First trackday in the advanced group?

[jaker]

maybe try an open pit lane day? Imho, they are more fun anyway and all abilities can be out at once...

[elderly]

You will have NO problem;
you know the circuit
you know the car
you know your ability.

My second ever Track Day was at Donington in a borrowed (slow) car;
It was booked by a friend who took his formula Renault and
booked me into the experienced group with him, no instruction was available
and there wasn't a cone in sight.

I still enjoyed myself !!!!

[StuB]

Hi & Welcome to PH. I notice you're local to me (Local Chat).

Anyway, I'd agree that you would have a nightmare in the novice group, but it will depend on the rest of the cars there as I've seen some very seriously quick metal around Donnington and a stock MX5, however well driven would be a chicane to a lot of things and may compromise your fun. Things like Radicals/Caterfields/Exiges etc. will be very tempted to dive up the inside and you'll also struggle to pass cars with bigger motors down the straights etc.

If the MX is a track car, have a look at a supercharger as there's a guy in Skidby with one and Heebegeebe (in the Midlands) has one too and it makes the MX fly.

I was recently put into a Novice group at Cadwell on the bike, due to late booking and couldn't believe how slow/dangerous it felt. Fortunately I was moved up to the intermediate group pretty quickly.

[jeremyc]

I wouldn't worry - it sounds like your experience will stand you in good stead for the advanced group.

However, if you do feel uncomfortable on the day just have a word with the organiser - more than likely they'll be able to move you to the intermediate group (even though it may be booked as full, the no-shows/breakdowns/retirements will mean that there is space on the day).

[mikey_p]

I wouldn't worry in the slightest. You seem pretty experienced and as long as you have a flick in your mirror fairly regularly and let the other quick guys through you won't have a problem.
I pretty much learnt in the advanced group as I did trackdays with my dad and thats where he was placed and didn't have too many problems, was a bit daunting at first but just be courteous and you'll get plenty of time to yourself and without holding people up.

[mko9]

Based upon my experience at Donington, and your description of your abilities and vehicle, I would recommend Intermediate. If you are at a day with only two run groups, I would opt for Novice rather than Advanced based upon your car. My experience is that the Advanced group will be loaded up with Caterhams, Porsches, part-time racecars, and other highspeed metal. They will likely be running 10-15sec faster per lap than a bone stock Miata, maybe more. You will spend most of your day with your eyes on the rear view mirror, your turn signal on, off the racing line.

I have found the staff at Donington to be very flexible about letting you change your run group. So if you feel you are in the wrong group after a stint or two, they will probably let you change with no questions asked.

[mr2mk1chick]

Hiya

you will be fine regarding experience, but the only prob i forsee is having to be constantly looking in your mirrors for the faster cars.
I have felt this on other days where i know a track well, and am driving on the cars' limits, but am just in a slower car so despite level of experience its a pain...

the upside is that there are usually fewer in the advanced group than the novice or intermediate, so less traffic

(maybe book your sc in with ours on the 10th july donny one - open pit eve )

have fun

[gtdc]

Snot really on to put you in the advanced group because their inter one is full. I'd change to novice and ask to be moved as soon as a place in inter comes up.

Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk

[elderly]

I was at a 3 session day at Donington the other day choosing to be in the intermediate group.
There was a huge variation in speed (and experience?) in the group, from a Radical and a couple of very rapid GT3s down to ..... well I won't say.

The Novice group also covered a huge variation of speed of car, including a Ferrari 360 and some race cars.
And the advanced group appeared mainly to be made up of the Caterham Academy.

I was lucky enough to be given stickers for the other two groups after people dropped out for one
reason or another, so I was able to go out and play in all three groups, and I have to say that there was very little actual difference between them, IMO there is no real world ideal group.

I'm sure it's easier Melindi to sort out the men from the boys in your two group days.

[gtdc]

What you can't do is take a booking off someone that belongs in a particular group if that group's full. Nice to have the money but it cocks up the day. It's bad enough on the day trying to discretely move people who have been a little overambitious with their estimation of their ability/experience without making their willy feel very small.

Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk

[pezzer2]

I'd stick with the intermediate group as it's a compromise between your experience which is impressive and your car, which may struggle and frustrate others in Porkeys etc

[chilled]

The problem with sessions is that it kind of rely's on people being honest about their ability. And for that reason i prefer open pit lane events. Too often sessions can turn into processions where people won't let you past and everyone's trying to get their 20 minutes worth. r

[pikeyboy]

if you use your mirrors and move over on the straights then you'll not annoy people and tempt them to pass you down the inside into corners. Most of the casr i nthe advancd group will prob be quick down the straights anyway so no probs for you. ps yes the mx is agreat car for trackdays, used mine on a two days open pit lane at spa last year and it's only a 1600 eunos - no probs at all.