First Track Day

[Copperman05]

Seeing that my car seems to be getting more and more track orientated I thought I might as well actually get the thing out on one.[] Ideally I'd like to do one of the club days as my insurer ClassicLine will extend cover to club organised days.

Being a complete novice track driver (I'm a trained driver but not for the track) I thought the novice evening at Brands Hatch on the 13th June would be perfect, its a short session so stress on both car and driver is reduced as are the costs. My questions are:

1. Are there any tips from previous track day go'ers, I know the car will need to be sorted, serviced, pads, oil, etc. Anything else?

2. Would anyone like to join me either as a joint novice or more seasoned driver?

I've not booked it yet but assuming there is space left I hope to very soon.


Edd

 

[Cater_Racer]

Hi Edd,

I hate track days.

If I were you I'd try and go on Porsche Owners Only event, if that's not possible, try to book a track day with structured timings, don't go for "Open Pit Lane" if its your first experience.

If they separate the Novices, Medium & Experts out you have a much better chance of staying alive.

Go out with the novices, they are usually much better behaved.

The biggest risk is the "Experts" some tend to believe that all the other drivers should be concentrating upon them, and focusing on not being in their way.

So just as you are trying to concentrate on braking point and the corner apex you get jumped by a "Expert" in a Peugeot 207 with roll cage, full harnesses and 4" exhaust.

The last one I did, when I was introducing my 17 year old son to track driving was run by "Book-a-track", unfortunately they decided that as the "Experts" had had so little running time (Due to red flags, caused by them throwning it in the gravel) Book-a-Track decided to let them run with the novices...................

I decline to continue, others were less fortunate.


Gerry (Full National A race and Rally License holder)

 

[wemorgan]

ORIGINAL: Copperman05

1. Are there any tips from previous track day go'ers, I know the car will need to be sorted, serviced, pads, oil, etc. Anything else?

Take advantage of the often free 15 minute tuition that's on offer (Circuit Days offer this)

 

[edh]

Instruction is really important. It will get you round safer, faster, and with less wear on tyres etc..

Goldtrack run good days, and we get a good 944 turn out for some of the weekday evening sessions at silverstone. New drivers get free instruction.

I've never been to brands - the short circuit is very short, & I think can be a bit tricky (paddock hill bend?) . Silverstone is wide, safe although some find it boring (i dont). There is plenty of room for faster cars to get past. Bedford is also pretty safe, but I think a bit dull.

Your first track day will teach you 2 things

1. The 944 is a very capable track car

2. You have a whole new set of driving skills to learn.

Look forward to seeing you out there

 

[graham.webb]

A group of us from R19 have been to the Brands hatch Novice sessions a couple of times...run by MSV and well organised, we've found.

I share others' misgivings about hot hatches and other lunatics, although on our sessions everyone behaved sensibly except for one BMW M3 who "monstered" the kerbs, broke the steering and was ignominiously towed back in. Maybe we were lucky with the mix of cars on the day, but there wasn't a marked speed differential betweeen us all. The 944 keeps pace well with the modern stuff, not having to slow down so much for the corners!!

Trying to build up the courage to do another!

 

[Oct]

Gold Track were very organised in my opinion, strict on overtaking round corners and will give you a few laps with an instructor for free. You can pay for more instruction if you want. I enjoyed Silverstone and would recommend it as a first time. I recently went to Bedford with Easy track but in comparison it was poorly organised. The circuit gets a name as being good for a novice because of the large run off areas but it is a fast circuit. I reckon the large run offs tempt more people to try things they shouldn't. The number of cars booked seemed a lot higher than the Gold Track event. I found Bedford pretty boring too and headed home just after lunch time when the rain came on (there were a few people spinning onto the grass coming onto the main straight by this point)

 

[supersport]

I recently did an MSV novice day at Cadwell and it was fantastically run and as there were only 10 of us in a session there was loads of space to play in. Sadly I think they only let you do 3 novice days.

Would definitely do another and probably will do next month.

Have done some of the Club's days and they are good, although very expensive and the experienced drivers can be a bit intimidating when you are a beginner. NEVER EVER do a BMW club day as they are mental and allowed overtaking in the bends, gave up early and went home. Several cars got trashed that day!

 

[eddieedmo]

Don't put new pads in unless needed will need bedding in ( 300mls normal driving ) , lower tyre pressures , don't put handbrake on between sessions - may weld pads to discs , take your time getting to know the track and enjoy !

Good Luck

Nick []

 

[Neil Haughey]

Goldtrack days at Silverstone are good and the track is nice and wide with plenty of corners having run off in case you get it wrong. On the downside they can attract a lot of race cars so could be seriously intimidating.

I agree with the earlier poster about 'experts'. Worsed driving I have seen on track has been from those who should know better if the equipment was any measure.

Also keep away from the Castle Combe action days, totaly mental.

I enjoy track days except for 2 issues; 1) It can be very difficult to get a good rythm and quick consistent laps going due to traffic 2) In a track/race prepped S2 being overtaken on the straights and then being held up in the corners is really frustrating.

I would actually recomend that for a first foray onto track its probably better to pay for one of those 1hr 1to1 sessions in a school car. Its amazing how much and how quickly you can pick things up from a good experienced local circuit instructor, stuff like convenient sighting points around the track to pick up such as a marshals post or a light on the fence etc. I haven't driven Oulton yet and for sure my first time on that track will be with someone sat next to me.

 

[edh]

Cadwell is ace []

bit tight and scary for a first trackday though

ORIGINAL: supersport

I recently did an MSV novice day at Cadwell and it was fantastically run and as there were only 10 of us in a session there was loads of space to play in. Sadly I think they only let you do 3 novice days.

Would definitely do another and probably will do next month.

Have done some of the Club's days and they are good, although very expensive and the experienced drivers can be a bit intimidating when you are a beginner. NEVER EVER do a BMW club day as they are mental and allowed overtaking in the bends, gave up early and went home. Several cars got trashed that day!

 

[spyderman]

Doesn't the Club have an FAQ for track days somewhere?

Don't over-do it; keep your eye on your mirrors; monitor your tyre pressures.

Very interesting to read Cater_Racer's post - especially as he's a race license holder. I must admit that my very first track day - which was a Porsche Club beginners' event at Brands - nearly put me off because I couldn't take the tuition in.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I've only done a PCGB track day. Although it was a prize, so I didn't really want to be there, the standard of instruction and other drivers was fantastic. I'd say the same about the Goldtrack evening sessions, but the last one I saw at Silverstone was appalling during the day. Race teams testing and the "rent-a-Radical" idiots made for some truly scary driving.

RPM organise days as well, might be worth a call to see what they have coming up as they know the cars so well.

 

[MarkK]

Goldtrack evenings are good value,for a first trip out Silverstone would be a good bet,check your levels,pressures and try to relax and enjoy it,don't do to many laps,always do a cooling down lap at slower speed and off the brakes, and when you come in don't sit in the paddock on the brakes just incase there is some heat in them.Brands is a great circuit but I would pick a nice wide open one for a first outing.If the car is all serviced and running fine it will cope fine.
Would be great to hear what you decide,enjoy[]

 

[supersport]

It wasn't my first day and I had done Cadwell once before, but only my second outing in the 944. It is a brilliant track and really thrilling when you get it right.

 

[Copperman05]

I have just booked the Brands Hatch novice track day on 13th June with the club, 20mins tuition seems reasonable at £25, you only get about 40mins on track but as its meant as an introduction to track driving I think its ok, less stresses on car and tyres too. Its also R25 monthly meeting that evening in the Kentagon (circuit bar and cafe). Cant wait.

Still more places available too.


Edd

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Enjoy it Edd - then get to Silverstone for a Gold Track evening!.
I've been to quite a few trackdays as a spectator and those evenings have been the best organised and have very few if any red lights.
Even the PCGB ones I've been to have had more.

 

[944 man]

Id take Melindi at Gold Track over Jonny at BaT any time. That said, even though he comes across as an opinionated and obnoxious bell-end, he sometimes talkes sense if you can get past his manner.

 

[Diver944]

Melindi also has a very soft spot for 944's (which is why we always try to block book spaces on a few of the evenings through the summer)

 

[spyderman]

ORIGINAL: 944 man
Id take Melindi at Gold Track over Jonny at BaT any time.

Oh yes - far more sweeties from Melindi!

Still no dates for Silverstone evenings, though.

 

[Copperman05]

Had a great evening at Brands Hatch yesterday, took 20mins of tuition which was very useful. I have to say I have a new found appreciation and respect of what these cars can achieve on track, obviously the kw's help but the levels of grip and cornering speeds were impressive. The lesson of the day being its not what you drive its how you drive it that counts. A great fun day organised by the club and recommended to others who may be considering popping the trackday cherry.

The only slight issue I had were my brakes, lost a bit of feel and started shuddering when pushed, I put it down to cheap pads fitted in France on holiday last year and possible plate lift at the rear, more trackdays will require upgraded pads in the least I think. Other than that the car performed very well, the Bridgstone S02's although not trackday tyres seem a good compromise if you dont have a dedicated set for track.

Edd