Track days with car provided
Discussion
Ok, in a nutshell what’s the best option for a track day where they provide the car?
I drive a company diesel Audi estate – so taking that onto the track is out of the question – ditto for the wife’s shopping cart.
I have in recent years had access to some pretty quick equipment – M3’s/Evo’s/Scoobs/S3’s/911’s – these belonged to friends who were more that happy to chuck me the keys for a weekend but were less keen on letting me take them out on a track.
I’d regard myself as a competent fast road driver – in an attempt to keep myself entertained in a Diesel repmobile for the last 7 years I have taught myself to H&T and LFB.
I would love to spend some time on the track – I have previously done the red letter day type affair and been round in MG’s/F355’s/996T/single seaters but the experience has left me cold – with someone in the passenger seat you don’t really get to explore the limits of the car – or indeed get enough time to get properly acquainted with the machine.
So, can anyone recommend a track experience for me where I get plenty of time is something quick and challenging and where I won’t have a nanny in the passenger seat screaming at me to change up at 3500 rpm.
Cheers folks
I drive a company diesel Audi estate – so taking that onto the track is out of the question – ditto for the wife’s shopping cart.
I have in recent years had access to some pretty quick equipment – M3’s/Evo’s/Scoobs/S3’s/911’s – these belonged to friends who were more that happy to chuck me the keys for a weekend but were less keen on letting me take them out on a track.
I’d regard myself as a competent fast road driver – in an attempt to keep myself entertained in a Diesel repmobile for the last 7 years I have taught myself to H&T and LFB.
I would love to spend some time on the track – I have previously done the red letter day type affair and been round in MG’s/F355’s/996T/single seaters but the experience has left me cold – with someone in the passenger seat you don’t really get to explore the limits of the car – or indeed get enough time to get properly acquainted with the machine.
So, can anyone recommend a track experience for me where I get plenty of time is something quick and challenging and where I won’t have a nanny in the passenger seat screaming at me to change up at 3500 rpm.
Cheers folks
Bookatrack/Caterham Superlight.
Not associated with 'em. Just like the service. Others are good too, I'm sure, but Bookatrack are who I've tried and been very happy with.
You turn up, attend the same briefing as everyone else, get shown to your car for the day, get some instruction to start you off and then away you go. They fuel it and sort out any problems. Very good.
The benefit of the Caterham as a vehicle is that it is perfectly suited to the track, very light and more than powerful enough. Downside is that you will get both cold and piss-wet through if its the wrong day. Oh dear - take waterproofs! Oh ... and a closed face helmet - although they can hire you one IIRC.
Not associated with 'em. Just like the service. Others are good too, I'm sure, but Bookatrack are who I've tried and been very happy with.
You turn up, attend the same briefing as everyone else, get shown to your car for the day, get some instruction to start you off and then away you go. They fuel it and sort out any problems. Very good.
The benefit of the Caterham as a vehicle is that it is perfectly suited to the track, very light and more than powerful enough. Downside is that you will get both cold and piss-wet through if its the wrong day. Oh dear - take waterproofs! Oh ... and a closed face helmet - although they can hire you one IIRC.
Try www.track-club.com Good range of cars, pushed hard with instructors you can have a great day.
The one-man-band setups will provide a cheaper alternative for sure - and if everything goes to plan then you'll probably be wondering why anyone spends the extra on the likes of BaT and Track-Club.
However, it's not until you have an issue that you realise the value of the more expensive product or service. BaT and Track-Club have a fleet of cars so reliability & crash damage rarely affect availability. If you're cheap provider phones you the night before the track day to say the car won't be there - where does that leave you with your track day booking?
Equally - if you have a problem on-track with the car - will the cheaper supplier have a spare car, a spares package or even a mechanic to help get you running again?
We (BaT) have provided cars on more than one occasion to clients where "arrive and drive" companies have failed to arrive at all.
As with most things - you tend get what you pay for in life.
Hope that helps and is taken in the context intended - not purely as a marketing exercise!
Jonny
BaT
However, it's not until you have an issue that you realise the value of the more expensive product or service. BaT and Track-Club have a fleet of cars so reliability & crash damage rarely affect availability. If you're cheap provider phones you the night before the track day to say the car won't be there - where does that leave you with your track day booking?
Equally - if you have a problem on-track with the car - will the cheaper supplier have a spare car, a spares package or even a mechanic to help get you running again?
We (BaT) have provided cars on more than one occasion to clients where "arrive and drive" companies have failed to arrive at all.
As with most things - you tend get what you pay for in life.
Hope that helps and is taken in the context intended - not purely as a marketing exercise!
Jonny
BaT
brum said:
Ok, in a nutshell what’s the best option for a track day where they provide the car?
I drive a company diesel Audi estate – so taking that onto the track is out of the question – ditto for the wife’s shopping cart.
nowt wrong with a diesel, here's my diesel golf at brands - did ok! I drive a company diesel Audi estate – so taking that onto the track is out of the question – ditto for the wife’s shopping cart.
http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.ind...
Edited by custardtart on Thursday 13th December 22:14
vino 187 said:
Ok it's not the same as a caterham but it's certainly no transit and anyway, who cares what your in as long you have fun.
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