ClubMSV Novice Track day
Discussion
Anyone done one of these? Looking to do one at Oulton Park, and was just wondering if they were any good. I'm not really into the racing side of track days, just want to experience what the car is capable of, and to learn a few skills in the process.
Any thoughts or recommendations welcome
Any thoughts or recommendations welcome
I did one of these at Brands, didn't enjoy it at all. Half the people there were clearly NOT novices. Two prats in particular stood out, an M5 and an Impreza, both being driven like absolute loons, trying to overtake on the right, overtaking on corners etc. No flags were shown to them at all. I ended up leaving the day early. I thought the briefing wasn't very clear, especially in regards to courtesy with other cars.
However, on other forums people seem to have really enjoyed them. Maybe I'm a bit sensitive!
The best thing I ever did was take advantage of my Lotus On Track membership (I was welcomed in my Clio). Absolutely fantastic evening at Brands on one of their novice events. Nice people, very polite driving. Even the LOT racers who were getting in some practice were patient with us. It may cost slightly more but in my opinion it was worth it.
However, on other forums people seem to have really enjoyed them. Maybe I'm a bit sensitive!
The best thing I ever did was take advantage of my Lotus On Track membership (I was welcomed in my Clio). Absolutely fantastic evening at Brands on one of their novice events. Nice people, very polite driving. Even the LOT racers who were getting in some practice were patient with us. It may cost slightly more but in my opinion it was worth it.
Not sure what you mean about the racing side of track days. Overtaking should only be with consent (but if a car catches you up you should let it pass at the earliest safe opportunity) and overt timing kit is a strict no-no, basically cover the display of any electronic timing kit you may have. So, strictly speaking there should be no competetive element to a track day.
If you want to track your Lotus in a safe environment, with like minded enthusiasts that generally demonstrate good driving skills (been on a day at Snetterton in very wet conditions and it was said that if had been any other track day organisation the stewards would have curtailed the day), where manners and track etiquette are exemplary and where poor on track behaviour is severely dealt with (seen one guy deservedly lose his club membership on the spot and without warning)then look no further than Lotus on Track. Track days all over the UK and Europe at loads of circuits (including Oulton) and very competitively priced with top class instruction available at very reasonable cost (you get a session FOC when you book your first track day).
You'll get great encouragement, advice and banter. You never know you may get hooked (most do!).
If you want to track your Lotus in a safe environment, with like minded enthusiasts that generally demonstrate good driving skills (been on a day at Snetterton in very wet conditions and it was said that if had been any other track day organisation the stewards would have curtailed the day), where manners and track etiquette are exemplary and where poor on track behaviour is severely dealt with (seen one guy deservedly lose his club membership on the spot and without warning)then look no further than Lotus on Track. Track days all over the UK and Europe at loads of circuits (including Oulton) and very competitively priced with top class instruction available at very reasonable cost (you get a session FOC when you book your first track day).
You'll get great encouragement, advice and banter. You never know you may get hooked (most do!).
Just thought I'd add that I didn't do my first day on a novice day - the great thing about LoT is that everyone remembers that they once did a first day and track and make allowances.
Bit humbling though when you think your going fast and then one the first car catches you and then dissappears into the distance at seemingly twice your speed. And then the next car does the same, and the next, etc, etc. You soon realise you're a bit of a mobile chicane but, as I said nobody will put you under any pressure - just keep an eye on your mirrors and pull to the right on straights and ease off a bit to let faster driven cars pass.
Whatever you do don't try and overdrive - keep to a speed your comfy with - you'll find yourself speeding up soon enough and by the end of the day you may not even be the slowest car out there!
One more point (I'm sure they'll be some that disagree though). I'm not sure Oulton is the best place for a first track day. Find somewhere with good run off on all corners to give yourself some confidence. Bedford is often cited as the best place for your first experience although if your car has been noisily modded then you may fall foul of their noise regulations - ask on the forums about any mods you have before going. Plenty have taken modded cars to Bedford without issue and you'll get good advice.
Bit humbling though when you think your going fast and then one the first car catches you and then dissappears into the distance at seemingly twice your speed. And then the next car does the same, and the next, etc, etc. You soon realise you're a bit of a mobile chicane but, as I said nobody will put you under any pressure - just keep an eye on your mirrors and pull to the right on straights and ease off a bit to let faster driven cars pass.
Whatever you do don't try and overdrive - keep to a speed your comfy with - you'll find yourself speeding up soon enough and by the end of the day you may not even be the slowest car out there!
One more point (I'm sure they'll be some that disagree though). I'm not sure Oulton is the best place for a first track day. Find somewhere with good run off on all corners to give yourself some confidence. Bedford is often cited as the best place for your first experience although if your car has been noisily modded then you may fall foul of their noise regulations - ask on the forums about any mods you have before going. Plenty have taken modded cars to Bedford without issue and you'll get good advice.
tertius said:
I'll disagree - Bedford is utterly, crushingly dull. How about Donington - very few things to hit, and its a proper race track with elevation and everything.
I didn't say it was a great track end of - I said its a great track for a novice. If you've never done a track day before then somewhere like Bedford is perfect for starting to push the envelope of your car's abilities (not to mention your own) in relative safety. Snetterton used to be a pretty good novice friendly track too (haven't been on the new layout though) but does present a high speed bend through which you have to brake for the immediately following right hander, the 'bombhole catches a few out et, etc. Save the cleverer stuff until you've built up a bit of confidence - its the fastest way to learn. For a novice Bedford offers plenty of excitement. TIPPER said:
tertius said:
I'll disagree - Bedford is utterly, crushingly dull. How about Donington - very few things to hit, and its a proper race track with elevation and everything.
