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Track day advice...Castle Combe and Silverston

ralphmusic

PCGB Member
Member
Craig,

Take a look at the Track Day section of the Forum which has some useful information.

As to Silverstone GP v National, with the GP you get the full Maggotts/Becketts/Chapel, down Hanger Straight through Stowe experience, plus the entry to the Wing Straight and then Abbey and Farm. Not to be missed in my view.

 
Craig,

In particular, make sure your car's brakes and tyres are up to scratch and that the oil level is correct. Start with the recommended tyre pressures and adjust as necessary after some hot laps. A nitrogen fill will help to stabilise tyre temperatures.

As everyone says, the best tip is to book some tuition from someone who knows the track well.

The main thing is to enjoy the day driving at a pace with which you're comfortable.

Have fun..!

Jeff

 
Hi all, I've a half day at Castle Coombe mid May (I was looking at Thruxton as closer to home, but sounds like the surface is a bit rough/harder on tyres etc). Any general tips on driving or car set up from "regulars"?

And looking at Silverstone as well, anyone driven and have a view on pro's and con's of "National" versus the Grand Prix circuit?
Cheers
Craig
 
Cheers gents, had the brake fluid done a year ago when I purchased the croc, will have brakes etc rechecked too. Good advice re the longer Silverstone track....

 
Craig,

The Sliverstone GP circuit is the daddy. I have done many laps there in my CR, and the Maggots, Becketts, Chapel, sequence is awesome. As is Copse and Abbey curves.

Take Ralph and Jeff's advice and enjoy.

Brian

 
Castle combe is a really fun track. It's quite bumpy in parts which is evident in the video below (my old 964 when I went there for the first time in 2011):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw-Ye0_SU3Y

Therefore softer rather than rock hard suspension suits the track. The lap is quite short at about 1 min 30 seconds so you'll get to learn it very quickly. Be on the brakes early for Quarry as there's not much run off (wall awaits). Feed in the power smoothly at the apex of Camp as you don't want to spin there (wall awaits). Folley is a blast as it's full throttle all the way.

It's one of the few tracks where they do overtaking on the right for track days.

 
Craiglm68 said:
Hi all, I've a half day at Castle Coombe mid May (I was looking at Thruxton as closer to home, but sounds like the surface is a bit rough/harder on tyres etc). Any general tips on driving or car set up from "regulars"?

And looking at Silverstone as well, anyone driven and have a view on pro's and con's of "National" versus the Grand Prix circuit?

Cheers

Craig

I would avoid Silverstone, it seems a rich mans play ground with cup cars and 600bhp monsters, you will spend too much time looking in your mirrors, it's a power circuit and the guy who tend to go have power cars !!! plus it's ******* expensive there to do one.

Donnington, Cadwell Park are much nicer for our cars imo and cheaper,

 
MrDemon said:
I would avoid Silverstone, it seems a rich mans play ground with cup cars and 600bhp monsters, you will spend too much time looking in your mirrors, it's a power circuit and the guy who tend to go have power cars !!! plus it's ******* expensive there to do one.

Donnington, Cadwell Park are much nicer for our cars imo and cheaper,

I would not characterise Silverstone that way. I have been twice so far this year and am back May 10th.

Even on Goldtrack days the drivers of GT3 race Ferraris & Astons, Cup Cars etc are respectful of others and don't overtake on corners or under braking. There is skill in overtaking a similarly paced car by running faster through preceding corners for instance, the same in reverse in allowing faster cars through at a place that minimises delays to both cars.

Don't forget the Club has a trackday there in June (when I am on holiday).

As to cost, Silverstone is the same as a Donnington noisy day and Goodwood, better value in my view.

 
I don't really want to share a high power track with "GT3 race Ferraris & Astons, Cup Cars on slicks" though, as I say you have to an eye on your mirrors and they will push you to over take in places not so safe imo. Silverstone is £550 normally, Donnington £300, that's a big price gap also !

A Cayman feels slow on Silverstone, It's an very wide F1 track after all. each to their own I guess, not for me for those 3 reasons.

 
My Cayman doesn't feel slow at Silverstone.

It would be very strange if one persons de-facto experience should characterise one of the very best circuit around ... of course David, you are entitled to your opinion.

To the OP ... if you never go, you'll never know.

 

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