Discussion
I want to attend a track day at Donington prior to the first Tuscan race there in 5 weeks time.
There is an established organiser with a day in a couple of weeks - ideal I thought. However, for this day they require drivers to have attended at least one of their track days previously.
I thought the fact that I have a National A race licence and that I intend taking a qualified ARDS instructor with me for the whole day would mean they would be a little flexible.
Apparently not. A polite, but very firm 'No'.
Grrr...
There is an established organiser with a day in a couple of weeks - ideal I thought. However, for this day they require drivers to have attended at least one of their track days previously.
I thought the fact that I have a National A race licence and that I intend taking a qualified ARDS instructor with me for the whole day would mean they would be a little flexible.
Apparently not. A polite, but very firm 'No'.
Grrr...
I can see their point. I was out with a race driver the other day at a track day (with the company you're talking about).
His racing experience showed on track. He unnerved some drivers by getting too close etc. He wasn't familiar with the driving style demanded by a track day versus a race day nor the requirements of the organiser.
He was a very good driver but it wasn't appropriate for a track day.
His racing experience showed on track. He unnerved some drivers by getting too close etc. He wasn't familiar with the driving style demanded by a track day versus a race day nor the requirements of the organiser.
He was a very good driver but it wasn't appropriate for a track day.
To be fair, that organiser has been advertising the day as being a regulars only track day, so good for them for enforcing the rules they made.
It's been publicised as an experiment with the aim of reducing stoppages and delays, and is a response to customers comments from last year. There's plenty of other days available to do to earn your stripe
If it doesn't work out, or people don't like the idea, then they won't do any more days like that I guess.
>> Edited by mg_dot on Thursday 26th February 13:49
It's been publicised as an experiment with the aim of reducing stoppages and delays, and is a response to customers comments from last year. There's plenty of other days available to do to earn your stripe
If it doesn't work out, or people don't like the idea, then they won't do any more days like that I guess.
>> Edited by mg_dot on Thursday 26th February 13:49
I don't disagree with that Ted. I thought the instructor with me bit would sway them, not the race experience.
I do remember what its like at track days and was never keen on being to close to anyone (in front or behind), and I was nearly taken out at one day by a 'marshal' in a rally car at a Group B Car Club day being a prat.
My track day philosophy was always 'I will be driving home in this car with it in one piece'....
....race philosophy is slightly different
I do remember what its like at track days and was never keen on being to close to anyone (in front or behind), and I was nearly taken out at one day by a 'marshal' in a rally car at a Group B Car Club day being a prat.
My track day philosophy was always 'I will be driving home in this car with it in one piece'....
....race philosophy is slightly different
I can see both sides - I really wanted to go on this day too, as I haven't driven Donnington for about six years, and I'm at the same meet as Grif2be in five weeks time.
Fair play for said well respected company for sticking by their rules (although they publicised it as a members only day well after announcing the calendar, and you only find this out on the website after clicking though to place an order - minor critisism), but it would have been nice to be able to demonstrate other track day experience, sign an additional disclaimer that lets them throw you off if the spirit of the rules is being flaunted in any way etc.
Life is not supposed to be fair - but as there is only one company that has a Donnington date in March, I can see the place for a bit of flexibility too.
In the end it didn't matter - there is a testing ban in my series so I can't go near a track within a month of the race.
Fair play for said well respected company for sticking by their rules (although they publicised it as a members only day well after announcing the calendar, and you only find this out on the website after clicking though to place an order - minor critisism), but it would have been nice to be able to demonstrate other track day experience, sign an additional disclaimer that lets them throw you off if the spirit of the rules is being flaunted in any way etc.
Life is not supposed to be fair - but as there is only one company that has a Donnington date in March, I can see the place for a bit of flexibility too.
In the end it didn't matter - there is a testing ban in my series so I can't go near a track within a month of the race.
As the official instructor for the organisation in question, I just want to clarify the day is intended to offer its many regular and loyal customers a chance to get on track with minimum potential problems.
The company in question have also learnt over the years that the title of instructor in motor racing is a very very loose term and as such is not even a consideration in adapting rules I'm afraid.
The company in question have also learnt over the years that the title of instructor in motor racing is a very very loose term and as such is not even a consideration in adapting rules I'm afraid.
Simon Mason said:
As the official instructor for the organisation in question, I just want to clarify the day is intended to offer its many regular and loyal customers a chance to get on track with minimum potential problems.
The company in question have also learnt over the years that the title of instructor in motor racing is a very very loose term and as such is not even a consideration in adapting rules I'm afraid.
Simon,
I wanted to use Steve Lewis as a one-to-one instructor for the day, who no doubt you know very well.
My motives for the track day were to improve my driving style, principally in the area of vision, steering input and transition from brakes to throttle. And to learn the track. I'm not interested in seeing how fast I can lap - I have a test session in the Tuscan on the 30th and practice.
I respect the companies rules. I had hoped that my circumstances (i.e. experienced and more importantly, under tuition) might be sufficient to demonstrate that a) I'm not going to drive inconsiderately and b) I am unlikely to have an off and stop the session more than having completed one track day with them previously. I am also likely to use the company in the future under similar circumstances.
I haven't spoken to Steve about it as I wanted to first check that there was availablity on the day. If you think this makes any difference then let me know and I will contact the company again.
Regards
Andy
I'm with the organisers on this, they havea ruoe and wish to stick by it. what a shame it would be if your car was the one that blew up and depostied oil all over the track for those people who had applied for the day in the spirit of the rules .. how popular do you think you'd be? .. not very I think ..
it's a good rule i think .. organiser loyalty rewarded by giving a track day for regulars .. top idea
you'll be wanting to use your sainsbury's loyalty card at tescos next 'cos you used a supermarket once before and you've got your wife with you who knows her way around a supermarket and you thought that might sway the girl at the till!
it's a good rule i think .. organiser loyalty rewarded by giving a track day for regulars .. top idea
you'll be wanting to use your sainsbury's loyalty card at tescos next 'cos you used a supermarket once before and you've got your wife with you who knows her way around a supermarket and you thought that might sway the girl at the till!
joospeed said:
I'm with the organisers on this, they havea ruoe and wish to stick by it. what a shame it would be if your car was the one that blew up and depostied oil all over the track for those people who had applied for the day in the spirit of the rules .. how popular do you think you'd be? .. not very I think ..
it's a good rule i think .. organiser loyalty rewarded by giving a track day for regulars .. top idea
you'll be wanting to use your sainsbury's loyalty card at tescos next 'cos you used a supermarket once before and you've got your wife with you who knows her way around a supermarket and you thought that might sway the girl at the till!
With respect Jules, that is a load of nonsense!
This is an attempt to prevent the day from having repeated stoppages due to people being twits. Having them complete a day with you previously is a means of vetting partcipants, to make the day better for everyone involved.
If it were about loyalty then the entry to the 'club' would be more than one previous day.
No objection sharing a track with racers as long as they give back the respect that everyone allows them. Dropping underneath you entering corners is just soo frightening, especially when you are driving your pride and joy... concentrating like crazy to stay on the black stuff..
I had a very bad experience at Brands Hatch with a Lancia Stratos I think last year... he was sent home... not before he ad upset @ 75% of the pit lane.
But can't you racers do cheaper days for racers?
I had a very bad experience at Brands Hatch with a Lancia Stratos I think last year... he was sent home... not before he ad upset @ 75% of the pit lane.
But can't you racers do cheaper days for racers?
If anyone is treating a track day as a test day, then they should be rather rapidly ejected. The rules are there to make the day accessible to enthusiasts and as safe as possible.
When I was saying before that I wanted to take my race car there it was to do a track day, not a test. I'm sure that Griff2be was the same. It is early season, we haven't been near the cars for a while (or ever in my case), so a track day gives a relaxed way to learn the track and get the confidence back, without having to look out for an F3 car undertaking you on a blind bend
.
As said before, it is up to the organisers to say who they want - it is just a shame for those of us (especially those in the North) that aren't long standing customers, as it is only this company that have my local track in the early season - :doh:.
On the flip side, what is the point of having rules etc. etc.
When I was saying before that I wanted to take my race car there it was to do a track day, not a test. I'm sure that Griff2be was the same. It is early season, we haven't been near the cars for a while (or ever in my case), so a track day gives a relaxed way to learn the track and get the confidence back, without having to look out for an F3 car undertaking you on a blind bend
. As said before, it is up to the organisers to say who they want - it is just a shame for those of us (especially those in the North) that aren't long standing customers, as it is only this company that have my local track in the early season - :doh:.
On the flip side, what is the point of having rules etc. etc.
I wasn't intending taking my race car - I'm not after a test. I have a test session in the Tuscan at Donington on 30 March anyway.
The same as many people, I want to improve my driving style. And the same as everyone, I can't afford to prang the track day car. The fact that I am prepared to pay an instructor for one to one tuition for a day demonstrates my wish to improve my driving. People should not assume that just because I race, I will drive in the same aggressive way at a track day.
Anyway - its a no go. I think it is a great idea to have a track day only for people who have previously proved they are sensible. I'm disappointed I can't weasel my way in, but cest la vie.
Case closed your honour
>> Edited by griff2be on Friday 27th February 22:59
The same as many people, I want to improve my driving style. And the same as everyone, I can't afford to prang the track day car. The fact that I am prepared to pay an instructor for one to one tuition for a day demonstrates my wish to improve my driving. People should not assume that just because I race, I will drive in the same aggressive way at a track day.
Anyway - its a no go. I think it is a great idea to have a track day only for people who have previously proved they are sensible. I'm disappointed I can't weasel my way in, but cest la vie.
Case closed your honour
>> Edited by griff2be on Friday 27th February 22:59
powelly said:
But can't you racers do cheaper days for racers?
Generally more expensive actually. and if you just want to do some general setup and bedding in a track day is far easier as they have rules....
test days can be a bit wild, due to the lack of rules and massive speed differentials.
Also there tends to be a lot more track days...
Cheers G ( who was invited on the donny day complete with race car
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