Track day instruction
Discussion
Hello. I am looking into doing my first ever track day in the coming weeks. Would like to get some coaching by someone qualified to learn the basics and not make a fool of myself or have an accident on the first try. I know many track day providers offer tuition in 20 min slots. But I can only get one or two of those in most cases (Javelin allows three), so doesn't seem enough. And that the likes of MSVT have a track academy for the full day, but it's a bit pricey at £400 for the day. I am wondering if anyone knows of independent instructors that might be able to offer something in between. Thanks in advance.
Whereabouts you based / what track are you thinking of going to?
To be honest if it's your first ever track session the track and time of year is possibly quite important. Did a summer trackday at donington with a novice and she got absolutely mugged by the racecars there testing. But conversely a winter day at bedford would be a lot less intimidating.
Also a first day you'll be unlikely to be doing that many sessions anyway, 3 lots of 20 minutes is probably half of your driving for the day, most standard cars wouldn't like to be pushed that much. What car is it?
To be honest if it's your first ever track session the track and time of year is possibly quite important. Did a summer trackday at donington with a novice and she got absolutely mugged by the racecars there testing. But conversely a winter day at bedford would be a lot less intimidating.
Also a first day you'll be unlikely to be doing that many sessions anyway, 3 lots of 20 minutes is probably half of your driving for the day, most standard cars wouldn't like to be pushed that much. What car is it?
brillomaster said:
Whereabouts you based / what track are you thinking of going to?
Should have mentioned. I'm north-east London, so was thinking Snetterton, Bedford, or Brands (not for the first one ideally though)brillomaster said:
To be honest if it's your first ever track session the track and time of year is possibly quite important. Did a summer trackday at donington with a novice and she got absolutely mugged by the racecars there testing. But conversely a winter day at bedford would be a lot less intimidating.
That's a good point, maybe waiting for later in the year would be a good idea. Or wait for a dedicated novice sessionbrillomaster said:
Also a first day you'll be unlikely to be doing that many sessions anyway, 3 lots of 20 minutes is probably half of your driving for the day, most standard cars wouldn't like to be pushed that much. What car is it?
Also a good point. Had not thought about that. Can imagine it must be physically and mentally tiring too. So maybe a shorter evening session first would be better? Car will either be a 2005 Impreza or a 2011 911 GTS (prob the Impreza first). Neither would be pushed too hard. But I get your point, and therefore the 20 mins slots might be enough. Thanks!!!Bedford or Snetterton would both be fine as a novice, both flat with relatively straightforward corners. Brands is quite technical and potentially busy as the indy loop is a short track.
Bedford has no races so therefore rarely has any racecars at all. Snetterton might, but if you go after the main summer motorsport season there will be less.
Other than that, it's standard first trackday stuff - make sure the car is in good mechanical shape, all fluids topped up and that you have some meat on the pads. Then it's just drive with a bit of mechanical awareness... warm up lap, a few quick laps, and a cool down lap. Keep sessions short to manage heat build up and look after tyres and brakes - if you notice the effectiveness of either beginning to fade, its time to cool down and come in. Your tyres will heat up, so take a gauge to bleed some pressure off.
Oh and most importantly, have fun!
Bedford has no races so therefore rarely has any racecars at all. Snetterton might, but if you go after the main summer motorsport season there will be less.
Other than that, it's standard first trackday stuff - make sure the car is in good mechanical shape, all fluids topped up and that you have some meat on the pads. Then it's just drive with a bit of mechanical awareness... warm up lap, a few quick laps, and a cool down lap. Keep sessions short to manage heat build up and look after tyres and brakes - if you notice the effectiveness of either beginning to fade, its time to cool down and come in. Your tyres will heat up, so take a gauge to bleed some pressure off.
Oh and most importantly, have fun!
Firstly, you will not make a fool of yourself!
Getting an instructor or a coach is the best money you can spend. If it’s your first day, it might be ideal to both have some time with an instructor and some time on your own (I.e. have a session to get confidence, then a session later on to build).
Bedford is a great place for a first track day, Snetterton is a great track, but I haven’t done a track day there so can’t comment.
There’s a database of instructors on ARDS, however, I’m sure if you contact the track directly they can recommend a local instructor.
Personally, I like the long—term relationship you build with a coach.
Getting an instructor or a coach is the best money you can spend. If it’s your first day, it might be ideal to both have some time with an instructor and some time on your own (I.e. have a session to get confidence, then a session later on to build).
Bedford is a great place for a first track day, Snetterton is a great track, but I haven’t done a track day there so can’t comment.
There’s a database of instructors on ARDS, however, I’m sure if you contact the track directly they can recommend a local instructor.
Personally, I like the long—term relationship you build with a coach.
Firstly, don't worry about making a fool of yourself. You won't find any Alonso's racing about. Most drivers on track days are amateurs, though the odd professional might turn up with their race motors.
Secondly, I'd advise against having an instructor on your first day. There's simply far too much to take in all at once. You'll be trying to get to grips with the circuit and your car, and then having someone banging on about racing lines whilst encouraging you to push on—it's just too much for a first outing.
Get yourself familiar with the track and your car first. Then come back to the same circuit in a month's time and get some proper instruction. You'll be in a much better position to make the most of it once you've got the basics sorted..
Secondly, I'd advise against having an instructor on your first day. There's simply far too much to take in all at once. You'll be trying to get to grips with the circuit and your car, and then having someone banging on about racing lines whilst encouraging you to push on—it's just too much for a first outing.
Get yourself familiar with the track and your car first. Then come back to the same circuit in a month's time and get some proper instruction. You'll be in a much better position to make the most of it once you've got the basics sorted..
I would suggest that the first day is exactly the right time to get some help and tuition but I take Paddy’s point that it is a very busy day with a lot going on.
Most organisers will offer a one hour or half day tuition slots as well as 20 minute sessions. If you can get an hour in the morning it might be a good way of keeping the cost down and not getting overwhelmed with information whilst also making sure you get off on the right foot.
If you do want all day tuition then £400 is around the going rate (varies between instructors of course) although in the case of the MSV Academy most of that goes to the track rather than the instructor.
In terms of circuit choice I would recommend Snett as the best of your list of alternatives. Brands is short and so tends to be quite busy and being an experience venue Bedford is a poor place to learn and can teach habits that will not help you when you visit a proper race track. If you check the circuit’s calendar and pick a week when there isn’t a race meeting that weekend you should find a good mix of cars and not an excess of racers.
Most organisers will offer a one hour or half day tuition slots as well as 20 minute sessions. If you can get an hour in the morning it might be a good way of keeping the cost down and not getting overwhelmed with information whilst also making sure you get off on the right foot.
If you do want all day tuition then £400 is around the going rate (varies between instructors of course) although in the case of the MSV Academy most of that goes to the track rather than the instructor.
In terms of circuit choice I would recommend Snett as the best of your list of alternatives. Brands is short and so tends to be quite busy and being an experience venue Bedford is a poor place to learn and can teach habits that will not help you when you visit a proper race track. If you check the circuit’s calendar and pick a week when there isn’t a race meeting that weekend you should find a good mix of cars and not an excess of racers.
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