Track Day Tuition
Discussion
Just sat waiting for a delivery and got to thinking about my last TD in the Elise. Got to wondering how many people take track day tuition? The last few times I've been out I've seen absolutely crazy machines being driven by lost, frightened owners at almost dangerously low speeds.
I'm a huge believer in driver training, in all environments, road and track. I'm nothing special at all, but I know I'd be considerably worse of it weren't for the training over the years.
Surely if someone can afford to drive or track a £100,000+ car, they can afford to hire an instructor for the day, even if it's just to tell them where the road goes next? Or is it a mindset that they're in the 'best' car so they'll automatically be the best driver on the day?
I'm a huge believer in driver training, in all environments, road and track. I'm nothing special at all, but I know I'd be considerably worse of it weren't for the training over the years.
Surely if someone can afford to drive or track a £100,000+ car, they can afford to hire an instructor for the day, even if it's just to tell them where the road goes next? Or is it a mindset that they're in the 'best' car so they'll automatically be the best driver on the day?
Only started trackdays this year, and have tried to book instruction on every one so far (hoping restrictions would have allowed) but because of Covid they have all cancelled the instruction so we have taken to the track as novices and still enjoyed the days. I will keep trying to book instruction as think it would be the best way to improve. Car is only a clio though so nothing fancy.
There's a lot of testosterone around driving ability in general and trackdays are arguably worse places than most for it.
I'm due my first trackday since 2008 this weekend coming, so I'm out of touch and it may be different now, but there definitely used to be a lot of polishing egos going on - overtaking "faster" or "more expensive" cars a major badge of honour, not letting people past who are in "slower" or "inferior" cars, blah blah.
Have also known a bloke who accept he couldn't drive very well but was happy to just buy something that's quicker than everyone else in a straight line, stay ahead that way, and sod anyone who's quicker over a lap but slower down the straight; when challenged, he had no interest whatsoever in improving his driving. Just wanted to go out and thrash it down the straights (and presumably was happy to spend his way to being the fastest, and I suspected was even happier knowing that he was pissing off everyone else on track with him).
So I suppose instruction = weakness, or leave me alone I know what I'm doing.
Will I get instruction on Saturday? Maybe, once I know where the track's going and what my car drives like. I do have a particular cognitive issue in that I struggle to take in and act on what I'm told at the time - I generally adopt most or all of what I've learned the next day after I've slept on it - which isn't ideal for driver training (and drove my motorcycle DAS instructor mad...)
I'm due my first trackday since 2008 this weekend coming, so I'm out of touch and it may be different now, but there definitely used to be a lot of polishing egos going on - overtaking "faster" or "more expensive" cars a major badge of honour, not letting people past who are in "slower" or "inferior" cars, blah blah.
Have also known a bloke who accept he couldn't drive very well but was happy to just buy something that's quicker than everyone else in a straight line, stay ahead that way, and sod anyone who's quicker over a lap but slower down the straight; when challenged, he had no interest whatsoever in improving his driving. Just wanted to go out and thrash it down the straights (and presumably was happy to spend his way to being the fastest, and I suspected was even happier knowing that he was pissing off everyone else on track with him).
So I suppose instruction = weakness, or leave me alone I know what I'm doing.
Will I get instruction on Saturday? Maybe, once I know where the track's going and what my car drives like. I do have a particular cognitive issue in that I struggle to take in and act on what I'm told at the time - I generally adopt most or all of what I've learned the next day after I've slept on it - which isn't ideal for driver training (and drove my motorcycle DAS instructor mad...)
Instruction is usually valuable and I certainly make a beeline for the instructor when learning a new track. It’s a great way to get a basic knowledge for the lines to take. However, many instructors are often more reluctant to teach alternative lines and push advanced techniques such as trail braking.
I also supplement instruction with reading. UK Motorsport Guide, by Les Cherneca, give a great rundown on how to drive UK tracks with alternative lines. The Speed Secrets and the book by Michael Krumm are also very good for getting a feel for track driving.
Knowledge is power on track days and decent books and circuit instruction are the best value ways to get better on track. However, some people take it as a major insult that they could do things better on track and cannot accept instruction as a way of improving.
I also supplement instruction with reading. UK Motorsport Guide, by Les Cherneca, give a great rundown on how to drive UK tracks with alternative lines. The Speed Secrets and the book by Michael Krumm are also very good for getting a feel for track driving.
Knowledge is power on track days and decent books and circuit instruction are the best value ways to get better on track. However, some people take it as a major insult that they could do things better on track and cannot accept instruction as a way of improving.
Edited by JTN358AT on Wednesday 28th October 09:42
A man should know his limitations 
Professional golfers hire professional instructors to help improve their game....
