Trackdays vs Road driving
Discussion
Potentially a controversial one this but something I've been thinking about lately especially with the rise of 'drive outs'.
Anyone else notice a rise in people driving like tits on the road on club days but when asked if they'll do a track day its 'ohh never dont want to risk my car'.
What is it that makes people think they're safe on an public road regularly touching silly speeds vs the safe space of a track.
I have experienced some truly shocking driving on events and its put me right off as I think it gives us a bad name.
I have been pleased recently to see more porkers on track and im lucky that I regularly use my old 996 gt3 on track but i do think we're not far off something awful as people try to justify their 150k 991 etc on the road.
Very odd behaviour in my view!
Anyone else notice a rise in people driving like tits on the road on club days but when asked if they'll do a track day its 'ohh never dont want to risk my car'.
What is it that makes people think they're safe on an public road regularly touching silly speeds vs the safe space of a track.
I have experienced some truly shocking driving on events and its put me right off as I think it gives us a bad name.
I have been pleased recently to see more porkers on track and im lucky that I regularly use my old 996 gt3 on track but i do think we're not far off something awful as people try to justify their 150k 991 etc on the road.
Very odd behaviour in my view!
I can only speak from personal experience. I have not seen people do stupid things on the road, but I don’t really attend many road driving events (partly due to COVID recently)
I enjoy driving in the alps, but stick to the speed limit as I need my license - so that means most modern cars are just not all that much fun. I bought another car with a manual to get more interaction at lower speeds (car is still too fast from what I experienced so far. My Clio is probably the most fun on the road, but also has some issues) and will do a trip across the alps with a couple of friends next weekend, so we can change back and forth between 3 cars.
When I want to drive fast and actually see what the cars can do I go to the track - am at the Red Bull Ring at the moment and will hopefully watch the race tomorrow and then have a track day on Monday to improve my skills with a coach.
I might be different to others though as I once crashed my car at very high speed on the autobahn and then had to spend time in the hospital - a crash I really should not have survived, so figured I used up that chip and have no need to repeat the experience. Also putting others at risk is just not really justified for your own enjoyment imo.
I enjoy driving in the alps, but stick to the speed limit as I need my license - so that means most modern cars are just not all that much fun. I bought another car with a manual to get more interaction at lower speeds (car is still too fast from what I experienced so far. My Clio is probably the most fun on the road, but also has some issues) and will do a trip across the alps with a couple of friends next weekend, so we can change back and forth between 3 cars.
When I want to drive fast and actually see what the cars can do I go to the track - am at the Red Bull Ring at the moment and will hopefully watch the race tomorrow and then have a track day on Monday to improve my skills with a coach.
I might be different to others though as I once crashed my car at very high speed on the autobahn and then had to spend time in the hospital - a crash I really should not have survived, so figured I used up that chip and have no need to repeat the experience. Also putting others at risk is just not really justified for your own enjoyment imo.
Joehow said:
This is fair!
It wouldn't do any good for their ego trip or dick swinging down the pub though would it? It's far easier to talk about how your car has the latest race derived suspension than actually use it to even a fraction of its ability. Track days can be a pretty humbling experience whereas driving like a prat on the road only takes a good portion of stupidity/selfishness
I think the number 1 thing when driving on the road is to expect the unexpected, leave a big enough gap and give yourself the chance to allow for other peoples potential flaws. Not long after leaving Brands Hatch last Sunday I was nearly side swiped by a red 911.
Track days have their place, but driver training in general in the UK is pretty woeful IMHO.
Track days have their place, but driver training in general in the UK is pretty woeful IMHO.
Fnumber1user said:
I think the number 1 thing when driving on the road is to expect the unexpected, leave a big enough gap and give yourself the chance to allow for other peoples potential flaws. Not long after leaving Brands Hatch last Sunday I was nearly side swiped by a red 911.
Track days have their place, but driver training in general in the UK is pretty woeful IMHO.
Funnily enough I saw this the other day and thought a couple of times the cars were way too close together for the speeds they were doing...car in front has a moment and the following car is fTrack days have their place, but driver training in general in the UK is pretty woeful IMHO.
ked. https://youtu.be/DAHthNF6gcI
Joehow said:
Potentially a controversial one this but something I've been thinking about lately especially with the rise of 'drive outs'.
Anyone else notice a rise in people driving like tits on the road on club days but when asked if they'll do a track day its 'ohh never dont want to risk my car'.
What is it that makes people think they're safe on an public road regularly touching silly speeds vs the safe space of a track.
Ah it's because they are driving gods so will never make a mistake by themselves but it's other lesser drivers that might crash into them on a trackday (but curiously never think others might do so on the roads....) Anyone else notice a rise in people driving like tits on the road on club days but when asked if they'll do a track day its 'ohh never dont want to risk my car'.
What is it that makes people think they're safe on an public road regularly touching silly speeds vs the safe space of a track.
Bad driving is just bad driving though, tbh I'm happier with the loons keeping to the road which keeps trackdays for me and others safer in many respects....
