RE: TVR Performance Technique Day
Tuesday 3rd August 2004
TVR Performance Technique Day
Fancy a blast on Friday 20th August?
TVR will be holding a Performance Technique Day later this month at Bedford Autodrome.
The event consists of a track day but with the full support of TVR. On hand will be plenty of instructors and usually a number of demo cars attend too - there to tempt you into upgrading.
The full day includes plenty of time on track as well as other driving experiences including a skid pan/doughnutting session, slalom course etc.
Price is £330 per car and driver. A second driver can be added for £150 and guests may join the day for £50. The days normally include a good breakfast and high quality lunch as well as tea and biccies throughout the day.
Bedford Autodrome is the venue set up by Jonathan Palmer and boasts a number of different circuits all of which benefit from minimal armco or things to hit. i.e. it's the perfect circuit for anyone venturing out on track for the first time as well as providing plenty of challenges for more experienced drivers.
To book, call Jason Oxley on 01253 509000.
Discussion
Well I'm going! It isn't that expensive. A good day at Bedford would normally cost £200+ mid summer. Add to that carting, slalom, skid pan, scary rides in Tuscan racers plus good food for the day and it starts to look more reasonable. Besides I don't think an airfield day is a fair comparison. The track and facilities aren't going to come close to what Bedford has to offer.
Washy
Washy
I was thinking of booking this but after reading about the problems with noise restrictions that EVO magazine had with their trackday car of the year test (VXR 220 too loud etc) theres no way my Griff is going to get on there. I know I've got a sports exhaust but I'd have thought a standard Griff would have problems!
Does sound like bloody good fun though and everyone I've spoken to aobut that place speaks very highly of it.
Does sound like bloody good fun though and everyone I've spoken to aobut that place speaks very highly of it.
Painey said:
I was thinking of booking this but after reading about the problems with noise restrictions that EVO magazine had with their trackday car of the year test (VXR 220 too loud etc) theres no way my Griff is going to get on there. I know I've got a sports exhaust but I'd have thought a standard Griff would have problems!
Does sound like bloody good fun though and everyone I've spoken to aobut that place speaks very highly of it.
I've been on there 3 times now, all be it with supertraps fitted. I can't get my head round why noise limits are in place there as there are no houses for miles.
This is a great venue, BUT is b
y expensive, (why do they charge so much for NON driving passengers??) the food was so so, the instructors were superb, and the track is awesome. If they are having a TVR only day, surely the noise limits could be raised to cope with us!!
Agreed £50 for guests seem steep so go on your own, you'll be able to enjoy it more without having to worry if your other half is ok 
I've done Bedford and there is no comaprison to an airfield day. It's an excellent track with huge grassy run-offs, there are TVR Eng. people around for support and the organisation is first class . Rich...
I've done Bedford and there is no comaprison to an airfield day. It's an excellent track with huge grassy run-offs, there are TVR Eng. people around for support and the organisation is first class . Rich...Painey said:
I was thinking of booking this but after reading about the problems with noise restrictions that EVO magazine had with their trackday car of the year test (VXR 220 too loud etc) theres no way my Griff is going to get on there. I know I've got a sports exhaust but I'd have thought a standard Griff would have problems!
Does sound like bloody good fun though and everyone I've spoken to aobut that place speaks very highly of it.
Done Bedford with a standard Chim exhaust. Close but allowable. Got the upgrade and I'd definitely need some extra silencing now.
Rob
I went to last July's one. Excellent track, fast & varied (probably one of the safest as well with massive run off in most places) & you do a few off track things as well - slalom, skid pan, karts etc.
However;
I usualy run in the intermediate group on track days & hold my own, I don't consider myself the next Senna. There were only 2 other cars in my group that were on anything like the same pace (Tuscan & Chimera - mine's a Griff). The groups were not split into ability, but by the dealership you booked thru' I think. This was frustrating for me & I guess probably a bit intimidating for some of the newcomers, as the speed differentials were rather large at times.
The standards of driving & track etiquete were much lower than any other track day I've been to. Lots of being held up thru' corners by drivers who either didn't look out for faster cars (or maybe thought that an old Griff shouldn't come past their shiny new Cerbera/Tuscan?) & then made sure to accelerate flat out on the straights so's there was no chance of passing there either.
There were also some VERY strange lines/braking points being used - led to a few worrying moments as the car in front slammed on the brakes & spun mid corner, I lost count of the number of times this type of thing happened.
I suspect a lot of the people there with brand new cars had been gifted the day as part of the purchase deal, as lots looked to be unfamiliar with their cars handling characteristics.
Don't take all of this too negatively, I think it's a top day out - if rather expensive.
If you're not used to track days you would probably get more out of the day if you manage to do another (cheaper) track day beforehand, in the beginners group with lots of instruction. Then make use of the instruction available on the day - it'll also help you to learn the track which can be difficult due to it's size ,lack of features & flatness.
I don't think you should class track & airfield days as the same. A track day will teach you to use your cars handling & performance to the maximaum, but still has the potential to bite if you fall off the tarck in a big way. An airfield day will allow you to hoon around & push past your cars limits to your hearts content as there's generaly nothing to hit except the next county! Why not do one of each, then the TVR day?
Have fun
I wrote this 2** years ago in reply to a similar thread. With the benefit of a few more years track experience I wouldn't change anything, but would add a bit of emphasis to the negative side when viewed as an experienced trackday'er.
The only extra point I *would* make is that 380 quid (driver + passenger) is stiff for a day that runs (4??) groups in terms of the actual track time you'll get. I think you'd be lucky to get near the amount you'd have on (i.e) an Autocar evening event which give 3 hours open pit lane but only cost 189 + vat.
** Edited 'cos I just realised it was 3 years ago that I did it
where's my life gone! >> Edited by Leadfoot on Saturday 7th August 01:26
I went to one of these days in September 2002 and you pay about £100 over the odds of a standard track day at Bedford but I think it's worth while, especially for novices (it was my first track day) and Bedford is very wide and has lots of runoff. In addition to being able to use the whole GT circuit which goes on for miles, you get a chance to learn how to cadence brake and turn, do a slalom test and they have an area where you can safely to donuts under instruction! Lunch was good as well.
The briefing was performed by JP himself and the standard of driving when I was there was very courteous. Instructors on hand to go out with you - and you could also go out in a Tuscan challenge race car.
Cheers,
Andy.
Editted to say if there are places going and I'm not playing cricket I may be there!
>> Edited by andyvdg on Monday 9th August 11:35
The briefing was performed by JP himself and the standard of driving when I was there was very courteous. Instructors on hand to go out with you - and you could also go out in a Tuscan challenge race car.
Cheers,
Andy.
Editted to say if there are places going and I'm not playing cricket I may be there!
>> Edited by andyvdg on Monday 9th August 11:35
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