Track recommendation for M5

[Edward-25gc3]

I have done one track day so far in my F10 M5 (first track day ever) which was Thruxton a few weeks ago. I think it was a bad first choice, firstly because of how fast the track is and also trying to remember the circuit, lines for the fast corners etc whilst keeping out of others way (911 GT3s, AMG GTRs, racing M3s etc) was really hard work/stressful.

I am keen to do another track day this month in the M5 and wondered if anyone can recommend a suitable one in the midlands region? Ideally one that is easy to learn/remember, big run off areas and long straights

Thanks

[Lemoncurd]

Bedford is often quite a good track for starting out on trackdays. Fairly flat and featureless, but equally that means nothing much to hit.

Donington is a fun track with a good mix of tricky corners and a couple of long straights. the track days can be busy with red flags though.

Silverstone is nice and wide, but is also big, expensive and I would imagine also quite quick in an M5.

Oulton and Cadwell are two of my favourite tracks in the country, but the definitely fail the 'nothing to hit' brief, so I would stay away from them for now!

[lukeyboyuk]

Snetterton is fun and decent run offs should the worst happen. That's where I did my first track day, and second and third, and again tomorrow

[John Laverick]

The answer is any circuit of your choice with some tuition...

[NoBrakesWC]

Thruxston Known to be the most dangerous track in the UK

[Krikkit]

It sounds like you put too much pressure on yourself to be fast on the first time out, just take it easy and let it flow.

That said, Donington is a great track - not too complex to pick up, but takes a long time to master, and not too fast.

[braddo]

Edward-25gc3 said:

a suitable one in the midlands region?

Donington for sure. Some gradient makes it fun, not too long, not too hard on brakes which is a critical consideration for heavy car.

With too many slow corners I find Bedford boring.

[Cambs_Stuart]

Bedford and snetterton are both fairly forgiving tracks. But tuition is really helpful, especially when you're starting off. I think opentrack and trackobsession include a free 20 minute in car tutorial with your booking,,,

[Throttlebody]

Donington but it’s getting more expensive.

Snett 300 a cheaper alternative.

Anglesey if you don’t mind the trip out to it.

[LennyM1984]

NoBrakesWC said:

Thruxston Known to be the most dangerous track in the UK

Is it? I like Thruxton (and have spun going through church) but it doesn't strike me as being any more dangerous than any other. It's known to be the fastest.

To the OP, do an airfield day. They tend to be more relaxed with wide passing areas.

[QBee]

In the Midlands you also have Mallory Park (near Leicester). Only 5 corners, so not too much to remember, but it is an interesting track to try to get right.
Blyton Park, north of Gainsborough in Lincs is another one - old airfield but now the Ginetta test track. Nothing to hit, quite flowing, reasonably quick, not too expensive.
Snetterton in Norfolk has two long straights and plenty of interesting corners. I have managed 135 mph on the Bentley Straight, so you will manage somewhat more than that.
Bedford as already mentioned - I saw 147mph there as a passenger in a GT3 Porsche, but the circuit is 4 miles long and more about the corners. Should suit the M5 well.
Donington, as already mentioned, has the right sort of mix of corners and straights for your car.

Finally, Rockingham (near Corby) is worth a visit if you get fed up with the M5 and want to sell it.

[braddo]

QBee said:

Finally, Rockingham (near Corby) is worth a visit if you get fed up with the M5 and want to sell it.

[GCCP]

Edward-25gc3 said:

I have done one track day so far in my F10 M5 (first track day ever) which was Thruxton a few weeks ago. I think it was a bad first choice, firstly because of how fast the track is and also trying to remember the circuit, lines for the fast corners etc whilst keeping out of others way (911 GT3s, AMG GTRs, racing M3s etc) was really hard work/stressful.

I am keen to do another track day this month in the M5 and wondered if anyone can recommend a suitable one in the midlands region? Ideally one that is easy to learn/remember, big run off areas and long straights

Thanks

Bedford

I am not a fan of Thruxton and had a similar experience (but with 100s of Caterhams) yay,..

Castle combe is my favourite, but not that close

[brillomaster]

Bedford is good for high powered cars - some decent straights to actually get some decent speed up. it does however have some big braking zones where a fast heavy car will suffer, and some tight hairpins which will likely see you exiting sideways if you are greedy with the throttle. That said, it is long, flat and wide, so good for starting out.

donington is more flowy, and so easier on brakes and tyres, but still a couple of straights to get some speed up. Snetterton is also good, two long straights, fairly straightforward steady radius corners.

Also... have you seen the other thread on here about a 1000bhp supra that refused to let a car past? try not to be that guy... an M5 will have the legs on most things on the straights, but wont be very fast at all through the corners, or under brakes... so if someone has caught up to you before the start of a long straight, try and hold back deploying full beans until they're past you.

[QBee]

Castle Combe has a bit of a reputation for crashes, as the armco is alarmingly close to some of the corners, and the bump going into the second corner (Quarry) can throw the car right off balance. Once you get the hang of it, it is a fun track on a dry day.

[Edward-25gc3]

Thanks everyone for the input, it is very useful.

I've since had a look at Bedford and Donnington and think Donnington is the one I will go to next. Bedford looks good especially with the long straights and nothing to hit, however with Donnington being a proper race track I think it will have a bit more atmosphere and be more exciting (something I really enjoyed about the Thruxton experience, being at a race circuit the excitement built as soon as you entered the grounds). Plus Donnington is 10 miles from me.

Is anyone else going to Donnington in the coming weeks?

[brillomaster]

Good choice, donington is mega. Proper race circuit, senna drove round it dont you know.

Im hoping to go there end of october next, its my favourite UK circuit.