Reflections on my first track evening
Discussion
For my 50th birthday, I requested a voucher for a track session. My 15yr old son and I therefore went to Donington last night for my first time on track. I took my 2021 BMW M4. I was pretty terrified.
We arrived in time to watch the end of the track day. It was clear that, on average, the drivers during the day were more serious than those in the evening, and I was relieved that I was not on track with them during the day.
Most of the briefing was done on line so the in person briefing was, er, brief.
We then set off for 3 sighting laps behind a pace car. Despite only going 60 miles an hour, another BMW went off at the chicane and damaged his car slightly! (That was the only accident I saw all evening.)
We then went back out on track for some proper laps. The main problem was that I was braking too late at the end of the straights and struggling to get round the bends. I was also being overtaken by some faster cars (with much better drivers) but they waited for me to invite them to overtake rather than barging through.
I then had a few laps with an instructor - Paul. He was a godsend. He showed me the racing line and, in particular, what line I needed to take for the hairpins. More importantly, he told me to drop down through the gears as I was braking and approaching the bends. (That will be obvious to most Pistonheaders but I was deliberately leaving it in auto to give me one less thing to worry about.) The engine braking made it a completely different experience. I was now going faster but, more importantly, I felt safer and more in control of the car.
Paul then left me to it and, for the most part, I was able to apply what he had shown me. I even overtook a few people (albeit in far less powerful cars).
After a couple of hours, it got too dark to continue and the session ended. That was fine. Both I, and the car, were done. (We had had brief breaks during the evening.)
I will definitely be back on track at Donington (which is close to me) and maybe even Silverstone.
If you are not sure about going on track, I would encourage you to have a go, and paying for instruction is worth every penny.
We arrived in time to watch the end of the track day. It was clear that, on average, the drivers during the day were more serious than those in the evening, and I was relieved that I was not on track with them during the day.
Most of the briefing was done on line so the in person briefing was, er, brief.
We then set off for 3 sighting laps behind a pace car. Despite only going 60 miles an hour, another BMW went off at the chicane and damaged his car slightly! (That was the only accident I saw all evening.)
We then went back out on track for some proper laps. The main problem was that I was braking too late at the end of the straights and struggling to get round the bends. I was also being overtaken by some faster cars (with much better drivers) but they waited for me to invite them to overtake rather than barging through.
I then had a few laps with an instructor - Paul. He was a godsend. He showed me the racing line and, in particular, what line I needed to take for the hairpins. More importantly, he told me to drop down through the gears as I was braking and approaching the bends. (That will be obvious to most Pistonheaders but I was deliberately leaving it in auto to give me one less thing to worry about.) The engine braking made it a completely different experience. I was now going faster but, more importantly, I felt safer and more in control of the car.
Paul then left me to it and, for the most part, I was able to apply what he had shown me. I even overtook a few people (albeit in far less powerful cars).
After a couple of hours, it got too dark to continue and the session ended. That was fine. Both I, and the car, were done. (We had had brief breaks during the evening.)
I will definitely be back on track at Donington (which is close to me) and maybe even Silverstone.
If you are not sure about going on track, I would encourage you to have a go, and paying for instruction is worth every penny.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Paul. After a long break, i.e many years, I’ve done three track events this year Anglesey, Silverstone and an Evo track evening at Donington.
Not sure whether I’ve just been lucky, but as with your experience, they’ve all been well run and attended by a really nice group of respectful drivers. Hope you get to enjoy more track days.
Oh, and by the way, I completely agree with your comments on an instructor. I’ve had one at two of my three events and benefited hugely, Orbeat I still very much take it my own pace and don’t mind being overtaken.
Not sure whether I’ve just been lucky, but as with your experience, they’ve all been well run and attended by a really nice group of respectful drivers. Hope you get to enjoy more track days.
Oh, and by the way, I completely agree with your comments on an instructor. I’ve had one at two of my three events and benefited hugely, Orbeat I still very much take it my own pace and don’t mind being overtaken.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Paul. After a long break, i.e many years, I’ve done three track events this year Anglesey, Silverstone and an Evo track evening at Donington.
Not sure whether I’ve just been lucky, but as with your experience, they’ve all been well run and attended by a really nice group of respectful drivers. Hope you get to enjoy more track days.
Oh, and by the way, I completely agree with your comments on an instructor. I’ve had one at two of my three events and benefited hugely, Orbeat I still very much take it my own pace and don’t mind being overtaken.
Not sure whether I’ve just been lucky, but as with your experience, they’ve all been well run and attended by a really nice group of respectful drivers. Hope you get to enjoy more track days.
Oh, and by the way, I completely agree with your comments on an instructor. I’ve had one at two of my three events and benefited hugely, Orbeat I still very much take it my own pace and don’t mind being overtaken.
Glad you enjoyed your first track experience ! As a general rule always best to be pragmatic early in a session as the car and tyres get warmed up, braking early and up shifting early …once you and the car are warmed up then you can try braking later but everything in increments which should keep you out of trouble. Also make sure you do a proper cool down lap after a few hot ones very important for the car especially the brakes .
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