This is how I currently travel to track days - mind numbing but teaches you to drive in a relaxed manner and make sure you always have more than enough space to stop the 5.5t. I did spin on track during the 10 minutes I actually could drive prior to a tyre failure last week - at least I did not hit anybody ... better luck this time hopefully
MDL111 said:
This is how I currently travel to track days - mind numbing but teaches you to drive in a relaxed manner and make sure you always have more than enough space to stop the 5.5t. I did spin on track during the 10 minutes I actually could drive prior to a tyre failure last week - at least I did not hit anybody ... better luck this time hopefully
If you trailer the car you have no excuse not to have a seperate set of slicks for your RS! 
isaldiri said:
MDL111 said:
This is how I currently travel to track days - mind numbing but teaches you to drive in a relaxed manner and make sure you always have more than enough space to stop the 5.5t. I did spin on track during the 10 minutes I actually could drive prior to a tyre failure last week - at least I did not hit anybody ... better luck this time hopefully
If you trailer the car you have no excuse not to have a seperate set of slicks for your RS! Also judging by my 10 minutes on track before I blew out my last wet tyre (was old ...), I have enough to do without having to deal with a manual - talent vs ambition disconnect (see the spin and the shocking lack of catching it ...)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CngJSichfHc
Will try to do better on Monday ...
MDL111 said:
Apologies for derailing the thread, but how do I put up a new thread - wanted to do a driving thread (as I keep complaining about value threads) but can’t figure it out (probably stupidity ...)
Never mind I now found the button - could have sworn it was not there before but wouldn’t bet on myself Joehow said:
Potentially a controversial one this but something I've been thinking about lately especially with the rise of 'drive outs'.
Anyone else notice a rise in people driving like tits on the road on club days but when asked if they'll do a track day its 'ohh never dont want to risk my car'.
What is it that makes people think they're safe on an public road regularly touching silly speeds vs the safe space of a track.
I have experienced some truly shocking driving on events and its put me right off as I think it gives us a bad name.
I have been pleased recently to see more porkers on track and im lucky that I regularly use my old 996 gt3 on track but i do think we're not far off something awful as people try to justify their 150k 991 etc on the road.
Very odd behaviour in my view!
I see/have seen a lot of very bad (and way too fast) driving when out on both Porsche and Lotus events. I don't bother anymore as it doesn't sit well with me. I just do my own thing on the road these days and get in as many trackdays as I can (which I enjoy far more)Anyone else notice a rise in people driving like tits on the road on club days but when asked if they'll do a track day its 'ohh never dont want to risk my car'.
What is it that makes people think they're safe on an public road regularly touching silly speeds vs the safe space of a track.
I have experienced some truly shocking driving on events and its put me right off as I think it gives us a bad name.
I have been pleased recently to see more porkers on track and im lucky that I regularly use my old 996 gt3 on track but i do think we're not far off something awful as people try to justify their 150k 991 etc on the road.
Very odd behaviour in my view!
It does not necessarily need to be driving fast. Around where I work, thankfully not where I live driving etiquette has just deteriorated further. It was bad enough when the use of the indicator meant I am pulling out even if there is no gap to pull into. Once making the move they will then put the brakes on. Now doing exactly the same but without any indication at all.
MDL111 said:
This is how I currently travel to track days - mind numbing but teaches you to drive in a relaxed manner and make sure you always have more than enough space to stop the 5.5t. I did spin on track during the 10 minutes I actually could drive prior to a tyre failure last week - at least I did not hit anybody ... better luck this time hopefully
What is your hitch/tongue on that set up? Your trailer looks very nose heavy given how the car sits down on its haunches.worldwidewebs said:
Joehow said:
Potentially a controversial one this but something I've been thinking about lately especially with the rise of 'drive outs'.
Anyone else notice a rise in people driving like tits on the road on club days but when asked if they'll do a track day its 'ohh never dont want to risk my car'.
What is it that makes people think they're safe on an public road regularly touching silly speeds vs the safe space of a track.
I have experienced some truly shocking driving on events and its put me right off as I think it gives us a bad name.
I have been pleased recently to see more porkers on track and im lucky that I regularly use my old 996 gt3 on track but i do think we're not far off something awful as people try to justify their 150k 991 etc on the road.
Very odd behaviour in my view!
I see/have seen a lot of very bad (and way too fast) driving when out on both Porsche and Lotus events. I don't bother anymore as it doesn't sit well with me. I just do my own thing on the road these days and get in as many trackdays as I can (which I enjoy far more)Anyone else notice a rise in people driving like tits on the road on club days but when asked if they'll do a track day its 'ohh never dont want to risk my car'.
What is it that makes people think they're safe on an public road regularly touching silly speeds vs the safe space of a track.
I have experienced some truly shocking driving on events and its put me right off as I think it gives us a bad name.
I have been pleased recently to see more porkers on track and im lucky that I regularly use my old 996 gt3 on track but i do think we're not far off something awful as people try to justify their 150k 991 etc on the road.
Very odd behaviour in my view!
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff