First track day recommendations.
Discussion
I am after a bit of guidance and there appears to be a vast amount of knowledge in this section of the forum and I am hoping to tap into that.
Bit of background, i have been toying with track day for a number of years, so I bought a little MX5 last year. Now I am in a position to book some days, I am a bit turned around and could do with some guidance. My track driving experience is limited to the ring, I gave it a few goes maybe 15 years ago. When I was much younger and didn’t fear the consequences as much as I potentially do now.
I am based in Kent. Between Lydden Hill and BrandsHhatch.
I see Lydden hill has a monthly date in a “session” format. This had a great amount of appeal to me because I thought the novice group would do me fine. However, following some reading on here it sounds like Lydden can be a bit chaotic and I think I’ve managed to somehow talk myself out of it. What combined with it being in 15 minute sessions.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Looking on Track Days UK I see a few dates coming up at Brands, listed as either “Open Pit Lane” or “General”. Although this may come across dense, what’s the difference? They have a Novice only open pit day in April that I am very eager to book up. Seems like it might suit me down to the ground.
I am hoping to start off on the right foot with track day, I’ve loved the idea of it for years and don’t particularly want to peruse the wrong type of event an be put off of it.
Could anyone give any advice or guidance on the best venue and potentially even the best type of event to book onto please?
Any guidance or input would be much appreciated.
Bit of background, i have been toying with track day for a number of years, so I bought a little MX5 last year. Now I am in a position to book some days, I am a bit turned around and could do with some guidance. My track driving experience is limited to the ring, I gave it a few goes maybe 15 years ago. When I was much younger and didn’t fear the consequences as much as I potentially do now.
I am based in Kent. Between Lydden Hill and BrandsHhatch.
I see Lydden hill has a monthly date in a “session” format. This had a great amount of appeal to me because I thought the novice group would do me fine. However, following some reading on here it sounds like Lydden can be a bit chaotic and I think I’ve managed to somehow talk myself out of it. What combined with it being in 15 minute sessions.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Looking on Track Days UK I see a few dates coming up at Brands, listed as either “Open Pit Lane” or “General”. Although this may come across dense, what’s the difference? They have a Novice only open pit day in April that I am very eager to book up. Seems like it might suit me down to the ground.
I am hoping to start off on the right foot with track day, I’ve loved the idea of it for years and don’t particularly want to peruse the wrong type of event an be put off of it.
Could anyone give any advice or guidance on the best venue and potentially even the best type of event to book onto please?
Any guidance or input would be much appreciated.
Novice only trackday at brands is probably a good shout. It will be sessioned, not too many cars on track, and will mean you arent against lotsa faster stuff. Just take it easy and you'll be fine.
Its not the best track for a beginner, but being based in Kent it will be your local, so might as well do it. How far are you from bedford or Snetterton? Those are good for a beginner.
And yes, wouldn't touch Lydden hill with a bargepole until you're a lot more experienced.
FYI open pit lane means you can go on track whenever you want, for as long as you want. Preferred by most for the flexibility it offers. A sessioned day is just that, likely 3 sessions of 20 minutes every hour, so you'd typically get 7 sessions in a full day.
Its not the best track for a beginner, but being based in Kent it will be your local, so might as well do it. How far are you from bedford or Snetterton? Those are good for a beginner.
And yes, wouldn't touch Lydden hill with a bargepole until you're a lot more experienced.
FYI open pit lane means you can go on track whenever you want, for as long as you want. Preferred by most for the flexibility it offers. A sessioned day is just that, likely 3 sessions of 20 minutes every hour, so you'd typically get 7 sessions in a full day.
I wouldn't do lydden, everyone drives like a nob around that.
Snetterton is good because it has lots of runoff which makes it feel less scary, but then you're doing faster speeds and the laps are longer. Same at Bedford, foods good at Bedford though.
I would honestly just go for an open pit day one at brands, it is a bit tight but the bits where it does actually go wrong have enough run off that you won't hit anything at mx5 speeds.
If you do brands on an open pit day then you can just go out when you want, do a few laps without overwhelming yourself or the car, come back in have a bottle of water and then go back out again and do that all day until you're comfortable.
The track is nice and short so easy to learn, it takes me half hour to remember where I'm going most places.
The food at brands is generally s
t, chuck a left out the gate and drive to the cafe or take some sandwiches for when they stop for lunch
Definitely the ramblings of a man eating lunch whilst posting on the internet
Snetterton is good because it has lots of runoff which makes it feel less scary, but then you're doing faster speeds and the laps are longer. Same at Bedford, foods good at Bedford though.
I would honestly just go for an open pit day one at brands, it is a bit tight but the bits where it does actually go wrong have enough run off that you won't hit anything at mx5 speeds.
If you do brands on an open pit day then you can just go out when you want, do a few laps without overwhelming yourself or the car, come back in have a bottle of water and then go back out again and do that all day until you're comfortable.
The track is nice and short so easy to learn, it takes me half hour to remember where I'm going most places.
The food at brands is generally s
t, chuck a left out the gate and drive to the cafe or take some sandwiches for when they stop for lunch Definitely the ramblings of a man eating lunch whilst posting on the internet
Edited by s p a c e m a n on Monday 2nd February 11:49
Genuinely thank you very much for your input. I was very on the fence about Lydden and both of your responses suggested I was right to be a little apprehensive.
Bedford on a clear run is about 2ish hours from me. Everything I read says it’s a good first venue due to the large run offs.
The recommendation of an OPL was something I had originally thought of and immediately dismissed. However the points mentioned all seem like very valid ones. I do a little google and had a bunch of Pistonheads topics come up where OPL day were recommended for novices. Being able to manage the time you are out and who with does sound appealing.
When I looked on Track Days UK I saw a mix of OPL and general.
But then after a bit of reading it seems to suggest they’re the same thing.
Another thing I like about Brands is that there is the option to book some tuition which I would be very eager to do. Certainly makes me wonder if it would be worth while booking an OPL a some tuition for my first event.
There are two potential dates at Brands, so I will give it a bit of thought, take the input from this topic into account and go from there.
Food options, personally, make or break a day out for me.
Bedford on a clear run is about 2ish hours from me. Everything I read says it’s a good first venue due to the large run offs.
The recommendation of an OPL was something I had originally thought of and immediately dismissed. However the points mentioned all seem like very valid ones. I do a little google and had a bunch of Pistonheads topics come up where OPL day were recommended for novices. Being able to manage the time you are out and who with does sound appealing.
When I looked on Track Days UK I saw a mix of OPL and general.
But then after a bit of reading it seems to suggest they’re the same thing.
Another thing I like about Brands is that there is the option to book some tuition which I would be very eager to do. Certainly makes me wonder if it would be worth while booking an OPL a some tuition for my first event.
There are two potential dates at Brands, so I will give it a bit of thought, take the input from this topic into account and go from there.
Food options, personally, make or break a day out for me.
Echo the previous comments, go for Open Pit Lane, then you can go out when and for as long as you feel comfortable. And tuition to help the nerves, they'll show you the lines and help build your confidence.
Bedford is excellent for a first timer, plenty of run off and not really anything to hit if it does go wrong. It's where I went first time.
Main thing, have fun !
Bedford is excellent for a first timer, plenty of run off and not really anything to hit if it does go wrong. It's where I went first time.
Main thing, have fun !
I'd also have a look at the MX5 owners clubs. There are always a few MX5s at track days, and the owners are generally a really good bunch, having people in similar cars to follow around is always useful.
I'd recommend bedford and snetterton, they are wide, lots of run off and have plenty of straights to allow faster things past. Brands is really tight and I've found I've spent a lot of time looking in my wing mirror letting various M-cars past.
I'd recommend bedford and snetterton, they are wide, lots of run off and have plenty of straights to allow faster things past. Brands is really tight and I've found I've spent a lot of time looking in my wing mirror letting various M-cars past.
I'm also Kent based albeit very close to Brands.
I'd go the other way and make something like Bedford my first proper day (it was mine). Cheaper so if something breaks you're not wasting as much £££, far more run off in case you do bin it but still interesting. A far better track to explore the limits of the car vs brands where you'll easily find yourself beached in gravel if you get it wrong.
I'd go the other way and make something like Bedford my first proper day (it was mine). Cheaper so if something breaks you're not wasting as much £££, far more run off in case you do bin it but still interesting. A far better track to explore the limits of the car vs brands where you'll easily find yourself beached in gravel if you get it wrong.
+1 on Bedford, Snetterton, Thruxton or Silverstone for building confidence. They aren't the most exciting tracks for lower powered cars (& I always forgot where I was at Bedford) but they do all allow you to get the feel for your car with little chance of finding a wall.
+1 also on tuition. For me the perfect option would be 15-minutes in the morning to learn the line and build confidence and then another 15-minutes in the afternoon to build on what you've learned.
If you decide to go for Brands, I'm sure you'll have a great day. I remember the feeling the first time I turned into Paddock Hill Bend...
There are four technical corners at Brands, build your speed gradually and check your mirrors at the start of both straights, and, you'll have a great day out. If it's wet, either ask the TDO or any instructor present for a few tips on the best line or look for where the newer tarmac is.
+1 also on tuition. For me the perfect option would be 15-minutes in the morning to learn the line and build confidence and then another 15-minutes in the afternoon to build on what you've learned.
If you decide to go for Brands, I'm sure you'll have a great day. I remember the feeling the first time I turned into Paddock Hill Bend...
There are four technical corners at Brands, build your speed gradually and check your mirrors at the start of both straights, and, you'll have a great day out. If it's wet, either ask the TDO or any instructor present for a few tips on the best line or look for where the newer tarmac is.
My advice would be pretty much the same regardless of the track -
- If it's available, get to know the layout using a game (mobile or console depending on what you have) - it doesn't need to be anything fancy, just knowing where the track goes helps
- Watch some onboard tuition on Youtube before you go, gives some early feedback
- On the day (even now) I avoid the first 30mins when everybody is a bit over excited
- Book tuition and try to get it very early in the day, having somebody in the passenger seat first session out can help if you're not that confident
- Otherwise, drive within your limits, keep sessions short and move out of faster cars way nice and early, gives you less to worry about
I did my first day at Brands Hatch - nice short circuit helps getting the hang of it too
- If it's available, get to know the layout using a game (mobile or console depending on what you have) - it doesn't need to be anything fancy, just knowing where the track goes helps
- Watch some onboard tuition on Youtube before you go, gives some early feedback
- On the day (even now) I avoid the first 30mins when everybody is a bit over excited
- Book tuition and try to get it very early in the day, having somebody in the passenger seat first session out can help if you're not that confident
- Otherwise, drive within your limits, keep sessions short and move out of faster cars way nice and early, gives you less to worry about
I did my first day at Brands Hatch - nice short circuit helps getting the hang of it too
Really good advice above, my first ever day was Brands as well (it's local to me). In case it helps, Forza Motorsport 7 on Xbox is cheap second hand, has Brands and an excellent first person view, gives a decent feel for the track.
I normally avoid the first 30 minutes, then have a session myself with no instruction, just to get a feel for the track/car, then have a session with an instructor - sets me up well for the day I think. I'd also book a pit lane garage for a February trackday, keep you out of the rain/cold at least a bit.
I'd try and have some passenger rides whilst your car is cooling down too - seeing how others with more experience/different cars approach things is great (as well as fun) - I had a run out in a fast Caterham on my first trackday and it was eye-opening.
Enjoy!
I normally avoid the first 30 minutes, then have a session myself with no instruction, just to get a feel for the track/car, then have a session with an instructor - sets me up well for the day I think. I'd also book a pit lane garage for a February trackday, keep you out of the rain/cold at least a bit.
I'd try and have some passenger rides whilst your car is cooling down too - seeing how others with more experience/different cars approach things is great (as well as fun) - I had a run out in a fast Caterham on my first trackday and it was eye-opening.
Enjoy!
OGDB said:
I am after a bit of guidance and there appears to be a vast amount of knowledge in this section of the forum and I am hoping to tap into that.
Bit of background, i have been toying with track day for a number of years, so I bought a little MX5 last year. Now I am in a position to book some days, I am a bit turned around and could do with some guidance. My track driving experience is limited to the ring, I gave it a few goes maybe 15 years ago. When I was much younger and didn t fear the consequences as much as I potentially do now.
I am based in Kent. Between Lydden Hill and BrandsHhatch.
I see Lydden hill has a monthly date in a session format. This had a great amount of appeal to me because I thought the novice group would do me fine. However, following some reading on here it sounds like Lydden can be a bit chaotic and I think I ve managed to somehow talk myself out of it. What combined with it being in 15 minute sessions.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Looking on Track Days UK I see a few dates coming up at Brands, listed as either Open Pit Lane or General . Although this may come across dense, what s the difference? They have a Novice only open pit day in April that I am very eager to book up. Seems like it might suit me down to the ground.
I am hoping to start off on the right foot with track day, I ve loved the idea of it for years and don t particularly want to peruse the wrong type of event an be put off of it.
Could anyone give any advice or guidance on the best venue and potentially even the best type of event to book onto please?
Any guidance or input would be much appreciated.
My son and I often do Lydden hill days and have had no problems that others speak of. Any incidents are very swiftly dealt with and despite it being sessioned they have always done their utmost to keep to the schedule even to the point of running beyond the scheduled end time. Bit of background, i have been toying with track day for a number of years, so I bought a little MX5 last year. Now I am in a position to book some days, I am a bit turned around and could do with some guidance. My track driving experience is limited to the ring, I gave it a few goes maybe 15 years ago. When I was much younger and didn t fear the consequences as much as I potentially do now.
I am based in Kent. Between Lydden Hill and BrandsHhatch.
I see Lydden hill has a monthly date in a session format. This had a great amount of appeal to me because I thought the novice group would do me fine. However, following some reading on here it sounds like Lydden can be a bit chaotic and I think I ve managed to somehow talk myself out of it. What combined with it being in 15 minute sessions.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Looking on Track Days UK I see a few dates coming up at Brands, listed as either Open Pit Lane or General . Although this may come across dense, what s the difference? They have a Novice only open pit day in April that I am very eager to book up. Seems like it might suit me down to the ground.
I am hoping to start off on the right foot with track day, I ve loved the idea of it for years and don t particularly want to peruse the wrong type of event an be put off of it.
Could anyone give any advice or guidance on the best venue and potentially even the best type of event to book onto please?
Any guidance or input would be much appreciated.
Its a friendly circuit and some groups can be really quiet re number of cars on track.
Instruction is free for anyone wanting it.
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