Track days at Thruxton
Discussion
Doesn't look as though there are any going by their website www.barc.net/thruxton.htm . They do seem to offer access to the circuit via their own school (click on Thruxton MotorSports Centre) and cars although not much this side of mid Sep.
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Not offhand, but if you subscribe to Circuit Driver magazine, they have a section which lists just about every track and test day in the country.
Not forgetting www.pistonheads.com/trackdays/calendar.asp of course!
many TVRs I have been to a trackday at Thruxton, very fast circuit. When it rained, a false chicane (bollards) was installed along the straight to slow us down. But, this was five years ago.
The reason that there are very few days available at Thruxton is the dreaded noise limit. Its about the lowest limit of any UK circuit, 89dba. There are very few days allowed above this limit, therefore, those days are reserved for racing and practice days.
The reason that there are very few days available at Thruxton is the dreaded noise limit. Its about the lowest limit of any UK circuit, 89dba. There are very few days allowed above this limit, therefore, those days are reserved for racing and practice days.
I've done Thruxton a couple of times, now. Always with the Ian Taylor Race School. Thruxton used to do an hour at the end of the day which you could use your own car for - now they don't appear to. Instead they do a number of days a year dedicated to "own-car" driving. These are still race-school days from what I can gather...its just that you can use your own car.
Meself...I'd rather use up their tyres, brakes, insurance etc...
The Elise course lets you do 14 laps of the (big!) circuit and is decent value. They do other courses which are more "experience" oriented. These are fine for what they are but if you're already an enthusiatic track driver I'd say they're a waste of time...
They also do a "Le Mans" car race course which involves about 26 laps over a whole day. Geared towards small team-building events really. About £495 a shot as I recall. That looked like fun...
Meself...I'd rather use up their tyres, brakes, insurance etc...
The Elise course lets you do 14 laps of the (big!) circuit and is decent value. They do other courses which are more "experience" oriented. These are fine for what they are but if you're already an enthusiatic track driver I'd say they're a waste of time...
They also do a "Le Mans" car race course which involves about 26 laps over a whole day. Geared towards small team-building events really. About £495 a shot as I recall. That looked like fun...
Westover Sports Cars used to arrange track days at Thruxton in association with the TVR Car Club. In the last newsletter they sent me they said they were trying to arrange one this year and they wanted people to call them to gauge if there was enough interest - so presumably the circuit can still be hired out on occasions.
However as its already been stated noise limitations at Thruxton are strict, and even race test days are few and far between. This is a pity because its one of the more difficult circuits to learn.
However as its already been stated noise limitations at Thruxton are strict, and even race test days are few and far between. This is a pity because its one of the more difficult circuits to learn.
PH do organise some days, usually in association with BookaTrack, Folembray in Sept is a goer.
BookaTrack had cars, or at least cars with their WEB site adverts on at Silverstone yesterday.
Done Silverstone GP twice and Brands in the last three weeks. Prefer undulating circuits, BH GP, Donnington, Oulton PK, (not happy at Cadwell though).
Will probably go to Castle Combe on Sept 2nd (3rd time this year). Rockinham, (dont look at the wall two inches from your wing mirror), dont like the infield its too twisty for me, OK for Caterhams that can skitter through the tight bits.
Croft is OK, same type of circuit as Goodwood and Castle Combe, all three are a bit low on noise limits. Goodwood will only allow 5 cars to be on ttack at once on a 103dba day, 10 on a 98dba day.
>> Edited by Pete Cros on Tuesday 13th August 11:34
BookaTrack had cars, or at least cars with their WEB site adverts on at Silverstone yesterday.
Done Silverstone GP twice and Brands in the last three weeks. Prefer undulating circuits, BH GP, Donnington, Oulton PK, (not happy at Cadwell though).
Will probably go to Castle Combe on Sept 2nd (3rd time this year). Rockinham, (dont look at the wall two inches from your wing mirror), dont like the infield its too twisty for me, OK for Caterhams that can skitter through the tight bits.
Croft is OK, same type of circuit as Goodwood and Castle Combe, all three are a bit low on noise limits. Goodwood will only allow 5 cars to be on ttack at once on a 103dba day, 10 on a 98dba day.
>> Edited by Pete Cros on Tuesday 13th August 11:34
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Done Silverstone GP twice and Brands in the last three weeks. Prefer undulating circuits, BH GP, Donnington, Oulton PK, (not happy at Cadwell though).
Cadwell is a great circuit. We used to organise track days there, and everybody always came away with a big grin. You just have to show it some respect.
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Will probably go to Castle Combe on Sept 2nd (3rd time this year). Rockinham, (dont look at the wall two inches from your wing mirror), dont like the infield its too twisty for me, OK for Caterhams that can skitter through the tight bits.
Or Rover SD1's. I raced there last season. Fantastic chucking taking those chicaines coming off the banking at 100mhph. Don't bother slowing down enough to drive through it, as you just throw the car sideways at the right moment, and slide through. A great overtaking place. I also loved that banked corner. Foot to the floor all the way round it, drifting the car gently towards the wall, and grabbing 5th gear just as you hit the exit. Fantastic
The infield isok, just a bit uninspiring. quote:
Croft is OK, same type of circuit as Goodwood and Castle Combe, all three are a bit low on noise limits.
I've only done Croft in the (soaking) wet. I'd love to have a go in the dry, as Clark Curves and all the back of the circuit were great fun. With grip they'd have been even better
James
Gold Track are the only club that does a proper track day at Thruxton, and it's usually in April, but even they are subject to the strict noise limit.
Apart from the chicane and complex, it is very, very fast - have memories of holding full throttle round the back of the circuit, just picking the line and letting the speed build and build. Kind of like all the quick bits of Goodwood joined together...
Cheers,
AdrianR
Apart from the chicane and complex, it is very, very fast - have memories of holding full throttle round the back of the circuit, just picking the line and letting the speed build and build. Kind of like all the quick bits of Goodwood joined together...
Cheers,
AdrianR
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I have been to a trackday at Thruxton, very fast circuit. When it rained, a false chicane (bollards) was installed along the straight to slow us down. But, this was five years ago.
The reason that there are very few days available at Thruxton is the dreaded noise limit. Its about the lowest limit of any UK circuit, 89dba. There are very few days allowed above this limit, therefore, those days are reserved for racing and practice days.
I believe the 89db is a driveby limit, most cars under about 98db static should be OK, which is no worse then Castle Combe, Goodwood etc.
Mark
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Andy do bookatrak ever use Pembrey in south wales ?? It might be in the middle of nowhere but is well worth the drive to get there and they've got a fantastically laid back attitude, what noise limit?
I don't think BookaTrack have ever been to Pembrey (not in the 3 years or so I have used them)!
They use Anglesey (north) and Llandow (south) for the Welsh region.
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