Want to start going to track days but.....

[konrad565]

To be completely honest I'm a little scared (pathetic I know! ) but I just think it would be really dawnting going on a track for the first time!

Any opinions on how to got involved or should I just stop being a little pussy.... cat and just get on a track 'n' go for it.

(need to get a car for it first, but thats not the point)

Be gently.....

[fuzzy]

i went a couple of times to watch before taking my car out on the track. get an idea of who the muppets are on the day before you head out and avoid them......

[maxfield]

Get yourself on a novice day, take it easy, and just get used to the track, car and other people around. Then build up confidence from there.

[konrad565]

thats the problem I'm worried the muppet or the slow granddad will be me. I've been to a couple of Caterham trackdays as a passenger in a mates car but they're all uber driving geeks.

so do you reckon I should get a nice little motor so I can get myself into it quickly?

[maxfield]

Everyones got to start somewhere dude...

[E30BeemerLad]

a lot of it is down to the people who run then and how well organised they are.

I've been to watch a few at Elvington as it's right on my doorstep, often run by a company callled Javelin. Never seems to be too much out on track at any one time. Often they have a session early in the day for novices and there is tuition available.

Airfield ones are perhaps best to start with due to the run off space available.

Seek out javelin - a google search for javelin and track days should bring them up, there may be some events local to you, go down and have a watch and a chat with folk.

[konrad565]

oh right didnt realise that there were novice days I'll look into cheers...

[mattyb240]

Getting into depends on how quick you car is ready, if it is safe, meets with the proper regs an know what you are driving wont fall apart! Once your there and done a few days you will get a much better idea of how to progress and how quick you will do it.

[konrad565]

Do need to have an issued car to use on tracks? Cause I'm thinking of getting a 325 but wouldnt be able to afford to insure it for the road. Or alternatively I could get the 318is I've been looking for and use it for both what d'ya reckon?

[maxfield]

The car has to have an MOT on most tracks.

Tax and insurance, I'm pretty sure you don't on track.

[agreen]

no insurance needed for uk track days

[fuzzy]

no insurance needed for uk track days

i think most tracks insist on road legal cars or fully track prepped cars with cages,buckets,harnesses etc.no old bangers anymore. you can get track day insurance just in case if you have something valuable.
i remember seeing a guy turn up with a mk2 golf gti on a trailer one day at knockhill. he told me he'd bought it that morning from a scrappy for £50. people like that dont care if they wipe your car out so im glad knockhill changed its rules. now all cars get scrutineered for safety before being allowed on the track.

[shorty73]

Don't do it!! You'll do one and that will lead to another. Then you'll be hooked.

You'll need then better tyres, better brakes better suspension.......

You'll start getting quicker and quicker.....

Soon it won't be enough.....you'll want to compete!

Sprinting will keep you buzzing for a while but very soon you'll want the hard stuff......Racing

You'll be skint, She'll have the hump 'cos all your year is planned around competing. You'll spend a long time on your own in a cold garage skinning your knuckles and breathing in fumes

JUST SAY NO. It's not worth it...........Oh Hang on.........Yes it f***ing is!

Seriously, don't be intimidated about going on the track mate. It's good to be nervous. If your not, you've got a big off coming! Most of the good companies are very strict on track etiquette, and your only allowed to overtake on a certain side, sometimes by invitation only and never going into corners. The Knobbers are usually pulled in quite quick and given a good talking to.

Run at your pace, don't over drive you or the car and have a grin. Get the first one under your belt and you'll wonder what the fuss was about.

Unless your doing bike trackdays........They're f***ing proper scary

[konrad565]

I wouldn't a get a complete sh1t pit cause as you said I wouldnt want to damaged anyone elses pride and joy and I would want to look too stupid either

[konrad565]

like I said been to a couple of Caterham seven club days and there are some crazy old dudes with some seriously quick machines and I got the idea of the basic overtaking rules etc but just nervous about going for it myself.

What do you guys reckon I should go for? 325 and keep it for the track only, 318is for road and track?

[fuzzy]

I wouldn't a get a complete sh1t pit cause as you said I wouldnt want to damaged anyone elses pride and joy and I would want to look too stupid either

thats a risk everyone takes on the day. its fun and a great adrenaline buzz. i avoid the corner tussles and fly past most on the long straights.

[shorty73]

Personally I reckon if you want to do a lot of trackdays then get a dedicated track car. Something that if you do go off in then it won't be the end of the world. That's the reason I got shot of my road going Civic Type R. Too scared to bin it. Just get the 318is and strip it.

Fuzzy with those kind of numbers in your sig then flying past down the straights is the best option

[konrad565]

i avoid the corner tussles and fly past most on the long straights.

I'd love to see a big touring flying down the straights Thinking bout getting myself one one day

[hoshy]

To be completely honest I'm a little scared (pathetic I know! ) but I just think it would be really dawnting going on a track for the first time!

Any opinions on how to got involved or should I just stop being a little pussy.... cat and just get on a track 'n' go for it.

(need to get a car for it first, but thats not the point)

Be gently.....

Just take whatever car you currently own and go for a track day. If you keep your head about you then you're no more likely to get hurt, ditch it or otherwise than on the road.

Don't worry about what car to start with. any car that will make it above 60mph will do - true getting around a hairpin above 25mph and you'll see why a fast car isn't necessary to understand what track driving is about.

On track days they make a big point that it's not a race and to give everybody space and though I've only done two (thrid next weekend) I've had only good things to say. Especially at the motorsport vision days (google it)

Once you've got around a track once or twice in any car you'll know better for yourself how you want to go forward.

Basically just give it a shot mate this is England not africa... everything is safe here

[Simon325i]

As said above, try an airfield day first - usualy loads of run off if you do get it wrong

Well run days make it really easy to get into and most folk will give you plenty of room once they realise your new and/or nervous. Most organisers will quickly spot anyone who is deliberatly giving you a hard time and most likely give them a ticking off!

Speak to people on the day and get a feel for things and only do a couple of laps/circuits at a time until you gain more confidence to stay out longer.

[andyaskew]

Really helpful thread, I'm just getting into track days and hope to do my first one soon, I'm currently prepping my car for use but I am intending to use it as a daily driver too, so hopefully this will stop me from going to mad on track, I cant wait!!!

[chrisr29]

Just to add. Most organised track days will have a couple of instrutors on hand who'll sit in the car with you for a few laps and show you how it's done....usually at no extra charge.

Trackfun who run days up at Goodwood are excellent in this respect.

[konrad565]

Most organised track days will have a couple of instrutors on hand who'll sit in the car with you for a few laps and show you how it's done....usually at no extra charge.

Trackfun who run days up at Goodwood are excellent in this respect.

Cheers boss will look into it.

Does anyone know of any good track day companies that operate out of Donnington? Nice and close for me

[Steviec]

As previously stated really, go to a novice day and quite often the day will start with siteing laps, this means that for the first half a dozen laps, its pretty much a parade behind the safety car just so you get to learn where the corners are ect.

I would recommend Bedford Autodrome as its a good track with lots of run off and well run, but make sure your car isnt too loud!

As long as you follow the rules and give others room then all should be ok and after the first 45 mins you will wonder what you were worried about.

Overtaking is normally on the left (well it is at Bedford anyway) so when a car wants to pass, just indicate to the right to let him know youve seen him (or her) and you know they want to pass.

[konrad565]

Right thats it I'm gunna do it even if I take the diesel pug and all its slow acceleration and understeering hell!

But I'm sure it'll still be a good laugh and as a few guys have said you have to start somewhere.

[Joeey]

I did my 1st trackday at Bruntingthorpe aerodrome last year and after a nervous start i was soon confidently lapping the track and fuckin loved it.
Just get out there have fun and stay safe

[fuzzy]

remember to take enough cash with you for a taxi home.
just in case.

[fuzzy]

and carry a donor card in your wallet.

[konrad565]

CHEERS!! Really comforting Might just have to borrow a challenger tank from the garrison down the road!

[Brian28]

If you can get time during the week and just want a blat around to get a feel for it, try motorsport events days at Keevil, not that far from Salisbury and a really open venue with nothing to hit compared to Donington if it should all go pear shaped. They are on the web, can't remember the address offhand.

[Jon_Bmw]

www.motorsport-events.co.uk

We do a about 4-6 airfield events with them a year. Really good friendly bunch who are happy to help you out. As Brian said, shed loads of run off, if you hit something there you really are quite special!

What work brings you to salisbury then? Have you tried a 318is or a 325 yet? I have just brought an IS and it feels nimble if a little lacking in power.

[konrad565]

What work brings you to salisbury then?.

It's not really Salisbury that's just the nearest 'city'. I'm working in Tidworth as a QS on a new build Tesco all finished now but just agreeing final accounts!

I haven't had the pleasure of driving the either the 318is or the 325 as I'm a bit on the skint side and the insurance on either of them is v. steep for me so therefore still stuck in diesel french hell!