First time on track, where
Discussion
so i have a fairly well set up audi S3, I'm looking to start doing track days in it as its just not being used currently. I'm located in southampton and ideally want some tuition as i haven't been out on track in a car that prefers to go straight line rather than round corners.
who is best to book with? I've been told go for bedford due to run off
who is best to book with? I've been told go for bedford due to run off
Why not consider doing an experience event like BMW or Porsche run - benefit of instruction in someone else's car?
https://drivingexperiences.bmw.co.uk/
https://www.porsche.com/silverstone/en/experience/...
https://drivingexperiences.bmw.co.uk/
https://www.porsche.com/silverstone/en/experience/...
ideally want to use my S3 as its just not used at all, hasn't moved for weeks now, and i have spent a fair bit making it capable. I know i should have started with a better base for a car that sees track however hindsight is a great thing. i have goodwood on my doorstep just didn't know if the track was a bit risky for a beginner
moxy89 said:
ideally want to use my S3 as its just not used at all, hasn't moved for weeks now, and i have spent a fair bit making it capable. I know i should have started with a better base for a car that sees track however hindsight is a great thing. i have goodwood on my doorstep just didn't know if the track was a bit risky for a beginner
Nearest circuit to you then, just feel your way in to it and build the pace up and you'll be fine.I've driven lots of tracks and consider myself a novice on them, there's no need to feel pressure to push hard - everyone had to have a first outing to get where they are now.
just worried if i have an issue at bedford is a bloody long walk home. Are most people on track days helpful and i will abide to the rules and keep out the way. Hoping most are happy to dish out advice rather than just get pissed off with me. Ill book bedford i think as a few have mentioned it. just have to keep some money back for a uber
moxy89 said:
just worried if i have an issue at bedford is a bloody long walk home. Are most people on track days helpful and i will abide to the rules and keep out the way. Hoping most are happy to dish out advice rather than just get pissed off with me. Ill book bedford i think as a few have mentioned it. just have to keep some money back for a uber
I hope and believe that you are over thinking this and coming up with a whole load of negativity. A bit understandably as for you the non specific fear of the unknown is strong. However, I would counsel that you should focus on the positives; I have been doing trackdays for 20 years and only had one incident when I lost focus on what I was doing after a lot of laps that day. Tired. Cost me money. Not made that mistake again.On my first ever trackday I remember concentrating on keeping out of everyone’s way to such an extent that I wasn’t learning the lines. So I thought”sod it” and just upped the pace to match most other people and, bingo! No more problems. I could concentrate on learning the lines and being courteous to others . Never looked back. Oh and tuition is always a good idea. I still take the opportunity, every day is a school day.
Enjoy!
JeremyH5 said:
I hope and believe that you are over thinking this and coming up with a whole load of negativity. A bit understandably as for you the non specific fear of the unknown is strong. However, I would counsel that you should focus on the positives; I have been doing trackdays for 20 years and only had one incident when I lost focus on what I was doing after a lot of laps that day. Tired. Cost me money. Not made that mistake again.
On my first ever trackday I remember concentrating on keeping out of everyone’s way to such an extent that I wasn’t learning the lines. So I thought”sod it” and just upped the pace to match most other people and, bingo! No more problems. I could concentrate on learning the lines and being courteous to others . Never looked back. Oh and tuition is always a good idea. I still take the opportunity, every day is a school day.
Enjoy!
no I'm fairly confident my car will be perfect, its very well set up and has enough power to keep up etc. I'm more worried about pissing people off etc however we all have to start somewhere.On my first ever trackday I remember concentrating on keeping out of everyone’s way to such an extent that I wasn’t learning the lines. So I thought”sod it” and just upped the pace to match most other people and, bingo! No more problems. I could concentrate on learning the lines and being courteous to others . Never looked back. Oh and tuition is always a good idea. I still take the opportunity, every day is a school day.
Enjoy!
Poppiecock said:
Not Castle Combe or Thruxton!
Try an airfield day first.
Why not Thruxton? I was there Monday for the first time and found it fairly simple as tracks go. Didn't use my brakes anywhere near as much as other tracks either so no real concerns about having an "off" in the braking zone. Cheap instruction there too if you want it. Try an airfield day first.
ecain63 said:
Why not Thruxton? I was there Monday for the first time and found it fairly simple as tracks go. Didn't use my brakes anywhere near as much as other tracks either so no real concerns about having an "off" in the braking zone. Cheap instruction there too if you want it.
Because if you start pushing things there, it gets very quick and has the potential to get very messy.BMW used to do experience days there, I've seen some very quick 'oh s
t' moments from my customers.Started at Bedford not that long ago and been back quite a few times, great beginners track.
Also, because they don't do any races there you're unlikely to have radicals / race kors up your tailpipe. Everytime I've been it's been a chatty, friendly crowd, and apart from one M3 overtaking on a corner while my girlfriend was driving, everyone has always been very courteous.
Also, because they don't do any races there you're unlikely to have radicals / race kors up your tailpipe. Everytime I've been it's been a chatty, friendly crowd, and apart from one M3 overtaking on a corner while my girlfriend was driving, everyone has always been very courteous.
Bedford - as said before, great for novices. Lots of run off, wide track (in most places), good layout, generally considered the safest track in the UK. Because its long, however, its difficult to learn the track quickly and because its wide its not always great for learning your lines. MSV has track day academy where you get your own instructor for a day, which is great to start with.
Silverstone- also very good , wide and generally decent run off. It tends to attract more experienced drivers which can sometimes be intimidating, but track days regulars are quite considerate as a rule. Silverstone also is a proper F1 circuit which is always exciting.
Thruxton- is actually ok, reasonably easy on the car and fast. First time dont push too hard and you will be fine.
Not Castle Combe first time around.
Airfield is ok to start with as well, but you would want to go on proper track afterwards.
Silverstone- also very good , wide and generally decent run off. It tends to attract more experienced drivers which can sometimes be intimidating, but track days regulars are quite considerate as a rule. Silverstone also is a proper F1 circuit which is always exciting.
Thruxton- is actually ok, reasonably easy on the car and fast. First time dont push too hard and you will be fine.
Not Castle Combe first time around.
Airfield is ok to start with as well, but you would want to go on proper track afterwards.
CJ1 said:
Goodwood Motor Circuit will be less than 45 minutes away from you, although a very fast Circuit with little run offs great fun and they have an instructor available throughout the day. Did my first one there and had an absolute blast!
Also the most stupidly over-priced track days in the country, too!Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff