1st trackday struggling to pick a day

[Robins]

Evening. I've been thinking more and more in the last few weeks about starting to do some trackdays. I have an FN2 Civic which is reasonably standard and really fancy giving it a go on track. However I'm really struggling to find a suitable date, ideally I'd like to do an MSVT beginner day but the only one that I would be able to make is Cadwell Park on Sunday 3rd April. Which is over 3 hours away from me I would also be working the Saturday evening before so an early night wouldn't really be possible.
The other date that appeals is Donington on Easter Friday, however this is an open pitlane day and not beginner only.

So I'm just after some advice is it OK to do a standard open pitlane day as a first trackday? Or not really advisable?
I'm assuming that if your sensible and keep a good look in the mirrors that it would be fine? And lastly I'd definitely be booking tuition, would you guys recommend this?

Cheers for any help

[rex]

The BMW car club are holding a track day for first time drivers

Link

http://www.bmwcarclubgb.uk/events/2016/05/trackday...

Limited amount of cars and 10 instructors there on the day. All participants are novices on track days and you don't have to have a BMW or be a member of the club.

Speak to the club or Nick for more information.

[Steve H]

The BMW beginners day is a very good intro to trackdays, I instruct on the normal BMWCC trackdays and they are very well behaved so I'd expect the beginners day to be the same and with plenty of help and advice available.

That said, I wouldn't recommend normal novice days. The novice days are still just open pitlane trackdays, the only difference is that you are going out there with a bunch of other drivers who don't know what they are doing .

The Cadwell day would be a good intro but if it's bit too far for you pick an open pit day with a TDO that doesn't go crazy with booking numbers and book a couple of tuition slots, one for early morning and one for just after lunch, you should be fine with that.

[Robins]

Thanks of the advice. The BMW day looks good, I'll have a look into it definitely.

So far I've been looking at MSVT and Javelin websites but would any other companies be recommended.

The Cadwell day is looking the best option I think, and also you say go for a company that doesn't go mad on entries, what are MSVT and Javelin like?

[timbo999]

Steve H said:

That said, I wouldn't recommend normal novice days. The novice days are still just open pitlane trackdays, the only difference is that you are going out there with a bunch of other drivers who don't know what they are doing .

Not sure that is entirely true - the MSVT novice days, at Brands at least, are sessioned...

[rallycross]

Also take a look at Motor sport events website - they are a good team to do your first event with and you could try one of their airfield days eg Abingdon near Oxford.

http://www.motorsport-events.co.uk/abingdon.php

[MyVTECGoesBwaaah]

Robins said:

The Cadwell day is looking the best option I think, and also you say go for a company that doesn't go mad on entries, what are MSVT and Javelin like?

The MSVT trackdays at Cadwell don't get that many cars, especially the mid week daytime ones. Just make sure not to get one before a race meeting.

The Javelin trackdays are more popular, often fully booked. That being said there was one this past weekend and it only had a handful of cars attending but I expect that is more the weather/time of year than anything. The advantage of the Javelin ones is you can see the attendees list on their website and get an idea if it is going to be a busy one or not.

[Robins]

Cheers guys.

I get the feeling that I'm almost over-thinking it if you know what I mean. I'm sure if I get a day booked I'll enjoy it and hopefully want more.
The only downside I can see will be in the wallet!

[AdiT]

Not sure I'd recommend Cadwell for a first track day. It's npretty technical and there's not a lot of run off.
Somewhere like Blyton might suit better. Twisty enough to be testing but lots of run off, not a lot to hit and many events there aren't too busy.

[HustleRussell]

AdiT said:

Not sure I'd recommend Cadwell for a first track day. It's npretty technical and there's not a lot of run off.
Somewhere like Blyton might suit better. Twisty enough to be testing but lots of run off, not a lot to hit and many events there aren't too busy.

Of the two, Donington. Gravel rash the main risk there.

[Steve H]

timbo999 said:

Steve H said:

That said, I wouldn't recommend normal novice days. The novice days are still just open pitlane trackdays, the only difference is that you are going out there with a bunch of other drivers who don't know what they are doing .

Not sure that is entirely true - the MSVT novice days, at Brands at least, are sessioned...

I didn't know that, I've worked on the ones at Oulton but not down at Brands. I'd still stick to the same principal of avoiding novice days though TBH.

OP, Cadwell is a bit full on but it's also a great place to learn so if you were doing the BMWCC intro day it would be perfect.

[MG CHRIS]

What about blyton park perfect for first timers if your close to wales then llandow is good too.

[foxsasha]

I'd also be wary of Cadwell, it's a handful if it's wet and is a difficult technical circuit. Oulton is similarly tricky for the unwary. Blyton, Elvington or Bedford would be good for a beginner, there's less to hit. Tuition will make a world of difference to your driving.

[PGNCerbera]

As above. Tuition is key. Brands, Bedford even Silverstone are nice, open tracks but unless you get sone instruction it's all a bit hit and miss

[egor110]

I did one at silverstone and that was good really wide track and good instructor.

People on here said don't be cocky and you'll learn more and in my opinion this was really good advice.

The guy teaching me really pushed me because he obviously worked out i wasn't going to do anything stupid or even go much faster without him pushing me, for me this worked out really well.

Only downside to silverstone is it's expensive.

[Loui]

My advise is to avoid Cadwell as a first outing. It's one of my favourite tracks, if not my favourite but it's tight and there is lots to hit if you do get it wrong. I'd suggest Bedford as a good place to start in any configuration. It's reasonably wide, has loads of run off and after all is a training / corporate facility.

I would recommend Opentrack (www.opentrack.co.uk) as Dave puts on fantastic days. There not the cheapest but he usually runs with slightly lower numbers, at none msv tracks he supplies drinks and snacks and the days includes a half hour of tuition if you get there early enough to get your name down, oh and he has some pro photographers on hand to catch you on track (included in the price).

My next bit of advise is to take at least:-
Oil for top up (last thing you want is to fry an engine)
Paper towel (for checking oil etc)
Torque wrench and socket (check your wheels after each session as bolts can work loose with heat cycles)

My last advise is just get out there and do it!!!

[Steve H]

Does everyone really plan to crash on their first trackday?

Apply common sense, build your pace carefully, get tuition. There's no reason to need to avoid the more "proper" circuits if you keep your head about you.

[egor110]

Steve H said:

Does everyone really plan to crash on their first trackday?

Apply common sense, build your pace carefully, get tuition. There's no reason to need to avoid the more "proper" circuits if you keep your head about you.

Nobody plans to crash, it's just reducing the risk of damage if you should have a off.

[foxsasha]

egor110 said:

Nobody plans to crash, it's just reducing the risk of damage if you should have a off.

And reducing the risk of having an off. Circuits like Oulton have multiple corners that can catch out the unwary. Circuits like Bedford and more benign so you can concentrate more on learning the basics and less on trying to remember which parts of the circuit might have you off if not treated with respect.

[nickfrog]

Bedford should be the default venue for a first TD, even if it's not on a novice day. Pick a Javelin day there and pay an instructor £20 to show you the basics first thing.