Less Crowded Tracks?
Discussion
Went to an evening Brands Hatch track day very recently and loved it, but also realise that I only really got into the grove of it as other cars started to leave the circuit for the day so I could start exploring my own lines rather than politely pulling over to let others pass. The most fun was when I had clear mirrors.
I want to do more and get better - so - my question is: for a beginner - what are the best tracks to be able to ease into it and gradually push harder with less instances of having to let others by? Say within 2 to 2.5 hours hours of London? - Thanks
I want to do more and get better - so - my question is: for a beginner - what are the best tracks to be able to ease into it and gradually push harder with less instances of having to let others by? Say within 2 to 2.5 hours hours of London? - Thanks
The number of cars permitted on track varies by event organiser so try to find out.
Brands Indy is probably the worst in the country in that respect as it is only 1.2 miles and trackdays there are very well attended. Good alternatives within 2 or 3 hours of London are Snetterton and Rockingham. Silverstone would be better too but unless you're spending mega bucks it'll be the National circuit or the International circuit rather than the full GP circuit and I don't rate either of those.
EDIT: I forgot Castle Combe which is the cheapest and friendliest out of those I have mentioned, because Jonathan Palmer hasn't bought it yet.
Brands Indy is probably the worst in the country in that respect as it is only 1.2 miles and trackdays there are very well attended. Good alternatives within 2 or 3 hours of London are Snetterton and Rockingham. Silverstone would be better too but unless you're spending mega bucks it'll be the National circuit or the International circuit rather than the full GP circuit and I don't rate either of those.
EDIT: I forgot Castle Combe which is the cheapest and friendliest out of those I have mentioned, because Jonathan Palmer hasn't bought it yet.
Edited by HustleRussell on Thursday 14th June 13:22
Combe's own days usually run 15 minute sessions (you don't book them, just queue up) on busy days and then go to open pit lane once it gets quieter in the afternoon. It's a good shout, although not especially beginner friendly because of the lack of run off - but it's fine as long as you work up to the limits.
Bedford GT works well too, but they can be busy days with a lot of cars because the track is long they book more cars on.
Weekday events are usually quieter, but in peak season for a relatively quiet track the best bet is still to wait until people start to leave in early afternoon.
Bedford GT works well too, but they can be busy days with a lot of cars because the track is long they book more cars on.
Weekday events are usually quieter, but in peak season for a relatively quiet track the best bet is still to wait until people start to leave in early afternoon.
Donington and Bedford are my current favourites. It really depends who is running the day as to how crowded it is.
If you do an open pit lane full day then you don't get everyone rushing out on track at the same time to get their moneys worth.
I did some sessions at Castle Combe on spring action day and it was carnage with far too many cars on track at the same time, hopefully the RSOC day at the end of the month will be more sensible.
If you do an open pit lane full day then you don't get everyone rushing out on track at the same time to get their moneys worth.
I did some sessions at Castle Combe on spring action day and it was carnage with far too many cars on track at the same time, hopefully the RSOC day at the end of the month will be more sensible.
Ahbefive said:
I did some sessions at Castle Combe on spring action day
Ah, let's not confuse an "Action day" a proper track day.
Ahbefive said:
and it was carnage
Yep...that'd be a Castle Combe action day.I've been a few times on the same days as charltjr at Combe, and really enjoyed the format. Having controlled sessions does mean you are forced to take the time out to think about your driving while you join the back of the queue. Where as open pit lane I tend to find I spend longer out on track, trying to get better at something but without the analysis time.
Anyway, proper track days at Combe are something I'd recommend.
Rockingham is usually fairly quiet. Seem to always be a lot of race teams testing though so if you don't have a quick car you might end up watching your mirrors a lot anyway (plus they sometimes drive like tw*ts). Loads of Radicals testing last time I was there so unless you're VERY quick you'll still be watching your mirrors!
Yeah, if you want to avoid race drivers testing (and trust me, you do) it’s always worth checking what’s happening at the track in the next day or two.
One of the worst days I had was when there was an MX-5 race meet the Sunday after a Saturday track day.
You don’t want to mix what’s supposed to be a fun trackday with a bunch of weekend racers who think they’re god’s gift to the driving world in their cheapie race cars all trying to do their setups for better lap times, you really don’t.
But hey, at least I’m not bitter
One of the worst days I had was when there was an MX-5 race meet the Sunday after a Saturday track day.
You don’t want to mix what’s supposed to be a fun trackday with a bunch of weekend racers who think they’re god’s gift to the driving world in their cheapie race cars all trying to do their setups for better lap times, you really don’t.
But hey, at least I’m not bitter
To summarise, within 2 hours of London you have:
Bedford
Rockingham
Castle Combe
Snetterton
Thruxton
Goodwood
Silverstone
Brands Indy can be ok if you book with the right organiser (Lotus on Track were good) but generally it’s busy which dampens the fun.
I’ve not done Goodwood but I’ve been put off by stories of the way they’re organised and run.
All the others should be fine. If you can make the effort then it’s worth travelling for Cadwell, and Oulton (Anglesey and Donington too).
Bedford
Rockingham
Castle Combe
Snetterton
Thruxton
Goodwood
Silverstone
Brands Indy can be ok if you book with the right organiser (Lotus on Track were good) but generally it’s busy which dampens the fun.
I’ve not done Goodwood but I’ve been put off by stories of the way they’re organised and run.
All the others should be fine. If you can make the effort then it’s worth travelling for Cadwell, and Oulton (Anglesey and Donington too).
The good news is Brands is the worst.
Donington with a good TDO feels so much quieter.
Btw, why do people mention London as if it was a small point on the map - that could be different locations nearly 2 hours apart (admittedly it can be just over 1 hr ealry in the morning, hehe, such fun place)......
Donington with a good TDO feels so much quieter.
Btw, why do people mention London as if it was a small point on the map - that could be different locations nearly 2 hours apart (admittedly it can be just over 1 hr ealry in the morning, hehe, such fun place)......
charltjr said:
Yeah, if you want to avoid race drivers testing (and trust me, you do) it’s always worth checking what’s happening at the track in the next day or two.
One of the worst days I had was when there was an MX-5 race meet the Sunday after a Saturday track day.
You don’t want to mix what’s supposed to be a fun trackday with a bunch of weekend racers who think they’re god’s gift to the driving world in their cheapie race cars all trying to do their setups for better lap times, you really don’t.
But hey, at least I’m not bitter
On the other hand I constantly read about track day warriors boasting about how they were faster than such and such race car when it's almost certain the race car was just scrubbing in tyres or bedding in brakes. That's all I do on trackdays as it's pointless trying to do setups or laps times with the no corner overtaking rules.One of the worst days I had was when there was an MX-5 race meet the Sunday after a Saturday track day.
You don’t want to mix what’s supposed to be a fun trackday with a bunch of weekend racers who think they’re god’s gift to the driving world in their cheapie race cars all trying to do their setups for better lap times, you really don’t.
But hey, at least I’m not bitter
Problem is MSV have massively increased the cost of ARDS license holder test days and/or restricted them to sessions rather than open pit lane. Couple of years ago you could get a full days testing for a couple of hundred. Now it's six hundred so more and more race cars are going to track days.
Kraken said:
On the other hand I constantly read about track day warriors boasting about how they were faster than such and such race car when it's almost certain the race car was just scrubbing in tyres or bedding in brakes.
That's a rather unkind statement to us trackdayers! If I overtake a racing Radical I'm under no illusions he's "on it" because I'm well aware what lap times they're capable of. Many series' aren't nearly that quick though and it's not at all unlikely you will be genuinely faster in something that you've driven to the track in. T0MMY said:
That's a rather unkind statement to us trackdayers! If I overtake a racing Radical I'm under no illusions he's "on it" because I'm well aware what lap times they're capable of.
So this wasn't unkind to racers then?charltjr said:
You don’t want to mix what’s supposed to be a fun trackday with a bunch of weekend racers who think they’re god’s gift to the driving world in their cheapie race cars all trying to do their setups for better lap times, you really don’t.
charltjr said:
Bedford GT works well too, but they can be busy days with a lot of cars because the track is long they book more cars on.
True but the density of traffic remains lower than anywhere else as they are limited in terms of number of cars on track for noise compliance reasons.Oh yes, I was most definitely and deliberately being extremely unkind to racers, but specifically the subset of them who are absolute w
kers. There are certainly trackday drivers who are just as bad in their own way.
Sadly there’s no test you have to take before going on track to determine if you’re an arrogant tool or someone who’s willing to show courtesy to other drivers - be it by getting out of the way of faster cars or by showing a bit of patience and waiting to pass on the next straight.
Would be a good thing for the road too, come to that
My personal experience from several days is that mixing a lot of race cars doing setup and chasing lap times with road/track cars doesn’t work well for anyone.
kers. There are certainly trackday drivers who are just as bad in their own way.Sadly there’s no test you have to take before going on track to determine if you’re an arrogant tool or someone who’s willing to show courtesy to other drivers - be it by getting out of the way of faster cars or by showing a bit of patience and waiting to pass on the next straight.
Would be a good thing for the road too, come to that
My personal experience from several days is that mixing a lot of race cars doing setup and chasing lap times with road/track cars doesn’t work well for anyone.
Can't we all just get along
I guess the kind of person that pisses you off on a trackday varies depending on how you're lapping:
Slow in the corners = pissed off by faster drivers or racers who don't want to wait for you to get through a twisty section at your steady pace so do you up the inside.
Fast in the corners but slow on the straights = pissed off by people in fast cars who hold you up in the bends and don't let you past on the straights (looking at you AMG from Rockingham last week).
Fast everywhere = pissed off by people not watching their mirrors enough and getting in your way.
For what it's worth, the majority of both trackdayers and racers are of course fine but you remember the 1% who are idiots the most clearly.
I guess the kind of person that pisses you off on a trackday varies depending on how you're lapping:
Slow in the corners = pissed off by faster drivers or racers who don't want to wait for you to get through a twisty section at your steady pace so do you up the inside.
Fast in the corners but slow on the straights = pissed off by people in fast cars who hold you up in the bends and don't let you past on the straights (looking at you AMG from Rockingham last week).
Fast everywhere = pissed off by people not watching their mirrors enough and getting in your way.
For what it's worth, the majority of both trackdayers and racers are of course fine but you remember the 1% who are idiots the most clearly.
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