Snetterton and 1st time advice please
Discussion
Having looked around for ages for a track day and read up on the posts in here I think I'm going to book a day at Snetterton. I've got a few questions for the guys and gals who have lots more experience then me at this sort of thing!
Is Snetterton a good place for a track debut? Does it have good run offs and a smooth surface? (I've heard Bedford is the best place for this, but they don't do a novices event that I can see)
Are the Gold Track novice packages any good? I read about a Brands (Motor Sport Vision) event earlier in the summer and it seemed that the lots of the drivers weren't novices.
Does anybody have any experience of a MSV novices day since March time?
I drive a Clio 182, which will be fine on the twisty stuff, but will Snetterton be too fast for it? I'd rather not feel like I was a moving roadblock at times, a recent PH run to Chichester showed how massive the performance difference from a 182 to TVR is.
Thanks in advance, the advice I've gotten for this forum so far has always been very helpful
Is Snetterton a good place for a track debut? Does it have good run offs and a smooth surface? (I've heard Bedford is the best place for this, but they don't do a novices event that I can see)
Are the Gold Track novice packages any good? I read about a Brands (Motor Sport Vision) event earlier in the summer and it seemed that the lots of the drivers weren't novices.
Does anybody have any experience of a MSV novices day since March time?
I drive a Clio 182, which will be fine on the twisty stuff, but will Snetterton be too fast for it? I'd rather not feel like I was a moving roadblock at times, a recent PH run to Chichester showed how massive the performance difference from a 182 to TVR is.
Thanks in advance, the advice I've gotten for this forum so far has always been very helpful
Snet is a quick circuit, but a well driven Clio should be able to maintain a pretty respectable pace round there. It's quite well surfaced and it's difficult to hit anything of great consequence if you do fall off so I'd say it's not a bad choice. You should be able to outdrive most TVRs through the final chicane and they'll need to really throttle on to catch you back before the first corner. You may well be quicker through here as well.
IMO Snetterton is one of the best circuits for a first trackday. Plenty of run-off. Don't brake too late going into the Esses and gradually build up your speed through Coram Curve and you should be OK. If you go off anywhere else on the circuit, it is unlikely that you will hit anything.
Don't worry about being "slow", there are always great variations in cars and drivers at trackdays, and remember, it is not a race! If you see a car in your rear-view mirror that wasn't there a few seconds ago: on the next straight, pull over to the right, back off a little and let them pass.
A Clio 182 is a great car for trackdays, and once you gain experience, should be a fast as most things!
Don't worry about being "slow", there are always great variations in cars and drivers at trackdays, and remember, it is not a race! If you see a car in your rear-view mirror that wasn't there a few seconds ago: on the next straight, pull over to the right, back off a little and let them pass.
A Clio 182 is a great car for trackdays, and once you gain experience, should be a fast as most things!
Snet is one of my favourite tracks, and can't see why you would have a problem there as a novice.
First corner is faster than you think, so you can build up through the day, second is slower, but there is only grass waiting if you get it wrong. The circuit have also put a load of tarmac on the run off area, which is obviously now 'track'
.
The esses is probably the only place where inexperience will hurt. It is a great place to be a passenger with a good driver as you will not believe how late you can brake into the left hander - in the Ginettas we hit the brakes under the bridge (you won't believe me when you get there) but I have to hold my right leg on the throttle with my right hand in order to to it. This is also possibly the only place where there are bits to hit, so again, build up nice and slowly.
The bomb hole right hander is fun - turn in early and aim for the grate - you will probably be flat through there by the end of the day.
As said above - care at coram, but it is just a long understeery corner, so if you do start to slide, just ease off and everything will sort itself out. DON'T PANIC though, otherwise you could end up backwards.
The chicane is fairly typical. If you were in a race you would be driving all over the kerbs (all four wheels and then some (ahem)). As you're not, I'd just scrub a bit more speed on the approach and drive round it normally.
Fantastic track - you'll have a ball.
First corner is faster than you think, so you can build up through the day, second is slower, but there is only grass waiting if you get it wrong. The circuit have also put a load of tarmac on the run off area, which is obviously now 'track'
. The esses is probably the only place where inexperience will hurt. It is a great place to be a passenger with a good driver as you will not believe how late you can brake into the left hander - in the Ginettas we hit the brakes under the bridge (you won't believe me when you get there) but I have to hold my right leg on the throttle with my right hand in order to to it. This is also possibly the only place where there are bits to hit, so again, build up nice and slowly.
The bomb hole right hander is fun - turn in early and aim for the grate - you will probably be flat through there by the end of the day.
As said above - care at coram, but it is just a long understeery corner, so if you do start to slide, just ease off and everything will sort itself out. DON'T PANIC though, otherwise you could end up backwards.
The chicane is fairly typical. If you were in a race you would be driving all over the kerbs (all four wheels and then some (ahem)). As you're not, I'd just scrub a bit more speed on the approach and drive round it normally.
Fantastic track - you'll have a ball.
Snet's a great track
Take your time - build yr speed up slowly - do check your mirrors before braking and turning in !
Coram is were you can have a really big off. about 10 meters of grass and a very firm tyre wall.
It's a faily late turn in - if you get it right you should clip the apron on the inside of the bend and then it's full power to the outside for braking into the chicane.
tip - if you run into a problem - keep your foot in and keep looking in the direction of where your supposed to be going (ir the track - not the tyre wall)
Take your time - build yr speed up slowly - do check your mirrors before braking and turning in !
Coram is were you can have a really big off. about 10 meters of grass and a very firm tyre wall.
It's a faily late turn in - if you get it right you should clip the apron on the inside of the bend and then it's full power to the outside for braking into the chicane.
tip - if you run into a problem - keep your foot in and keep looking in the direction of where your supposed to be going (ir the track - not the tyre wall)
Alex said:And it had two long straights
IMO Snetterton is one of the best circuits for a first trackday.
Don't worry about being "slow", there are always great variations in cars and drivers at trackdays, and remember, it is not a race! If you see a car in your rear-view mirror that wasn't there a few seconds ago: on the next straight, pull over to the right, back off a little and let them pass.
(one VERY long one where you will be on the right side of the track for the correct line at the end) where you can let the quicker drivers through without
compromising your own lap.
Snetterton is an underestimated circuit and often forgotten being tucked away up in sleepy old Norfolk. The track itself is in excellent condition and great for novice and advance drivers alike. The place has just had a serious amount of money spent on it this year with a new scrutineering bay, a revamp to the circuit restaurant; Tyrell’s and general improvements like new fencing, painted Armco and Rumble Strips etc. I think hosting the BSB and then the Touring Cars who are there this weekend are the reason for a few of the improvements, but still it looks impressive. 
Once you’ve mastered the technical section from the Esses through into the Bomb Hole, then Corum and back onto the start finish straight you then have to get to grips with Sears (2nd corner) - you can brake slightly earlier and tuck it in earlier, or go in fast and power out using all the track on the exit. Then it’s the long back straight where your natural line is to the right so faster cars can easily pass on the left, but remember to back off if someone is passing you otherwise it turns into a big drag race to the Esses
Any track day company which is running a novice group and providing ARDS instructors should be a good start. We were at Snett on Friday and ran 2 groups; Novice and advance and then opened up the pit lane in the afternoon, this format always proves successful with the drivers as it keeps the different abilities of drivers apart in the morning whilst the novice’s learn the track and then at lunch time when everyone’s settled they can mix it together on the circuit. Check out the PH’s calendar for future dates for all TDO’s who are members of the ATDO.
All in all a great circuit and I’m sure you’ll have a great day. Remember to let us know when you do decide to book how your day went
Once you’ve mastered the technical section from the Esses through into the Bomb Hole, then Corum and back onto the start finish straight you then have to get to grips with Sears (2nd corner) - you can brake slightly earlier and tuck it in earlier, or go in fast and power out using all the track on the exit. Then it’s the long back straight where your natural line is to the right so faster cars can easily pass on the left, but remember to back off if someone is passing you otherwise it turns into a big drag race to the Esses
Any track day company which is running a novice group and providing ARDS instructors should be a good start. We were at Snett on Friday and ran 2 groups; Novice and advance and then opened up the pit lane in the afternoon, this format always proves successful with the drivers as it keeps the different abilities of drivers apart in the morning whilst the novice’s learn the track and then at lunch time when everyone’s settled they can mix it together on the circuit. Check out the PH’s calendar for future dates for all TDO’s who are members of the ATDO.
All in all a great circuit and I’m sure you’ll have a great day. Remember to let us know when you do decide to book how your day went
Ditto Snetterton is not a bad place to start and will give you the racing bug by the time you have finished!
Get a session or two with the ARDS Instructors. Explain to them your situation don't be at all embarrassed by the fact your new to it, you will usually find they will be even more helpful.
Gold Track are a great company and are fully recommended.
Alternatively I am available for the day to help you settle in if you require (ARDS Instructor).
Whatever you choose, enjoy you day and don't over do it too soon.
Get a session or two with the ARDS Instructors. Explain to them your situation don't be at all embarrassed by the fact your new to it, you will usually find they will be even more helpful.
Gold Track are a great company and are fully recommended.
Alternatively I am available for the day to help you settle in if you require (ARDS Instructor).
Whatever you choose, enjoy you day and don't over do it too soon.
I reckon Snetterton is a great choice. The straights can seem a bit dull in a slower car if your a bit more experienced but with a new car or if you are new to the circuit they give you a bit of time to get your head together, check your mirrors, let the quicker guys through, etc. The track is easy to learn in terms of 'where does it go next' but still has plenty of challenges. The esses and Coram in particular. The advice above about Coram is spot on. If it feels like it is washing out be very gentle in correcting it. Either keep your foot in and live with the understeer or ease off very gently. Last time I was there a chap in a Lotus Esprit V8 was learning the consequences of a sudden lift i.e. revolve rapdidly, head for nearest bit of tyre wall, stop very quickly, apologise profusely to owner of car, reach for cheque book. IIRC he actually managed to mangle every panel other than the roof.
Have fun.
Have fun.
theboyfold said:
Is Snetterton a good place for a track debut? Does it have good run offs and a smooth surface? (I've heard Bedford is the best place for this, but they don't do a novices event that I can see)
I reckon Snetterton is a good choice for a track debut.
Bedford seems to be the ultimate for large run offs but it's a long ciruit and a consequently hard to remember.
For either circuit my tip would be to book an instructor in advance, especially if it's a novices day.
--
Richard
rustybin said:
The straights can seem a bit dull in a slower car
I did 110 miles around there in my 2 litre Mondeo the day before it went back to the lease company. 1 min 45 laps and we were using cruise control down the back street and making calls on the hands free. Some recipients thought it was quite amusing but the wife got the right hump.
If you are going next Tuesday (16th) then don't worry, you won't be the slowest - I'll be there in the Red Shed (aka 1985 BMW 535i on std suspension!!).
I have been round as a passenger though, and it is a great little circuit. And you should be fine as long as you don't do anything stupid!
Mike
I have been round as a passenger though, and it is a great little circuit. And you should be fine as long as you don't do anything stupid!
Mike
Guessing you've not done your first day after all then and I can offer a bit more advice...
Haven't driven Brands, but I know several who have and they all say watch out for crests and cambers there. I did my first event at an airfield, so I found my first few laps at Anglesey a bit disconcerting, for instance - I imagine some of the corners at Brands are like that.
On the road, you see a corner on a crest, you don't fully commit to it, so you won't really see what I mean until you've done it on a track.
Generally speaking though -
Stay calm, stay courteous, don't be afraid to have a discreet word with officials if you spot other people making dangerous or anti-social manouevres, and remember you don't have to go balls-out every lap. I quite often spend a session trying to get a particular corner right or trying different lines and not really trying on the rest of the lap. And DON'T WORRY ABOUT BEING OVERTAKEN, it's all part of the fun, and you can always try and learn something by following their lines for the rest of the lap. (Or watching the back of their hot-hatch-with-rollcage disappearing into the distance on 3 wheels, which experience seems to be a permanent feature of my days so far ;-) )
If you do get into a spin don't panic but don't try and get clever either, just plant the brake and wait for the car to stop, or it gets slow enough for you to work out where you are. An embarrassing spin is better than a kerb-crashing wishbone-bending tank slapper...
You will find the driver makes most of the difference and it's quite common to see 100bhp/ton cars overtaking or even lapping 200bhp/ton cars.
Don't forget to warm and cool your car properly, and I find having a couple of steady laps at each end of the session also helps me concentrate more for the middle of the session.
I'm off to Jurby next month...
Haven't driven Brands, but I know several who have and they all say watch out for crests and cambers there. I did my first event at an airfield, so I found my first few laps at Anglesey a bit disconcerting, for instance - I imagine some of the corners at Brands are like that.
On the road, you see a corner on a crest, you don't fully commit to it, so you won't really see what I mean until you've done it on a track.
Generally speaking though -
Stay calm, stay courteous, don't be afraid to have a discreet word with officials if you spot other people making dangerous or anti-social manouevres, and remember you don't have to go balls-out every lap. I quite often spend a session trying to get a particular corner right or trying different lines and not really trying on the rest of the lap. And DON'T WORRY ABOUT BEING OVERTAKEN, it's all part of the fun, and you can always try and learn something by following their lines for the rest of the lap. (Or watching the back of their hot-hatch-with-rollcage disappearing into the distance on 3 wheels, which experience seems to be a permanent feature of my days so far ;-) )
If you do get into a spin don't panic but don't try and get clever either, just plant the brake and wait for the car to stop, or it gets slow enough for you to work out where you are. An embarrassing spin is better than a kerb-crashing wishbone-bending tank slapper...
You will find the driver makes most of the difference and it's quite common to see 100bhp/ton cars overtaking or even lapping 200bhp/ton cars.
Don't forget to warm and cool your car properly, and I find having a couple of steady laps at each end of the session also helps me concentrate more for the middle of the session.
I'm off to Jurby next month...
Thanks for the advice mate, can't wait to go. I'm off to Brands next week for a novices afternoon, so it should be good. Looks like I might be the only one from the forum there though...
[url]www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=18&t=200114[/url]
I'll post how I got on once I've been, hopefully have some pics and vid of it as well!
[url]www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=18&t=200114[/url]
I'll post how I got on once I've been, hopefully have some pics and vid of it as well!
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