Track Day Virgin

[Andyboy]

Hi,

I have a 1962 Mk1 Cortina which i’d like to take on track for the first time. Has anyone got any advice on where a good starting point is? Ideally I’d like some tuition as well as I’ve never driven a car on track before. I’m based in Bucks.

Thanks

[anonymous-user]

Is it a track car?

If not you will need to ensure that your brakes and tyres are well up to the job of extreme use.

You may be better of starting with some 20min taster sessions at a car show rather than book a full track day to start.

[BertBert]

Not as a novice, but in a car that wasn't up to the rigours of a full track day, I did an evening at brands hatch which was perfect. Instruction is always available at track days.

But I'd suggest not combining learning how to drive on track with taking out ones old car. Do some track time on a novice day or two in a modern car, even if it's a slow one.

[Mark-E34-535]

I started with a novice day at Brands Hatch. I imagine most circuits do them. I seem to recall Fast Ford magazine doing some along with Retro Rides where you'd be on track with other classics.

Tuition is always money well spent.

Apart from that make sure to check fluids, tyres etc and empty your boot and cabin of anything that might fly about during spirited driving.

Have fun.

ETA

I was here in my old E30 325 and my pal was in the E21 2.7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htPsqnYgTrs

Edited by Mark-E34-535 on Thursday 30th December 08:02

[Jamescrs]

I did my first novice track day at Oulton Park, then I did a couple at Cadwell before going into open pit days, Novice days are a great way to get started but don't be at all suprised if there are also experienced track day users at the same days even though they shouldn't be.

The main difference is they limit your time on track to 20 minute sessions and often you will see Motorbike sessions inbetween the car sessions on the same day, which can be quite interesting to watch

[Kswap]

MSV do novice Trackdays. I’ve done two. One at Oulton, the other Donington. The first was two groups of cars and the other bikes. 20 mins per hour.
The second was bikes, cars and a Lotus club. Again 20 mins an hour.

[foggy]

Motorsport Events days might be a good place to look too - super friendly bunch who run a well organised day on southern airfield and circuits (Thruxton and Castle Combe). Tuition available too.

[Cambs_Stuart]

Most track day organisers offer tution, which is always money well spent (open track offer free tuition).
As well as a novice day I'd also pick a track that's a bit more forgiving. For example, Snetterton and Bedford are wide, flat with plenty of run off and a few long straights so you can let faster things past.
At the other end of the scale, Cadwell. It's great track (possibly my favorite), but it's narrow, twisty, lots of elevation and in some sections if you go off, the walls are not far away at all. So I wouldn't go there for a first time.
In terms of track prep, make sure all the fluid are fresh (including brake and power steering fluid) and generally, if in doubt change it. Track spec pads are really benefical as road spec ones, even premium brands, can over heat surprisingly quickly on track. Good tyres are essential, but I wouldn't go and buy a set of semi slicks until you know you're going to be doing track days repeatedly.
Also be prepared to have lots of people ask about the car. Everyone likes seeing something unusual on track!

[CedricN]

Do you guys in the UK have slalom events or similar on airfields like this?

https://youtu.be/_Z-TsayflAs

Its often a great way of learning the car with very low risk, and lower strain on the car.

[JP__FOX]

As others have said, make sure your fluids and brake pads are fresh. Build up your pace slowly and have fun! I would actually avoid a novice day to be honest, you avoid the chance of race teams turning up but you also get a track full of novices and they're usually ran as sessions, where everyone wants to get as many laps in during the session as they can.

I'd suggest an open pitlane day so you can go out and come in as you please but I'd also sit with a coffee to avoid the first 20 minutes of the day as that's normally the most chaotic part of the day!

I'm also based in Bucks and Thruxton isn't far away, I'm there on 28th March with www.opentrack.co.uk and they include free tuition that is well worth putting your name down for on arrival. They also include high res photos so you can see you and your car in action!

[brillomaster]

Get yourself up to Bedford Autodrome. Nice long track, flat, wide, plenty of run off, no race cars. Depending on who you talk to, this makes it either perfect for beginners, or terrible for them. i'm in the former camp - if i have a car or a driver that is new to me, i'll normally take it to Bedford first to get a feel for it.

[Digga]

brillomaster said:

Get yourself up to Bedford Autodrome. Nice long track, flat, wide, plenty of run off, no race cars. Depending on who you talk to, this makes it either perfect for beginners, or terrible for them. i'm in the former camp - if i have a car or a driver that is new to me, i'll normally take it to Bedford first to get a feel for it.

Good advice as OP is in Bucks.

My thoughts were about run off areas too. In the unlikely event you get a bit overwhelmed or over-enthusiastic (although to be fair, taking a car on a race track, what's not to be enthusiastic about?) it should not be a punisher.

[Z4MCSL]

My first ever track day was at Abingdon Airfield and whilst in hindsight it was weirdly enjoyable and good experience to set the brakes on fire I would recommend getting track pads and fluid before your first day. It won't cost much but will be well worth it.

By worth it I don't mean the car will stop better (although it undoubtedly will) bit its more from a safety and driving home perspective. You want to know your brakes won't fade (or set on fire) and you'll want to be able to drive home safe.

Standard brake fluid will easily overheat and boil over meaning you basically end up with no brakes.

I've so far done Abingdon, brands hatch and Bedford. They are all great but I highly recommend Abingdon for a first time.

It's no frills and vert straightforward. There is nothing to hit, loads of grass run off...its a cone circuit.

It's also quite short so you can learn it quickly.

You'll be able to get tuition there.

I put off trackdays for so many years thinking it was a sure fire think I would write off my car, but at a track like Abingdon if you take it easy and take your time it's probably safer than driving to the shops.

[Mark-E34-535]

Digga said:

brillomaster said:

Get yourself up to Bedford Autodrome. Nice long track, flat, wide, plenty of run off, no race cars. Depending on who you talk to, this makes it either perfect for beginners, or terrible for them. i'm in the former camp - if i have a car or a driver that is new to me, i'll normally take it to Bedford first to get a feel for it.

Good advice as OP is in Bucks.

My thoughts were about run off areas too. In the unlikely event you get a bit overwhelmed or over-enthusiastic (although to be fair, taking a car on a race track, what's not to be enthusiastic about?) it should not be a punisher.

Only issue I found (as a driver of old cars) was the length of the back straight which took an age. I'd be inclined to just attend a 'novice only' event.

https://www.trackdays.co.uk/calendar/cars/

[Elderly]

Mark-E34-535 said:

Only issue I found (as a driver of old cars) was the length of the back straight which took an age. I'd be inclined to just attend a 'novice only' event.

I think that a circuit with a long straight is ideal for both a novice and/or someone in a less powerful car;
it gives the driver a chance to pull aside and let the quicker stuff through.

[braddo]

Is the cortina a standard road car? If the brakes are even remotely standard it’s only going to be a few corners before dangerous levels of brake fade.

[phazed]

I agree about Abingdon, that was my first track day as well.

More importantly, what happened to the OP and the MK1 Cortina? Response and some pictures of said Car would be great!

I love MK1’s, ever since my dad bought a new one back in about 66, cracking car!

[Digga]

phazed said:

I agree about Abingdon, that was my first track day as well.

More importantly, what happened to the OP and the MK1 Cortina? Response and some pictures of said Car would be great!

I love MK1’s, ever since my dad bought a new one back in about 66, cracking car!

^This.

All of it and especially pics!

[QBee]

I'm loving the thought of checking the power steering fluid level on a 1962 Cortina.

I was doubly reminded of the joys of 1960s motoring yesterday, when the auxiliary belt tensioner on my 2002 Saab gave way.
Driving the three miles home with no power steering, no water pump, no alternator with the ignition running on battery was amusing and very reminiscent.

[courty]

Andyboy said:

Hi,

I have a 1962 Mk1 Cortina which i’d like to take on track for the first time. Has anyone got any advice on where a good starting point is? Ideally I’d like some tuition as well as I’ve never driven a car on track before. I’m based in Bucks.

Thanks

I do a few track days in my classic car (1970's AR Spider).

Obviously, three things you will have less of than everyone else. Power, Grip, Brakes.
The track I enjoy the most in a classic is Goodwood.
It is generally a flowing track, and also not too many cars are out at a time.
Bedford has some long straights followed by hard braking into corners. I tend to coast down the straights at about 80mph...saves overheating the engine and also means lees braking. Going slower approaching the corners is no problem in a classic because you have a lot less grip = a lot of fun, especially if it's wet.
At Brands indie or Cadwell it can be more challenging in a slower car because stuff will be wanting to pass often. I found this unerving at first, but after a while you realise it all flows pretty well, e.g. eople will wait while you slip and slide around clearways, then once you can get over to the right they can pass easily on the straight. I find the Spider can be quicker down paddock and around druids than fwd modern stuff that just passed on the pit straight.