Typically what is the speed of cars that attend open pitlane

[hifihigh]

Hi,
I'm thinking of going to an open pitlane trackday soon but I'm not sure if my car is fast enough or if I'll end up being a mobile chicane for other drivers. Will there be other people there with moderately slow cars in a straight line? My car is ~135hp and ~1.15 tonnes.

[jleroux]

speed and performance of the car has nothing to do with it - nor does experience particularly. the only issues are observation, use of mirrors and awareness. generally that comes with experience but there's always exceptions - i've seen plenty of very courteous novices and plenty of completely oblivious experienced drivers.

use your mirrors and don't hold anyone up and you'll be fine on an open pit lane event. if it is your first event though - definitely 100% book some tuition.

Jonny
BaT

[heebeegeetee]

I went on a Bookatrack event in my MGB and was fine, had no probs at all.

[Munter]

You'll be fine. I did bedford in my mx5. 130bhp and somewhere north of 1100kg. Just be prepared to let the fast cars past on any straights.

[NTEL]

You'll be fine. There was a guy in an Escort van at Oulton Park Yesterday

[Naughty Magpie]

I've taken my 599cc Smart car on track twice at two open pitlane events, when my Cobra has broken. As long as you are courteous & let faster cars through, you'll have no problem - you've paid just as much money to be there as they have.
However, you'll be absolutely fine in your car, so don't worry & have a good time!

[lunchbox]

Have seen a Citroen C1 at a Snetterton open pit lane before, on standard wheels and 165 tyres. Even had the standard hubcabs. He was obviously having a great time and was really chucking it into the corners even in the wet. Don't know that car very well, but it can't have had much more than 60bhp. Was being very courteous and let anyone past when he was caught.

As long as you let the quicker machines past when they catch you, you'll be fine. It's not a race.

Have fun!

[BullFace]

Just do it. 99% of people on track day are very curtis and will just wait for a suitable place to over take. If you are very worried try an airfild day firt. Try www.carlimits.com.

[sniff petrol]

NTEL said:

You'll be fine. There was a guy in an Escort van at Oulton Park Yesterday

Don't think it was standard though.

[kirsty-SC]

I've done a few in mk mr2 mk1 SC, a tiny bit lighter than yours, but same hp and never had any issues.

May be worth looking for a Novice only day with one of the organisers if you're worried about it.

[openpitlane]

As others have said - just go for it. Try and get out with an instructor or someone who knows the track early on to give you some confidence. Track driving are a lot more about the driver than the car - not that a lot of people wish to believe that.

[BertBert]

As a lone voice then, it can get a bit tedious in a slow car that you end up having to plan at the end of *every* bend to let the car(s) behind go by and then acting on it. It detracts from your own rhythm at least to some degree. Definitely go, but just go with expectations set. You can always look to later in the day when the traffic begins to die down.

Bert

[khm]

BertBert said:

You can always look to later in the day when the traffic begins to die down.

Bert

or just book a half day for the afternoon, it is normally not as busy

[jleroux]

khm said:

or just book a half day for the afternoon, it is normally not as busy

Strongly advise against doing that if you've never driven the track before. Firstly, you'll miss the sighting laps. Secondly, everyone else there will be up to speed having driven all morning. It may be slightly quieter but the speed differentials will be even bigger.

Jonny
BaT

[kirsty-SC]

khm said:

BertBert said:

You can always look to later in the day when the traffic begins to die down.

Bert

or just book a half day for the afternoon, it is normally not as busy

I usually opt for sitting the first twenty minutes out after the sighting laps at the start of the day and after lunch as I find that tends to be when the track is busiest.

I agree with Jonny regarding not missing the sighting laps. I let my dad drive them on my first day at Anglesey as it was his first track day. I was too busy trying to advise him of things, when I went out for my first blast with little knowledge of the trakc I realised just how useful they are.

[khm]

you'll miss the sighting laps.

Jonny
BaT

[/quote]

Quite true !! just go & have a good time, thats what it is all about, if you come away from the day with a smile on your face you'll konw it was worth it

[hifihigh]

Thx I bit the bullet yesterday and had a go and it was loads of fun thx for the advice!! I can't wait for next time! \o/