Hi all, I'm just after a bit of advice.
I'm fancying doing a couple of track days just for a change of scene over the winter for starters. Basically I'm looking for some tips and advice.
Obviously I'll need a car, fairly cheap but with a bit of go in it..any suggestions as a starter car.
Which is the best type of day to go on , open pit lane or seperate sessions? also I'm limited to weekends and this may be a factor but would you suggest race circuit or airfield for starters?
Also I'm from a motorsport background where people mix and socialise is the track day scene similar or do people keep themselves to themselves a bit more?
Lots of questions...and there'll be more as well but over to you lot

Ok, I'll start.........

Personally I don't like airfields much, usually plenty of run off areas but doesnt feel like a circuit should feel, I much prefer the challenge of craner curves for example than the challenge of where the cones are, most airfield circuits can be a little rough too and normally much harder on tyres than a circuit.

Open pit lane or sessions ? Doesnt really matter, on an open pit lane you will do your own sessions anyway, your not gonna run 60 minutes every hour.

I have always found track days friendly and most of the people there like minded with plenty of tyre kicking taking place, often the odd nutter soon sussed out, he's the one with his dads car on its roof, best avoided.

Car ? Well again personal opinion but BECs are made fro track days but any reasonable handling swift car will put a smile on your face.

Its says x-flow locost under your name ? Perfect.

Yeah, what he said. It is extremely friendly but like many things it is what you make of it. Not being a purist, I like airfield days, I did two last year and both were great. Loads of run off and plenty of challenge. Best of both worlds, and the width of the tarmac made for some interesting line choices at times.

get to anglesey or cadwell, do an open pit lane

re Car Selection - I think a sweet handling low powered car is much more fun to drive on track than a powerfull but indifferent handling car.

If i think of two diametrically opposite cars that I have driven on the track - namely a Group N Toyota 1300 12V Conguest hatchback with about 80hp and a Formula Atlantic single seater with about 350hp I recall having more fun in the Toyota. You could drift it through corners at almost any attitude you liked and it was a real hoot to drive whilst the Formula Atlantic relied on pure precision with no room for error and carried huge speed through the corners.

So to cut a long story short - go for the best handling and most forgiving car you can find for the money with power being a secondary consideration.