Trackday costs - Another good reason for living in France
Discussion
So, I just came back from a Porsche day at Goodwood which was not cheap, but it was a charity day, so I bank some brownie points to play with, next time some leftie or greenie starts having a go about having fun with my own hard earned money, in a capitalist pig decadent sort of way.
Anyway less of the political rant.
Porsche day at Goodwood. £175 for a half day. or £350 for the whole day (as it cost a tad more to drive up from 81170 in France) and the ferry to Portsmouth, a full day was the only option really. So £350 for the basic track day. No tea or coffee, no breakfast, no water coolers, no lunch, no petrol station on site. Nada. On sale were overpriced, tea and coffees and I must admit, very tasty, bacon butties (a welcome change from pain au choc or croissants).
Parr Motorsport sent a transporter with a shiny cup car and a few other p-cars to try and flog, along with possibly half of their employees, to stand around all day, doing very little that I witnessed. What they didn't think to bring along was anything useful, like a nice shiny snap-on tool chest, a couple of low entry jacks, a windy gun, a compressor, just in case one of the track day warriors needed a bit of assistance.
Contrast this. On November 6th, I am booked on a Porsche track day at Nogaro, which is a better circuit by most measures than Goodwood. Track day organised by Signatures, the main dealer in Toulouse. The track day (3hours in the morning and three in the afternoon), split 50/50 with novice and warrior sessions, means 90 minutes track time in te morning and possibly more in the afternoon, as many choose to leave early, and it usually becomes "open pit lane" by 3.30pm.
Sinatures bring along two fully equipped LWB vans. If you want your wheels changing your tyre pressures set correctly, your brake pads or fluid changing, they provide the labour for free. You just pay for parts and consumables. You can even get an oil service by the techs at lunch-time for parts + oil + 70-80 euros cash (approved by the dealership principal).
Lunch at a nearby restaueant starts with a 30 minute fois gras and wine tasting, followed by a three course lunch prepared by young chef, with Michelin star sous chef experience, but not his own star as such. Cost of this. 75 euros for the track day with all itr includes, and 33 euros per person for lunch. So even with sterling down the s
tter, that's still less thean £100 for a service, that if they could offer, would be over £500 in the UK. (Add the tech support, and the lunch to the £350).
Oh, and the drive to Nogaro on empty country roads beats any UK road driving too.
Kinda makes up for some of the st you get from the functionnaires.
Anyway less of the political rant.
Porsche day at Goodwood. £175 for a half day. or £350 for the whole day (as it cost a tad more to drive up from 81170 in France) and the ferry to Portsmouth, a full day was the only option really. So £350 for the basic track day. No tea or coffee, no breakfast, no water coolers, no lunch, no petrol station on site. Nada. On sale were overpriced, tea and coffees and I must admit, very tasty, bacon butties (a welcome change from pain au choc or croissants).
Parr Motorsport sent a transporter with a shiny cup car and a few other p-cars to try and flog, along with possibly half of their employees, to stand around all day, doing very little that I witnessed. What they didn't think to bring along was anything useful, like a nice shiny snap-on tool chest, a couple of low entry jacks, a windy gun, a compressor, just in case one of the track day warriors needed a bit of assistance.
Contrast this. On November 6th, I am booked on a Porsche track day at Nogaro, which is a better circuit by most measures than Goodwood. Track day organised by Signatures, the main dealer in Toulouse. The track day (3hours in the morning and three in the afternoon), split 50/50 with novice and warrior sessions, means 90 minutes track time in te morning and possibly more in the afternoon, as many choose to leave early, and it usually becomes "open pit lane" by 3.30pm.
Sinatures bring along two fully equipped LWB vans. If you want your wheels changing your tyre pressures set correctly, your brake pads or fluid changing, they provide the labour for free. You just pay for parts and consumables. You can even get an oil service by the techs at lunch-time for parts + oil + 70-80 euros cash (approved by the dealership principal).
Lunch at a nearby restaueant starts with a 30 minute fois gras and wine tasting, followed by a three course lunch prepared by young chef, with Michelin star sous chef experience, but not his own star as such. Cost of this. 75 euros for the track day with all itr includes, and 33 euros per person for lunch. So even with sterling down the s
tter, that's still less thean £100 for a service, that if they could offer, would be over £500 in the UK. (Add the tech support, and the lunch to the £350). Oh, and the drive to Nogaro on empty country roads beats any UK road driving too.
Kinda makes up for some of the s
t you get from the functionnaires.Sounds good.
My track days tend to be open pit morning and afternoon for about 120 to 150 euros. I carry my own kit so only need an airline and fuel.
There Allways seem to be very helpfull fellow track day folks about if one gets stuck for something.
Nogaro is on my list for next season.
My track days tend to be open pit morning and afternoon for about 120 to 150 euros. I carry my own kit so only need an airline and fuel.
There Allways seem to be very helpfull fellow track day folks about if one gets stuck for something.
Nogaro is on my list for next season.
Did my first trackday yesterday as a Porsche 928 Club guest, €170 euros inc. 3 course lunch at a local restaurant for two people and a 20 minute coaching session (plus many discussions with the coaches throughout the day).
Started with 20 minute slots and quickly turned into an open day.
Guess that's pretty good value for money. Looking at rims and tyres (Toyo R888r) because my road tyres were definitely hampering progress and that's not quite as cheap !
Started with 20 minute slots and quickly turned into an open day.
Guess that's pretty good value for money. Looking at rims and tyres (Toyo R888r) because my road tyres were definitely hampering progress and that's not quite as cheap !
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