Discussion
Just booked my second ever track day at Mallory for the 6th Oct.
My first track day was at Bedford back in Feb (before Covid ruined everything) which i thoroughly enjoyed even if I was in the slowest car there (Saxo VTR).
Mallory is obviously a much more simpler track than the GT circuit at Bedford, but I picked it due to the locality and price. What's everyone's opinions on it? Will it still be enjoyable in a slower car or because of the short circuit, will I constantly be looking in my mirrors? At Bedford there was enough space to not worry too much about it.
Also, how does access to the paddock work as I can't see a bridge/tunnel?
My first track day was at Bedford back in Feb (before Covid ruined everything) which i thoroughly enjoyed even if I was in the slowest car there (Saxo VTR).
Mallory is obviously a much more simpler track than the GT circuit at Bedford, but I picked it due to the locality and price. What's everyone's opinions on it? Will it still be enjoyable in a slower car or because of the short circuit, will I constantly be looking in my mirrors? At Bedford there was enough space to not worry too much about it.
Also, how does access to the paddock work as I can't see a bridge/tunnel?
I've done Mallory twice a couple of years ago and I've just booked to go on 15th Sept. Its one I always like to go back to. You'll really enjoy it, even better than its just down the road from me, saves an early start.
I've done it in my own Ford Puma and a 7 style car and i much preferred it in the Puma, I dont remember looking in the mirrors too much either in both!
Access to the paddock is from the hairpin, and then going the wrong way down the back straight, there is a foot bridge to get too and from the car park but once your in... your in. They do open the gates up again at lunch if you do need to get out the paddock and I think they do it again at around 15:30 for anyone who wants to leave early.
I've done it in my own Ford Puma and a 7 style car and i much preferred it in the Puma, I dont remember looking in the mirrors too much either in both!
Access to the paddock is from the hairpin, and then going the wrong way down the back straight, there is a foot bridge to get too and from the car park but once your in... your in. They do open the gates up again at lunch if you do need to get out the paddock and I think they do it again at around 15:30 for anyone who wants to leave early.
ha seems i'm in the minority... my first ever trackday was at Mallory park 7 years ago, and... i've never felt the need to go back!
Only so much enjoyment to be had from 5 corners. Devils elbow is fun at speed, and overtaking round the outside of Gerrards is entertaining, but other than that... meh. People say Bedford and Rockingham were flat and uninteresting, but i'd much rather go there than go to Mallory for a trackday.
anyways if you havent done it its worth a crack if its local, but report back how you get on, and if you think you'll be going back!
Only so much enjoyment to be had from 5 corners. Devils elbow is fun at speed, and overtaking round the outside of Gerrards is entertaining, but other than that... meh. People say Bedford and Rockingham were flat and uninteresting, but i'd much rather go there than go to Mallory for a trackday.
anyways if you havent done it its worth a crack if its local, but report back how you get on, and if you think you'll be going back!
I like Mallory. Was due to go post lockdown but other things got in the way.
There are 2 straights where you can easily let faster cars past. They are also allowed to pass around the long Gerards bend, so you do have to check who’s on your outside. But really it’s up to them to wait for you to move over only when you’re comfortable to do do.
Access to the pits is across the track. They close it for short period 2 or 3 times during the afternoon to let you leave early.
There are 2 straights where you can easily let faster cars past. They are also allowed to pass around the long Gerards bend, so you do have to check who’s on your outside. But really it’s up to them to wait for you to move over only when you’re comfortable to do do.
Access to the pits is across the track. They close it for short period 2 or 3 times during the afternoon to let you leave early.
I have done most of the tracks in the UK and quite liked Mallory Park.
Most circuits I manage without going off the track - Mallory I have left the circuit at speed, and dramatically twice.
Once sideways, when I got the S bend wrong and too fast, heading fully locked up into the gravel trap by the pits entrance, causing an early lunch to be taken while they dragged my car out.
It is the only time the roll-over fuel cut out had activated in 7 years of track days, and it took a while to work out what had happened and why the car wouldn't start.
The other time I simply entered Gerrards too fast, and had to spin the car on the grass to avoid piling into the armco.
It's a surprisingly good circuit for 1.1 miles, and you are always learning at all the corners. Plenty of straight for overtaking.
I hope you have a good day. Give Cadwell Park a try soon, once you are more at one with the car. 14 corners in 2.2 miles, up and down hill, never a dull moment, even though for me it is one of the slower circuits in terms of top speed on the straights. And situated slight beyond the back of beyond.
Most circuits I manage without going off the track - Mallory I have left the circuit at speed, and dramatically twice.
Once sideways, when I got the S bend wrong and too fast, heading fully locked up into the gravel trap by the pits entrance, causing an early lunch to be taken while they dragged my car out.
It is the only time the roll-over fuel cut out had activated in 7 years of track days, and it took a while to work out what had happened and why the car wouldn't start.
The other time I simply entered Gerrards too fast, and had to spin the car on the grass to avoid piling into the armco.
It's a surprisingly good circuit for 1.1 miles, and you are always learning at all the corners. Plenty of straight for overtaking.
I hope you have a good day. Give Cadwell Park a try soon, once you are more at one with the car. 14 corners in 2.2 miles, up and down hill, never a dull moment, even though for me it is one of the slower circuits in terms of top speed on the straights. And situated slight beyond the back of beyond.
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