Trackday etiquette for bagging a passenger ride?

[tigamilla]

I have a trackday coming up and I think one of the ways to improve, and generally enjoy the day more would be to have a few passenger rides.

I've had passengers that I know and it's actually been helpful getting small bits of advice etc. But I'm going to the next one without anyone I know... Any tips for getting a ride with strangers?

Or is that a bit wierd?

[JamesBryan88]

You want people to get in your car or you want to get in theirs?

If it's the latter then just get talking to them about the car and if they've done anything to it. As long as they're not visibly busy trying to repair something then just ask them if they would mind taking you out for a few laps.

[mmm-five]

Pay for some instruction for your first session(s).

[untakenname]

imo instruction isn't worth it till you have a few laps under your belt as they can then show you how to improve your line and laptimes rather than right at the start when your just being guided round an unfamiliar track.

Be wary about jumping into random cars as you don't know if the driver is actually decent or not so the lines they are using may not be correct.

If the track is featured on a computer game then play it on that till the layout becomes second nature, also have a look at onboard youtube videos in similar cars on similar tyres.

[brillomaster]

Id see what cars are similar to yours, and if the driver appears to be on their own also, probably more keen to take you out in it if its not stopping their mate from getting a ride.

But trackdays can be sociable places, obviously dont bother a guy if hes in the middle of a technical task or itching to go out, but just strike up a convo, pretty much everyone at a trackday is into cars and most are probably hsppy to show off their pride and joy.

Had a great few pass. Laps at bedford recently, very nice chap with an LS swapped rx7 which was rapid and well driven in challenging conditions!

[RB Will]

I wont ask for a ride off anyone in the morning. I'll watch people when I'm not out on track and see if the driver of the car I would like a ride in seems competent. If they look safe then ill chat to them in the pits. Most people are really accommodating and are happy you like their car.
Have had a few of my best track experiences asking for rides.

[Jamescrs]

I've always found track days to be pretty sociable, I always go with the same few people but we get people coming over to chat and always happy to talk about cars etc.

I'm not one for giving strangers passenger laps personally but my mate has happily done it in the past

[HorneyMX5]

I always give passenger laps when asked, been given some good advice from random passengers over the years.

[Steve H]

I'd agree with most of the above comments but you will learn more about your driving in 20 minutes with a decent instructor than in a day of passenger rides.

For fun and general experience just chat to people and getting rides shouldn't be hard.

[SAS Tom]

I think just talking to people whilst you’re there will be what you want. Last day I did, a guy offered to let me have a go in his MX5. I didn’t even know his name! Car was good fun too!

[E-bmw]

As others have said above, whether it is in your car or theirs most people there have no issues with passenger rides, just get chatting to people who seem to know what they are doing & ask.

I have done it in both directions on many occasions.

[james_gt3rs]

Steve H said:

I'd agree with most of the above comments but you will learn more about your driving in 20 minutes with a decent instructor than in a day of passenger rides.

For fun and general experience just chat to people and getting rides shouldn't be hard.

Sometimes if you get out with a fast driver it opens your eyes to e.g. how late you can brake, which you might not appreciate just from being told by the instructor.

[stinkyspanner]

I remember asking for a few passenger laps round with a bloke in a race prepped E30 M3 at Goodwood. The anology that springs to mind is 'just because you've got a microwave, doesn't make you Jamie Oliver'
The bloke was fricken useless, in a scary way and what I learned was don't get in a random car at a trackday!

[MrC986]

I went to a BMWCC day at Anglesey about 2 yrs ago & blagged for a friends son a ride in a very nice 675LT during the afternoon. My friends son wasn't convinced I'd pull it off for him, though an amiable chat with the owner & it was sorted. I think you can decide fairly early in a conversation whether it's worth asking later. Car club organised days I've found are normally more relaxed & the ones I go on seem to have people more prepared to help one another & have a laugh at the same time, whilst also being respectful on the track.

[tigamilla]

Thank you - very interesting perspectives.

I did have an instructor at Bedford for 20 minutes - but in hindsight, I didn't really appreciate what I was being told because I simply wasn't familiar enough with the track layout at that point. Would probably benefit from tuition on that track much more now.

I think I'll take the wander around admiring other cars / speaking to the owners approach and see if any offers come in

[Elderly]

tigamilla said:

…. I simply wasn't familiar enough with the track layout at that point. Would probably benefit from tuition on that track much more now.

I think I'll take the wander around admiring other cars / speaking to the owners approach and see if any offers come in

If you're not intending to drive that day and assuming that there will be the usual few slow-ish familiarisation laps behind a pace car at the start of the day,
why don't you ask the (experienced) driver of the pace car whether you can sit in with them for those laps.
At least you will know that they will be taking the correct lines.

[RB Will]

stinkyspanner said:

I remember asking for a few passenger laps round with a bloke in a race prepped E30 M3 at Goodwood. The anology that springs to mind is 'just because you've got a microwave, doesn't make you Jamie Oliver'
The bloke was fricken useless, in a scary way and what I learned was don't get in a random car at a trackday!

That’s why I say watch the car you are interested in first to see if they are safe lol

[E-bmw]

Elderly said:

If you're not intending to drive that day and assuming that there will be the usual few slow-ish familiarisation laps behind a pace car at the start of the day,
why don't you ask the (experienced) driver of the pace car whether you can sit in with them for those laps.
At least you will know that they will be taking the correct lines.

Due to a misunderstanding when getting ready for my first day at Croft I ended up in the second circuit car following the sighting laps & the driver told me several things that completely made the day, well worth it, if you can blag it.

[ThorB]

SAS Tom said:

I think just talking to people whilst you’re there will be what you want. Last day I did, a guy offered to let me have a go in his MX5. I didn’t even know his name! Car was good fun too!

I ended my day early at Blyton after my MX5 had an interaction with a tyre wall, the chap who I'd be chatting to in the pits offered me his BMW for an hour as he fancied a break. What a gent. Also didn't know his name.

[stinkyspanner]

RB Will said:

stinkyspanner said:

I remember asking for a few passenger laps round with a bloke in a race prepped E30 M3 at Goodwood. The anology that springs to mind is 'just because you've got a microwave, doesn't make you Jamie Oliver'
The bloke was fricken useless, in a scary way and what I learned was don't get in a random car at a trackday!

That’s why I say watch the car you are interested in first to see if they are safe lol

Yeah! Looked alright from trackside, maybe I was blinded by the coolness of the car