expensive, just in case it gets broken or bent, but something that I won’t be quite so bothered about getting stone chips on etc.
May have a nose around the Radical stand at the AutoSport Show next week, as their new driver programme and racing sounds like it could be fun.
I’ve been getting quite excited about the idea of track days and a mate of mine also fancies it in his M3. I’ve spent most of the morning looking at various websites, MSO track days being quite useful.
Not sure I’d be able to take either Aventador though, as since Lamborghini changed the seat back-stops which force the seat to be more upright that my old 2012 car, I don’t have much headroom as it is and doubt I’d be able to even sit in either car if I was wearing a helmet.
Also wondering if noise levels may also be an issue in either car, although I don’t know how loud they are in decibel terms at either static or drive-by.
The FF might be ok but being more of a GT it’s hardly the ideal track car, so might just plump for hiring one of their cars for my first outing and hopefully the 720 will have a bit more headroom when it arrives in Feb. Wouldn’t want to take any of them on a track though, until I have tried a day or two first just to see how much of a hammering the cars take.
Even started looking at specific track day cars, which applying ‘man maths’ seems perfectly justifiable... nothing super expensive, just in case it gets broken or bent, but something that I won’t be quite so bothered about getting stone chips on etc.
May have a nose around the Radical stand at the AutoSport Show next week, as their new driver programme and racing sounds like it could be fun.
While I agree with Leg that a well prepped track car is a much better car to flog around a track, trackdays are also the only environment one can truly attempt to fully exploit the performance of a modern high performance sports car. While a car can take a bit of a pounding, it very much also depends on how much/hard you are driving it. If you have an incoming 720 but you've never done a lot of track driving, I think it's safe to say as long as you're mechanically sympathetic you're not going to be unduly stressing the car due to the speed you're going at. I've done probably 30+ trackdays over the last 2-3 years mainly in my 12c and I can honestly say despite the cost of consumables in that car (which are awfully high) it's been bloody brilliant fun as you simply cannot (or should not) drive in anything like the same way to get to the outer limits of grip on the public road in that sort of car.
Do I think it's entirely sensible doing so, probably not and I have been thinking about getting something like an Elise Cup just as a specialist track car. However I would still always one to track one of my road cars every now and then just to enjoy what it can actually do and I'd go so far as to say you would be missing out on something by not tracking one of those sorts of cars at all if you owned one. Having an instructor and just being sensible (and not being competitive especially with other 'slower cars' being quicker than you) goes a long way in making sure an expensive incident doesn't happen as well. It's not risk free but nothing particularly fun ever is.....
Do I think it's entirely sensible doing so, probably not and I have been thinking about getting something like an Elise Cup just as a specialist track car. However I would still always one to track one of my road cars every now and then just to enjoy what it can actually do and I'd go so far as to say you would be missing out on something by not tracking one of those sorts of cars at all if you owned one. Having an instructor and just being sensible (and not being competitive especially with other 'slower cars' being quicker than you) goes a long way in making sure an expensive incident doesn't happen as well. It's not risk free but nothing particularly fun ever is.....
I would personally not suggest taking the Aventador on your first track day.
I would suggest renting a car (maybe choose the car based on test driving for future purchase) and an instructor. Donington is quite a small, simple track and easy to learn. Brands Hatch and Oulton Park are beautiful to look at and to drive, whilst Cadwell is nice but a long trip if you're a Southerner like me!
You really want a car that is light; it really matters to drive but also makes consumables far cheaper. If cost isn't a concern, it is a hassle to keep replacing bits.
Hence why many go the Caterham or Lotus route - they are good choices. You can even do a Caterham race series where you MUST be a novice to take part.
Ultimately, track days are boring as soon as you race. Set yourself a challenge (it's really not hard) to do a few trackdays, do your ARDS test to get a race license, and then you have the ability to do test days - basically track days for race cars.
I did GT Cup, Britcar and Lotus Cup UK. All enjoyable but expensive if you want to be at the pointy end. I've moved into historic racings; much better meets, higher level of drivers and it still costs a butt load but at least the cars don't depreciate!
I would suggest renting a car (maybe choose the car based on test driving for future purchase) and an instructor. Donington is quite a small, simple track and easy to learn. Brands Hatch and Oulton Park are beautiful to look at and to drive, whilst Cadwell is nice but a long trip if you're a Southerner like me!
You really want a car that is light; it really matters to drive but also makes consumables far cheaper. If cost isn't a concern, it is a hassle to keep replacing bits.
Hence why many go the Caterham or Lotus route - they are good choices. You can even do a Caterham race series where you MUST be a novice to take part.
Ultimately, track days are boring as soon as you race. Set yourself a challenge (it's really not hard) to do a few trackdays, do your ARDS test to get a race license, and then you have the ability to do test days - basically track days for race cars.
I did GT Cup, Britcar and Lotus Cup UK. All enjoyable but expensive if you want to be at the pointy end. I've moved into historic racings; much better meets, higher level of drivers and it still costs a butt load but at least the cars don't depreciate!
Edited by hondansx on Wednesday 10th January 11:41
S1M VP said:
Does anyone have any experience of taking their car(s) to any track days?
Any recommendations?
I once took my old 996TT to Bruntingthorpe and the front got peppered with stones from the car in front, which has always made me a little cautious, but I’ve been thinking of trying a track day or two this year.
If I enjoy it, which I’m pretty sure I will, I might then look to buy a track day toy, like the Radical, KTM or Westfield ... Radical even has its own race series which could be fun and help learn the basics.
Cheers
You'll have much more fun in a cheap race/track car. If you haven't done much track driving, you shouldn't be taking a supercar onto a track, unless your just pootling around, which defeats the purpose totally. Any recommendations?
