Track Day Virgin: Off To Thruxton

[Don]

I''m off to Thruxton tomorrow for a hoon round the track. Since it is my FIRST trip to a track I have taken the precaution of 1) Using someone else''s car (one of their Lotus Elises), 2) being instructed. Apart from listening to the instructor, getting a good night''s kip and not drinking tonight is there anything else I should do to prepare? e.g. Sit cross legged surrounded by candles and incense burners holding on to a Sidewinder Steering Wheel and muttering mantras like ''Slow In. Fast Out'' and ''Brake BEFORE the bend'' etc. Advice from experienced hands gratefully received....

[adrianr]

Adrian's top tip (again) - make sure you know the layout of the course. You can't go fast until you know where you're going. Learning the names of the corners is also useful as it makes it easier for the instructor to tell you where you can improve. Cheers, AdrianR

[Dr chuff]

If the weather's like today, take some sun tan lotion, Thruxton is hot, open and sunny. Also take a bottle of water. The combination of nerves and heat will make your mouth very dry. More handy than running to the cafe between sessions. But don't drink it in the Elise. It puts the instructors off. Have a good day, Dr C

[Don]

quote: But don't drink it in the Elise. It puts the instructors off.

Drinking WHILST driving! Oooh. I think you're right Seriously though: Thanks for the tips gentlemen. I have a Thruxton map which I shall pore over studiously tonight. I shall purchase water bottles...even though we're first on at 8:30am I reckon that's still a good plan! Cheers again. Don

[Don]

Oh boy. When can I go AGAIN! That was more fun than you could shake a stick at. I NEED MORE! (Own car next time...)

[Dr chuff]

Glad you enjoyed it. What was the elise like? Dr C

[Don]

quote:Glad you enjoyed it. What was the elise like?

Actually I was very impressed. I am a confirmed TVR/Porsche man myself but I really liked it. I think this was because it was in its natural home. Getting in and out was a right game and 'spartan' doesn't do the interior justice - there IS no interior! But none of that mattered when hooning about Thruxton. I couldn't own one to use as transport - but to go to the track and back it'd be just great. I'm sure there are people nuttier than I am who'd use it as their only car but I couldn't! Very interesting to be taken round in a Porsche Boxster after. Its MUCH quieter, refined, lots less tyre noise and so on. It wasn't as quick a ride but I don't think that was the car. The young man (I never thought I'd be old enough to say that) who showed me how to do it properly in the Elise after I'd had a go fairly made it FLY! If after a few YEARS of practice I could go nearly as fast I'd be a VERY happy man. Rambling but happy