North Weald CarLimits
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm quite keen to have a go at a bit of track driving in my own car (a very well used honda civic 1.6 sport) and locally to me is north weald, which do some track driving events. Has anyone got any experience of going there? Is there any forum that I can join and maybe get to know a few regulars?
One thing that holds me back form doing a track day is I'm a bit of a shy, introverted person, and going as part of a group where I know a few people, know of a few people might make things a bit easier for me (yeah, I know that sounds wishy-washy but thre ya go)
Cheers,
M
I'm quite keen to have a go at a bit of track driving in my own car (a very well used honda civic 1.6 sport) and locally to me is north weald, which do some track driving events. Has anyone got any experience of going there? Is there any forum that I can join and maybe get to know a few regulars?
One thing that holds me back form doing a track day is I'm a bit of a shy, introverted person, and going as part of a group where I know a few people, know of a few people might make things a bit easier for me (yeah, I know that sounds wishy-washy but thre ya go)
Cheers,
M
DocJock said:
When I did North Weald with Andy, it was in my own car. A very good value day and very educational.
Word of caution, if it's dry, your tyres will take a hammering from the abrasive surface.
Depends on the car. The lotus was thrashed all day and suffered very little despite being spun multiple times. Word of caution, if it's dry, your tyres will take a hammering from the abrasive surface.
The estate would not spin. Would not slide. Would just utterly destroy the front right tyre. We gave up after a couple of hours.
I'm the same. I've done 3 or 4 activity days at North Weald and a couple of track days (with Lotus on Track) as well as the CarLimits training days at both NW and Blyton. It's the same as any other social situation, the extroverts start talking to each other and exchanging phone numbers and the introverts stand around staring at their feet. There will invariably be others in the same boat. You need to get out of your comfort zone and start talking to people, ask them about their cars and why they're there. What's the worst that can happen? It's a short conversation and you move on.
Personally, it doesn't bother me. I could go home having spoken to no-one and still had a great day.
Personally, it doesn't bother me. I could go home having spoken to no-one and still had a great day.
Alright, well it sounds like a good place to go and have fun. I've got reasonably new front tyres, however the rears are getting on a bit now so I'll have to think about that, mind you they arn some super-sticky track day tyre, they are a very economical bridgestone tyre which I get 10's of thousands of miles out of on normal road commuting.
Apologies in advance if you turn up to North Weald and only get a bit of running in before some berk in a grey honda s
ts his gearbox over the circuit.
Apologies in advance if you turn up to North Weald and only get a bit of running in before some berk in a grey honda s
ts his gearbox over the circuit. 1. Carlimits is good, particularly if you want to see how oversteers (spin) and understeering looks like and how you can try to correct it.
2. More expensive but definitely worth it is CAT Drivers Training at Milbrook. Colin combines good theory of basic physics of car handling with various practice exercises and handling circuit experience. I did it before my 1st track day last year and it gave me enough confidence to go on a regular track day.
3. MSV Novice track day is good starting point. Although its sessioned and you feel like you not getting enough driving time, aftet 6-7 sessions you realise for 1st time its probably ok. Fewer cars on track and well managed events.
4. MSV Track Day Academy or hire an instructor for full day and select circuit with lot of run off (like Bedford). Expensive but if you get instructor who take genuine interest if your progress this is imo best option. First couple times you will get lot of feedback and will improve/ learn regardless of how good driver you are and how good instructor is, after that I find it helps having someone you know and have received instructions from before.
If you can go with mates or join a car club, if you more of an introvert (same here) company of familiar faces helps. Although I find average track day bunch are well behaved and friendly people (ask for a passenger lap as well), and good TDOs blackflag occaisional boy racers pretty quickly.
Most importantly enjoy!
2. More expensive but definitely worth it is CAT Drivers Training at Milbrook. Colin combines good theory of basic physics of car handling with various practice exercises and handling circuit experience. I did it before my 1st track day last year and it gave me enough confidence to go on a regular track day.
3. MSV Novice track day is good starting point. Although its sessioned and you feel like you not getting enough driving time, aftet 6-7 sessions you realise for 1st time its probably ok. Fewer cars on track and well managed events.
4. MSV Track Day Academy or hire an instructor for full day and select circuit with lot of run off (like Bedford). Expensive but if you get instructor who take genuine interest if your progress this is imo best option. First couple times you will get lot of feedback and will improve/ learn regardless of how good driver you are and how good instructor is, after that I find it helps having someone you know and have received instructions from before.
If you can go with mates or join a car club, if you more of an introvert (same here) company of familiar faces helps. Although I find average track day bunch are well behaved and friendly people (ask for a passenger lap as well), and good TDOs blackflag occaisional boy racers pretty quickly.
Most importantly enjoy!
I’ll address the shyness question.
On the CarLimts training day there is one instructor and four drivers. You will have to talk to the instructor, and it will be hard to avoid talking to the other drivers. Fortunately the instructor is a great guy, not your typical trackday instructor who shouts at you through the helmet while you try to concentrate. And it will be easier to engage in conversation with 3 other people going through the same training.
If you’re not confident chatting with strangers in a new environment, the standard trackday makes it easy to keep yourself to yourself.
Also, CarLimits training is brilliant fun and a great way to learn what your car is capable of.
On the CarLimts training day there is one instructor and four drivers. You will have to talk to the instructor, and it will be hard to avoid talking to the other drivers. Fortunately the instructor is a great guy, not your typical trackday instructor who shouts at you through the helmet while you try to concentrate. And it will be easier to engage in conversation with 3 other people going through the same training.
If you’re not confident chatting with strangers in a new environment, the standard trackday makes it easy to keep yourself to yourself.
Also, CarLimits training is brilliant fun and a great way to learn what your car is capable of.
In December last year I attended the Pistonheads track day at Goodwood
I was a bit intimidated by the experience. I read about Carlimits on here and subsequently attended an airfield activity day which was great fun
I talked with Mark the instructor who is a really nice guy and have subsequently attended 3, 4 persons days
These have been informative and fun, and I’ve met some really nice people
My skills have increased immensely
You can spin a car and not hit anything (I’ve spun on numerous occasions)
I’ve subsequently attended a track day at Brands Hatch and enjoyed the day much more and was able to apply things I learnt at North Weald. My intention next year is to do a mix of days at both Brands and Carlimits to enable to me to and what Ive learnt
I will also return for the activity days which are cheap fun
I just wish it was nearer
Mark clearly enjoys his job
I was a bit intimidated by the experience. I read about Carlimits on here and subsequently attended an airfield activity day which was great fun
I talked with Mark the instructor who is a really nice guy and have subsequently attended 3, 4 persons days
These have been informative and fun, and I’ve met some really nice people
My skills have increased immensely
You can spin a car and not hit anything (I’ve spun on numerous occasions)
I’ve subsequently attended a track day at Brands Hatch and enjoyed the day much more and was able to apply things I learnt at North Weald. My intention next year is to do a mix of days at both Brands and Carlimits to enable to me to and what Ive learnt
I will also return for the activity days which are cheap fun
I just wish it was nearer
Mark clearly enjoys his job
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