Track Days in Europe
Discussion
Can anyone help with contacts / clubs / companies as self and friend are planning to do a tour of Northern Europe sometime next year; spring or autumn, and would like to do Spa or Zandvoort for track day, though not too keen on free for all at Nurburgring unless the grand prix circuit is used. Would also consider Monza, tack day or just to visit plus Modena for museums / factory visits. Plus if all fails Dijon circuit.
Any advice or suggestions gratefully recieved.
Any advice or suggestions gratefully recieved.
Circuit-days usually has dates at Spa in April and October. Spa runs its version of tourist driving on a few limited dates.
Hockenheim is often open to the public for tourist driving on Thursday evenings.
'Destination Nurburgring' does various trackdays at the Nurburgring using different circuit configurations (VLN circuit/nordschleife/24hr). Both Nurburgring circuits are often open to the public; and infrequently the linked circuits are open.
See google for details
Hockenheim is often open to the public for tourist driving on Thursday evenings.
'Destination Nurburgring' does various trackdays at the Nurburgring using different circuit configurations (VLN circuit/nordschleife/24hr). Both Nurburgring circuits are often open to the public; and infrequently the linked circuits are open.
See google for details
Stay well clear of the "touristenfahrten" at German GP-tracks.
Biggest organiser (putting myself at risk of being picked on by Melinid here
) in Germany is the pistenclub (www.pistenclub.de) who also run days at Spa and Zandvoort. Plenty of UK organisers do days at Spa.
Nürburgring and Hockenheim GP are good fun albeit days (especially Hockenheim) tend to be quite busy. Pistenclub normally do Monza and Imola as well (this year it was in three consequitive days as is planned for 2012) - well worth it, fantastic tracks, especially Imola. On the way to italy, Salzburgring might also be a good place to stop by (loads of track days/ private days there, too).
Biggest organiser (putting myself at risk of being picked on by Melinid here
) in Germany is the pistenclub (www.pistenclub.de) who also run days at Spa and Zandvoort. Plenty of UK organisers do days at Spa. Nürburgring and Hockenheim GP are good fun albeit days (especially Hockenheim) tend to be quite busy. Pistenclub normally do Monza and Imola as well (this year it was in three consequitive days as is planned for 2012) - well worth it, fantastic tracks, especially Imola. On the way to italy, Salzburgring might also be a good place to stop by (loads of track days/ private days there, too).
noneedtolift said:
Biggest organiser (putting myself at risk of being picked on by Melinid here ) in Germany is the pistenclub (www.pistenclub.de) who also run days at Spa and Zandvoort.
I would stay away from Pistenclub.de - i did a Spa day with them in July this summer: a nightmare, unless you are testing a race car or semi-professional! I think they actually overbook and separate in 2 categories: race cars, and almost race cars. 30min session each and a line up of 30/50 cars to get out of the pit: by the time the last car leaves the pit it is already joined by the first ones...hence crowded, traffic jam...not a gentlemen scene really. Quite disappointing.) in Germany is the pistenclub (www.pistenclub.de) who also run days at Spa and Zandvoort. I did however enjoyed Spa with Javelin a couple weeks before in May/June and it was a superb gentlemen open pit day.
Folembray is a cracking little circuit in Northern France:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1RpzNazMUQ
As is Mas du Clos (the closest thing to a mini-Nurburgring i've seen!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WewE5EbL764
Both do track days; Google them.
Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1RpzNazMUQ
As is Mas du Clos (the closest thing to a mini-Nurburgring i've seen!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WewE5EbL764
Both do track days; Google them.
Enjoy.
Edited by OdramaSwimLaden on Tuesday 8th November 23:08
911Thrasher said:
I would stay away from Pistenclub.de - i did a Spa day with them in July this summer: a nightmare, unless you are testing a race car or semi-professional! I think they actually overbook and separate in 2 categories: race cars, and almost race cars. 30min session each and a line up of 30/50 cars to get out of the pit: by the time the last car leaves the pit it is already joined by the first ones...hence crowded, traffic jam...not a gentlemen scene really. Quite disappointing.
I did however enjoyed Spa with Javelin a couple weeks before in May/June and it was a superb gentlemen open pit day.
911Thrasher, believe me or not, I did think about a "be warned" (I did however enjoyed Spa with Javelin a couple weeks before in May/June and it was a superb gentlemen open pit day.
)when I posted above advice as german trackdays are completely differently run compared to uk trackdays.Spa, Hockenheim & Nürburgring GP can be very busy, completely agree. I use pistenclub all the time (not much choice over here) and am generally happy albeit I do agree that they are more like test days (overtaking under braking & without consent) which can be intimidating for some.
Whilst there can be a fair share of idiots every now and then (as can happen anywhere), there are very few accidents between participants and it is generally a friendly atmosphere. I'd also say that 60-70% are regulars/club members so you quickly get a feeling of who can play, and from whom to best stay away.
If against your previous experiance you ever do another day with them look out for a silver C63 and/or a silver GT3RS and say hello if you want!
I have done Spa three times now with Goldtrack and I must say over the 4 years I have been doing trackdays you wont find a better TDO.
The numbers always seem to be low with a real understanding between the drivers with respect all round, I believe the way you are treated and the quality of the briefings seem to be a big part of this.
I'm sure you could find a cheaper alternative but when you look forward to somthing like Spa as much as I do it would be a gutter to find a jammed track full of tattooed turbo nutters.
I think you deffintaley get Quality and not Quantity with Goldtrack.
Matty.
The numbers always seem to be low with a real understanding between the drivers with respect all round, I believe the way you are treated and the quality of the briefings seem to be a big part of this.
I'm sure you could find a cheaper alternative but when you look forward to somthing like Spa as much as I do it would be a gutter to find a jammed track full of tattooed turbo nutters.
I think you deffintaley get Quality and not Quantity with Goldtrack.
Matty.
911Thrasher said:
noneedtolift said:
Biggest organiser (putting myself at risk of being picked on by Melinid here ) in Germany is the pistenclub (www.pistenclub.de) who also run days at Spa and Zandvoort.
I would stay away from Pistenclub.de - i did a Spa day with them in July this summer: a nightmare, unless you are testing a race car or semi-professional! I think they actually overbook and separate in 2 categories: race cars, and almost race cars. 30min session each and a line up of 30/50 cars to get out of the pit: by the time the last car leaves the pit it is already joined by the first ones...hence crowded, traffic jam...not a gentlemen scene really. Quite disappointing.) in Germany is the pistenclub (www.pistenclub.de) who also run days at Spa and Zandvoort. I did however enjoyed Spa with Javelin a couple weeks before in May/June and it was a superb gentlemen open pit day.
Martian O said:
Why? I've had some great TF days.
Good for you! I just haven't had the same experiance unfortunately - too much traffic, cars going of during sighting laps etc. Just plain dangerous sometimes. It's the traffic that kills it for me in the end though. Agree that there is very little nannying at PC events.Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff