Track organisers who allow overtaking on both sides
Discussion
Yesterday's track day at Thruxton allowed overtaking on both sides and in all locations except where cars were braking. Worked extremely well on the wide Thruxton circuit and overcame problem of sitting behind slower cars until the next straight, especially when they have more power. So much less restrictive than regular rule of overtaking on left side on straights only.
Apparently some track day organisers adopt this overtaking on both sides policy on all circuits. Anyone know which organisers these are please ?
Apparently some track day organisers adopt this overtaking on both sides policy on all circuits. Anyone know which organisers these are please ?
Generally RMA attracts quite experienced track dayers, I know I found it intimidating the first time I used them, it was a steep learning curve and generally very fast and expensive machinery.
Martin Brundle turned up in an F1 car once. I met a few F1 racers there and a few Le Mans winners too.
Martin Brundle turned up in an F1 car once. I met a few F1 racers there and a few Le Mans winners too.
HustleRussell said:
Get a race license and go testing
We are racers but my license has expired although my son's is current. Thruxton was a fun event in a friends road car but made better by the open overtaking rule.Went testing back in the 80s and early 90s but it was cheap back then. These days testing has become really expensive...
Thanks guys for the advice about RMA.
Their website is impressive but so are their prices - very exclusive. At that cost, we would forgo track days and develop the car at proper race meetings instead...
https://www.rmatrackdays.com/Events/
Their website is impressive but so are their prices - very exclusive. At that cost, we would forgo track days and develop the car at proper race meetings instead...
https://www.rmatrackdays.com/Events/
The RMA days are the best. Over taking both sides is great and in my opinion it is safer than the normal track days. The onus is on the driver overtaking to get the overtake done by the braking area. The overtaken car keeps to his normal line. The more you use that system, the more you like it. Lets hope more TDO's take it on,
Both ways seem to have their positive and negative sides.
I think that for an amateur trackday user it will be better to have more restrictive overtaking rules as this way he will be able to focus more on his driving rather than where he is being overtaken from.
On the other hand, for a more experienced driver of course it should be easier to have the freedom to overtake on each side.
This greatly helps with the flow and management of traffic.
But for this to happen there must be good judgement and fast decision making. Otherwise it won't work and might even lead to extra incidents/accidents.
I think that for an amateur trackday user it will be better to have more restrictive overtaking rules as this way he will be able to focus more on his driving rather than where he is being overtaken from.
On the other hand, for a more experienced driver of course it should be easier to have the freedom to overtake on each side.
This greatly helps with the flow and management of traffic.
But for this to happen there must be good judgement and fast decision making. Otherwise it won't work and might even lead to extra incidents/accidents.
I was at Thruxton on Thursday as well (black Megane).
I have mixed feelings about overtaking both sides, one of the benefits of left only is it general forces the car in front to move off the racing line thus making it pretty clear you can pass, likewise one can drive on the inside if going slow or on a slow down lap. Thursday I found too many occasions where the odd lines taken by the car in front didn't really give me a clear idea of their intentions, likewise I felt there was a fair few occasions where I ended up just driving straight past or round cars. It worked out all OK but it feels odd on a track day. I used to race so done a fair few MSA test days and qualifying sessions where generally you overtake where ever you can to find space, its hard to tell on a track day if the other guy/gal has the awareness. Have to say though that as the day went on I got more comfortable with things and didn't once get into a situation where my car and somebody else's where too close (as in test day or quali size gaps). If this became more usual I think most would get used to it.
Thruxton is still my favourite track in the UK, absolutely blooming love it.
I have mixed feelings about overtaking both sides, one of the benefits of left only is it general forces the car in front to move off the racing line thus making it pretty clear you can pass, likewise one can drive on the inside if going slow or on a slow down lap. Thursday I found too many occasions where the odd lines taken by the car in front didn't really give me a clear idea of their intentions, likewise I felt there was a fair few occasions where I ended up just driving straight past or round cars. It worked out all OK but it feels odd on a track day. I used to race so done a fair few MSA test days and qualifying sessions where generally you overtake where ever you can to find space, its hard to tell on a track day if the other guy/gal has the awareness. Have to say though that as the day went on I got more comfortable with things and didn't once get into a situation where my car and somebody else's where too close (as in test day or quali size gaps). If this became more usual I think most would get used to it.
Thruxton is still my favourite track in the UK, absolutely blooming love it.
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