Classic Cars at Trackdays
Discussion
Went to Silverstone on Satuday to do a corporate event and loved it. Took an impulsive decision yesterday and bought a race prepped (but road legal) 1971 Elan Sprint to try to do track days and race historic race events.
What trackdays would I be best suited to take this on? Does anyone do days where other people come along with classics too? I am a novice to trackdays and I don't want to be holding up 911 GT3's etc in my little car- am happy to mix it both with modern and classics. Just want to have some fun really!
What trackdays would I be best suited to take this on? Does anyone do days where other people come along with classics too? I am a novice to trackdays and I don't want to be holding up 911 GT3's etc in my little car- am happy to mix it both with modern and classics. Just want to have some fun really!
There are a couple of classics-only organisers. Of course I can't find them right now, and have no experience with them.
You might keep an eye out for Classic & Sportscar next month, which will have a directory of classic suppliers, and you might find something in there.
Otherwise, there's nothing wrng with going on a 'normal', well-organised trackday.I've seen the occasional Elan and Europa in the mix. As a novice, you'd want a beginners day or session anyway, and you might be pleasantly surprised at what the Elan can do (not all trackday cars are 911s and 7s, just the majority, and there's always a Scooby or the occasional Rover 620 in the mix). Most trackdays can handle quite big speed differentials. I'd just suggest avoiding the circuits with big long straights (like Silverstone GP) for your first few events.
You might keep an eye out for Classic & Sportscar next month, which will have a directory of classic suppliers, and you might find something in there.
Otherwise, there's nothing wrng with going on a 'normal', well-organised trackday.I've seen the occasional Elan and Europa in the mix. As a novice, you'd want a beginners day or session anyway, and you might be pleasantly surprised at what the Elan can do (not all trackday cars are 911s and 7s, just the majority, and there's always a Scooby or the occasional Rover 620 in the mix). Most trackdays can handle quite big speed differentials. I'd just suggest avoiding the circuits with big long straights (like Silverstone GP) for your first few events.
Try the Lotus owners club as a first point of reference - I know that the TVRCC and the MG club both organise days for their respective makes.
Other than that though, just get out there. No one minds slower drivers, and you may surprise yourself how fast your new baby actually is.
I would recommend the more expensive days run on the big tracks by the big operators. This reduces your chances of coming across a numptie. A load of PHers were at Bedford this Saturday (see alternative thread) and the overall impression was just how courtious all the drivers were. Everyone had a blast (even me in my borken race car
).
Bedford is great as there is nothing to hit, but Silverstone and Donnington are also very safe, and have that bit of additional history to go with them.
Excellent impulse buy btw - I'm impressed.
Rich
Other than that though, just get out there. No one minds slower drivers, and you may surprise yourself how fast your new baby actually is.
I would recommend the more expensive days run on the big tracks by the big operators. This reduces your chances of coming across a numptie. A load of PHers were at Bedford this Saturday (see alternative thread) and the overall impression was just how courtious all the drivers were. Everyone had a blast (even me in my borken race car
). Bedford is great as there is nothing to hit, but Silverstone and Donnington are also very safe, and have that bit of additional history to go with them.
Excellent impulse buy btw - I'm impressed.
Rich
From my admitedly limited track day experience, so log as you stick to well organised track days, (BAT RMA etc) you should have no problems. I've been on events were you get everything from Metros and Sierras (no not Cosworths!) to an FIA GT spec Porsche 911 GT3 !
Best advise I can give is to get some tuition, it realy is an eye open'er. Having a fast car does'nt necessarily make you fast !
Best advise I can give is to get some tuition, it realy is an eye open'er. Having a fast car does'nt necessarily make you fast !
Did we meet at Sillystone?
I was there too
Glad you got hooked!
As a former LOTUS owner too, there is nothing better than whooping a few more modern cars with a classic.
Most track days offer split experience sessions.
take a novice session and you should be fine.
I was instructing someone the other day in a KA sport.
We were quicker than an AMG Merc in the wiggly bits...
Goes to show what the nuit holding the wheel can do!
Enjoy the car.
Take it one step at a time...
Oh of course...
use an Instructor when possible!
Best regs
Steve L
PS try
www.heritagetrackdays.com
I was there too
Glad you got hooked!
As a former LOTUS owner too, there is nothing better than whooping a few more modern cars with a classic.
Most track days offer split experience sessions.
take a novice session and you should be fine.
I was instructing someone the other day in a KA sport.
We were quicker than an AMG Merc in the wiggly bits...
Goes to show what the nuit holding the wheel can do!
Enjoy the car.
Take it one step at a time...
Oh of course...
use an Instructor when possible!
Best regs
Steve L
PS try
www.heritagetrackdays.com
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff