Discussion
Morning all
So I have now done a sum total of 4 trackdays now
3 at Abingdon and 1 at Brands Hatch. I will be continuing to go back to both.
My track car is a relatively standard clio 182 with a few mods and from the 4 days I have done now I really appreciate how the car handles. On the course at Abingdon I feel like it does very well due to the fact its a short flat twisty circuit with minimal straights. At Brands I spent a lot more time getting blown away by faster cars in the fast sections, although it also felt like there were many more serious cars and drivers there.
I am looking at other tracks to book now and keen on flatter slower tracks as I think this is where the clio will do well
I know its not about racing and I should still enjoy learning longer faster tracks, and I will do that too, but really interested in any recommendations on tracks which favour lighter, better handling cars??
Cheers
So I have now done a sum total of 4 trackdays now
3 at Abingdon and 1 at Brands Hatch. I will be continuing to go back to both.
My track car is a relatively standard clio 182 with a few mods and from the 4 days I have done now I really appreciate how the car handles. On the course at Abingdon I feel like it does very well due to the fact its a short flat twisty circuit with minimal straights. At Brands I spent a lot more time getting blown away by faster cars in the fast sections, although it also felt like there were many more serious cars and drivers there.
I am looking at other tracks to book now and keen on flatter slower tracks as I think this is where the clio will do well
I know its not about racing and I should still enjoy learning longer faster tracks, and I will do that too, but really interested in any recommendations on tracks which favour lighter, better handling cars??
Cheers
Most of the non-GP circuits fit that description to be honest.
Up North you've got Cadwell, Oulton, Blyton and Croft that still feel pretty quick in something like a Clio. Donington, Brands GP and Silverstone are the main ones that will make you feel like you're going backwards at some parts.
Up North you've got Cadwell, Oulton, Blyton and Croft that still feel pretty quick in something like a Clio. Donington, Brands GP and Silverstone are the main ones that will make you feel like you're going backwards at some parts.
Bedford and Snett are good. they have great twisty sections to enjoy and then several straights along the way where you can let fast cars through. if it's your car (ie you care about it) you can even ease off a lot on the back straights to cool the car. Brands is so compact that frustration can build for all drivers.
I know how you feel. I have an RX8, that handles well but is very much all about momentum. I like Oulton, Cadwell and the distant Anglesey circuit. These are technical enough to mitigate the lack of power. I despise Donington (good as the circuit is), the national track is too much of a power circuit and the lack of track miles means lots of cars fighting over very little track.
I would also suggest learning to love wet and winter track days. Often, drivers of powerful cars leave very early, not turn up or drive tentatively on wet circuits. In a Clio, with good wet tyres, you will find the track gets very quiet and you will blow the doors off much of what is out there, regardless of circuit. Wet days are by far the most fun in my opinion.
Look out for the Adam Christou YouTube channel. He is a Nürburgring 24 hours winner, drives his Clio, well but still gets blown away on the straights by powerful stuff. He has some great wet weather track tips, as does Driver61.
I would also suggest learning to love wet and winter track days. Often, drivers of powerful cars leave very early, not turn up or drive tentatively on wet circuits. In a Clio, with good wet tyres, you will find the track gets very quiet and you will blow the doors off much of what is out there, regardless of circuit. Wet days are by far the most fun in my opinion.
Look out for the Adam Christou YouTube channel. He is a Nürburgring 24 hours winner, drives his Clio, well but still gets blown away on the straights by powerful stuff. He has some great wet weather track tips, as does Driver61.
Edited by JTN358AT on Wednesday 21st October 13:22
Edited by JTN358AT on Wednesday 21st October 18:07
I agree with the idea of trying Snet, it's a brilliant track irrespective of the OP's stated requirements. It's more of a medium speed track and the Clios seem at home there. It's a also a good natural progression for the OP.
I have the reverse problem on 02/11 as I am taking the M2 to Cadwell and I am not even sure it will fit there...
Apparently what looks like a narrow access road is the actual track!!
I have the reverse problem on 02/11 as I am taking the M2 to Cadwell and I am not even sure it will fit there...
Apparently what looks like a narrow access road is the actual track!!
Yes, that is true, but you need space on the track to concentrate on improving your own driving. When you are being crowded by seemingly aggressively driven 400bhp+ cars, it is hard to find your mojo. The MSVT novice track days are also quite good and participants tend to be friendlier and more tolerant.
The Speed Secrets, books are also a good resource for improving your driving.
The Speed Secrets, books are also a good resource for improving your driving.
Yes, that is true, but you need space on the track to concentrate on improving your own driving. When you are being crowded by seemingly aggressively driven 400bhp+ cars, it is hard to find your mojo. The MSVT novice track days are also quite good and participants tend to be friendlier and more tolerant.
The Speed Secrets, books are also a good resource for improving your driving.
The Speed Secrets, books are also a good resource for improving your driving.
JTN358AT said:
I would also suggest learning to love wet and winter track days. Often, drivers of powerful car leave very early, not turn up or drive tentatively on wet circuits. In a Clio, with good wet tyres, you will find the track gets very quiet and you will blow the doors off much of what is out there, regardless of circuit. Wet days are by far the most fun in my opinion.
I would agree with that from the other side of the fence. I was at a Blyton day not long ago, dry in the morning and I was lapping most 182's within 5 or 6 laps. Then the rain came, and I nearly killed myself trying to keep up with one.I had a 182 at the time as a daily and I knew how capable they were in the wet. Perfect amount of power for the chassis IMO, so a decent set of tyres and it was an absolute riot when the road got wet.
Elatino1 said:
Donington and Cadwell Park are great tracks with no many power sections. Bedford is a good tracK but very fLat and has a very long straight section but some good twisty bits too.
I find Brands hatch pretty boring personally.
I find Blyton a bit dull, but love Donny, no matter what i'm driving.I find Brands hatch pretty boring personally.
It's funny how it varies.
Your Clio is a quick car in absolute terms compared to normal cars (sub-8 secs to 60mph) and is light.
In low powered cars, I loved Donington and Goodwood and did not like Snetterton and Bedford. Straights and tight turns are boring; high speed stuff like Craner curves and most of Goodwood are fun no matter the power level.
Your Clio is a quick car in absolute terms compared to normal cars (sub-8 secs to 60mph) and is light.
In low powered cars, I loved Donington and Goodwood and did not like Snetterton and Bedford. Straights and tight turns are boring; high speed stuff like Craner curves and most of Goodwood are fun no matter the power level.
Brands Indy is one of the slowest tracks in UK - average speed it about 65-70mph vs 80-85mph at Donington and about 90 at Thruxton. Cars with less power are a lot more competitve here than tracks with longer straights. For example our Caterham's have 125bhp and max out at 110mph, but we are able to lap in the mid 50's even on road tyres. Your Clio should be close to this time if you know the track.
I imagine you are being overtaken at Brands as you aren't carrying enough speed through corners and then you don't have enough power on the straights. Brands can be a very busy track and its easy to lose confidence there when you start off. I'd recommend Bedford as a good place to learn the limits of the car. I'd also recommend spending a day with a driver coach if you can afford it, it will really help you understand how much speed you can carry.
I imagine you are being overtaken at Brands as you aren't carrying enough speed through corners and then you don't have enough power on the straights. Brands can be a very busy track and its easy to lose confidence there when you start off. I'd recommend Bedford as a good place to learn the limits of the car. I'd also recommend spending a day with a driver coach if you can afford it, it will really help you understand how much speed you can carry.
hilts uk said:
Brands Indy is one of the slowest tracks in UK - average speed it about 65-70mph vs 80-85mph at Donington and about 90 at Thruxton. Cars with less power are a lot more competitve here than tracks with longer straights. For example our Caterham's have 125bhp and max out at 110mph, but we are able to lap in the mid 50's even on road tyres. Your Clio should be close to this time if you know the track.
I imagine you are being overtaken at Brands as you aren't carrying enough speed through corners and then you don't have enough power on the straights. Brands can be a very busy track and its easy to lose confidence there when you start off. I'd recommend Bedford as a good place to learn the limits of the car. I'd also recommend spending a day with a driver coach if you can afford it, it will really help you understand how much speed you can carry.
Yeah I think that is probably it to a large extent.I imagine you are being overtaken at Brands as you aren't carrying enough speed through corners and then you don't have enough power on the straights. Brands can be a very busy track and its easy to lose confidence there when you start off. I'd recommend Bedford as a good place to learn the limits of the car. I'd also recommend spending a day with a driver coach if you can afford it, it will really help you understand how much speed you can carry.
I feel I know Abingdon pretty well now and so it is fun to pester M2s, 200sxs , caterhams etc and other RWD cars that can struggle, especially in the wet.
When I did brands I felt clueless - was definitely losing huge speed at paddock hill and definitely did not get tio grips with the Mclaren and Clarke curve sections.
There were some othe 1*2s who were flying passed a lot of stuff and I assumed theyd been turbod but maybe not!
Oh and yes I agree with the other comments above, it should be more about learning to drive than overtaking other cars, but it is a lot of fun overtaking faster cars LOL
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