Track Beginner Help

[jgph]

Need some advice; What is the best introduction to driving on a track, i.e. best format of track day, location, type of training available?

Thing is, I've had my DB9 for 10 years now and very stupidly have never driven on a track so really looking for some guidance on the day as I will surely have some bad habits to start with.

Second thing is, I really need to do this soonish as I am one of the nutters who has put an order down for the GT3, so would be good to not look too stupid when driving it away!

Thanks!

[ds2000]

Any trackday will be good for you. I've used bookatrack in the past and they've always been superb, well run, disciplined and most importantly safe. They have instructors on hand to help you out.

I've done a few TD's in the past (not in the AM though) and they really are the best thing for improving your driving and getting to know your car.

My favourite/fun circuits that are relatively cheap are Anglesey, Castle Combe & Oulton Park. Brands is meant to be superb but I've not driven it before. If you look down the forum a bit there is an exclusive AM day being organised, no doubt you can get some tuition there as well.

[Far Eastender]

Try a track day that is organised by a company that will be able to give you some tuition on the day.

http://www.trackdays.co.uk/

I've done a few Spa trips with these guys.

[A17DBS]

I have not tracked my AM yet so I joined the PH group going to Cadwell in March. Following the threads I think I have joined a bunch of lunatics though!

I was looking for an experienced group to give me a chance of leaving with the car in one piece...

[roughrider]

Please consider doing a Performance Driving Course in a V12VS. Its a factory run day event at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire. You can find it via Aston Martin website. Cost includes; factory car, instructor [ARDS "A" grade], fuel, insurance, Millbrook hire, food [very nice!], and a great day out with no pressure. We're not trying to turn you into a race driver, rather, elevate your understanding of an Aston Martin, and help you understand driving dynamics, weight transfer, driving technique etc....

[jgph]

Great advice so far, thanks to all. Particularly like the look of the Performance Driving Course, will email about that now!

Many thanks.

[Cavey]

OP if you're new to track and in a DB9 I would suggest doing one of the days which is not too overrun with racers doing testing, or modded track specials. Companies like Gold Track tend to have a lot of experienced, fast people out there and RMA often have a lot of race or race-spec cars, neither of which I would recommend for a first time out in something which, even if you could afford it, you really don't want to see hanging out of the Armco.

(That isn't to say that there are lots of accidents at these companies' days because there aren't but you may end up feeling pretty intimidated pretty quickly and that's a bad environment in which to learn ahything.)

The Aston will do better on wide flowing circuits like Silverstone, Brands, Castle Combe, than tighter circuits like Blyton Park and Pembrey. Airfield days are good in that there's less to hit if you do happen to get it wrong.

There are loads of track day organisers out there and most of them are really good. From my own experience if you want a well run day where driving standards are enforced carefully, and the organisers are approachable and good with novices then my pick would be www.motorsport-events.co.uk or www.bhptrackdays.co.uk, but that's not to say others would not be equally good.

[Stonic]

Hi there. I have done several though nothin the Aston. First off make sure it is an "open track day" rather than "sessions". The latter means you are allocated specific slots but also means everyone else is as well and folks tend to go mad in their alloyed time. The open day means you go on and off when you like and after the initial 30 minute rush it's pretty calm with no time pressure on any one. Also AVOID any that offer 30 minute taster sessions. They are cheap and attract boy racers and really bad driving. Google castle Combe crashes for an example.

Personally I don't favour castle Combe. Done it twice and just not as fun as others. Bedford is good and I really liked Brands Hatch.

Make sure you have plenty of fuel. The accelerator and brakes become on off buttons!

And make sure you book early and get tuition at the start of the day. I would always book so that you know the righ lines and it makes it more enjoyable knowing you have the right lines.

Have fun

[Omaruk]

Alternatively

Try the PalmerSport day at Bedford. Great day and you are pushed hard - lots of tuition and get to drive a wide variety of vehicles including real deal race machines.

Another option is a Car Limits day at North Weald, will teach you car control to a new level!

[TuonoPants]

The only thing I can add to what has already been said is that I would recommend booking some instruction when you book the track day, if you can't do that book it as soon as you sign on at the event and get a slot as early as possible.

And if you can stretch to it book two instruction sessions, one at the start of the morning and one at the start of the afternoon. The first session will get you started before you head out on your own and the second will help you tidy things up a bit once you had some practice.

A little instruction makes a huge difference to the enjoyment of the day.

