Exclusive track day hire - any suggestions
Discussion
Hi All, I’ve been asked by a family friend to help arrange a 70th birthday surprise for their husband. Her initial idea was to hire a track for exclusive use with half of dozen or so of his cars and some of his closest friends. Cost is not an issue. I suggested that exclusive hire of a track could actually get a bit dull and she’d be better buying half a dozen tickets with a premium provider so there’s more to see and they won’t be driving round on their own. On a proper organised day there would also be basic catering, photography etc which would all make it a bit more enjoyable (in my opinion).
He’s not a driving god, and neither are his friends, nor is he a track day veteran - more of a wealthy enthusiast. This would be more about getting to enjoy his cars with some friends and stretching their legs in a safe environment. The cars would be mostly Aston Martin’s ranging from a DB4 through to current DBS - so a range of speed, performance and values.
Assuming she wants to go ahead with exclusive hire of a track -
- which tracks might allow you to do this sort of thing,
- where would be good for a small number of cars/interesting to drive
- any idea of ballpark costs for a day all in
As an alternative, if she was to buy a few tickets on a top end track day -
- which providers would you recommend
- with some high value cars and ~medium driving ability would he likely be intimidated by far faster drivers in much more capable cars?
- which tracks would you suggest?
They live in Weybridge so suggestion in the South/Midlands would be ideal.
Following on from the previous private hire thread, cost is not an issue here, so expecting slightly different answers.
Thanks in advance for any feedback
He’s not a driving god, and neither are his friends, nor is he a track day veteran - more of a wealthy enthusiast. This would be more about getting to enjoy his cars with some friends and stretching their legs in a safe environment. The cars would be mostly Aston Martin’s ranging from a DB4 through to current DBS - so a range of speed, performance and values.
Assuming she wants to go ahead with exclusive hire of a track -
- which tracks might allow you to do this sort of thing,
- where would be good for a small number of cars/interesting to drive
- any idea of ballpark costs for a day all in
As an alternative, if she was to buy a few tickets on a top end track day -
- which providers would you recommend
- with some high value cars and ~medium driving ability would he likely be intimidated by far faster drivers in much more capable cars?
- which tracks would you suggest?
They live in Weybridge so suggestion in the South/Midlands would be ideal.
Following on from the previous private hire thread, cost is not an issue here, so expecting slightly different answers.
Thanks in advance for any feedback
Edited by ajhmini on Tuesday 4th April 19:51
Seems to be a running theme of 70th birthdays for exclusive track hire….
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
sunnyb13 said:
Seems to be a running theme of 70th birthdays for exclusive track hire….
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Yeah as I said, this is slightly different as cost is not an issue. I’ve been speaking to the wife of the birthday boy again yesterday evening and she’s thinking about Goodwood because he’s a member, Silverstone or Brandshttps://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
ajhmini said:
Yeah as I said, this is slightly different as cost is not an issue. I’ve been speaking to the wife of the birthday boy again yesterday evening and she’s thinking about Goodwood because he’s a member, Silverstone or Brands
Was going to suggest somewhere like Llandow, but if cost is no issue Goodwood would be excellent - enough corners to make it interesting whilst quick enough to stretch the legs of the more-modern machinery. Just have to try and fit around the Duke of Richmond's schedule!ajhmini said:
He’s not a driving god, and neither are his friends, nor is he a track day veteran - more of a wealthy enthusiast. This would be more about getting to enjoy his cars with some friends and stretching their legs in a safe environment. The cars would be mostly Aston Martin’s ranging from a DB4 through to current DBS - so a range of speed, performance and values.
- which tracks would you suggest?
They live in Weybridge so suggestion in the South/Midlands would be ideal.
]
As the cars ( and him? - which tracks would you suggest?
They live in Weybridge so suggestion in the South/Midlands would be ideal.
]
) are valuable, I would not go for Goodwood;far too little run-off before the tyre barriers and in my opinion he’d have more thrills on a circuit with more slower corners.
Silverstone GP (expensive £30k at a GUESS) has stacks of run-off and if it happens to be wet that day there’s really only two places on the circuit where a lot of damage
What about Thruxton? I really don’t know it as my car is too noisy to run there.
