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Track Day Advice
whitestu - 6/1/09 at 04:32 PM

My New Year's resolution is to do at least one track day.

So, I'm looking for any advice before I book something.

I'll be driving there [and back hopefully] so don't wan't anywhere too far from North London, and want something fairly friendly for a first timer.

Any suggestions?

I've looked at Abingdon Airfiemd and Bedford Autodrome so far.

Cheers

Stu

idl1975 - 6/1/09 at 04:42 PM

Rockingham's excellent, especially the national circuit, and not too much of a drive (go up in the morning and drive back in the evening). It's just one side of Corby.

quote:
Originally posted by whitestu
My New Year's resolution is to do at least one track day.

So, I'm looking for any advice before I book something.

I'll be driving there [and back hopefully] so don't wan't anywhere too far from North London, and want something fairly friendly for a first timer.

Any suggestions?

I've looked at Abingdon Airfiemd and Bedford Autodrome so far.

Cheers

Stu

whitestu - 6/1/09 at 04:45 PM

Thanks

Any idea who organises track days there?
I've had a search and can't find anything coming up.

Stu

MK9R - 6/1/09 at 04:49 PM

quote:
Originally posted by whitestu
Thanks

Any idea who organises track days there?
I've had a search and can't find anything coming up.

Stu


www.lotus-on-track.co.uk are the only people who run the national circuit for cars. Its awesome!! I would suggest Bedford as the best place to go, but your car will need to be quiet, they are really hot on noise there!!!

theconrodkid - 6/1/09 at 04:49 PM

check "lotusontrack" they use north weald on the M11

jimgiblett - 6/1/09 at 05:03 PM

quote:
Originally posted by theconrodkid
check "lotusontrack" they use north weald on the M11


I wouldnt bother with North Weald other than for a shake down test. It's just an airfield and a very old and poorly surfaced one at that.

For a first track day Brands is good and you can do an evening session and either beginner or intermediate. Hethel the Lotus test track is meant to be quite good.

I can highly recomend Lotus On Track as a reasonably priced provider.

- Jim

idl1975 - 6/1/09 at 05:10 PM

Stu

I was looking up trackdays recently (surprisingly, there seem to be a lot less for cars than bikes...), and one of the sites seemed to be saying/implying Bedford is very, very strict.

98db "really actually" plus they do drive by monitoring at 87db or something similar.

98 is hard for some bikes even on stock cans, let alone a big-bore kit car style 'zorst. Of course I could be mistaken about Bedford.

I guess my only other suggestion about venues is avoid places with long straights. It gets a bit boring going fast in a straight line, plus there will be GT3s queueing up behind you down the straights. So I suggested Rockingham nat'l because it's mostly corner - even my old bike beats the latest liter bikes there, and I imagine it's a good place for a seven to knock fat saloon cars on the head.



quote:
Originally posted by MK9R
quote:
Originally posted by whitestu
Thanks

Any idea who organises track days there?
I've had a search and can't find anything coming up.

Stu


www.lotus-on-track.co.uk are the only people who run the national circuit for cars. Its awesome!! I would suggest Bedford as the best place to go, but your car will need to be quiet, they are really hot on noise there!!!

PAUL FISHER - 6/1/09 at 06:11 PM

Yes I would steer clear of bedford,101 db static,but onlt 87.5 on drive by at 20 metres,anything not fully road silenced is going to struggle with that,and you don't even get a 2nd chance anymore,on the drive by,go over it and your off the track.
As Chris says above,Brands hatch novice days would be best for you,they are run throughout the year,everyone is the same level as you,so there's no rush and you can take things easy

[Edited on 19/05/04 by PAUL FISHER]

jonno - 6/1/09 at 07:28 PM

Not sure how far away you are from Woodbridge, but had a great day earlier in the year

http://www.javelintrackdays.co.uk/jt/index.php

will121 - 6/1/09 at 08:33 PM

quote:
Originally posted by chris mason
It depends how keen you are Stu,
On saturday there's a novice day at Brands hatch, probably a good way to get an introduction to trackdays, another good thing about it too is the price, only £119, it's run by the msv and by all accounts there very good for novices. I'm toying with taking the clio down for it's 1st trackday

Chris


ive been on a number of the MSV track days.
motor sport vision track day list
the novice ones were well organised with things like defined overtaking areas on straights only, also well worth having a go with an instructor as its a lot quicker way to learn to be smoother, faster and safer.
Have fun

GeorgeM - 6/1/09 at 08:34 PM

another vote for Woodbridge.

