Mallory park - what’s it like?
Discussion
Let me guess, Bedford? 
(I don't want to put words into HR's mouth but someone will suggest it at some point).
It's hard to learn and with many poorly defined corners but "great for novices" because you can drive it badly without realising and while feeling like a god until you inevitably lose control and crash; but that's ok because there's "nothing to hit".
Like learning how to drive badly and crash is a good thing for a novice to do so long as they don't hit anything
.
(I don't want to put words into HR's mouth but someone will suggest it at some point).It's hard to learn and with many poorly defined corners but "great for novices" because you can drive it badly without realising and while feeling like a god until you inevitably lose control and crash; but that's ok because there's "nothing to hit".
Like learning how to drive badly and crash is a good thing for a novice to do so long as they don't hit anything
.Steve H said:
Let me guess, Bedford? (I don't want to put words into HR's mouth but someone will suggest it at some point).
It's hard to learn and with many poorly defined corners but "great for novices" because you can drive it badly without realising and while feeling like a god until you inevitably lose control and crash; but that's ok because there's "nothing to hit".
Like learning how to drive badly and crash is a good thing for a novice to do so long as they don't hit anything.
Good post (I don't want to put words into HR's mouth but someone will suggest it at some point).It's hard to learn and with many poorly defined corners but "great for novices" because you can drive it badly without realising and while feeling like a god until you inevitably lose control and crash; but that's ok because there's "nothing to hit".
Like learning how to drive badly and crash is a good thing for a novice to do so long as they don't hit anything
.Bedford is so flat and uninspiring as well - is there a single memorable corner?
HustleRussell said:
Would be far from my first choice as a first trackday
/\ This.Only because the lap is so short.
I presume that as it's your first day, you probably won't be quick,
and hence you'll spend too much time looking in your mirrors for the
experienced drivers coming past you on a regular basis.
You don't want to be holding people up like this 'all the gear and no idea' Radical driver at Mallory
Even the goose was quicker
.Edited by Elderly on Wednesday 24th January 09:30
Never been to Bedford and I'm pretty sure Mallory Park was the first circuit I ever drove on.
It's not a bad circuit but I have also seen a couple of pretty nasty accidents over the years where slow moving or stationary vehicles at the beginning of the start / finish straight are collected by people sheening it unsighted out of Devil's Elbow.
I just think there are safer circuits and more interesting circuits with Mallory not scoring particularly high on either count.
It's not a bad circuit but I have also seen a couple of pretty nasty accidents over the years where slow moving or stationary vehicles at the beginning of the start / finish straight are collected by people sheening it unsighted out of Devil's Elbow.
I just think there are safer circuits and more interesting circuits with Mallory not scoring particularly high on either count.
edh said:
Good post
Bedford is so flat and uninspiring as well - is there a single memorable corner?
Yeah - the one with the noise tester you need to part throttle round due to the strict drive-by noise restrictions!Bedford is so flat and uninspiring as well - is there a single memorable corner?
Mallory is decent, no comment on whether it's beginner friendly. Blyton would be my recommendation for a first day out.
I did my first trackday at mallory and loved it, was fine for me as a begginner, my mate also took me out in his Caterham and I have some great memories. Living in Leicestershire is great because Im 2 miles from Mallory, half an hour from Donnington, 40 mins from Rockingham, just over an Hour from Silverstone.
My only criticism for Mallory is there can be a lot of standing water in rain and just after rain.
My only criticism for Mallory is there can be a lot of standing water in rain and just after rain.
Steve H said:
Let me guess, Bedford? (I don't want to put words into HR's mouth but someone will suggest it at some point).
It's hard to learn and with many poorly defined corners but "great for novices" because you can drive it badly without realising and while feeling like a god until you inevitably lose control and crash; but that's ok because there's "nothing to hit".
Like learning how to drive badly and crash is a good thing for a novice to do so long as they don't hit anything.
Hi Steve, James here (raced with Sam in the E36 in Roadsports last year...) (I don't want to put words into HR's mouth but someone will suggest it at some point).It's hard to learn and with many poorly defined corners but "great for novices" because you can drive it badly without realising and while feeling like a god until you inevitably lose control and crash; but that's ok because there's "nothing to hit".
Like learning how to drive badly and crash is a good thing for a novice to do so long as they don't hit anything
.Apologies for the off-topic post, but I've seen you mention this on a few threads before and I'm not sure I agree. In fact, I take a lot of beginners in my track car and generally pick Bedford for their first drive.
Ok, so location plays a big part, me being based in the south, but I also find the lack of elevation change, camber, etc makes it a comfortable environment to learn track driving.
The long lap means cars are more spread out, so you spend less time on the mirrors and yielding, although I appreciate it takes longer to learn.
My novices rarely come off the track, but I let one loose on her own and Brands and she backed the car into a wall. If it were at Bedford, it's incredibly unlikely (although I'll admit not impossible) that that would've happened.
I've done Bedford a fair few times now and while it seems 'easy' at first, I still learn something new and find time every time I go there, so it's not without its own challenges.
Just my view though!
Steve, you do have a downer on poor Bedford!
I think the corners are very well thought out and a good challenge. Also a good long lap to even out the traffic.
Ok, so it has no elevation, no pedigree and no wow corner like craners or paddock.
I'm going begin Feb with explicit purpose of trying out Rob Wilson's techniques (as I can glean them online!). I'll have space and time to play around, something most other tracks never supply. Good location for me, perfect winter warmer.
Never been to Mallory, but it's a long way for me and doesn't look too enticing.
I think the corners are very well thought out and a good challenge. Also a good long lap to even out the traffic.
Ok, so it has no elevation, no pedigree and no wow corner like craners or paddock.
I'm going begin Feb with explicit purpose of trying out Rob Wilson's techniques (as I can glean them online!). I'll have space and time to play around, something most other tracks never supply. Good location for me, perfect winter warmer.
Never been to Mallory, but it's a long way for me and doesn't look too enticing.
CABC said:
Steve, you do have a downer on poor Bedford!
Guilty as charged 
.I'm lucky enough to have spent a lot of time instructing, trackdaying and/or racing at all the venues that have been mentioned so far on this thread and my view is that Mallory is a great little track and much better for learning lines, dynamics and good driving habits than Bedford.
Is it as safe? Maybe, maybe not but I've seen more trackday cars on their roofs at Bedford than Mallory and despite all that space I've seen more cars come together at Bedford than anywhere else............
Synchromesh said:
Hi Steve, James here (raced with Sam in the E36 in Roadsports last year...)
I've done Bedford a fair few times now and while it seems 'easy' at first, I still learn something new and find time every time I go there, so it's not without its own challenges.
Hi James I've done Bedford a fair few times now and while it seems 'easy' at first, I still learn something new and find time every time I go there, so it's not without its own challenges.
. It's not so much that it's easy, more that it's easy to get wrong and not realise. It's a bit like driving a GTR or new Focus RS, you can do it really badly and be doing all the things that should be firing you into the scenery but still be going quick and feeling like a hero (might as well alienate the 4wd crew as well while I'm on a roll
).What I mean is Bedford can be driven well (as can a GTR/RS
), but it's sometimes too easy not to and learning at Bedford is not as intuitive as elsewhere in the same way as you'll learn more and faster in a Caterham than an Evo.[/devils advocate, each to their own, IMO, etc]
Steve H said:
Is it as safe? Maybe, maybe not but I've seen more trackday cars on their roofs at Bedford than Mallory and despite all that space I've seen more cars come together at Bedford than anywhere else............
mmm, so the 'safe' track encourages the hooligan side? fair point I think.Great little circuit. Short and easy to learn with a bit of everything, fast corners, hairpin etc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiwD8LDyH94&fe...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiwD8LDyH94&fe...
I did Mallory as my first trackday.
Simply because living in Derby it was very close and half the price of Donington.
It's a great track, not too technical so you can actually learn the layout, lines and enjoy the day. Yes you will be slower than experienced people, but every trackday I've been at since there's always slower and faster drivers. As long as you move out of the way in a safe manner I don't see the issue.
I would definitely get some instruction, I had 2 sessions by myself to get a feel for things. Instruction around 10:30. went out again on my own and then another 20mnins mid afternoon, was the best money I've spent as it gave me a lot more confidence and understanding of what the car is doing and where to place it.
Could also try Curborough Sprint Course? Only at Fradley. Normally about £60 for a day and you don't have to worry about anyone coming flying behind you, can relax a little and just concentrate on your own driving.
Simply because living in Derby it was very close and half the price of Donington.
It's a great track, not too technical so you can actually learn the layout, lines and enjoy the day. Yes you will be slower than experienced people, but every trackday I've been at since there's always slower and faster drivers. As long as you move out of the way in a safe manner I don't see the issue.
I would definitely get some instruction, I had 2 sessions by myself to get a feel for things. Instruction around 10:30. went out again on my own and then another 20mnins mid afternoon, was the best money I've spent as it gave me a lot more confidence and understanding of what the car is doing and where to place it.
Could also try Curborough Sprint Course? Only at Fradley. Normally about £60 for a day and you don't have to worry about anyone coming flying behind you, can relax a little and just concentrate on your own driving.
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