Blagging/Paying for a ride around the ring
Discussion
i think if you hung around in the car park by the tourist laps entry point, and looked for UK number plates with a bunch of guys standing round having a chat, you'd be perfectly alright to approach them to say hi. certainly on trackdays in the UK most people are quite open and passionate about their cars, and are normally happy to talk to someone about them - i'd also expect most would have no problem with you photographing cars.
As for a passenger lap - again, on a uk trackday its pretty easy to get someone to give you a couple of laps, i dont see why you wouldnt be able to get some passenger laps. i suspect if someone does offer to take you out, it'll be because they've done plenty of laps themselves and are confident in their own abillity.
I'd be very surprised if someone actually wanted payment for a lap, they'll either be happy to take you out for a lap, or they won't be. offering to pay them is unlikely to change their mind.
As for a passenger lap - again, on a uk trackday its pretty easy to get someone to give you a couple of laps, i dont see why you wouldnt be able to get some passenger laps. i suspect if someone does offer to take you out, it'll be because they've done plenty of laps themselves and are confident in their own abillity.
I'd be very surprised if someone actually wanted payment for a lap, they'll either be happy to take you out for a lap, or they won't be. offering to pay them is unlikely to change their mind.
I'm usually happy to take someone out...just depends how they present themselves when asking.
I'd also make sure the driver knows you have epilepsy, as my friend Jamie has had a seizure whilst I've been driving (hadn't had one for 6 months previously, then had 6 in the space of a week)...and it's scary if it happens when driving...even when you think you're totally prepared for it.
If you have a helmet, then take it with you, as some of the cars will be caged and I'd not recommend going out in those without one...and you may want to use one all the time anyway.
I wouldn't expect anything in return...but the offer of a coffee or such will not offend anyone.
I'd also make sure the driver knows you have epilepsy, as my friend Jamie has had a seizure whilst I've been driving (hadn't had one for 6 months previously, then had 6 in the space of a week)...and it's scary if it happens when driving...even when you think you're totally prepared for it.
If you have a helmet, then take it with you, as some of the cars will be caged and I'd not recommend going out in those without one...and you may want to use one all the time anyway.
I wouldn't expect anything in return...but the offer of a coffee or such will not offend anyone.
i'd get yourself a helmet... doesnt have to be anything particularly fancy, but get yourself down to a largish halfords, and try on a cheap £40 full face motorcycle helmet. it'll last you years if you look after it (i'm still using the first helmet i bought some 15 years ago)
not trying to put you off at all, but... while motorsport is a lot of fun, it can be dangerous. any reasonably competent driver will be hitting speeds well in excess of what you'd drive on the public road, and accidents can and do happen, especially at the ring.
I also think you'd come across better to someone who might give you a passenger lap if you have your own helmet - i'd be very, very surprised if they themselves weren't wearing one. and obviously if something does happen, you'll really regret not having one on! indeed, i personally wouldnt give a passenger ride to someone else unless they had a helmet on - anyone who'd take you out without one on probably isnt taking it seriously enough themselves.
Oh and for gawds sake, if someone has a 4/6 point harness, make sure you put it on properly! the lap belt should be TIGHT across the hips, not loose and riding up around your chest. once the lap belt is tight, then do the shoulder straps. then ask someone to assist closing the door, since you'll no longer be able to reach it!
not trying to put you off at all, but... while motorsport is a lot of fun, it can be dangerous. any reasonably competent driver will be hitting speeds well in excess of what you'd drive on the public road, and accidents can and do happen, especially at the ring.
I also think you'd come across better to someone who might give you a passenger lap if you have your own helmet - i'd be very, very surprised if they themselves weren't wearing one. and obviously if something does happen, you'll really regret not having one on! indeed, i personally wouldnt give a passenger ride to someone else unless they had a helmet on - anyone who'd take you out without one on probably isnt taking it seriously enough themselves.
