How to: 'First track day...'

[Sponge bob]

Since getting my new sportier car, I was thinking of taking it to some sort of track-day or something to get safe experience of what it can actually cope with and to just generally have a decent drive without worrying about my license...

Can I get some sort of informal training at these events - or have someone go round the track with me so I can get a better idea of how it's done. Do I have to pay extra for this in general as I don't want specific tuition as such - just a quick look at how it's done and to pick a few things up.

Do they have vehicle or category specific days, or do they just open the track to anything - does my car need to be modified in any way - and do I need to uprgade stuff. Also are they open to anyone?

Are there any tracks in/near Kent which hosts these events?

Many thanks people - any other infomation or 'gathered wisdom' would be greatly appreciated.

[Don]

Near Kent: Brands Hatch!

Any track day organiser will have instructors on hand who can be booked for a single track session (about 20 minutes) and then you can spent the rest of the day practicing what they've shown you.

[Don]

Your MR2 should be fine for a track day. Make sure its been recently serviced. Get the brake fluid changed. Check all fluids and levels and go waste some petrol!

[Incorrigible]

Also in Kent Lyden circuit, very small and very few track days

Cheap though

look at semsec.co.uk

And for a first timer, if you go to brands do the indy circuit not the full GP. There's plenty enough to learn there

[wedge girl]

I did my first trackday in the MX5 at Brands, and to be honest I didn't get what I wanted out of it.

Having spoken to a few people whilst there, I'm going to try this next www.carlimits.com/script/viewEvents.php?type=airfieldtraining&month=20050301


Then I'll go back to Brands, as it's a great circuit, but for now wasted on me.

[Eric Mc]

Tey some of the airfield days rather than a dedicated circuit. They are safer and usually cheaper.

[Sponge bob]

Cheers - lots of nice info - will probably give the Lydden circuit a try at the next track day - will give me a feel for things and give me time to prep the car slightly...

[HiRich]

Sponge bob said:

Can I get some sort of informal training at these events - or have someone go round the track with me so I can get a better idea of how it's done. Do I have to pay extra for this in general as I don't want specific tuition as such - just a quick look at how it's done and to pick a few things up.

Some organisers offer instruction. Sometimes free, sometimes at a good price. It's simple, one-to-one, and for a session. He'll jump in, watch, point & comment as you want. So it won't be teaching as such, more like a mate sitting there saying "Try this. Faster, Ease on the throttle now. Smooth..." Which is what you really want, just a few pointers, encouragement and general assessment.

Sponge bob said:

Do they have vehicle or category specific days, or do they just open the track to anything - does my car need to be modified in any way - and do I need to uprgade stuff. Also are they open to anyone?

Most events are sessioned (Beginner, medium, advanced) to balance speeds, or "Open Pitlane" (join the queue; whenever a car leaves the track, another one joins it). There are some dedicated days (classics, TVRs) but most are open to most road-legal cars. I would suggest for your first event at least (track or airfield) you go for a beginner's session with a reputable organiser - at least so you don't find a Radical bearing down on you.
Try Bookatrack & EasyTrack, who consistently feature in the more popular, well-arranged, and recommended organisers

[Eric Mc]

Motorsportevents are also worth a look - they specialise in airfield days and are excellent for beginners.

[Sponge bob]

Great, cheers Eric!

[kevinday]

Beware Lydden, there is a right **** of a corner, many people fall off at that corner and it is into a solid obstacle.

[Racylady]

I'd recommend Bedford as a good place to start. It's a decent length with some good corners - and with so much run off everywhere, you'd have to be REALLY unlucky to hit something if it all went horribly wrong.