Discussion
CRAP!
There is NO mention when you book or on the action day page that says (a) you have to wear a helmet and (b) there's a noise limit. Neither was mentioned when I phoned to book.
I don't have a helmet, though it says you can hire one but I am worried about availability as I assume most people will be in the same boat. They have about 20 in the race school.
I'm now thinking of buying two helmets but live nowhere near a helmet shop to get one that fits well. Maybe a bike shop...
I haven't done any track days because of the 100db limit at most places. I don't think I'm going to be able to meet it in my pre-cat!
I was under the impression that getting on track for £40 meant just driving swiftly but calmly (i.e. not a trackday) around the track for 15 mins.
I may have to cancel and just do a parade lap which is boring.
I shall phone later and ask about all this but it is poor not to warn people.
There is NO mention when you book or on the action day page that says (a) you have to wear a helmet and (b) there's a noise limit. Neither was mentioned when I phoned to book.
I don't have a helmet, though it says you can hire one but I am worried about availability as I assume most people will be in the same boat. They have about 20 in the race school.
I'm now thinking of buying two helmets but live nowhere near a helmet shop to get one that fits well. Maybe a bike shop...
I haven't done any track days because of the 100db limit at most places. I don't think I'm going to be able to meet it in my pre-cat!
I was under the impression that getting on track for £40 meant just driving swiftly but calmly (i.e. not a trackday) around the track for 15 mins.
I may have to cancel and just do a parade lap which is boring.
I shall phone later and ask about all this but it is poor not to warn people.
I got caught like that, went all the way there with all the gear and was refused big time as the 119db was deemed too loud! 
I did get to hoon around on the parade laps however......and you all thought that getting banned from race tracks for hooning on a parade lap was something new (a'la mini thunder)......
Also you will find that the later you go in the day the more likely it is that you are batched with Vauxhall Nova's with 'for sale £80 ono' signs in the windows driven by a couple of spotty no insurance kids!!! - beware.
You get batched with cars more expensive than yours then you can be pretty sure that they would rather not crash into you for a laff.
Take care.
MikeB
I did get to hoon around on the parade laps however......and you all thought that getting banned from race tracks for hooning on a parade lap was something new (a'la mini thunder)......
Also you will find that the later you go in the day the more likely it is that you are batched with Vauxhall Nova's with 'for sale £80 ono' signs in the windows driven by a couple of spotty no insurance kids!!! - beware.
You get batched with cars more expensive than yours then you can be pretty sure that they would rather not crash into you for a laff.
Take care.
MikeB
How about 1.30 to 2pm? Is that among the dickhead brigade?
Novas aren't classics. Why are they out there?
I phoned up and the upshot is: they have lots of helmets for hire - £20 deposit then £3 per hour.
And apparently if I fail the noise test, they'll refund the cash.
Still, it's very stupid not to make these things clear but then maybe that's the plan.
Novas aren't classics. Why are they out there?
I phoned up and the upshot is: they have lots of helmets for hire - £20 deposit then £3 per hour.
And apparently if I fail the noise test, they'll refund the cash.
Still, it's very stupid not to make these things clear but then maybe that's the plan.
Last time I went, all around the perimiter fields were the various car clubs which is good for a gander just to see all the different machinery on display.
You turn up register for a ticket to ride, sign the disclaimer, pays your money and then join the long, long car queue (so long that you will probably end up pushing your car along to avoid overheating it or using all the battery juice).
When you near the front the guy comes along and asks you to rev it to 3K odd, he then takes a reading with his sound meter jobbie and either gives you the thumbs up or down - in my case, big time down! - In fact he had a bit of a chuckle as the meter topped 119db.
If you pass you then move to the ready area past the track gates. Whoever is with you in the area at the time will be with you on the track, from memory I think it was around 10-15 odd cars a time are let loose for a number of laps.
After the laps you are flagged back in - hopefully still in one piece. I have seen quite a number of fully grown blokes crying their eyes out sitting at the side of the track as their newly stuffed car gets hauled off in bits.
You have not got any control of who is with you on the track at any time. Hilman Imps, Diablo's, Maxi's, TVR's, kit cars, mini's, ferrari's and Vauxhall Nova's......anybody can turn up and have a go not just sportscars or classics.
Obviously the earlier you go the more eager the punter is going to be. As the queue subsides in the afternoon then you tend to get the late comers and 'max power' types getting into your batch - which is a worry in my opinion.
Having said the above it is fantastic fun and as I said you can have a go at the track in one of the parade laps following a pace car.....
On the few time I have gone around the track at these events with my mate after a lap or two you soon realise that some people take the event very seriously and think they are in a proper race, key an eye out for these people, they either end up in a hedge, upside down or hitting somebody else.
One of the funniest things I have seen a year or two was a couple of TVR cerbera's being chased down the track by a full on black and white (blues brother type) american police car complete with sirens and flashing lights!
A good day out.
MikeB
You turn up register for a ticket to ride, sign the disclaimer, pays your money and then join the long, long car queue (so long that you will probably end up pushing your car along to avoid overheating it or using all the battery juice).
When you near the front the guy comes along and asks you to rev it to 3K odd, he then takes a reading with his sound meter jobbie and either gives you the thumbs up or down - in my case, big time down! - In fact he had a bit of a chuckle as the meter topped 119db.
If you pass you then move to the ready area past the track gates. Whoever is with you in the area at the time will be with you on the track, from memory I think it was around 10-15 odd cars a time are let loose for a number of laps.
After the laps you are flagged back in - hopefully still in one piece. I have seen quite a number of fully grown blokes crying their eyes out sitting at the side of the track as their newly stuffed car gets hauled off in bits.
You have not got any control of who is with you on the track at any time. Hilman Imps, Diablo's, Maxi's, TVR's, kit cars, mini's, ferrari's and Vauxhall Nova's......anybody can turn up and have a go not just sportscars or classics.
Obviously the earlier you go the more eager the punter is going to be. As the queue subsides in the afternoon then you tend to get the late comers and 'max power' types getting into your batch - which is a worry in my opinion.
Having said the above it is fantastic fun and as I said you can have a go at the track in one of the parade laps following a pace car.....
On the few time I have gone around the track at these events with my mate after a lap or two you soon realise that some people take the event very seriously and think they are in a proper race, key an eye out for these people, they either end up in a hedge, upside down or hitting somebody else.
One of the funniest things I have seen a year or two was a couple of TVR cerbera's being chased down the track by a full on black and white (blues brother type) american police car complete with sirens and flashing lights!
A good day out.
MikeB
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