I once took my old 996TT to Bruntingthorpe and the front got peppered with stones from the car in front, which has always made me a little cautious, but I’ve been thinking of trying a track day or two this year.
If I enjoy it, which I’m pretty sure I will, I might then look to buy a track day toy, like the Radical, KTM or Westfield ... Radical even has its own race series which could be fun and help learn the basics.
Cheers
I've seen too many people stacking their pride and joy.
I had a Escort RS Cosworth built from a Group N rally car for a decent price, I wouldn't take my SL2 on a track day as I would worry too much.
Each to their own but I agree with isaldiri on this. If you drive a supercar then you should take it to a track. It's the only place you can safely explore it's limits and it's great fun doing so. Yes, many cars will provide loads of fun but there is definitely something special about finding out what all that supercar engineering around you can do. Of course choose your tracks and go where there is some run off if you are worried, and even then drive to your abilities. For many people having a daily, a supercar and a track car is not an option. Use it.
hondansx said:
With the respect, he or I would find no limit of an Aventador on track. Maybe after a good few years of driving on track then you could do it justice, but otherwise you're best off waiting for a quite stretch on the M20.
I hope you're not serious about the part about the M20.... And assuming you were, please find me a stretch of the m20 that in any way resembles something like copse/abbey/eau rouge/pouhon where you would be comfortable (even in a quiet stretch) to be anywhere even approaching the limit of tyre grip on the public road....
hondansx said:
I would personally not suggest taking the Aventador on your first track day.
I would suggest renting a car (maybe choose the car based on test driving for future purchase) and an instructor. Donington is quite a small, simple track and easy to learn. Brands Hatch and Oulton Park are beautiful to look at and to drive, whilst Cadwell is nice but a long trip if you're a Southerner like me!
You really want a car that is light; it really matters to drive but also makes consumables far cheaper. If cost isn't a concern, it is a hassle to keep replacing bits.
Hence why many go the Caterham or Lotus route - they are good choices. You can even do a Caterham race series where you MUST be a novice to take part.
Ultimately, track days are boring as soon as you race. Set yourself a challenge (it's really not hard) to do a few trackdays, do your ARDS test to get a race license, and then you have the ability to do test days - basically track days for race cars.
I did GT Cup, Britcar and Lotus Cup UK. All enjoyable but expensive if you want to be at the pointy end. I've moved into historic racings; much better meets, higher level of drivers and it still costs a butt load but at least the cars don't depreciate!
Agree more classic events are easier on the pocket and can have reasonable car value appreciation if well selected ..I would suggest renting a car (maybe choose the car based on test driving for future purchase) and an instructor. Donington is quite a small, simple track and easy to learn. Brands Hatch and Oulton Park are beautiful to look at and to drive, whilst Cadwell is nice but a long trip if you're a Southerner like me!
You really want a car that is light; it really matters to drive but also makes consumables far cheaper. If cost isn't a concern, it is a hassle to keep replacing bits.
Hence why many go the Caterham or Lotus route - they are good choices. You can even do a Caterham race series where you MUST be a novice to take part.
Ultimately, track days are boring as soon as you race. Set yourself a challenge (it's really not hard) to do a few trackdays, do your ARDS test to get a race license, and then you have the ability to do test days - basically track days for race cars.
I did GT Cup, Britcar and Lotus Cup UK. All enjoyable but expensive if you want to be at the pointy end. I've moved into historic racings; much better meets, higher level of drivers and it still costs a butt load but at least the cars don't depreciate!
Edited by hondansx on Wednesday 10th January 11:41
If you take your own car, make 100% certain it's properly insured.
Know someone who picked up a new-to-them Gallardo in the morning, took it to a track in the afternoon, forgot in the excitement to insure it for track use, stuffed it into a barrier on the second lap, and wound up with a ~£25k repair bill.
Know someone who picked up a new-to-them Gallardo in the morning, took it to a track in the afternoon, forgot in the excitement to insure it for track use, stuffed it into a barrier on the second lap, and wound up with a ~£25k repair bill.
Thanks for all these replies.
Will look at what days are available on tracks around the Midlands ... there are quite a few, so hopefully it shouldn’t be too hard to find something suitable.
As recommended, I think I’ll maybe rent a car for my first time out and see what it’s like, then look to take one of mine later on.
Will look at what days are available on tracks around the Midlands ... there are quite a few, so hopefully it shouldn’t be too hard to find something suitable.
As recommended, I think I’ll maybe rent a car for my first time out and see what it’s like, then look to take one of mine later on.
hondansx said:
With the respect, he or I would find no limit of an Aventador on track. Maybe after a good few years of driving on track then you could do it justice, but otherwise you're best off waiting for a quite stretch on the M20.
That's just not true. A day at Silverstone with an instructor alongside for at least some of the time will be plenty for even the most novice driver to get a taste of weight transfer, threshold braking, understeer, throttle balance, etc. Going fast in a straight line teaches you very little, introduce a few corners and combinations and a whole new world opens up. And OP, please please please ignore the M20 advise above.
I'm a National A race license holder if you fancy a chat when you’re next in our local pub. I often admire your cars - I doff my cap to you!
I started off attending track days about 10 years ago but then caught the racing bug.
Some TDO's are better than others from my experience but if you choose a good lightweight track day car, you will have a lot of fun for little outlay
I started off attending track days about 10 years ago but then caught the racing bug.
Some TDO's are better than others from my experience but if you choose a good lightweight track day car, you will have a lot of fun for little outlay
Edited by thistimenextyear on Thursday 11th January 19:20
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