Brands hatch GP, noise and other thoughts?
Discussion
Hi all, I have never driven at Brands on either circuit configuration and fancy giving it a go. The GP track is available later this month, and as it's double the cost of a normal trackday I thought I'd ask for views.
1) Noise! The noise limits look very similar to Bedford, ie pretty strict. is it a safe bet that if I can get around Bedford without being black flagged then I will be OK at Brands?
2) Sessions. MSV are advertising a steady group and a quick group, I'd put myself in steady as I don't know the track at all. Has anyone done a sessioned day there, and if so did you get plenty of track time?
3) The track. Is it like Snetterton where it feels pretty safe and there's room to recover from mistakes, or more like Cadwell where going a couple of feet off line will probably have you in the Armco? I can't afford to crash so I only really push hard on more open tracks where there is some margin for error... Is it well suited to a 200+bhp Caterham?
Thanks!
1) Noise! The noise limits look very similar to Bedford, ie pretty strict. is it a safe bet that if I can get around Bedford without being black flagged then I will be OK at Brands?
2) Sessions. MSV are advertising a steady group and a quick group, I'd put myself in steady as I don't know the track at all. Has anyone done a sessioned day there, and if so did you get plenty of track time?
3) The track. Is it like Snetterton where it feels pretty safe and there's room to recover from mistakes, or more like Cadwell where going a couple of feet off line will probably have you in the Armco? I can't afford to crash so I only really push hard on more open tracks where there is some margin for error... Is it well suited to a 200+bhp Caterham?
Thanks!
TBH I can't answer some of your questions having not done Brands myself but I have a some advice that may or may not help.
There are at least 2 ways of approaching track days (as highlighted on another discussion thread in the TD section) and I suggest you stick to the latter:
1. Go for it!
2. Just remember, you (hopefully) have to drive it home afterwards.
Sessioned days can be OK, but they are cheaper for a reason.
I prefer to come & go at will so won't knowingly sign up for a sessioned day, having said that if there are 2 sessions you will likely do 20 to 25 min/hour on track, and only you will know if that is worth it.
There are at least 2 ways of approaching track days (as highlighted on another discussion thread in the TD section) and I suggest you stick to the latter:
1. Go for it!
2. Just remember, you (hopefully) have to drive it home afterwards.
Sessioned days can be OK, but they are cheaper for a reason.
I prefer to come & go at will so won't knowingly sign up for a sessioned day, having said that if there are 2 sessions you will likely do 20 to 25 min/hour on track, and only you will know if that is worth it.
I didn't have a problem, but my car isn't crazy loud (caterham supersport). The extra section is.. epic. Lots of elevation change, a lot more of an addition than it looks.
I would class it as pretty unforgiving. It's not that the armco is super close, but it's also very fast. Let's just say I softened up the rear bar to make it a bit less snappy after the sighting laps, I wasn't hanging around, but I was a bit more sensible and less sideways than usual.
Highly recommend it though.
I would class it as pretty unforgiving. It's not that the armco is super close, but it's also very fast. Let's just say I softened up the rear bar to make it a bit less snappy after the sighting laps, I wasn't hanging around, but I was a bit more sensible and less sideways than usual.
Highly recommend it though.
A track day at Brands, even on the Indy, is a brilliant day out. Turning into Paddock is one of the most iconic sensations in motorsport.
The GP loop is wonderful but I'm not sure it adds enough for the significant extra cost. I'm also sure thats the bit that has more car bending walls and fences.
Get a circuit guide and do some homework would be my advice. An hour with an instructor seems more worthwhile at Brands than most other circuits. I never once got Graham Hill bend right!
The GP loop is wonderful but I'm not sure it adds enough for the significant extra cost. I'm also sure thats the bit that has more car bending walls and fences.
Get a circuit guide and do some homework would be my advice. An hour with an instructor seems more worthwhile at Brands than most other circuits. I never once got Graham Hill bend right!
I was there last week on the Grand Prix circuit. Yes it is more expensive but a great track to drive. Although in sessions there were plenty and they were spaced out by 30 minutes with 30 minutes on track which was plenty long enough. If you search youtube and posted in last couple of weeks there is a couple of laps I posted in a Ford Focus ST.
1) if you ok at Bedford you will be fine at Brands (note that there can be some variation in noise level depending on the day).
2) i have done both open pit lane (opl) and sessioned days at Brands. For a novice sessioned is fine to start with, but opl is better. Red flag can have a detrimental impact on a particular session (i had 3 laps before M3 got into a gravel pit and had then to wait 45mins for a chance to go again). But on a sessioned day you should get about 7 sessions (summer day) which is ok if its your 1st time.
3) I track GT86 but it will be great for a Caterham. Its not the same as Bedford or Snetterton but Indy circuit has decent run off (be mindful of gravel pits, particularly at Paddock Hill bend), Graham Hill, Surtees are fairly forgiving though. Be also aware that some curbs are high, you will feel if you go too far and it can unsettle Caterham.
Watch circuit guide before you go, its quite useful
https://youtu.be/JhFVqTskao4
Change in elevation makes Brands exciting and reasonably technical (at least to get it right consistently), although Indy is rather short and after 17-18 laps it may feel like your head starts to spin. But because its short its also easier to see better where you get things wrong/ can improve and you can see the results quicker.
Depending on the day and TDO it can get very busy. Depending on driving abilities and car it can also be frustrating if more powerful cars do or try overtaking on straits and then hold you up on corners.
2) i have done both open pit lane (opl) and sessioned days at Brands. For a novice sessioned is fine to start with, but opl is better. Red flag can have a detrimental impact on a particular session (i had 3 laps before M3 got into a gravel pit and had then to wait 45mins for a chance to go again). But on a sessioned day you should get about 7 sessions (summer day) which is ok if its your 1st time.
3) I track GT86 but it will be great for a Caterham. Its not the same as Bedford or Snetterton but Indy circuit has decent run off (be mindful of gravel pits, particularly at Paddock Hill bend), Graham Hill, Surtees are fairly forgiving though. Be also aware that some curbs are high, you will feel if you go too far and it can unsettle Caterham.
Watch circuit guide before you go, its quite useful
https://youtu.be/JhFVqTskao4
Change in elevation makes Brands exciting and reasonably technical (at least to get it right consistently), although Indy is rather short and after 17-18 laps it may feel like your head starts to spin. But because its short its also easier to see better where you get things wrong/ can improve and you can see the results quicker.
Depending on the day and TDO it can get very busy. Depending on driving abilities and car it can also be frustrating if more powerful cars do or try overtaking on straits and then hold you up on corners.
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