“Beginner” track days?!
Discussion
As above really, fancy giving track days a go but iv never been on track before! Are a series of tuition sessions the best way to get started?
I assume the bare minimum equipment is a helmet and decent brakes and tyres?
I’m keen to get involved but I don’t want to get in the way of other experienced people etc.
Based in Hampshire area, any advice is greatly appreciated
I assume the bare minimum equipment is a helmet and decent brakes and tyres?
I’m keen to get involved but I don’t want to get in the way of other experienced people etc.
Based in Hampshire area, any advice is greatly appreciated
Xcore said:
As above really, fancy giving track days a go but iv never been on track before! Are a series of tuition sessions the best way to get started?
I assume the bare minimum equipment is a helmet and decent brakes and tyres?
I’m keen to get involved but I don’t want to get in the way of other experienced people etc.
Based in Hampshire area, any advice is greatly appreciated
Most of the track day organisers run novice days which are a bit more structured. You can book tuition too, it's normally surprisingly cheap. You'll need a helmet (can be open face if you're in a car with a roof, otherwise a full face one is needed). You can hire one on the day for about 15 quid. I assume the bare minimum equipment is a helmet and decent brakes and tyres?
I’m keen to get involved but I don’t want to get in the way of other experienced people etc.
Based in Hampshire area, any advice is greatly appreciated
You can upgrade brakes etc but you don't need to. But if you get any hint of fade, come into the pits and let everything cool down. You don't need special tyres. Best to give one a go before spending loads on upgrades, and see how you go. Just give the car a service and make sure oil/water/brake fluid is all at the right level and not years old.
The first time can be intimidating but I've found it to be a very friendly environment. You always get the odd person who doesn't check their mirrors etc but on the whole everyone tends to be pretty good. Everyone was a beginner once
Airfield day might be the best place to get going , I can recommend these people call them have a chat with Ed or Natasha Moore
https://www.motorsport-events.com/
https://www.motorsport-events.com/
MRichards99 said:
ecain63 said:
Silverstone at the end of October. PistonHeads will be running a Sunday service there and they will have access to the Silverstone Taster Sessions. That's a really good place to start.
Any idea of when in October this'll be? Could be interestedHi OP
If you fancy track days then the likelihood is you'll get the bug and it will only go from there. The biggest risk is probably to your wallet :-)
However, my suggestion would be to avoid the big well known tracks, especially near race events where the racers will use them as a test day - and they can sometimes be intimidating. That said, if there is a novice day at one then they shouldn't be allowed onto them (mind you, I have a MSA licence and nobody has ever checked....) In terms of the car (I don't know what it is), renew the brake fluid, make sure the pads/discs are ok and the oil level is around max. Tyres - normal road tyres will be fine to start off with, once you start pushing harder they will get eaten up pretty quickly but you don't need to worry about that now. If it's wet they'll be better than most who have trackday focused tyres.
Anyway, you've paid for the day - don't let others intimate you. An experienced driver should make allowances and, even if they don't, they shouldn't crash into you so just hold your line as you see fit. On that note - instruction is good, coaching is better. If you can afford it, look to take a coach with you for the day or at least the morning. Instructors at track days are variable - some are very good, others will just tell you where to brake etc and simply tell you how they drive that particular track. You want far more than that.
It will be a lot of fun so enjoy yourself and you'll soon be enjoying a smaller bank balance.....
If you fancy track days then the likelihood is you'll get the bug and it will only go from there. The biggest risk is probably to your wallet :-)
However, my suggestion would be to avoid the big well known tracks, especially near race events where the racers will use them as a test day - and they can sometimes be intimidating. That said, if there is a novice day at one then they shouldn't be allowed onto them (mind you, I have a MSA licence and nobody has ever checked....) In terms of the car (I don't know what it is), renew the brake fluid, make sure the pads/discs are ok and the oil level is around max. Tyres - normal road tyres will be fine to start off with, once you start pushing harder they will get eaten up pretty quickly but you don't need to worry about that now. If it's wet they'll be better than most who have trackday focused tyres.