I didn't say it was a great track end of - I said its a great track for a novice. If you've never done a track day before then somewhere like Bedford is perfect for starting to push the envelope of your car's abilities (not to mention your own) in relative safety. Snetterton used to be a pretty good novice friendly track too (haven't been on the new layout though) but does present a high speed bend through which you have to brake for the immediately following right hander, the 'bombhole catches a few out et, etc. Save the cleverer stuff until you've built up a bit of confidence - its the fastest way to learn. For a novice Bedford offers plenty of excitement. I don't think Donington is materially more risky than Bedford and its a hell of a lot better.
Bedford isn't worth bothering with imo, the most boring, plain track i've been on. Ok it gets you track experience with good run off, but if you are sensible there is only a small chance you will need any run off!
Oulton is a classic track, fantastic. Brands (GP) is one of the best tracks in the world to drive, great experience, even the club track is decent as you get a go on the rollercoaster of paddock bend. Plus just think of the history of these places, the drivers and cars that have driven these bends. I don't see a reason to choose Bedford over 'real' tracks. Bedford is a bit of fun, but driving Brands or Oulton is an experience you will remember for the rest of your life.
Take your time to build up pace, don't get intimidated by faster or aggressive drivers, give them plenty of space and concentrate on your own driving. Remember everyone is there to enjoy themselves and you will likely have a great time.
BTW Club Lotus do a track day/meet early in the year at Castle Combe, very cheap. (I think it was like £80 for two 20minute sessions in the morning, then unlimited sessions in the afternoon.) Being all Club Lotus people it was the most polite track day i've been on, and a good fun track too. Its very low pressure as its more of a Lotus Meet with some track driving thrown in than a proper track day.
Oulton is a classic track, fantastic. Brands (GP) is one of the best tracks in the world to drive, great experience, even the club track is decent as you get a go on the rollercoaster of paddock bend. Plus just think of the history of these places, the drivers and cars that have driven these bends. I don't see a reason to choose Bedford over 'real' tracks. Bedford is a bit of fun, but driving Brands or Oulton is an experience you will remember for the rest of your life.
Take your time to build up pace, don't get intimidated by faster or aggressive drivers, give them plenty of space and concentrate on your own driving. Remember everyone is there to enjoy themselves and you will likely have a great time.
BTW Club Lotus do a track day/meet early in the year at Castle Combe, very cheap. (I think it was like £80 for two 20minute sessions in the morning, then unlimited sessions in the afternoon.) Being all Club Lotus people it was the most polite track day i've been on, and a good fun track too. Its very low pressure as its more of a Lotus Meet with some track driving thrown in than a proper track day.
Oh and watch a few laps of the track on Youtube (Pref of a similar car) before going, try and get a sense of rough breaking points/turn in points etc. From past experience its much nicer to go out on a track having a good understanding of it compared to having no idea what corner is coming next!
Forbes82 said:
Oh and watch a few laps of the track on Youtube (Pref of a similar car) before going, try and get a sense of rough breaking points/turn in points etc. From past experience its much nicer to go out on a track having a good understanding of it compared to having no idea what corner is coming next!
Sorry, apart from learning which way the track goes you'll learn sod all about braking points etc from a video - far too many variables. Next we'll have Playstation etc - plenty of kids out there claiming 8 minutes 'Bridge to Gantry' times that couldn't lap Brands Indy in less than 2 minutes in a real car!!!!!
Best way to learn a track is to drive it (at a comfortable pace) and then go out with a decent instructor - from memory LoT instructors are £15/20 per 20 minute session - an absolute bargain given what you learn (and be prepared for a first class b
king if you're getting it badly wrong!).For the OP: If you want a track day club that will see you through to competition standard or is happy to let you be a happy, clubby member then try LoT. Standards of driving and on track behaviour are exemplary.
Axe to grind? Maybe....I went on a track day with LoT just to say I'd tracked my Elise. I ended up doing a whole load more and eventually did a proper Motorsport event
(with LoT's backing). Would have gone onto a full season of Sprints and then racing if circumstances hadn't changed.Your choice.....a club that caters for a variety of Loti taken around at a gentlemanly pace (honestly, I've been on an Austin Healey track day(yawn!) or a place that will help you discover you and your car's limits.
Times are tough at the moment but the people that keep LoT going do so by putting up their own money - I no longer have my car but if I did I'd be looking for a way to up my support by booking an extra track day in 2012.
Use it or lose it - The best track club in Europe (and it happens to be an independent, one make (actually almost exclusively Elise/Exige) with a huge choice of tracks to choose from at very, very reasonable prices. To be honest I really wonder why anybody with an Elise bothers with any other organtisation. Hey Ho!
r1chardh said:
I enjoyed Oulton, but glad I did Bedford first. Brands ace, too, and the LoT novice days or evenings are definitely worth seeking out. Have fun...!
+1Did the Snetterton Novice Evening before SELOC@Snetts/The Lotus Festival this year and it was the perfect first track day, great driving standards (even from the Elise Trophy drivers who were extremely rapid but didn't do anything rash if a newbie held them up a bit) and the instructor session helped me find the lines after a nervous first couple of laps.
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff