40+ participants - too many?

[Zp]

I've noticed on some track day listings they can accommodate 40 or more cars - is this the norm?

Case in question is a day run by Javelin at Blyton Park and, reading the list of attendees, there are 35 confirmed with 7 spaces left.
As a novice would this amount of cars put you off or should I go for a day less well attended?

[mmm-five]

Depends if it's an open pit-lane day or a sessioned day.

If it's a sessioned day then they may only have 10-15 cars on track per session.

If it's an open pit-lane day then there'll be a maximum number of cars allowed on track at any one time, and as one comes off another is let on.

I think Silverstone allows up to 50 on track at once if you use the full circuit - but that's a longer track.

[Steve H]

Typical open pitlane day would run 50-80 cars depending on the circuit and the organisers tolerance of queues.

[Zp]

Steve H said:

Typical open pitlane day would run 50-80 cars depending on the circuit and the organisers tolerance of queues.

Bloody Hell, that many.

Nothing for me to worry about then, thanks.

[D_G]

I would try to pick one with a good reputation or run with a motor club as the standard of driving tends to be better too. You'll take your life in your hands if you have a go at somewhere like Japfest!

[Steve H]

As mmm said, the circuit will have a limit to the total number on track at any one time, the only issue with overbooking is having to queue to get on track.

Some TDOs like BookaTrack offer a no queues guarantee but obviously the days cost a bit more, others do very cheap days but your track time my be limited by the queueing. Most try to balance between the two extremes and I think Javelin is in this group.

[Steve H]

D_G said:

I would try to pick one with a good reputation or run with a motor club as the standard of driving tends to be better too. You'll take your life in your hands if you have a go at somewhere like Japfest!

Any event where you can buy your track time in 20 minute sessions is a risky place to be

[Lefty]

It only takes one ahole to spoil a trackday.

With 40 cars on track there's just a greater chance you're gonna get one.

If it's well marshalled it'll be fine. If not, it'll be like banger racing.

[200Plus Club]

dont have any concerns about how well run the javellin days are, colin doesnt mess about and they are well marshalled, people will be sent home if need be.
Blyton had 40+ cars when we went, and worked perfectly well, they just run a maximum on track at any one time. we didnt have to queue long at all to get on, and with most open pitlane days people soon ease off and by mid afternoon you often end up with few out on track anyway.

[D_G]

Steve H said:

D_G said:

I would try to pick one with a good reputation or run with a motor club as the standard of driving tends to be better too. You'll take your life in your hands if you have a go at somewhere like Japfest!

Any event where you can buy your track time in 20 minute sessions is a risky place to be

Very true but you can help yourself by choosing the right day

[davepoth]

Steve H said:

Any event where you can buy your track time in 20 minute sessions is a risky place to be

It's a bit like Death Race really. Except the acting is better.

[Steve H]

Just re-read this and I should say that it's days where you can buy a single 20 minute session that I think are risky.

Normal sessioned days where you get 15 or 20 minutes in every hour (like a lot of owners clubs run) are not as good as open pit but don't carry the same risks of being on track with a hero who only has one session to prove how amazing he is .