Anyway, you've paid for the day - don't let others intimate you. An experienced driver should make allowances and, even if they don't, they shouldn't crash into you so just hold your line as you see fit. On that note - instruction is good, coaching is better. If you can afford it, look to take a coach with you for the day or at least the morning. Instructors at track days are variable - some are very good, others will just tell you where to brake etc and simply tell you how they drive that particular track. You want far more than that.
It will be a lot of fun so enjoy yourself and you'll soon be enjoying a smaller bank balance.....
I'd recommend going airfield your first time out, whilst Thruxton is close by and not the most technically challenging track I can see it being very intimidating for a novice, fastest track in the UK after all! And whilst it's all well and good going at your own pace there'll still be others there flat out, 100mph+ corner speeds et al- not for beginners would be my advice.
OP, get yourself to an airfield where you can drive like a silly t
t all day without fear of causing any damage. You need to push on to learn what you want to improve about yourself and your car, and that's unlikely to happen somewhere with big speeds and nasty tyre barriers. Above all, have fun!
OP, get yourself to an airfield where you can drive like a silly t
t all day without fear of causing any damage. You need to push on to learn what you want to improve about yourself and your car, and that's unlikely to happen somewhere with big speeds and nasty tyre barriers. Above all, have fun!I have just done my first season / year of track days so have a look at the below link as think this covers all the good and bad parts from problem to cost etc .
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...
One thing I would say is don't kid yourself it is cheep as if you get involved and do things correctly the costs soon add up .
Regards
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...
One thing I would say is don't kid yourself it is cheep as if you get involved and do things correctly the costs soon add up .
Regards
Thruxton is about the last circuit I'd recommend as a first trackday.
Trackdays there are not that frequent, noise limits are very low, the straights aren't that straight and there are only two braking zones, it has a very fast negative camber corner, the pit entry and exit are a bit sketchy, there are some punishing kerbs at the club chicane should you get it wrong, there is no runoff beyond the kerbs- only grass and it is very possible to find one of the perimeter tyre barriers or marshalls posts once you are on the grass.
Also it is not at all 'easy' as suggested here, the whole first half of the lap is one compromise esse after another and the speed builds to the second half which is very fast.
Trackdays there are not that frequent, noise limits are very low, the straights aren't that straight and there are only two braking zones, it has a very fast negative camber corner, the pit entry and exit are a bit sketchy, there are some punishing kerbs at the club chicane should you get it wrong, there is no runoff beyond the kerbs- only grass and it is very possible to find one of the perimeter tyre barriers or marshalls posts once you are on the grass.
Also it is not at all 'easy' as suggested here, the whole first half of the lap is one compromise esse after another and the speed builds to the second half which is very fast.
HustleRussell said:
Thruxton is about the last circuit I'd recommend as a first trackday.
Trackdays there are not that frequent, noise limits are very low, the straights aren't that straight and there are only two braking zones, it has a very fast negative camber corner, the pit entry and exit are a bit sketchy, there are some punishing kerbs at the club chicane should you get it wrong, there is no runoff beyond the kerbs- only grass and it is very possible to find one of the perimeter tyre barriers or marshalls posts once you are on the grass.
Also it is not at all 'easy' as suggested here, the whole first half of the lap is one compromise esse after another and the speed builds to the second half which is very fast.
All true.Trackdays there are not that frequent, noise limits are very low, the straights aren't that straight and there are only two braking zones, it has a very fast negative camber corner, the pit entry and exit are a bit sketchy, there are some punishing kerbs at the club chicane should you get it wrong, there is no runoff beyond the kerbs- only grass and it is very possible to find one of the perimeter tyre barriers or marshalls posts once you are on the grass.
Also it is not at all 'easy' as suggested here, the whole first half of the lap is one compromise esse after another and the speed builds to the second half which is very fast.
Bedford is best not just because there are no (or at least hard to hit) barriers but because it’s a far less crowded circuit. Less frustration and plenty of passing points.
Thruxton and Combe can both bite suddenly.
