Ideas for next track day
Discussion
Hi all
I'm fairly new to track days and would appreciate a few suggestions on where to go next.
Last year I did my first track day at a soggy Oulton Park, 1 hour of tuition and a really good day. I then went to Donington and felt a little out of my depth. Great track, but too many race cars for a newbie. I went back to Donington a few months later at a car show event and felt it really clicked. No race cars and I felt like one of the fastest and best drivers there - but that may be a reflection on the standard of the others....
I went to Bedford on a really sunny February day this year. The track wasn't as inspiring as Donington or Oulton, but easier to drive. I enjoyed the atmosphere more though, all road cars, more chatty and less serious in the pits.
So where next? I live in Derby so fairly central and happy to travel. Car is a standard 308 GTi, so a FWD hot hatch. Looking for a track preferably with mainly road cars, perhaps more exciting than Bedford, but I did like the width and length of the track. Silverstone appeals and is on the list to do, but I'm not sure I can justify the high price.
Thanks for any thoughts.
I'm fairly new to track days and would appreciate a few suggestions on where to go next.
Last year I did my first track day at a soggy Oulton Park, 1 hour of tuition and a really good day. I then went to Donington and felt a little out of my depth. Great track, but too many race cars for a newbie. I went back to Donington a few months later at a car show event and felt it really clicked. No race cars and I felt like one of the fastest and best drivers there - but that may be a reflection on the standard of the others....
I went to Bedford on a really sunny February day this year. The track wasn't as inspiring as Donington or Oulton, but easier to drive. I enjoyed the atmosphere more though, all road cars, more chatty and less serious in the pits.
So where next? I live in Derby so fairly central and happy to travel. Car is a standard 308 GTi, so a FWD hot hatch. Looking for a track preferably with mainly road cars, perhaps more exciting than Bedford, but I did like the width and length of the track. Silverstone appeals and is on the list to do, but I'm not sure I can justify the high price.
Thanks for any thoughts.
Cadwell Park is my favourite track in the entire country - 14 corners in 2.1 miles, really flows and has lots of gradient changes.
It doesn't matter if your car isn't the fastest, because it is a handling track with three short straights.
Follow this link - it will show you how the track drives from a Mazda MX5's perspective. I am the muppet in front who missed his apex at the bottom of the hill!
It doesn't matter if your car isn't the fastest, because it is a handling track with three short straights.
Follow this link - it will show you how the track drives from a Mazda MX5's perspective. I am the muppet in front who missed his apex at the bottom of the hill!
QBee said:
Cadwell Park is my favourite track in the entire country - 14 corners in 2.1 miles, really flows and has lots of gradient changes.
It doesn't matter if your car isn't the fastest, because it is a handling track with three short straights.
Follow this link - it will show you how the track drives from a Mazda MX5's perspective. I am the muppet in front who missed his apex at the bottom of the hill!
Totally agree....Caddy is my all time favourite.It doesn't matter if your car isn't the fastest, because it is a handling track with three short straights.
Follow this link - it will show you how the track drives from a Mazda MX5's perspective. I am the muppet in front who missed his apex at the bottom of the hill!
here is another vid to watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwobyvjl4-0
Cadwell is by far my favourite track in this country.
When you get the hang of it (especially certain parts) it is one of those places that really feels right & fun.
Oulton, Croft & Anglesey (even Blyton Park) are worth a go.
Donington, Snetterton (old one) and Mallory I have also done & wasn't hugely impressed by, perhaps a different car may make me change my mind.
When you get the hang of it (especially certain parts) it is one of those places that really feels right & fun.
Oulton, Croft & Anglesey (even Blyton Park) are worth a go.
Donington, Snetterton (old one) and Mallory I have also done & wasn't hugely impressed by, perhaps a different car may make me change my mind.
Thanks all, really appreciate the input. I'm thinking Cadwell next then Anglesey with a tuition session near the start of each day to show me the tracks. That'll probably take me to the end of the year as for a number of limiting factors* I'll struggle to get to many more track days in.
Time - work and family pressures leave little time left for me
Space - I can see the slippery road towards track day wheels and tyres etc ended up with a dedicated car. Sounds ideal, but I'd need to move house to create the space!
Money - ...need I say anymore... but I reckon using a daily on a track is not the cheapest due to the need for insurance and the impact of wear and tear
Time - work and family pressures leave little time left for me
Space - I can see the slippery road towards track day wheels and tyres etc ended up with a dedicated car. Sounds ideal, but I'd need to move house to create the space!
Money - ...need I say anymore... but I reckon using a daily on a track is not the cheapest due to the need for insurance and the impact of wear and tear
Fonzey said:
Slight thread drift, but what was the arrangement for an hour of tuition? I never find that the default 20min sessions are much use as I can't hear a word they're saying, so would much prefer a session/debrief/session format of tuition at some point.
I bought my 308 GTI back in 2016, really fancied trying it on a track, but there was no way I was going to risk trashing my pride and joy.But I found a perfect solution. My misses (with a little support and guidance...) for Christmas booked me a one hour driving tuition session with MSV, this was ideal as they use 308 GTi's for the training meaning I got to see what my car could do round a track, while it was left safe in the paddock!
https://www.msvtrackdays.com/car/products/one-hour...
The training was great, the track being a little damp helped loads as the instructor used this to show me how to get the most traction. The training consisted of a few demo laps, 2 or 3 sessions with me driving plus debriefs.
But this is where it then went wrong... As I enjoyed it too much and coughed up the extra money to spend the rest of the day honing my new found skills round the track, uninsured in my pride and joy, in the wet. Fortunately no harm done, but by then I'd got the bug, albeit this is only ever going to be an occasional hobby, but I'll be insured now for peace of mind.
A whole day tuition may be a bit much, but it is offered by MSV. Could be worth a call and ask if they can do a shorter session?
https://www.msvtrackdays.com/car/products/track-an...
Itsallicanafford said:
To be honest, although Cadwell is a great track, for an expensive car that you use as a daily, personally I would stick with donnington. Cadwell is tight with limited run off in places.
Drive within your own and the car's limits and no problems IMO............most of the Red flags I saw at Caddy were caused by overinflated egos.Itsallicanafford said:
To be honest, although Cadwell is a great track, for an expensive car that you use as a daily, personally I would stick with donnington. Cadwell is tight with limited run off in places.
I've done it twice, simple rule is "don't crash"I avoid crashing by never going 10/10ths...
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