bedford gt circuit
Discussion
on the negative side it is 4.2miles and if you do too many laps in one go with the 3-4 big brake corners you can cook the brakes reasonably easily so make sure you let the discs and fluid cool down after a session with at least a half lap if not a full lap of not using them.
but it has good tarmac and ususally plenty of rubber on it due to the corporate stuff they run during weekdays so loads of grip of dry. New section at the end has different grip levels but by then should be ok as they are running the Jags on their daily now.
take it easy on the corner turning onto the main straight (about turn 6-7)as that is the only piece of armco that is within close range.
but it has good tarmac and ususally plenty of rubber on it due to the corporate stuff they run during weekdays so loads of grip of dry. New section at the end has different grip levels but by then should be ok as they are running the Jags on their daily now.
take it easy on the corner turning onto the main straight (about turn 6-7)as that is the only piece of armco that is within close range.
Check the numbers. One of my clients called me and said he'd been on a day there with over 110 cars!!! Needless to say he queued most of the day.
Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk
Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk
Melindi
Coming from someone who runs trackdays NOT at Bedford I understand why you might pass on such advice fromm your Client however my experience of MSV and Easytrack at Bedford is that there is almost no queuing (maybe 5 mins first thing after lunch only) and the 100+ cars booked in the 30-40 on track are hardly noticable.
As the circuit is now 4.2 miles I think that you will find there are no more cars per mile than any other circuit.
There are plenty of staights to overtake and faciloities are superb both on and off the track. Drifting if you like it is not discouraged, havent seen hardly any black flags and due tot he run off very few red flags (except at turn one in the litter).
Coming from someone who runs trackdays NOT at Bedford I understand why you might pass on such advice fromm your Client however my experience of MSV and Easytrack at Bedford is that there is almost no queuing (maybe 5 mins first thing after lunch only) and the 100+ cars booked in the 30-40 on track are hardly noticable.
As the circuit is now 4.2 miles I think that you will find there are no more cars per mile than any other circuit.
There are plenty of staights to overtake and faciloities are superb both on and off the track. Drifting if you like it is not discouraged, havent seen hardly any black flags and due tot he run off very few red flags (except at turn one in the litter).
I have been to Bedford 4 times this year and apart fom Easter weekend (Sat) always 100 cars plus. So early morning a real rush but by mid afternoon it becomes less busy and you can get really valuable track time.
However would always choose Gold Track for any event as the sessions are so well managed.
However would always choose Gold Track for any event as the sessions are so well managed.
I've done bedford a couple of times, with easytrack and bookatrack. it was probably better run with BaT, less cars I think.
The course is indeed good for beginners but is a brake killer. Really fast straight into a slow hairpin, as well as lots of other heavy7 braking zones. And the temptation to stay out too long because the circuit is so long is quite difficult to resist and judge.
nice mix of corners but VERY strict on noise, no real altitude changes and slightly featureless course.
The course is indeed good for beginners but is a brake killer. Really fast straight into a slow hairpin, as well as lots of other heavy7 braking zones. And the temptation to stay out too long because the circuit is so long is quite difficult to resist and judge.
nice mix of corners but VERY strict on noise, no real altitude changes and slightly featureless course.
100 seems fine. If over 110 makes for loads of queues then I don't see the point in going. We do 80 but that's just the way we like it. If I was going on someone elses day I'd be looking for a BookATrack day becuase I'd know I wasn't going to be in a great line in the pit lane.
The guy I spoke to was really upset and the organisers, who shall remain nameless, didn't give a t0ss that there was so little tracktime.
Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk
The guy I spoke to was really upset and the organisers, who shall remain nameless, didn't give a t0ss that there was so little tracktime.
Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk
I've been there twice with Easytrack and organisation has been excellent. Lots of track time and because it's so big you can just drop back if necessary and create your own space. The width of the track makes it very safe for overtaking. But as has been said it's hard on brakes. Braking early and progressively will help you save them.
Melindi is spot on with her figure of 80 cars IMO. That's the most we'd ever take to Bedford. If you're paying £200 or less for a main season date at Bedford then expect > 100 cars minimum - the figures just don't stack up otherwise.
That is of course, assuming the VAT man is actually getting his cut - quite a bold assumption with a few of the track day organisers trust me!
Jonny
BaT
That is of course, assuming the VAT man is actually getting his cut - quite a bold assumption with a few of the track day organisers trust me!
Jonny
BaT
Have been lucky enough to be there when there's been an open pit day with around 40 cars (think Melindi and Calum might even have been a guest there as well).
As a course I found the GT circuit a bit difficult to begin with - working out and remembering braking/turning points on such a flat landscape. As time went on (have been back a couple of times since) the place seemed to get too easy. Then as time went on even more and you start to eek out the best from yourself/your car it becomes strangely difficult again as the subtle cambers etc work against you.
As a course I found the GT circuit a bit difficult to begin with - working out and remembering braking/turning points on such a flat landscape. As time went on (have been back a couple of times since) the place seemed to get too easy. Then as time went on even more and you start to eek out the best from yourself/your car it becomes strangely difficult again as the subtle cambers etc work against you.
Edited by hardboiledPhil on Thursday 17th May 15:39
I do remember someone getting lost and taking 3 laps to find pit in. Fairy nuff. It took me a while to find where we were signing on in the centre.
Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk
Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk
shim said:
i was there with ET this week in the evening and 40 cars. We had the SW circuit and was plenty big enough for 40 cars.
I was so glad they didnt put us on the GT circuit at 4.2 miles as you would get lost and never see another car until you dive back into the pits.
I was so glad they didnt put us on the GT circuit at 4.2 miles as you would get lost and never see another car until you dive back into the pits.
I think there were rarely more than about 20 cars out last weekend! Combination of the weather & number of 1st timers me thinks. But I can only once remember there being any congestion at Bedford & that was on a full day session, when the morning session got cancelled due to fog & though denied I think quite a few people from the morning only session stayed on for the afternoon.
It's a good safe circuit though to start on.
Agree with Melindi here, I have been to Bedford a number of times with customers and if it's 80 ish, it's not too bad. Although there being so many cars out on track, you never really get a free lap in.
It tends to get better after lunch, but when there are over 100 cars, it is a complete nightmare. I have been to two like that and you don't get too much track time to be honest...
Have fun on your day!
www.seanedwards.eu
It tends to get better after lunch, but when there are over 100 cars, it is a complete nightmare. I have been to two like that and you don't get too much track time to be honest...
Have fun on your day!
www.seanedwards.eu
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