Cadwell Park. A revelation.
Discussion
I had been saying for 20 years that I need to try it but it's a bit far from Sussex so always found a good reason not to book it and just went for the usual Silverstone, Snet etc...
Had my first day yesterday. What a brilliant track. The photos or videos don't do it justice. The changes of elevation simply need to be experienced to realise how steep some of the stuff is.
But it's actually very flowy too and relatively easy on the brakes.
Morning was wet and afternoon bone dry so that felt like two different track days.
Contrary to what I had read here, it doesn't feel dangerous or scary providing you turn up with the right attitude and build speed progressively.
It was brilliant to meet fellow PHers too and particularly C70R who kindly gave me pax laps in his track weapon.
I would encourage anyone to try Cadwell, whenever track days start again.
Had my first day yesterday. What a brilliant track. The photos or videos don't do it justice. The changes of elevation simply need to be experienced to realise how steep some of the stuff is.
But it's actually very flowy too and relatively easy on the brakes.
Morning was wet and afternoon bone dry so that felt like two different track days.
Contrary to what I had read here, it doesn't feel dangerous or scary providing you turn up with the right attitude and build speed progressively.
It was brilliant to meet fellow PHers too and particularly C70R who kindly gave me pax laps in his track weapon.
I would encourage anyone to try Cadwell, whenever track days start again.
Edited by nickfrog on Monday 30th November 19:33
Sounds like a lot of fun. It's one I'm keen to do and is on "the list". Lockdown 1 and 2 have prevented me from even starting track days so far though I'm hoping to go to Donington when this one lifts and attempt Cadwell early next year. Seems like good advice to approach it in the right way.
I think Silverstone is the only track in the UK that I won't bother doing again (well, maybe Curborough too as it's too small/tight for me).
Oulton in my local (25 minutes), but Anglesey & Donington are only 2 hours away. Then it's all the 'Cs' at 3 hours (Cadwell, Croft, Castle Combe, Mallory), and finally the rare 'long hauls' to Snetterton, Thruxton, Brands, Goodwood where I'll usually go down the night before - which makes them more expensive of course.
But then I spend more time at Oulton and the Ring than anywhere else. Oulton as I can go without much preparation, and the Ring as a long weekend/week and fit other stuff in around the area.
(I know I've missed out Knockhill, Pembry, Blyton, Hethel, and probably plenty of others - but I've not been there so can't comment on whether I liked them and would/would not go back again)
Oulton in my local (25 minutes), but Anglesey & Donington are only 2 hours away. Then it's all the 'Cs' at 3 hours (Cadwell, Croft, Castle Combe, Mallory), and finally the rare 'long hauls' to Snetterton, Thruxton, Brands, Goodwood where I'll usually go down the night before - which makes them more expensive of course.
But then I spend more time at Oulton and the Ring than anywhere else. Oulton as I can go without much preparation, and the Ring as a long weekend/week and fit other stuff in around the area.
(I know I've missed out Knockhill, Pembry, Blyton, Hethel, and probably plenty of others - but I've not been there so can't comment on whether I liked them and would/would not go back again)
When i first did cadwell, it was a lovely sunny day, and i'd never crashed a car before, and i did agree it was awesome.
Then time passed, i binned a car at rockingham, and had major brown flag moments at oulton and bedford, but luckily space and run off saved me.
Then back to cadwell... this time, lashing with rain. Tried a few laps, and thought, cripes, if i get this even slightly wrong, im in the barrier. Plenty of others had that day already. So sacked the rest of the day off.
Still like cadwell, but prefer donny, oulton, bedford, snetterton... just because im less likely to bin it.
Perhaps im getting old.
Then time passed, i binned a car at rockingham, and had major brown flag moments at oulton and bedford, but luckily space and run off saved me.
Then back to cadwell... this time, lashing with rain. Tried a few laps, and thought, cripes, if i get this even slightly wrong, im in the barrier. Plenty of others had that day already. So sacked the rest of the day off.
Still like cadwell, but prefer donny, oulton, bedford, snetterton... just because im less likely to bin it.
Perhaps im getting old.
nickfrog said:
But it's actually very flowy too and relatively easy on the brakes.
Indeed it is, only 5 actual braking zones and only 3 of those are heavy-ish with lots of track in between.Glad you enjoyed it, it is simply the best UK track by far unless you are in a hyper-speed super car, and that is only because lesser vehicles can be competitive.
nickfrog said:
I had been saying for 20 years that I need to try it but it's a bit far from Sussex so always found a good reason not to book it and just went for the usual Silverstone, Snet etc...
Had my first day yesterday. What a brilliant track. The photos or videos don't do it justice. The changes of elevation simply need to be experienced to realise how steep some of the stuff is.
But it's actually very flowy too and relatively easy on the brakes.
Morning was wet and afternoon bone dry so that felt like two different track days.
Contrary to what I had read here, it doesn't feel dangerous or scary providing you turn up with the right attitude and build speed progressively.
It was brilliant to meet fellow PHers too and particularly C70R who kindly gave me pax laps in his track weapon.
I would encourage anyone to try Cadwell, whenever track days start again.
Mini Neurenberg..best track in the UK IMO.Had my first day yesterday. What a brilliant track. The photos or videos don't do it justice. The changes of elevation simply need to be experienced to realise how steep some of the stuff is.
But it's actually very flowy too and relatively easy on the brakes.
Morning was wet and afternoon bone dry so that felt like two different track days.
Contrary to what I had read here, it doesn't feel dangerous or scary providing you turn up with the right attitude and build speed progressively.
It was brilliant to meet fellow PHers too and particularly C70R who kindly gave me pax laps in his track weapon.
I would encourage anyone to try Cadwell, whenever track days start again.
Edited by nickfrog on Tuesday 3rd November 10:03
mmm-five said:
catweasle said:
Mini Neurenberg..best track in the UK IMO.
How is Cadwell Park like a small version of a Bavarian city where Nazi war criminals were tried?You might be confusing it with the Nürburgring in Nürburg (in the Eifel region, about 250 miles to the north-west)
A great day out, a wonderful track, and great to meet you too Nick.
I think you're being a bit charitable in your description of my Mini, but the ride in your M2 has done nothing to dissuade me that it might be next for me!
I'd love to do a full dry day out there, so I could build up the confidence to take Coppice flat.
I think you're being a bit charitable in your description of my Mini, but the ride in your M2 has done nothing to dissuade me that it might be next for me!
I'd love to do a full dry day out there, so I could build up the confidence to take Coppice flat.
doesthiswork said:
CanoeSniffer said:
Cadwell is AWESOME!
.. even though it’s the only track I’ve properly stacked it at
Me too, back out after lunch on cold tyres, still makes me cringe thinking about it. .. even though it’s the only track I’ve properly stacked it at
I was in a Jaguar XJ, about 500kg heavier than the Civic.
You can imagine how that ended.
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