Airfield trackdays - any good?
Discussion
Depends what you want from a trackday, if you want to arse around and have a cheap dayout then airfield days are for you.
I much prefer a proper circuit as I like to arse around in an expensive manor
Joking.
I prefer proper cirucits as it all feels proper and it's a lovely surface, proper facilities and the awesome rack of tracks you can you've driven.
That's my view anyway.
I much prefer a proper circuit as I like to arse around in an expensive manor
Joking. I prefer proper cirucits as it all feels proper and it's a lovely surface, proper facilities and the awesome rack of tracks you can you've driven.
That's my view anyway.
Airfields are definitely cheap compared to 'proper' track days and in my view are a good place to start both from a cost and less to hit point of view. Hullavington and Abingdon don't seem too bad on tyres but agree that they are a bit featureless and lack a bit of the buzz compared to a proper track. Then again if you want a first go it is hard to argue with a fully martialled day starting from £99....
have done events at elvington, bruntingthorpe etc in the past, tbh i wouldnt go anywhere near an "old" airfield as such again, having done various circuits there is no real comparison. saying that Blyton is at least a proper track on an old airfield and gets my vote for a cheap trackday without the massive tyre wear and stone chips you might get on old airfields.
favourite tracks in order- angelsey, cadwell, donnington, silverstone,then blyton, all great circuits. croft is ok, teeside is ok fun if a little small, mallory ok, depends on what you want i suppose.
favourite tracks in order- angelsey, cadwell, donnington, silverstone,then blyton, all great circuits. croft is ok, teeside is ok fun if a little small, mallory ok, depends on what you want i suppose.
Definitely not half the fun!!
I done Hullavington a few weeks back with Motorsport Events and it was a quality day. Did help that the weather was really good, though.
You don't get the same feel as a proper circuit, but the track layout is still interesting and has some nice fast bits, as well and some tighter stuff.
A lot cheaper than normal circuits, and I wish I'd tried an airfield trackday a lot sooner, as they're so much cheaper than circuit days, you can do 2 for almost the same cost as a day at proper circuit.
I done Hullavington a few weeks back with Motorsport Events and it was a quality day. Did help that the weather was really good, though.
You don't get the same feel as a proper circuit, but the track layout is still interesting and has some nice fast bits, as well and some tighter stuff.
A lot cheaper than normal circuits, and I wish I'd tried an airfield trackday a lot sooner, as they're so much cheaper than circuit days, you can do 2 for almost the same cost as a day at proper circuit.
stinkinrich said:
I did Keevil Airfield last month which was my first. Although heavy rain all day, it was brilliant. Get to grips with the car and driving in a racing manor. Plenty of run off if you mess up too.
Cant wait for my first circuit track day at Combe next month!
I salute you for booking Castle Coombe. I used to watch club racing there in the certain knowledge that there would be a few offs at each event. Hold your nerve through Quarry!Cant wait for my first circuit track day at Combe next month!
Spadey1 said:
stinkinrich said:
I did Keevil Airfield last month which was my first. Although heavy rain all day, it was brilliant. Get to grips with the car and driving in a racing manor. Plenty of run off if you mess up too.
Cant wait for my first circuit track day at Combe next month!
I salute you for booking Castle Coombe. I used to watch club racing there in the certain knowledge that there would be a few offs at each event. Hold your nerve through Quarry!Cant wait for my first circuit track day at Combe next month!
Slagathore said:
Definitely not half the fun!!
A lot cheaper than normal circuits, and I wish I'd tried an airfield trackday a lot sooner, as they're so much cheaper than circuit days, you can do 2 for almost the same cost as a day at proper circuit.
Do not forget that petrol, tyre and brake wear are the other main costs.A lot cheaper than normal circuits, and I wish I'd tried an airfield trackday a lot sooner, as they're so much cheaper than circuit days, you can do 2 for almost the same cost as a day at proper circuit.
I`ve done a few airfield days and really enjoyed them. As a place for pushing that little harder than a circuit they are ideal.
Circuits like Blyton are more circuit like due to the fresh tarmac, so tyre wear is the same as a `normal` circuit.
I certainly wouldn`t write them off. Especially in the wet, they can get great fun !
Circuits like Blyton are more circuit like due to the fresh tarmac, so tyre wear is the same as a `normal` circuit.
I certainly wouldn`t write them off. Especially in the wet, they can get great fun !
Im a regular at the motorsport-events track-days so far have done Hallavington, Abingdon, Colerne & Castle Combe. The event is run very well & safety is paramount.
Its great for someone who is learning the limits of their car....if you come off the track/airstrip youll simply run off onto the grass in oppose to crashing in the barriers/tyre wall or trees.
My only criticism is they do not permit timing which is disappointing! I dont see what harm could come about from doing a couple o 0-60mph drag races between two cars for example.
If you go to the Hallavington day they usually have an open area for up skilling aka doing donuts and working on steering & acceleration control through a series of cones on a line.
All in all a good day out last time i went it was baking hot and I ended up going through a full tank of fuel (60litres, a full set of brake pads and tyres!
Its great for someone who is learning the limits of their car....if you come off the track/airstrip youll simply run off onto the grass in oppose to crashing in the barriers/tyre wall or trees.
My only criticism is they do not permit timing which is disappointing! I dont see what harm could come about from doing a couple o 0-60mph drag races between two cars for example.
If you go to the Hallavington day they usually have an open area for up skilling aka doing donuts and working on steering & acceleration control through a series of cones on a line.
All in all a good day out last time i went it was baking hot and I ended up going through a full tank of fuel (60litres, a full set of brake pads and tyres!
Edited by fishman on Friday 22 June 10:56
fishman said:
My only criticism is they do not permit timing which is very gay! I dont see what harm could come about from doing a couple o 0-60mph drag races between two cars for example.
That's bound to be a liability insurance issue - "absolutely no competition of any kind is permitted" type stuff.fishman said:
If you go to the Hallavington day they usually have an open area for up skilling aka doing donuts and working on steering & acceleration control through a series of cones on a line.
That's a good idea - especially if they wet it.spyderman8 said:
fishman said:
My only criticism is they do not permit timing which is very gay! I dont see what harm could come about from doing a couple o 0-60mph drag races between two cars for example.
That's bound to be a liability insurance issue - "absolutely no competition of any kind is permitted" type stuff.
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