Brands Hatch Track Day - experiences....

[git-r]

Hi all,

I just wanted to see what folk think about their track days at Brands.

My experience is that as soon as I start to push (obviously i'm no great driver!) I get black flagged. My last few days there have been so frustrating as instead of enjoying myself i'm constantly worried about making too much tyre noise, getting flagged and sent home.

I go to track days to have fun but am sick of my troubles at Brands. As a result I'll have to make bedford my local (i know it's run by the same people but i have fun there and generally no trouble!). Really sad about this as i've been going for years and love the place - just wish they weren't so strict.

I'm sure most have great days (you'd be fine in a proper sports car that weighs nothing no doubt) but i'd say if your in a road car and want to push you'll be on the recieving end of something from the staff. Once they know or notice you I'd say it's game over... or maybe it's just me...

I'm considering contacting MSV to see if some 'give' can be introduced at Brands. Please let me know your expereinces - good or bad..

Cheers all,
Sam

Edited by git-r on Tuesday 15th June 23:03

[PetrolTed]

The obvious question is why are you creating so much noise? Are you driving or drifting?

[edb49]

If your tyres are squealing, try letting some air out.


I was at Brands Indy on an Easytrack day in Febt this year. Didn't have any issues at all, was pushing pretty and didn't get told of at all. It was wet in the morning and when I fluffed up Clearways and there was no one behind me I'd do reasonably long slides out of it, didn't get any complaints from marshalls about that. (The new surface from McLaren on to the start/finish straight is soooo slippery in the wet.)

So basically, my experiences are 100% the opposite of yours.

[chris7676]

Haven't had this problem but the main issue with Brands (Indy) in my opinion is that they allow way too many cars at the same time. And the MSV day I did a few months ago had some 65 cars altogether, so you can see where the pressure comes from....

[gruffalo]

I was there last night and my only comment was how busy it was, I sat out most of the first hour as there was just no room to get out on the track, far to many cars booked in with queues hafl way down the pit lane of people trying to get to use what they had paid for.

It did slacken off later in the evening but I would say I got 45% value for money from the evening, I spent more time drinking tea than driving and nearly as much time queueing tio get out of the pit lane.

I think it will be Traction Days for me from now on, they have strict limits on the numbers of cars they book, a little more expensive but better value IMHO.

[git-r]

edb49 said:

If your tyres are squealing, try letting some air out.


I was at Brands Indy on an Easytrack day in Febt this year. Didn't have any issues at all, was pushing pretty and didn't get told of at all. It was wet in the morning and when I fluffed up Clearways and there was no one behind me I'd do reasonably long slides out of it, didn't get any complaints from marshalls about that. (The new surface from McLaren on to the start/finish straight is soooo slippery in the wet.)

So basically, my experiences are 100% the opposite of yours.

Glad you have a good time there..
I do run a lot of tyre pressure so maybe this is my problem? If i don't run a lot tho it wears the edges of the tyres badly.. Shall certainly give it a try tho thanks;)

petrol ted - i desperately try not to drift! Generally acheive my aim too;)

I've spoken to a few others with similar issues - all having been in road cars with road tyres and pushing quite hard. Maybe this has something to do with my problem...

[Vixpy1]

I push hard at Brands every time i go there and have been warned about tyre noise, but never black flagged.

The other thing to remember is to never go to a summer evening session, the muppet quota is up and its too busy.

Afternoons are always great fun

[fergus]

gruffalo said:

...strict limits on the numbers of cars they book, a little more expensive but better value IMHO.

I think there will be a very obvious split in the t/day market coming up soon.

1) the pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap organisers
2) restricted numbers and higher costs

I also foresee that if this does become the norm, the sort of cars appearing at each event will also divide into two camps, partly as a function of the disposable income of the owners. Whether this then translates into driving standards/ettiquette has yet to be seen....

I don't mind paying more to get more/clearer track time, but I suspect not everyone will share the same viewpoint.

[Yanto]

gruffalo said:

I was there last night and my only comment was how busy it was, I sat out most of the first hour as there was just no room to get out on the track, far to many cars booked in with queues hafl way down the pit lane of people trying to get to use what they had paid for.

It did slacken off later in the evening but I would say I got 45% value for money from the evening, I spent more time drinking tea than driving and nearly as much time queueing tio get out of the pit lane.

I think it will be Traction Days for me from now on, they have strict limits on the numbers of cars they book, a little more expensive but better value IMHO.

+1 - I was there with some of the other CSL guys (though I wasnt on track). Not a happy bunch.....late briefing, I understand it was advertised as OPL when it was sessioned and then ended abruptly with a Merc off....

[fergus]

Yanto said:

gruffalo said:

I was there last night and my only comment was how busy it was, I sat out most of the first hour as there was just no room to get out on the track, far to many cars booked in with queues hafl way down the pit lane of people trying to get to use what they had paid for.

It did slacken off later in the evening but I would say I got 45% value for money from the evening, I spent more time drinking tea than driving and nearly as much time queueing tio get out of the pit lane.

I think it will be Traction Days for me from now on, they have strict limits on the numbers of cars they book, a little more expensive but better value IMHO.

+1 - I was there with some of the other CSL guys (though I wasnt on track). Not a happy bunch.....late briefing, I understand it was advertised as OPL when it was sessioned and then ended abruptly with a Merc off....

who ran the day?

[Yanto]

fergus said:

Yanto said:

gruffalo said:

I was there last night and my only comment was how busy it was, I sat out most of the first hour as there was just no room to get out on the track, far to many cars booked in with queues hafl way down the pit lane of people trying to get to use what they had paid for.

