Bedford Autodrome 27th Nov, anyone going?

[JAM35F]

I'm having my first track day experience at Bedford next saturday 27th Nov. I'm doing an hours tuition through MSV in a VX220 to learn track day etiquette, build some confidence and hopefully improve my driving skills as a gentle introduction to track days before I hopefully buy a track day car.

Is anyone else going next weekend that I can say hi to, ask questions to and maybe even blag a passenger ride to see how the track really should be driven!

I've only got an hour on track but will be hanging around for longer watching so wondered if anyone else would be about that I can tap for knowledge and helpful hints. I'll be the one looking nervous but excited! Really looking forward to the day.

[Mark_J_W]

I will be there all day in my 330Ci. Bedford will be great for your first trackday (very open and lots of run-off's) and you've chosen a fantastic car for your tuition session.

I'm no track day expert (have only done 4 in the UK and 2 trips to the Nurburgring) but I'm happy to have a chat and help you if I can, so do come over and say hello!

[JAM35F]

Mark_J_W said:

I will be there all day in my 330Ci. Bedford will be great for your first trackday (very open and lots of run-off's) and you've chosen a fantastic car for your tuition session.

I'm no track day expert (have only done 4 in the UK and 2 trips to the Nurburgring) but I'm happy to have a chat and help you if I can, so do come over and say hello!

Hi Mark, thanks for the reply, I'll certainly come over and say hello. With 6 track days under your belt any advice you can give a total novice will be great, we'll chat on saturday.

Hopefully I won't be making use of the run off areas but good to know they are there just incase. Will only be a short drive for me but hopefully will be a good taster session. See you saturday, hopefully the snow will hold off!

[Mark_J_W]

I'm not liking the sound of the weather reports!

Look forward to meeting you on Saturday & hearing how the VX220 was. You are more than welcome to come for a passenger ride with me - although don't expect anything too special from me on the driving front!

Here's my car (at Bedford last year coincidentally) so you know what to look out for - I'm also hopefully going to buy something a bit more track focused in the next few months but this is what I'll be using on Saturday...

Edited by Mark_J_W on Tuesday 23 November 17:12

[JAM35F]

Cheers Mark, a passenger ride would really be appreciated, as a total novice I guarantee I won't be judging anyones driving, you'll all be so much better than me!!

I'll be there from just before 8 I expect for the signing on/briefing etc and then I'll be wandering round looking excited/nervous until it's my turn in the VX. Will come and find you and your car and introduce myself (I'll be in a red mini cooper, though it won't be taken on track)

see you saturday, thanks again. (I really hope it doesn't snow!!!)

[stuzzer]

Hi guys, i'm thinking of doing December 18th novice day at Bedford as the only track my car has seen is the Nurburgring and i'd like to gain more experience before I go again.

Can you tell me if the novice days are any good or should I be looking at an open pit day?

I have a Mazda MX6 2.5 V6 import, fairly well specced but just a fast road car really, about as quick as a civic type R.

Any advice would be appreciated before I book.

Enjoy the weekend, if the weather holds off!

[Mark_J_W]

JAM35F said:

see you saturday, thanks again. (I really hope it doesn't snow!!!)

See you on Saturday mate - I'm getting slightly concerned about all these weather warnings though!

Stuzzer - I did a novice day at Brands for my first trackday and it was a very good format for learning (20mins out of every hour gives you lots of time to sit back and evaluate what's going on / your driving).

I think (although I'm not too experienced!) that the novice days attract a different class of car e.g. mainly just road cars (saying that, some people did turn up with a Caterham on a trailer) which is a lot less intimidating than an open day where some very fast machines turn up and are driven by people who really know their stuff.

I'd suggest that either option is good for you as you've already got some basic experience (although a Touristenfahrten is VERY different to a closed track day).

Are you the guy who posted up the video of the spin at the Nurburgring? (I think that was an MX-6) If so - good effort, that must have been quite scary!

Edited by Mark_J_W on Wednesday 24th November 08:20

[stuzzer]

Hi mate, thanks for the info.

YES, that was me in the MX6 on the ring, looking forward to going back next year but want to gain experience 1st. The Ring is'nt exactly the place to lose your trackday virginity!

I've done 2 other trackdays but many years ago. 1 was at Castle Coombe as part of Japfest and thoroughly enjoyed it although it was wet and we were out with higher powered cars like Evo's and Skylines.

The 2nd was at Trax at Silverstone but again we were sent out with Supras, Skylines etc and it was mayhem! Supra's spinning mid corner etc etc and no real guidance on how to drive the circuit correctly so I came in after 3 laps.

Hopefully Bedford novice day will provide me with the education I need to learn about the car and some track craft.

Enjoy Saturday, hope the weather stays good for you.