Track day advice for novice

[IceBoy]

Hi All,

I’m after some advice…..so for a little birthday treat, I’d like to book myself on a track day where I can take my own car and have a blast!

I’ve already got my track day cover as part of my classic insurance, I just need to notify them a few day in advance of me going.

The thing, I’m really struggling with is which track to go to……I’m a total novice when it comes to driving on a circuit but am an avid motor sport fan and road driver.

There are a few toys in my toys box but I think the right mix will be the 911 C2 coupe manual (996 – 2001).

So over to you….which track will be best for me?......my thoughts would be the ones with long run offs and grass verges etc?!

IceBoy

PS. I live in Berkshire.

[kiethton]

If run-off is key and your an amateur I'd be getting the brake fluid serviced (making sure there is a lot of meat on the pads) and doing Bedford.

So much run-off letting you explore the car safely and cheap, so if you don't like it/the car doesn't like it you'll be fine.

Other than that Silverstone would be good, more expensive though.

[IceBoy]

Cars are all tip top and brake fluid has recently been changed, within the last 4 months.

I will check out both, thank you.

Iceboy

[anonymous-user]

As said. Get some good brake fluid, make sure pads and tyres are in good order then Silverstone, Bedford or maybe Thruxton.

[Shnozz]

Elatino1 said:

As said. Get some good brake fluid, make sure pads and tyres are in good order then Silverstone, Bedford or maybe Thruxton.

Can you do TD’s at thruxton? I thought it was all just experience days trundling around in a Ferrari or lambo?

Bedford is a safe bet with run off, but a tad dull. Donington is a bit more varied and has decent space if you get it wrong.

[IceBoy]

Just another few thoughts and questions:

1. I'm going with a friend, who also has a similar car, are there places to get food and drink?
2. Clothing, I'm guessing comfortable and comfy shoes?
3. Do I need helmet, is this a requirement?

What else should I think about?

IceBoy

[kiethton]

IceBoy said:

Just another few thoughts and questions:

1. I'm going with a friend, who also has a similar car, are there places to get food and drink?
2. Clothing, I'm guessing comfortable and comfy shoes?
3. Do I need helmet, is this a requirement?

What else should I think about?

IceBoy

1. I'm going with a friend, who also has a similar car, are there places to get food and drink? - all circuits will typically have a cafe - don't expect much quality wise (some do exceed expectations!) but always options for food at lunch when topping up with petrol
2. Clothing, I'm guessing comfortable and comfy shoes? - yep - need shoes which allow you to stay in total control of the car and comfortable clothing. Some specify clothing such as covered arms/legs, especially in a convertible - will all be in the info on booking
3. Do I need helmet, is this a requirement? - yes you will need a helmet, motorbike or open face normally fine. If you don't have one they will normally have them for hire at a nominal charge c£10 but don't expect much

[AshVX220]

IceBoy said:

Just another few thoughts and questions:

1. I'm going with a friend, who also has a similar car, are there places to get food and drink?
2. Clothing, I'm guessing comfortable and comfy shoes?
3. Do I need helmet, is this a requirement?

What else should I think about?

IceBoy

As others have said, I'd go for Bedford for a first track day, plenty of run off and pretty much every type of corner and straight you'd want. No undulations which IMHO for a first day is a good thing.
As for the above;
1. Yes Bedford (and all tracks I've been to) have places to get lunch, food and drink.
2. Most TDO's require limbs to be covered, though that now seems to be relaxed with some TDO's to covered legs and T-Shirts. Comfy shoes, with thin souls are considered better. Unless you're a driving God though any show will do, just not boots or anything with too thick a soul.
3. Yes, either buy one or most TDO's have them available for hire.

DOH, beaten to it!

Edited by AshVX220 on Monday 7th October 10:21

[IceBoy]

AshVX220 said:

As others have said, I'd go for Bedford for a first track day, plenty of run off and pretty much every type of corner and straight you'd want. No undulations which IMHO for a first day is a good thing.
As for the above;
1. Yes Bedford (and all tracks I've been to) have places to get lunch, food and drink.
2. Most TDO's require limbs to be covered, though that now seems to be relaxed with some TDO's to covered legs and T-Shirts. Comfy shoes, with thin souls are considered better. Unless you're a driving God though any show will do, just not boots or anything with too thick a soul.
3. Yes, either buy one or most TDO's have them available for hire.

DOH, beaten to it!

Edited by AshVX220 on Monday 7th October 10:21

Is it OK just to buy the open face type, I like the look of the retro biker/scooter helmets.
LOL
I'm getting all excited already!

FORGOT to mention, do I need to worried about the noise level, the Carrera on full chat with induction kit is loud but not stupid or crazy......how do they check the noise (DB level)????

Iceboy

Edited by IceBoy on Monday 7th October 10:34

[kiethton]

IceBoy said:

Is it OK just to buy the open face type, I like the look of the retro biker/scooter helmets.
LOL
I'm getting all excited already!

FORGOT to mention, do I need to worried about the noise level, the Carrera on full chat with induction kit is loud but not stupid or crazy......how do they check the noise (DB level)????

Iceboy

Edited by IceBoy on Monday 7th October 10:34

For example at Bedford there are static and drive-by tests for noise - most circuits are similar. If the exhaust is standard it should be perfectly fine at most places.

[E-bmw]

IceBoy said:

FORGOT to mention, do I need to worried about the noise level, the Carrera on full chat with induction kit is loud but not stupid or crazy......how do they check the noise (DB level)????

Best advice would be to find your closest track & attend when they do their next track day.

If you turn up & tell the noise testers that you will be doing a day in a few days/weeks etc and can they test you now, they will do & make sure you will be OK before committing to pay for your day.

Beware some "track orientated" cars can be over the noise limits.

Someone else on here may have used/tried the same car & be along shortly to give you more relevant info.

[anonymous-user]

Shnozz said:

Elatino1 said:

As said. Get some good brake fluid, make sure pads and tyres are in good order then Silverstone, Bedford or maybe Thruxton.

Can you do TD’s at thruxton? I thought it was all just experience days trundling around in a Ferrari or lambo?

Bedford is a safe bet with run off, but a tad dull. Donington is a bit more varied and has decent space if you get it wrong.

Yep, I have done a couple at Thruxton.

I don't think Bedford is boring, lots of fun sections

Donington I don't think is ideal for a first timer, plenty of bad places to get it wrong.

[Scootersp]

I think some of the airfield tracks can be bad for stone chips?

First one it's tempting to cram in as many laps as possible but extended sessions are not great for you (concentration and adrenaline!) or the cars tyres and brakes (unless you've really uprated things?).

I did Brands (local'ish and for the history) many many years ago and we had a beginners day and had a lap in a mini bus with the driver explaining things to watch for etc. It was very helpful to me as it was the Indy circuit and he said it was 'flat' through a certain corner and I took that info and got braver on that corner (not flat first lap out) and it gave me confidence to push it a bit more....doubt I'd have ever got close to my eventual corner speed there.

Perhaps a day that offers a small time with an instructor as one to one I'm sure you gain even more, especially if you plan on doing more.

[Cupra Black]

My first trackday was at Bedford, you cant go wrong with it really (I was there yesterday too)

I also live in Berkshire (Reading) and have been to Abingdon twice. Its really safe and very well run and much closer than Bedford

It has a burger van for hot food and drinks but the Abingdon Tesco is a few mins away for fuel and food.

[AshVX220]

IceBoy said:

Is it OK just to buy the open face type, I like the look of the retro biker/scooter helmets.
LOL
I'm getting all excited already!

FORGOT to mention, do I need to worried about the noise level, the Carrera on full chat with induction kit is loud but not stupid or crazy......how do they check the noise (DB level)????

Iceboy

Edited by IceBoy on Monday 7th October 10:34

No one else has picked up on the bit in bold, but yes open face is fine in a tin top. I "think" full face is only required for cars without a windscreen or something like a Caterham.

[LennyM1984]

If you are in Berkshire, you could also consider Abingdon (EDIT: If I have read this topic properly, I would see that somebody has already recommended it)

It's an old airfield but the layout is usually good with a decent mix of corners. I personally think that it is organised really well (Motorsport Events), the instructors are great (money well spent) and the atmosphere is friendly. The only real negative is that the surface does throw up a load of stonechips. That said, when I did have an off, the only thing that was damaged was my ego. There really isn't much to hit so you'd have to be really trying to wreck your car.

There are usually a few Porsches there and so you may find somebody who'll take you out in theirs to show you what's what. I have been a few times in my old Boxster (before it got written off by an elderly German couple driving a LWB Transit camper on the wrong side of the road...ouch) and I'll be taking my Cayman there soon for a shakedown.

[Shnozz]

I used to live nearby and use Abingdon as a cheap blat. Always thought it was very stony and not comparable to a proper circuit. Cheap and cheerful for a bit of fun but never comparable with a proper circuit imo.

[swampy442]

As above re tyres, brakes, etc. I would say take a tyre pressure gauge with you to keep an eye on your pressures, its not uncommon to gain 10psi on a track day, making some cars feel awful, and a pump for the drive home.
But best advice I was given was pay attention in the briefing, watch your mirrors and have fun! People get so wrapped up in the event they forget why they're there lol.