Oh and for gawds sake, if someone has a 4/6 point harness, make sure you put it on properly! the lap belt should be TIGHT across the hips, not loose and riding up around your chest. once the lap belt is tight, then do the shoulder straps. then ask someone to assist closing the door, since you'll no longer be able to reach it!
Edited by brillomaster on Wednesday 15th June 14:28
Paying someone for a lap is technically forbidden by the management unless it is via one of the officially licensed taxi companies. I’m not saying don’t but be warned that if someone is seen handing money over they (the driver) can be banned for the day or even lose their season ticket.
Getting into strangers cars has its risks. I instruct there and am payed to sit in strangers cars or to sit next to them in rental cars. It is not always a fun ride but if you can get some genuine offers from known people in forums or groups that have good experience behind them then it may be something you may want to take up.
The Hyundai taxi is dirt cheap and is a great laugh that you can split the cost with others to bring the cost down.
Getting into strangers cars has its risks. I instruct there and am payed to sit in strangers cars or to sit next to them in rental cars. It is not always a fun ride but if you can get some genuine offers from known people in forums or groups that have good experience behind them then it may be something you may want to take up.
The Hyundai taxi is dirt cheap and is a great laugh that you can split the cost with others to bring the cost down.
I've been at the ring for a couple of holidays now and have done a number of tourist laps there, I won't be there when you are OP but if I got chatting with someone there and they asked to be a passenger for a lap I wouldn't have an issue if I was going on anyway.
I have taken people out before albeit people I know. I wouldn't take payment for it, as someone said it is against Ring rules.
I have taken people out before albeit people I know. I wouldn't take payment for it, as someone said it is against Ring rules.
I’ve had rides in the cars of other people at the ‘ring before. Perhaps 10+ years ago. I don’t think I would do it now. You really have no idea how a stranger is going to drive.
Just be aware that on a tourist day a large number of the UK drivers will have no insurance whatsoever. Even if you are OK with that, the driver is taking a risk that you or somebody on your behalf might claim against them.
Just be aware that on a tourist day a large number of the UK drivers will have no insurance whatsoever. Even if you are OK with that, the driver is taking a risk that you or somebody on your behalf might claim against them.
Jamescrs said:
I've been at the ring for a couple of holidays now and have done a number of tourist laps there, I won't be there when you are OP but if I got chatting with someone there and they asked to be a passenger for a lap I wouldn't have an issue if I was going on anyway.
A shame you won't be there hopefully I will bump into someone else who doesn't mind. I am not the most confident of people face to face and I will be very nervous about asking, I think at first I will just try chatting with people about their cars and maybe someone might offer a lap without me having to man up and ask. LOL.I'm there on July 1st for the Circuit days trackday would offer you a spin if you will still be there? I've given passengers laps a few times as people are interested in the car and are always polite so I'm happy to oblige...of course it's understood that they come along at their own risk. I tend not to go too hard when I have a passenger but still drive at a reasonable pace.
RSbandit said:
I'm there on July 1st for the Circuit days trackday would offer you a spin if you will still be there? I've given passengers laps a few times as people are interested in the car and are always polite so I'm happy to oblige...of course it's understood that they come along at their own risk. I tend not to go too hard when I have a passenger but still drive at a reasonable pace.
Thank you so much for offering, I am gutted I will only be there on the 28th. Can I ask out of curiosity what car you will be taking?![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/oH2n8GA2.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/WzP9rW2C" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/WzP9rW2C.jpg)
Nice spec, with mythos black paint ( i could be wrong) and with the 19" diamond cut alloys. Most Mclarens 570s i have seen have had the grey alloys with the same wheel style or the 570gt style in grey. Your red interior with the clubsport seats with the red clapers really suit each other well. Looks like the exterior MSO carbon front splitter aswell so presuambly the MSO rear diffuser in carbon, I am guessing? Thanks for the pics a lovely car.
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