Not done it myself yet, but am told
it is good with plenty of run off......

It's where my first will be; not far
to Ipswich

GeorgeM

Antnicuk - 6/1/09 at 09:03 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jonno
Not sure how far away you are from Woodbridge, but had a great day earlier in the year

http://www.javelintrackdays.co.uk/jt/index.php



I would second the above, these are great for beginners as there is sooo much run off but still a good track. I have done plenty of days there.

mark chandler - 6/1/09 at 09:12 PM

Lydden is great, no worries on noise or being black flagged and its very very friendly

Its local to you, dartford crossing turn left and follow the M2/A2 mostly to canterbury and you have arrived.

Your car will be quick so go in the intermediate class, not novice less drivers here so less traffic to contend with.

We have had a few very good days there, let me know when you want to go and I will join in (if its not to cold... brrr).

Regards Mark

[Edited on 6/1/09 by mark chandler]

idl1975 - 7/1/09 at 08:53 AM

Stu (& co)

Here's one of a number of listings.

http://www.circuitjunkie.net/calendar

Includes Rockingham along with a bunch of the other recommended tracks.

I've done more bike days than car days, but from my experience, would second the recommendation to do one that has "instructors" for your first day.

Track driving / riding is actually quite a different experience, as you will be going much quicker than you would on the road without actually realising it (something to do with the sheer size of a racetrack I suspect)

Have an instructor do a few laps driving (if they do that at the MSV days), which will give you some idea just how close you need to get to the apex, and also allow you to adjust to the sheer braking force involved (quite noticeable in a road car - don't know if it's that obvious in a 7). Then a few observing you. It will help you stay smooth and safe. A bit of reading up on technique (assuming you haven't done this already) will keep you safe, avoid brown trouser moments and prevent gnashing of teeth from people behind you.

Meeerrrk - 7/1/09 at 09:35 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mark chandler
Lydden is great, no worries on noise or being black flagged and its very very friendly

Its local to you, dartford crossing turn left and follow the M2/A2 mostly to canterbury and you have arrived.

Your car will be quick so go in the intermediate class, not novice less drivers here so less traffic to contend with.

We have had a few very good days there, let me know when you want to go and I will join in (if its not to cold... brrr).

Regards Mark

[Edited on 6/1/09 by mark chandler]

im up for some llyden action this year, not been there before but looks good

scutter - 8/1/09 at 11:42 AM

I'd be up for a trip to Lydden, they do discounts for club bookings might be worth an ask.

Lydden link What do people think about a day out on the 21st March?

ATB Dan.

Meeerrrk - 8/1/09 at 07:30 PM

21st march, providing its dry sounds like a good start to the track season

whitestu - 8/1/09 at 08:46 PM

Thanks for all the replies. Brands, Woodbridge and Lydden look good and none are too far - 50 ish miles to Brands and about 100 miles for the other two.

Mark if I book in for Lydden I'll let you know.

Cheers

Stu

JUD - 8/1/09 at 10:44 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scutter
I'd be up for a trip to Lydden, they do discounts for club bookings might be worth an ask.

Lydden link What do people think about a day out on the 21st March?

ATB Dan.


I would be up for that as well.

Pat Jackson - who used to run the Big Thunder days that MK attended at Brunters - is on the case sorting another airfield site. Apparently middle of nowhere, with potentially no noise issues. Will find out about that as well.

Cheers

Martin

Meeerrrk - 13/1/09 at 10:06 PM

u2u sent to you guys interested in lyden