[TuonoPants]

And these a quite good, maybe not for your first track day but if you do a few CG-Lock

[telum01]

Not sure what you guys have in the UK, but over here in the US we have High Performance Drivers Education (HPDE) track days. You have an instructor with you on track, first assessing what you can do, what your car can do, and where you can improve within your limits and the car's limits. As you progress, they push you further and further. If you get sloppy, they back you off. I've done several of them on four different tracks and there's always something to learn. Well worth the cost (150-400 USD per day, depending on who organized the event and what is included).

[pilgrim7777]

I would also recommend the PDC course at Millbrook for the best for finding the capabilities and limits of the DB9.Particularly if it’s the first experience of track/performance driving the confidence it gives is really worth the time. Once that’s done move on to more adventurous driving.

[Bouldermobile]

I am curious to know from those who have done the PDC whether they opted to drive a vehicle that most matched their road car in terms of performance, handling, transmission, etc., or simply selected the fastest on the list of available models in the hope that any experience gained would also stand them in good stead with the 'normal' car? Obviously this question assumes your road car wasn't already the same as the fastest on the list, and I equally understand the risks of driving a 'better' performing car only to be deflated upon return to said 'normal' car!

For example, I have a manual 4.7 V8V that I freely admit I don't get the best out of and I am also interested in the PDC to improve this, so should I try to use a manual V8V (although not currently on the list of vehicles on the AM website but may be available upon request)or simply choose something faster? Presumably if it is your first PDC you should try and keep the transmission the same otherwise you will spend all day trying to cope with that fundamental change? Feedback welcome.

[roughrider]

Bouldermobile said:

I am curious to know from those who have done the PDC whether they opted to drive a vehicle that most matched their road car in terms of performance, handling, transmission, etc., or simply selected the fastest on the list of available models in the hope that any experience gained would also stand them in good stead with the 'normal' car? Obviously this question assumes your road car wasn't already the same as the fastest on the list, and I equally understand the risks of driving a 'better' performing car only to be deflated upon return to said 'normal' car!

For example, I have a manual 4.7 V8V that I freely admit I don't get the best out of and I am also interested in the PDC to improve this, so should I try to use a manual V8V (although not currently on the list of vehicles on the AM website but may be available upon request)or simply choose something faster? Presumably if it is your first PDC you should try and keep the transmission the same otherwise you will spend all day trying to cope with that fundamental change? Feedback welcome.

Most go for the same car as they own for familiarity, but technique and knowledge is relevant to all models. Occasionally, an owner who is considering a change from say a V8VS to a V12VS will opt for the V12VS just to see what it is really like, as opposed to a normal dealer test drive. We also get a few folk who own a manual V8V or V12V, and are considering a change to Sportshift, that opt for V8VS or V12VS.

Edited by roughrider on Tuesday 20th January 18:03

[Voguely]

telum01 said:

Well worth the cost (150-400 USD per day, depending on who organized the event and what is included).

Wish they were that cheap over here! The AM one is the best part of £1200 ($1900 US ish) for the day, which is rather punchy! I understand that there are costs associated with thrashing a car all day and the instructors wages etc, but I just can't justify that amount. Unfortunately there is no option to use your own car to bring the price down either.

[Bouldermobile]

Thanks roughrider, that was the logic I was working to also, but when I saw the V8V was not listed on the website I wondered if this was because of no demand. Perhaps they were trying to 'sex up' the list a bit.

[telum01]

Voguely said:

Wish they were that cheap over here! The AM one is the best part of £1200 ($1900 US ish) for the day, which is rather punchy! I understand that there are costs associated with thrashing a car all day and the instructors wages etc, but I just can't justify that amount. Unfortunately there is no option to use your own car to bring the price down either.

Sorry for not clarifying - at an HPDE, you're driving your own car.

But even at track days that provide a car, I don't think they get that expensive!

[roughrider]

Voguely said:

Wish they were that cheap over here! The AM one is the best part of £1200 ($1900 US ish) for the day, which is rather punchy! I understand that there are costs associated with thrashing a car all day and the instructors wages etc, but I just can't justify that amount. Unfortunately there is no option to use your own car to bring the price down either.

As far as i'm aware, the price of a PDC only just covers costs. I think it is viewed as good PR, helps people enjoy their cars more, and possibly helps brand loyalty.
I wouldn't like to guess what it might cost to hire a car to do a track event with an instructor and all the other associated costs
If you bring your own car along to an Aston Martin track day, you have an instructor until firstly you are considered confident/safe enough to fly solo, and secondly that you are happy enough to fly solo.

Edited by roughrider on Tuesday 20th January 18:27

[roughrider]

Bouldermobile said:

Thanks roughrider, that was the logic I was working to also, but when I saw the V8V was not listed on the website I wondered if this was because of no demand. Perhaps they were trying to 'sex up' the list a bit.

I'm pretty sure a manual could be sourced from another department within the company for a day.