Did it ! First track day
Discussion
Well I went to be a passenger and ended up taking my 996 C4 around Donington Park 
What a fantastic day
This was my first drive on a circuit and it was made all the better by the assistance of Mark B & Mark C who were there in the Ninemiester prepared GT3 
. With some guidance and advice from them I managed to improve from being an old fart to a much faster cooler dad in the eyes of my 18 year old son who unfortunately could only passenger in both cars.
Braking from 120mph into Goddards was a hoot and my wee spin at McLean's early on was educational and strangely enjoyable. Through Craner Curve is just so much
fun.
Just had to post this while I'm still on a high.
Will ( come to think of it I was a bit wavy)
What a fantastic day
This was my first drive on a circuit and it was made all the better by the assistance of Mark B & Mark C who were there in the Ninemiester prepared GT3 . With some guidance and advice from them I managed to improve from being an old fart to a much faster cooler dad in the eyes of my 18 year old son who unfortunately could only passenger in both cars. Braking from 120mph into Goddards was a hoot and my wee spin at McLean's early on was educational and strangely enjoyable. Through Craner Curve is just so much
fun. Just had to post this while I'm still on a high.
Will ( come to think of it I was a bit wavy)
What I did't think of was the 7 or 8mpg on the circuit. I got through a lot of fuel! 
That's the least of your worries 
it's the craving in the back of your mind to do another, and then another. Then it's oops I've worn out my tyres, and bugger I need some new brake pads, but never mind it's great fun and teaching me to handle my car and soon I will be a driving god 
must do another day 
must get faster 
Give it up now while you can, sell the car and buy a Micra
it's the craving in the back of your mind to do another, and then another. Then it's oops I've worn out my tyres, and bugger I need some new brake pads, but never mind it's great fun and teaching me to handle my car and soon I will be a driving god must do another day must get faster Give it up now while you can, sell the car and buy a Micra It doesn't have to be too expensive - I picked up a 2nd hand set of 16" wheels + enough rubber to last at least 1 year of track days for £150, a helmet from ebay for £40 and away I go....now a certifiable track day addict.
So much so I changed insurance to liverpool vic cos they'll cover it!
Next one - crail raceway, 15th may!
So much so I changed insurance to liverpool vic cos they'll cover it!
Next one - crail raceway, 15th may!
will
I am almost the same as you, did my first trackday at Donington last Nov in my 968.
Egged on by 3 boys including an 18 year old and with an understanding wife I am now hooked. Done Bedford 3 times since and off to Castle Coombe (Bath) on May 6th with PCGB. Also am the wrong side of 50 so need to move quickly before I am pensioned off!
As GregM said, the best investment I have made is an extra set of rims (secondhand) this way I can continue to use non-legal tyres on the track. Mind you -- you have to be able to get them in the car!! it is just possible in a 968, but that is no comfort to you I suppose. Get your boy to run a support vehicle to the track!
paul f
>> Edited by legaleagleboy on Sunday 2nd May 09:43
I am almost the same as you, did my first trackday at Donington last Nov in my 968.
Egged on by 3 boys including an 18 year old and with an understanding wife I am now hooked. Done Bedford 3 times since and off to Castle Coombe (Bath) on May 6th with PCGB. Also am the wrong side of 50 so need to move quickly before I am pensioned off!
As GregM said, the best investment I have made is an extra set of rims (secondhand) this way I can continue to use non-legal tyres on the track. Mind you -- you have to be able to get them in the car!! it is just possible in a 968, but that is no comfort to you I suppose. Get your boy to run a support vehicle to the track!
paul f
>> Edited by legaleagleboy on Sunday 2nd May 09:43
Has anyone on here 'tracked' a Tiptronic car? If so, with what sort of experience? And what about a Targa (993 type)?
I'm not yet sure whether I want to put mine around a track in any real sense, apart from the fun of a fast road with no traffic cops, but it would be nice to know what others think of doing so with this combination.
(Sorry if this is a hi-jack)
I'm not yet sure whether I want to put mine around a track in any real sense, apart from the fun of a fast road with no traffic cops, but it would be nice to know what others think of doing so with this combination.
(Sorry if this is a hi-jack)
Replies:
GreigM/ I'm looking at changing my insurance to gain track day cover, I'll shop around to see what deals are available.
Legaleagleboy/ I was 50 in March. I'm buying 18" Turbo Look 2 wheels so I will keep my standard 17" C4 wheels for the track. I think my 18 year old son will transport the track wheels in his Saxo VTR if he gets to take his car on the track (sometimes).
Tarka/ My car is tiptronic and as a novice it was one less thing to think about. I left it in manual and concentrated on the down changes.
