Track day advice please
Discussion
I am in the lucky position of having a supercar experience day, bought for me by my good lady. I have three tracks to choose from, Donnington, Three Sisters or Rockingham, any comments on which track would be best for someone who has never done any track stuff would be really helpful....
Never done three sisters so can't comment on that. But I find Rockingham very un-rewarding, and is very heavy on the accelerator then heavy on the brakes, then repeat for most corners.
Donnington is my favourite circuit as it's just awsome fun. However I would find out what part of the circuit you would be driving. At a trackday at Donnington there was an experience day driving the Melbourne Loop (i believe thats what it's called) and that is just two straights and two hairpins, which would obviously be very boring.
If it is the full circuit though, do Donnington.
Donnington is my favourite circuit as it's just awsome fun. However I would find out what part of the circuit you would be driving. At a trackday at Donnington there was an experience day driving the Melbourne Loop (i believe thats what it's called) and that is just two straights and two hairpins, which would obviously be very boring.
If it is the full circuit though, do Donnington.
Mark,
I work for the company concerned (instructor). I work at both Donington and Rockingham (not 3 sisters though, bit of a trek for me).
I would say there is little to choose between Donington & Rockingham. Note that as mikey_p says there are actually 2 options at Donny. Some days they run on the GP loop and some on the National, you get to choose when you book (they should say, but make sure you ask). The loop is good for complete novices who just want to drive the car, you get at least 10 laps and are therefore able to relax earlier. The National is a fabulous circuit but you obviously get less laps (it's based on miles/time so longer lap, less laps). To be honest if you are into driving as opposed to just driving a Ferrari go for the National Circuit day.
They run the National at Rockingham which I also think is a great circuit. Not sure if mikey_p would have done the International Long which pretty much all trackday companues use as you can get lots more cars out on track. The National is never AFAIK used for trackday and is a much more flowing circuit with much less hard braking required.
I suppose if there was any advantage it would be with Donington as there are loads of in-car vids on the internet and you see this circuit lots on TV whereas the Rockingham National has never been on TV. They do run races on it but BTCC/Brit GT etc. run on (a variation of) the International. Perhaps ultimately it may come down to which one is the nearest to you.
M.
Maxx said:
They run the National at Rockingham which I also think is a great circuit. Not sure if mikey_p would have done the International Long which pretty much all trackday companues use as you can get lots more cars out on track. The National is never AFAIK used for trackday and is a much more flowing circuit with much less hard braking required.
M.
I would agree actually. Done both long and in-field (although I believe there tons of different layouts) and the in-field one is much smoother and flows a lot better so you get to balance the throttle more round the complexs. The international long is good for experiencing the high speed banked Nascar type bend though
.Maxx said:
Mark,
I work for the company concerned (instructor). I work at both Donington and Rockingham (not 3 sisters though, bit of a trek for me).
I would say there is little to choose between Donington & Rockingham. Note that as mikey_p says there are actually 2 options at Donny. Some days they run on the GP loop and some on the National, you get to choose when you book (they should say, but make sure you ask). The loop is good for complete novices who just want to drive the car, you get at least 10 laps and are therefore able to relax earlier. The National is a fabulous circuit but you obviously get less laps (it's based on miles/time so longer lap, less laps). To be honest if you are into driving as opposed to just driving a Ferrari go for the National Circuit day.
They run the National at Rockingham which I also think is a great circuit. Not sure if mikey_p would have done the International Long which pretty much all trackday companues use as you can get lots more cars out on track. The National is never AFAIK used for trackday and is a much more flowing circuit with much less hard braking required.
I suppose if there was any advantage it would be with Donington as there are loads of in-car vids on the internet and you see this circuit lots on TV whereas the Rockingham National has never been on TV. They do run races on it but BTCC/Brit GT etc. run on (a variation of) the International. Perhaps ultimately it may come down to which one is the nearest to you.
M.
I also work for the company concerned, at all three circuits, generally briefing and familiarising people at Three Sisters, briefing or in-car at Donington, and generally all on track at Rockingham, and I would agree with the others, that Donington is the one you should select, although the experience is relatively short. As Maxx suggests make sure you ask for the national circuit and not on the "loop" ............. It's like watching paint dry!!!
I have been at Donington for the last two days, I'm there again tomorrow, and again on Wednesday ......... It is the only circuit that combines everything I want at one circuit, whether it be instructing or racing.
All three venues are good in different ways, and I think if Donington is geographically convenient, go there .........If you went to either of the others, you wouldn't be disappointed.
Enjoy your experience when you do go!
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