Track day recommendations?

[Tizzy]

Enjoyed punting my 944 around Donington so much on Sunday that I was considering some sort of track day, one with separate sessions for slower / classic cars / newbie drivers etc. Any recommendations? PCGB seem to have several choices though they seem expensive and majority seem to be open pit lane - I’d like something aimed squarely at beginners just so I can start to explore the 944’s handling a bit more! Thanks Chris

 

[Ruston]

Hi Chris
Motor Sport Vision do novice trackdays or novice sessions that are meant to be for drivers with little track experience. However they don’t do much to check those who book so you could find yourself out with some quick people.
If you are looking to do some more track days without being intimidated by faster cars/drivers, my suggestion would be to just go for a track day run by a reputable company that properly enforce track rules (not all do). In my experience, Motor Sport Events are one of the best in that regard (I’ve not tried PCGB yet!). MSE run events at Abingdon airfield (as well as some proper circuits) so you also have the advantage of a generally wide open track with little to run into and plenty of space so the circuit is not overly busy. Some instruction early in the day helps with the confidence and get‘s you up to speed. They are good value at £130ish for the day. https://www.motorsport-events.com/collections/track-days
Another option would be some sort of driver training session. Carlimits days are really good and include a mini auto solo type circuit as part of the day. Great fun and a much better way to learn about the extremes of handling without other cars on ‘track’ at the same time. https://www.carlimits.com/

 

[Eldavo]

This is what you’re looking for Chris:

http://www.motorpunk.co.uk/features/motorsport-for-the-poor/join-motorpunks-summer-track-day-shindig/

In fact there’s a stunning 944T in the main banner picture. It may be there this year if I get the engine rebuilt in time too []

 

[Tizzy]

Thanks guys, some really good recommendations there - Blyton isn’t too far from me so that could work.

 

[edh]

The best thing you can do is get some good instruction on the day - it will get you round much faster & safer. Getting the basics of lines also makes you more predictable for other drivers.

Donington is a pretty good circuit to start at as there's not a lot to hit, so not too intimidating. It also has one of the best sequences of corners of any track in the UK. There are plenty of places for faster cars to get by. I think it's much better than somewhere like Bedford, which is dull and featureless, where the lines are actually quite hard to pick out.

You can usually pick up an evening track day at Donington during the summer. Opentrack are a decent organiser & they provide some tuition included in the cost.

Any track is hard on the car - brakes, suspension, cooling. Donington has a couple of big braking points. You'll also find the car a bit soft, but even so I think it should behave pretty well.

 

[stephentodd]

@Tizzy There is a PCGB track day @ Blyton on Fri 24th May. It is sold out but would good for a look see, I have done Blyton and it’s a really good safe track, on the PCGB day there are instructors inc & beginners are not allowed out until they have been out with an instructor.

 

[944Turbo]

Goldtrack do some good days and generally not too crowded, especially if you don't start when everyone else does! But I guess that applies to most open pitlane trackdays - everyone is keen to get out as soon as a session starts but 15 to 20 minutes later as they start to come in the track will be quieter.
With sessions they will usually separate out beginners but that is not always a good thing!
Insurance is another thing to consider, some classic policies provide track day cover but it may be limited to certain providers.
Tony