Make sure you also use a track that can also be a track day operator or at least use a track day operator to run the event if not, as circuit owners will need to rent to a TDO if they don't run the day themselves, for insurance reasons.
It all seems feasible on paper but in reality it can get quite complex quite quickly even with a money no object attitude.
It all seems feasible on paper but in reality it can get quite complex quite quickly even with a money no object attitude.
ajhmini said:
Her initial idea was to hire a track for exclusive use with half of dozen or so of his cars and some of his closest friends. Cost is not an issue. I suggested that exclusive hire of a track could actually get a bit dull
Yeah, need a few more people..... So how close are we talking? Edited by ajhmini on Tuesday 4th April 19:51
Also, I've never once hit an Aston Martin in my car.
How about looking at Mallory Park and asking The Motorsports School to run the day for them?
Pete and Mel Edwards run an excellent operation and will be able to tailor things to meet the requirement.
They will be able to provide instructors to help get the most from the cars/ day and can even provide their own cars (Clio, MX5 etc) initially to learn the track in, or push on later if participants don’t want to really get near the limit in their Astons.
TBH, it’s worth talking to Pete and Mel anyway, as they can run a day for you at several venues.
Pete and Mel Edwards run an excellent operation and will be able to tailor things to meet the requirement.
They will be able to provide instructors to help get the most from the cars/ day and can even provide their own cars (Clio, MX5 etc) initially to learn the track in, or push on later if participants don’t want to really get near the limit in their Astons.
TBH, it’s worth talking to Pete and Mel anyway, as they can run a day for you at several venues.
Unlikely to get one of the big circuits as their calendar is booked a long time in advance and most run their own corporate events in the week and races/track-days at the weekend. However Pembrey does private hire: https://www.pembreycircuit.co.uk/trackdays - it's an underrated circuit and mostly has lots of run off.
MSV operate most UK tracks so you could contact them directly, I suspect you wouldn't get much change from 30-40K for most tracks, more for Silverstone. You have to factor in marshalls, doctors/nurses/ambulance, catering, race control etc, plus any insurance/liability stuff.
Another option although I suspect slightly time consuming is to book as many/all places on an existing trackday and just use as many spaces as you need, the organiser still gets their cash, you get a professionally run day, possibly instructors on hand etc.
Another option although I suspect slightly time consuming is to book as many/all places on an existing trackday and just use as many spaces as you need, the organiser still gets their cash, you get a professionally run day, possibly instructors on hand etc.
Edited by Freakuk on Wednesday 5th April 16:50
Freakuk said:
Another option although I suspect slightly time consuming is to book as many/all places on an existing trackday and just use as many spaces as you need, the organiser still gets their cash, you get a professionally run day, possibly instructors on hand etc.
That’s a good idea; but find a sessioned day with a TDO and simply block book a session with them throughout the day.Edited by Freakuk on Wednesday 5th April 16:50
Probably be about 1/3rd the cost of a whole day and your participants and their cars won’t be tempted to stay out longer than is sensible.
For your second option (several tickets at a top end provider) I would recommend Salone Events who do a lot of track days at Goodwood. They're full of enthusiasts, have fewer cars than usual in each session on track, and have always been really professional. I think if you're interested they're also event organisers, so could even help organise option one.
fridaypassion said:
A lot of operators have an age limit of 70 so with checking that first!
Not heard of a 70 age limit for track days before. Which TDOs impose that restriction? I'm especially interested as I drive on track every month but reach 70 in September. Are my (track) days numbered?
bigothunter said:
fridaypassion said:
A lot of operators have an age limit of 70 so with checking that first!
Not heard of a 70 age limit for track days before. Which TDOs impose that restriction? I'm especially interested as I drive on track every month but reach 70 in September. Are my (track) days numbered?
As long as you have a licence you are good.
bigothunter said:
Not heard of a 70 age limit for track days before. Which TDOs impose that restriction?
I'm especially interested as I drive on track every month but reach 70 in September. Are my (track) days numbered?
Have a look into it you'll be very surprised. I have a pal who's had this exact issue! I'm especially interested as I drive on track every month but reach 70 in September. Are my (track) days numbered?
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