Combe can both bite suddenly.[/quote
This is true camp corner did get the better of me
CABC said:
All true.
Bedford is best not just because there are no (or at least hard to hit) barriers but because it’s a far less crowded circuit. Less frustration and plenty of passing points.
Thruxton and Combe can both bite suddenly.
Bedford is best not just because there are no (or at least hard to hit) barriers but because it’s a far less crowded circuit. Less frustration and plenty of passing points.
Thruxton and Combe can both bite suddenly.
HustleRussell said:
Thruxton is about the last circuit I'd recommend as a first trackday.
Trackdays there are not that frequent, noise limits are very low, the straights aren't that straight and there are only two braking zones, it has a very fast negative camber corner, the pit entry and exit are a bit sketchy, there are some punishing kerbs at the club chicane should you get it wrong, there is no runoff beyond the kerbs- only grass and it is very possible to find one of the perimeter tyre barriers or marshalls posts once you are on the grass.
Also it is not at all 'easy' as suggested here, the whole first half of the lap is one compromise esse after another and the speed builds to the second half which is very fast.
^ Couldn't have put it better myself. Very easy also to find bumps across the apexes of the two fast/flat right-handers at the bottom of the circuit, which will unsettle the car hugely. And, as mentioned and just in case you were considering it, Combe is a great big no no until you find your feet. I did my first track day there and I promise you I learnt absolutely nothing because pushing on immediately introduces an element of risk where the barriers are so close. Great circuit once you're well on top of the car, but not so beforehand.Trackdays there are not that frequent, noise limits are very low, the straights aren't that straight and there are only two braking zones, it has a very fast negative camber corner, the pit entry and exit are a bit sketchy, there are some punishing kerbs at the club chicane should you get it wrong, there is no runoff beyond the kerbs- only grass and it is very possible to find one of the perimeter tyre barriers or marshalls posts once you are on the grass.
Also it is not at all 'easy' as suggested here, the whole first half of the lap is one compromise esse after another and the speed builds to the second half which is very fast.
Edit: nothing wrong with the Club chicane kerbs though
Edited by CanoeSniffer on Tuesday 2nd October 10:50
I dived right in when I got going but then the first track I ever drove was the 'Ring 
I never do anything the right way.
Buy yourself some decent brake fluid as a bare minimum. Motul RBF 600 will do just fine or the 660 if you want to spend a tad more but it isn't necessary. Make sure there's plenty of life left in tyres and the discs and pads and perhaps get yourself a novice sticker (yellow square with a black X) from Demon Tweeks.
Get tuition on the day at least once, just because the instructors are good and will give you a bit of confidence. Once they've helped you learn the lines you'll have a much more rewarding day.
Most of all, listen in the briefing and remember to have fun. Give the car and yourself rest periods and take food and drink with you as it really takes it out of you. I always take a jack and basic tools as well but that's up to you.
I never do anything the right way.Buy yourself some decent brake fluid as a bare minimum. Motul RBF 600 will do just fine or the 660 if you want to spend a tad more but it isn't necessary. Make sure there's plenty of life left in tyres and the discs and pads and perhaps get yourself a novice sticker (yellow square with a black X) from Demon Tweeks.
Get tuition on the day at least once, just because the instructors are good and will give you a bit of confidence. Once they've helped you learn the lines you'll have a much more rewarding day.
Most of all, listen in the briefing and remember to have fun. Give the car and yourself rest periods and take food and drink with you as it really takes it out of you. I always take a jack and basic tools as well but that's up to you.
CABC said:
All true.
Bedford is best not just because there are no (or at least hard to hit) barriers but because it’s a far less crowded circuit. Less frustration and plenty of passing points.
Thruxton and Combe can both bite suddenly.
Bedford is also flat as a witches tits so less to learn in the "car goes light" or "car bottoms out" department as well. Bedford is best not just because there are no (or at least hard to hit) barriers but because it’s a far less crowded circuit. Less frustration and plenty of passing points.
Thruxton and Combe can both bite suddenly.
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