New to trackdays

[AnnuityAdviser]

Hi all, I work in Castle Donington, and on my lunch break can hear race cars absolutely caning it around during weekdays at Donington circuit. I want a piece of the action! How much are track sessions generally for novices like me?

[shaun fulcrum]

You can book donnington through these

http://bookatrack.com/-pE_Trackday-Calendar.html

They do evening sessions and full days. Hope that helps.

[dan1758]

You can pay around £150 for a full day out on track, more if its one of the better tracks in the UK & instruction can be anywhere between £30-£50 per half hour.

Up until 4 years ago I'd never been out on track so here are some pearls of wisdom from me;

1 Be very careful trackdays are highly addictive
2 Don't get caught up in the arms race that are trackdays; its not that your car isn't fast your just not as good as you think you are.
3 the instructors on track are worth every penny that they charge so always take advantage of their experience, its money well spent
4 book instruction before you go so you get an early slot; this will mean you have the rest of the day to use the information they have given you.
5 don't got out for more than 25 mins in one go; most races are only 15-20 long and you ain't racing.
6 if you want a track car buy something cheap, rear wheel drive and put some decent brake pads on it. (like a BMW 328)
7 go to tracks with lots of run off like bedford & snetterton avoid brands and maybe even donni to start with.
8 if you drive the car to the track make sure you have the train fare home
9 there are loads of trackday operators out there and most will run novice evenings/days so start ringing around before you book.
10 if you do go, enjoy it, its awesome

[RhinoRacing]

There is a Porsche club track day on tomorrow at Donington. May be worth wondering along to see how the days work etc. Bookatrack are running it so I am sure they can answer any questions you have.

[Evangelion]

Few more hints:

1 - Make sure you have the time, money and resources to commit to trackdays before doing the first one; because as soon as you have done the first one - you'll be HOOKED.

2 - Take a friend with you because a) if you can bear to watch someone else driving your car on track, you can share the costs, b) if he has a large car, or even better a van or 4x4, he'll have room for some spares, c) if the worst happens you've got a lift home.

3 - When you're in the pit lane waiting to go out, zero the tripmeter. Then when it gets up to 10 miles, finish that lap, do a slowing-down lap and come in. (Assuming open pit lane.)

4 - When you come back in, lift the bonnet for extra cooling, leave the car in gear and don't use the handbrake. And wait at least 15 mins before going out again.

5 - Did i remember to mention you'd be HOOKED?

[checkmate91]

Just did a Motorsport Vision novice day at Snetterton with my 19-y-o in a 2009 Ford Focus RS. Points to note:

1. Great fun for the both of us, really impressed with how my PS-generation son could hook up turn-in and apex
2. It's a road car!
3. lower your tyre pressures by a couple of lbs
4. You will over-drive the car
5. It's ok to indicate right
6. the young guy in the prepped minicooper s with the sparco nomex vest and racing boots will be faster than you (but may not live quite as long)
7. the guy in the PCP-financed Audi RS6 is faster than you (but won't be back next year)
8. you won't get the racing line on every corner
9. You'll cook your brakes sooner or later (well we did, mine were 44k old and nearing their end anyway. We gave them a great (brave) send-off)
10. You'll be looking for the the next opportunity!

[e21Mark]

I did my first track day last year, in my road car.

I felt a little intimidated at first but took my time and allowed my confidence to grow. I made sure to watch my mirrors and not get in the way. By the same token, I had paid to be there so had as much right as anyone, so didn't allow myself to be bullied out of the way. In fairness though, most drivers were courteous and make allowances for novices.

I tried not to be too hard on my car and did cooling down laps. I needed to be able to drive home.

I also had some instruction to teach me the correct lines and braking / turn in points. No matter how good we think we are, we can always learn something. I thought the instruction was worth every penny!

Make sure you keep a check on car fluids, tyres etc. 1 mile on track is probably like 50 on the road!

Remember to have fun! It's a track day, not qualifying!

Track days are just so addictive. I ended up building an old e30 325 just for the track, although I've also been doing some sprint events.

I'm sure you'll have a blast!

[CDP]

dan1758 said:

6 if you want a track car buy something cheap, rear wheel drive and put some decent brake pads on it. (like a BMW 328)

Personally I prefer RWD but a good small hot hatch like a Clio or 205 GTI would be worth a shout too.

[dan1758]

CDP said:

Personally I prefer RWD but a good small hot hatch like a Clio or 205 GTI would be worth a shout too.

I would agree that those cars would be great fun on track but the reason I suggested a 328 was that I was on a trackday and two lads turned up in one that they had paid (supposedly) £150 for. They then set about stripping it out, selling the interior and everything they thought they wouldn't need and getting it through an MOT. They ended up having a really good track car for next to no cost, with spares easily picked up on ebay or from a scrappy.

It seemed to me that they where having a lot more fun than guys in more expensive machines, including me, as they didn't need to care about their car so just went for it on track. I might be wrong but that was just how it looked.

[CDP]

dan1758 said:

CDP said:

Personally I prefer RWD but a good small hot hatch like a Clio or 205 GTI would be worth a shout too.

I would agree that those cars would be great fun on track but the reason I suggested a 328 was that I was on a trackday and two lads turned up in one that they had paid (supposedly) £150 for. They then set about stripping it out, selling the interior and everything they thought they wouldn't need and getting it through an MOT. They ended up having a really good track car for next to no cost, with spares easily picked up on ebay or from a scrappy.

It seemed to me that they where having a lot more fun than guys in more expensive machines, including me, as they didn't need to care about their car so just went for it on track. I might be wrong but that was just how it looked.

Good point but some people can't keep more than one car in which case something small and light makes the most sense as it doesn't get as badly stressed by track use. Also fold down the seats and drop the tyres in the back.

Saxos became pretty dominant in the 750MC Stock Hatch series.