My car runs and sounds better for the track day thrash. Also the tiptronic still thinks I'm out to play !
Will
GreigM/ I'm looking at changing my insurance to gain track day cover, I'll shop around to see what deals are available.
Legaleagleboy/ I was 50 in March. I'm buying 18" Turbo Look 2 wheels so I will keep my standard 17" C4 wheels for the track. I think my 18 year old son will transport the track wheels in his Saxo VTR if he gets to take his car on the track (sometimes).
Tarka/ My car is tiptronic and as a novice it was one less thing to think about. I left it in manual and concentrated on the down changes.
My car runs and sounds better for the track day thrash. Also the tiptronic still thinks I'm out to play !
Will
....i often go to Donington to spectate at the track days as it is very close to me. Haven't had the balls to take the 996 around YET but have been around Bruntingthorpe a couple of times (much more run off). I've seen too many bent cars going home on trailers at donington. How did you find it? Did anyone prang their car/gravel blast it in the traps? I'd love to passenger if you are ever back at donington to get a real feel for it.
Cheers friend
Nobby
Cheers friend
Nobby
welshnobby said:
....i often go to Donington to spectate at the track days as it is very close to me. Haven't had the balls to take the 996 around YET but have been around Bruntingthorpe a couple of times (much more run off). I've seen too many bent cars going home on trailers at donington. How did you find it? Did anyone prang their car/gravel blast it in the traps? I'd love to passenger if you are ever back at donington to get a real feel for it.
Cheers friend
Nobby
Hi Nobby,
There were no prangs, no serious off track moments, only a few spins. The only real danger is if you push too hard. I found the "open pit lane" worked well for me. You go out on the track when you feel ready and not in groups like in some events. My one spin, which was fun, was all part of the learning process. I allowed my more experienced passenger to push me faster than I was ready for. But by the end of the day I was lapping much faster as I began to find the right line of the track (sometimes) and felt more comfortable with the handling of my car. I would recommend you try it but I did benefit from the 2 more experienced driver who I'd gone with. If (when) I go to Donington Park again I'll let you know. It only costs £20 to be a passenger. My next track day will probably be at Oulton Park. The big surprise for me was just how well my car performed and how much progress I made in one day. At Donington the danger area for me was trying to reach 120 mph at the end of Starkey's straight before braking hard for Goddards.
As long as you are not too "brave" I think the track is very safe but it was a dry day. Get track day insurance and give it a go !
Regards,
Will
>> Edited by will_t on Tuesday 4th May 00:56
welshnobby said:
I've seen too many bent cars going home on trailers at donington. How did you find it? Did anyone prang their car/gravel blast it in the traps?
The people who bend their cars on track days are usually the ones who have an overambitious idea of their own driving ability. They think that because they have a fast car, that they can automatically drive it fast.
As long as you know where your limits are and you don't think that you're a track demon, you'll be ok. I used to run track days with a couple of friends, and you could almost spot the people who were likely to have accidents during the day.
Of course, there will always be genuine accidents, but 95% of the bent cars that you see are due to a high power to skill ratio, rather than anything else
Cheers
James
Will saw you there- I was blatting around with an instructor in a Black Mini Cooper S with silver stripes- you looked to be having a blast!
It was my first pukka trackday too- ideal day- dry and very quiet and the instruction really brought it home about how much I need to learn. Have come to conclusion that money spent on driver training is much better than spending money on car mods (though brakes on the Cooper S were suffering).
Having previously owned a 996C4 too I was looking on with much envy.
Can't wait to get out again.
It was my first pukka trackday too- ideal day- dry and very quiet and the instruction really brought it home about how much I need to learn. Have come to conclusion that money spent on driver training is much better than spending money on car mods (though brakes on the Cooper S were suffering).
Having previously owned a 996C4 too I was looking on with much envy.
Can't wait to get out again.
rfl said:
Will saw you there- I was blatting around with an instructor in a Black Mini Cooper S with silver stripes- you looked to be having a blast!
It was my first pukka trackday too- ideal day- dry and very quiet and the instruction really brought it home about how much I need to learn. Have come to conclusion that money spent on driver training is much better than spending money on car mods (though brakes on the Cooper S were suffering).
Having previously owned a 996C4 too I was looking on with much envy.
Can't wait to get out again.
Hi Richard !
Yes I remember seeing the black Mini. I think you let me pass you between Hollywood and Craner. There were 2 other Minis out, the Blue one was flying round. By the look of the body panels he was into contact sport.
I agree instruction is a good idea. As I said previously I was with 2 more (far more) experienced drivers who gave me plenty of advice which greatly improved my performance and enjoyment but I'm still a novice. By the way had you asked and were brave enough I'd have taken you round for a few laps.
Will
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