Private track hire - Questions

[milfordkong]

My Dad was diagnosed with a brain tumour a few years ago, the tumour was removed, he had a whole lot of treatment and currently he's doing really well and has had no seizures or anything similar but as yet he is still unable medically to reapply for his driving licence (His consultant has to recommend this and we're not even sure if this is ever likely to happen, it's very unclear).

I have no idea if this is possible or legal or realistic but it will be his 70th birthday this year and I know he'd love the opportunity to drive again so I thought about the idea of hiring a track for a few hours or a day for him to get the opportunity to do so in a safe and controlled environment. He is and always has been a massive petrolhead, he still has a small collection of classic Minis and Scooters and I know how much he'd relish being able to drive them again for a short period of time. It wouldn't have to be any special sort of track, an airfield or whatever would do, anywhere he can drive the car properly and get that feeling again.

So my questions are:

- Is this even possible? If we hire a track for private use do participants need a valid driving licence (I know they get hired for young drivers so i'm assuming not but that may fall under some other remit)
- Does his medical situation (Stable now but obviously he's been through the mill in recent years to the extent he gave his licence up) have any bearing on being able to use his own cars on a private track?
- Have looked at Llandow in South Wales and that seems feasible but ideally it'd be a bit closer to home (East Midlands) - Does anyone have any experience of or recommendations for private track hire in this area? (The big hitters are not going to be possible cost-wise)

I do understand there'd be no chance of insurance, but there would be very few people involved and very light use of any cars capabilities so all liability would rest with the participants. If it's just not possible then ok, but if it is I know he'd absolutely love it so it's well worth investigating.

Thanks in advance.
Andy

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

hiring a track is big money. Mutliples of thousands normally. However Curborough may be your salvation as that is near Litchfield.
If it's a private group, I'd probably not be forth coming with your fathers condition. You'll then be able to book the track and do some driving.

[milfordkong]

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

hiring a track is big money. Mutliples of thousands normally. However Curborough may be your salvation as that is near Litchfield.
If it's a private group, I'd probably not be forth coming with your fathers condition. You'll then be able to book the track and do some driving.

Thank you, it would be a small private group. I'd imagine a few thousand is feasible with multiple family members contributing and would be worth it for the happiness it would give my Dad. Will check out Curborough, appreciate it :-)

[TheOctaneAddict]

I'd recommend Curborough, I have done numerous private days there with various forums.

[thelostboy]

Could you crowdfund amongst friends and family?

If you know enough people who are interesting in doing the trackday, the breakeven cost isn't outrageous. I have a friend who hires Snetterton in the winter purely for friends and just sells spaces at cost.

Otherwise, just get in touch with the usual TDOs and commit to booking quite a few spaces. Then by its nature it will be a fairly quiet day.

[milfordkong]

TheOctaneAddict said:

I'd recommend Curborough, I have done numerous private days there with various forums.

Terrific thanks, i've sent them an email.

[milfordkong]

thelostboy said:

Could you crowdfund amongst friends and family?

If you know enough people who are interesting in doing the trackday, the breakeven cost isn't outrageous. I have a friend who hires Snetterton in the winter purely for friends and just sells spaces at cost.

Otherwise, just get in touch with the usual TDOs and commit to booking quite a few spaces. Then by its nature it will be a fairly quiet day.

Yep I think a fair few friends and family would be keen to get involved. Would want it to be completely private though to ensure my Dad is completely comfortable and confident with the situation.

[anonymous-user]

milfordkong said:

- Have looked at Llandow in South Wales and that seems feasible but ideally it'd be a bit closer to home (East Midlands) -

Just looked at the prices for Llandow and it was actually less than I expected

Monday – £3,000
Tuesday – £2,500
Wednesday – £2,500
Thursday – £2,500
Friday – £3,000
Saturday – £4,000
Sunday – POA

Medical Cover is supplied at the following rates:

Paramedic £200.00 (inc. VAT) each per day
Ambulance – As per St Johns quote

Would you still require a licence to drive on track though?

[milfordkong]

Joey Deacon said:

Just looked at the prices for Llandow and it was actually less than I expected

Monday – £3,000
Tuesday – £2,500
Wednesday – £2,500
Thursday – £2,500
Friday – £3,000
Saturday – £4,000
Sunday – POA

Medical Cover is supplied at the following rates:

Paramedic £200.00 (inc. VAT) each per day
Ambulance – As per St Johns quote

Would you still require a licence to drive on track though?

Yeah it's reasonable isn't it. Just not ideal location wise for us, though not insurmountable.

I'm not sure about requiring a licence, I know there a lot of young driver events (before they have licences) that take place on private land so assumed this wouldn't be a requirement.

[fatjon]

I have organised several private track hires and a licence is not usually a requirement in my experience. Certainly most of the Ginetta juniors are too young to hold one anyway.

My son was hammering around our local track (Supervised mostly) in a Cerbera, Supra and MX5 when he was 15.

It may be worth talking to Blyton Park, they used to do full day private hire but since being bought by Ginetta they don't do it now as such but they do midweek testing sessions for a very reasonable rate. You have to fit in with their schedule though.

[milfordkong]

fatjon said:

I have organised several private track hires and a licence is not usually a requirement in my experience. Certainly most of the Ginetta juniors are too young to hold one anyway.

My son was hammering around our local track (Supervised mostly) in a Cerbera, Supra and MX5 when he was 15.

It may be worth talking to Blyton Park, they used to do full day private hire but since being bought by Ginetta they don't do it now as such but they do midweek testing sessions for a very reasonable rate. You have to fit in with their schedule though.

Brilliant thank you - Will look at Blyton, can be completely flexible on timings.

[Krikkit]

Another one to consider would be somewhere like Mallory Park or Blyton Park.

If you were prepared to split the day I'm sure you could find some other folks who would share it - maybe do a couple of hours in the morning for free access for a few, then a couple of hours for your Dad alone, then the same in the afternoon?

[Fastdruid]

milfordkong said:

Joey Deacon said:

Just looked at the prices for Llandow and it was actually less than I expected

Monday – £3,000
Tuesday – £2,500
Wednesday – £2,500
Thursday – £2,500
Friday – £3,000
Saturday – £4,000
Sunday – POA

Medical Cover is supplied at the following rates:

Paramedic £200.00 (inc. VAT) each per day
Ambulance – As per St Johns quote

Would you still require a licence to drive on track though?

Yeah it's reasonable isn't it. Just not ideal location wise for us, though not insurmountable.

I did a rough back of an envelope calculation and even somewhere like Cadwell park isn't actually that bad, a group I'm on regularly does a two day event and working back from the numbers and amounts charged I make it to be roughly £7.5k/day in August. That's hefty, but again middle of summer.

milfordkong said:

I'm not sure about requiring a licence, I know there a lot of young driver events (before they have licences) that take place on private land so assumed this wouldn't be a requirement.

I think it's going to be track specific and may be insurance related. MSV certainly say you have to either have a full DVLA license or a racing license.

There are places where you can drive without a licence (although obviously not his vehicles), its probably rather tame if a fully experienced driver just disqualified on medical grounds but
https://www.mercedes-benzworld.co.uk/driving-exper...

Equally more interesting might be the 4x4 experience.

https://www.mercedes-benzworld.co.uk/driving-exper...

I also found this:
https://help.trackdays.co.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/360...

[bumskins]

fatjon said:

My son was hammering around our local track (Supervised mostly) in a Cerbera, Supra and MX5 when he was 15.

This is what we did at Llandow 20+ years ago, being an 11 year old driving your dad's Impreza Turbo quickly and learning the 'on the limit' handling characteristics was epic, something I still remember fondly. No idea if they still let kids drive around when the circuit has been hired exclusively, but should think it'll be the cheapest proper circuit you'll be able to hire.

Curborough is an interesting one, went once and wouldn't be in a rush back, somehow manages to offer not a lot in terms of driver/vehicle challenge or outright speed. Might be alright for OP's dad to drive his cars/ride his mopeds, but beyond that struggle to see the appeal it offers.

[I Like Tea]

I’ve hired 3 sisters near Wigan a few times. It’s about £120/hr from memory.

[milfordkong]

bumskins said:

This is what we did at Llandow 20+ years ago, being an 11 year old driving your dad's Impreza Turbo quickly and learning the 'on the limit' handling characteristics was epic, something I still remember fondly. No idea if they still let kids drive around when the circuit has been hired exclusively, but should think it'll be the cheapest proper circuit you'll be able to hire.

Curborough is an interesting one, went once and wouldn't be in a rush back, somehow manages to offer not a lot in terms of driver/vehicle challenge or outright speed. Might be alright for OP's dad to drive his cars/ride his mopeds, but beyond that struggle to see the appeal it offers.

Yeah I actually think Curborough is a relatively good shout for this situation, we're not going to be pushing any cars or any drivers to the limit, it's more about a fun family get together where my Dad gets to drive some cars and his scooters again.

[LimmerickLad]

Is Darley Moor close to you?

[milfordkong]

LimmerickLad said:

Is Darley Moor close to you?

Yes not too far, can't see anything about private hire on their site though.

[LimmerickLad]

milfordkong said:

LimmerickLad said:

Is Darley Moor close to you?

Yes not too far, can't see anything about private hire on their site though.

Not been there racing for a few years now so may be all changed but they were very nice people and I believe hired the track for all-sorts including police training so may just be worth a call (The name Terry Bateman rings a bell but IIRC he ran the Superkarts.)

[milfordkong]

LimmerickLad said:

Not been there racing for a few years now so may be all changed but they were very nice people and I believe hired the track for all-sorts including police training so may just be worth a call (The name Terry Bateman rings a bell but IIRC he ran the Superkarts.)

Brilliant thank you, will definitely get in touch with them.