It did slacken off later in the evening but I would say I got 45% value for money from the evening, I spent more time drinking tea than driving and nearly as much time queueing tio get out of the pit lane.

I think it will be Traction Days for me from now on, they have strict limits on the numbers of cars they book, a little more expensive but better value IMHO.

+1 - I was there with some of the other CSL guys (though I wasnt on track). Not a happy bunch.....late briefing, I understand it was advertised as OPL when it was sessioned and then ended abruptly with a Merc off....

who ran the day?

http://www.easytrack.co.uk/product/Brands_Hatch_ca...

[Rusti Evo]

Sam,

Having seen you at Brands I reckon your car is "entertaining" ... perhaps due to an unconventional rear diff.........? Looks awesome fun however

If the Brands chaps don't enjoy the entertainment and soundtrack then the noise sensitive Bedford boys are likely to be less amused.

[git-r]

Rusti Evo said:

Sam,

Having seen you at Brands I reckon your car is "entertaining" ... perhaps due to an unconventional rear diff.........? Looks awesome fun however

If the Brands chaps don't enjoy the entertainment and soundtrack then the noise sensitive Bedford boys are likely to be less amused.

LOL! Seriously tho without drifting I still get flagged. The bedford lot seem more easy going. It's such a great track too and literally 4× the size of brands indy.. I know how strict they are with noise but in my experience they seem more concerned about engine/exhaust noise than tyre noise... I'm going there a week mon so will see.. keeping my fingers crossed!

[Chris71]

Done the Indy circuit three or four times and the only problem I've noticed is they don't blue flag slower traffic quite as readily as perhaps they should, that and there can't be quite a few of the race school cars out.

[chris7676]

Chris71 said:

Done the Indy circuit three or four times and the only problem I've noticed is they don't blue flag slower traffic quite as readily as perhaps they should, that and there can't be quite a few of the race school cars out.

Quite the contrary in my experience, they do blue-flag constantly (as it's always busy and short), yet most other circuits (or perhaps non-MSV) easily do without.

[Chris71]

chris7676 said:

Chris71 said:

Done the Indy circuit three or four times and the only problem I've noticed is they don't blue flag slower traffic quite as readily as perhaps they should, that and there can't be quite a few of the race school cars out.

Quite the contrary in my experience, they do blue-flag constantly (as it's always busy and short), yet most other circuits (or perhaps non-MSV) easily do without.

Must just be unlucky. I always seem to find someone in a 911 with an ample understanding of the accelerator, but very little comprehension of how to go round corners!

[silverthorn2151]

I LOVE Brands Indy (and Grand Prix come to that). However, the last few times we have been there they have been way overbooked IMHO. Stops being fun.

[funkeymonkey]

chris7676 said:

Chris71 said:

Done the Indy circuit three or four times and the only problem I've noticed is they don't blue flag slower traffic quite as readily as perhaps they should, that and there can't be quite a few of the race school cars out.

Quite the contrary in my experience, they do blue-flag constantly (as it's always busy and short), yet most other circuits (or perhaps non-MSV) easily do without.

I agree with the blue flags, my first time out yesterday and i saw plenty . Had the novice briefing and a massive queue from the pits meant I got out very late, combined with coming in and picking up an instructor for tuition meant i only got about 8 laps in the whole evening. Great for saving the tyres but not enough time to gain in confidence. Good fun but i was expecting less people.

[nielsen]

funkeymonkey said:

chris7676 said:

Chris71 said:

Done the Indy circuit three or four times and the only problem I've noticed is they don't blue flag slower traffic quite as readily as perhaps they should, that and there can't be quite a few of the race school cars out.

Quite the contrary in my experience, they do blue-flag constantly (as it's always busy and short), yet most other circuits (or perhaps non-MSV) easily do without.

I agree with the blue flags, my first time out yesterday and i saw plenty . Had the novice briefing and a massive queue from the pits meant I got out very late, combined with coming in and picking up an instructor for tuition meant i only got about 8 laps in the whole evening. Great for saving the tyres but not enough time to gain in confidence. Good fun but i was expecting less people.

Did you time yourself, I think 8 laps in 2.5hours are very slow I was on track 5 times and did about 40-50 laps

[funkeymonkey]

nielsen said:

funkeymonkey said:

chris7676 said:

Chris71 said:

Done the Indy circuit three or four times and the only problem I've noticed is they don't blue flag slower traffic quite as readily as perhaps they should, that and there can't be quite a few of the race school cars out.

Quite the contrary in my experience, they do blue-flag constantly (as it's always busy and short), yet most other circuits (or perhaps non-MSV) easily do without.

I agree with the blue flags, my first time out yesterday and i saw plenty . Had the novice briefing and a massive queue from the pits meant I got out very late, combined with coming in and picking up an instructor for tuition meant i only got about 8 laps in the whole evening. Great for saving the tyres but not enough time to gain in confidence. Good fun but i was expecting less people.

Did you time yourself, I think 8 laps in 2.5hours are very slow I was on track 5 times and did about 40-50 laps

There is possibly some room for improvement, granted definitely spent more time in the pit lane though and limited the runs to 4 laps to avoid causing too much of a roadblock. I think between the briefing (very useful so not knocking it) and the merc at the end I was looking at 8 in 2 hours, decreasing my average lap time down to 15 mins, only 14 mins left to find now . Great evening and would like to do it again!