I've had track day tuition and it was excellent, and an absolute pleasure... Some of the advice is obvious once explained (rectifying bad driving habits), and the resultant change in driving technique makes you both quicker and safer... And allows you to get more out of your car, and therefore more enjoyment
Get the right instructor and in my opinion its a lot of bang for your buck.......
Professional golfers hire professional instructors to help improve their game....
I've had track day tuition and it was excellent, and an absolute pleasure... Some of the advice is obvious once explained (rectifying bad driving habits), and the resultant change in driving technique makes you both quicker and safer... And allows you to get more out of your car, and therefore more enjoyment
Get the right instructor and in my opinion its a lot of bang for your buck.......
I had some instruction recently at Snetterton and it was brilliant. Of course in an open cockpit car you cannot hear the instructor so I would come in every couple laps and we would chat about where I could improve. He also gave hand gestures on things like take a wider line, or brake later etc. I not only found it made me faster but I had more confidence too.
Definitely worth it and the TDO instructors are not expensive. What I need next is a full day with an instructor I think.
I am all in, no matter how good you think you are you can always improve your driving and the circuit you happen to be at.
Definitely worth it and the TDO instructors are not expensive. What I need next is a full day with an instructor I think.
I am all in, no matter how good you think you are you can always improve your driving and the circuit you happen to be at.
Remember that you do not just have to stick to the instructors provided by the track day company, you can organise your own to go with you. Probably most cost effective if 2 or possibly 3 of you share the cost between you.
“ The Motorsports School” can provide instruction as can people like Simon Mason and David Hornsey, all good instructors and good blokes.
Well worth the money and you will enjoy the day more. Probably better value than the latest go faster induction kit etc.
“ The Motorsports School” can provide instruction as can people like Simon Mason and David Hornsey, all good instructors and good blokes.
Well worth the money and you will enjoy the day more. Probably better value than the latest go faster induction kit etc.
I've had one-to-one tuition before at a trackday which was probably the most useful/productive days I've spent on track, I aim to do one every year early in the 'season' to sharpen up... obviously this year has been an exception.
Seems to be a lot of resentment against people who turn up in supercars without god-tier driving skills which is probably a bit unfair. They're just doing what most of us do, just with a bigger budget. Turning up in something with a GT3 badge on it or whatever seems to be like wearing a dartboard on your back for people to have a pop at, and ridicule you on the internet if you don't happen to be the next Senna. For all you know they had tuition booked for later that day, or perhaps they're learning the circuit, or perhaps <shock horror> they don't want to drive their £200k car at 10/10ths.
There's probably plenty of drivers similarly unskilled pootling around 'dangerously' in their MX5s, Fiestas, <insert affordable track car here> just nobody takes notice of it.
Seems to be a lot of resentment against people who turn up in supercars without god-tier driving skills which is probably a bit unfair. They're just doing what most of us do, just with a bigger budget. Turning up in something with a GT3 badge on it or whatever seems to be like wearing a dartboard on your back for people to have a pop at, and ridicule you on the internet if you don't happen to be the next Senna. For all you know they had tuition booked for later that day, or perhaps they're learning the circuit, or perhaps <shock horror> they don't want to drive their £200k car at 10/10ths.
There's probably plenty of drivers similarly unskilled pootling around 'dangerously' in their MX5s, Fiestas, <insert affordable track car here> just nobody takes notice of it.
I have used CAT Driver training in the UK - a day at Millbrook and a day at Silverstone. It is not cheap but i thought it good value for money when I think what I learned. I would recommend them highly. I have done the half hour slots at Spa and, next time I go there, I will booked for longer - probably three sessions in the morning. I cannot see the point of heading to a track day at my level and not learning something new. Maybe once Ive done Silverstone 10-15 times and get consistently sin 2:30 I will be happy that I know it!
I was one of those pootling about in a cheap car (Clio 172), but then had a session with an instructor and it made a huge difference, not only in lap times, but also how to avoid overheating brakes and tyres. I'd recommend an instructor session to everyone, this is I've just started using track obsession, who offer a lesson with and instructor as part of the track day package.
Call Mel at The Motorsports School 01455 502412 www.themotorsportsschool.co.uk
Definitely the best money you will spend, you will get help with lines, braking, Balance. getting the best out of you self and your car. will save money by looking after your car and being kind on the car whilst going quicker.
Definitely the best money you will spend, you will get help with lines, braking, Balance. getting the best out of you self and your car. will save money by looking after your car and being kind on the car whilst going quicker.
Snowy999 said:
I have used CAT Driver training in the UK - a day at Millbrook and a day at Silverstone. It is not cheap but i thought it good value for money when I think what I learned. I would recommend them highly. I have done the half hour slots at Spa and, next time I go there, I will booked for longer - probably three sessions in the morning. I cannot see the point of heading to a track day at my level and not learning something new. Maybe once Ive done Silverstone 10-15 times and get consistently sin 2:30 I will be happy that I know it!
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