Venues in SE/Midlands for a 16 yr old to learn to race

[Stevecaterham7]

Hoping for a spot of advice, or a top tip!

My son turns 16 next month and so can apply for his MSA licence to allow him to sprint our Caterham next season. The problem is that he hasn't exactly had a lot of experience of driving so far, so I need to get him on track.

So I'm looking for a venue in the South East (we're on the Beds/Cambs border) or maybe Midlands where we can take him and the car for him to learn to drive it.

He's done a session with Everyman racing at Prestwold which was good, but they are a couple of hours away and since the first session I've had 4 attempts at booking again with them and I'm struggling to get them to reply. So I was hoping someone may know of somewhere in Beds/Herts/Cambs/Norfolk/Northants where we could take the car and get him up to speed.

Lots of places seem to offer under 17 training, but they're either learning basics of driving programmes or full on race driver programmes that cost thousands. He needs time in the car, and some training but at race speeds not road speeds.

Thanks in advance.

[rfn]

I would strongly recommend something like the Under 17 Car Club or their week-long Pathfinder courses so that he can get to grips with the basics of car control before developing further? (yes, I was a member so perhaps biased).

I used to go to Curborough Sprint track prior to being 17, but that could be a bit far (Lichfield, Staffs).

[andymc]

Birmingham city centre after 10pm

[Stevecaterham7]

rfn said:

I would strongly recommend something like the Under 17 Car Club or their week-long Pathfinder courses so that he can get to grips with the basics of car control before developing further? (yes, I was a member so perhaps biased).

I used to go to Curborough Sprint track prior to being 17, but that could be a bit far (Lichfield, Staffs).

Am thinking of booking curborough for a half day session, but it’s a bit pricey to do too often. He’s just about 16, so looks like we missed the boat on the under 17 club, which is a shame as that looked good.

Any other ideas on venues gratefully received.

[andy97]

I strongly recommend https://themotorsportsschool.co.uk/ at Mallory Park, although I am sure that they do other venues/ track day tuition elsewhere too.
Give them a ring and speak to Pete or Mel Edwards. Very good people and Pete is very used to coaching Juniors.

[Stevecaterham7]

Thanks Andy. Had a good chat with Mel, who was really helpful and I thought we were on to something. Sadly their sessions are midweek, and much as my son would love to take a day off school to hoon around a track we can't have that as its his GCSEs this year.

So the hunt continues...

[andy97]

Stevecaterham7 said:

Thanks Andy. Had a good chat with Mel, who was really helpful and I thought we were on to something. Sadly their sessions are midweek, and much as my son would love to take a day off school to hoon around a track we can't have that as its his GCSEs this year.

So the hunt continues...

Half term?

[Stevecaterham7]

Sadly we’re away for half term, so Christmas will be next opportunity.

[fat80b]

What about autosolos / tests ?

I’ve seen several youngsters start this way and within a year or so they are competitive.

Great for car control and skills and relatively low risk and low cost.

Do half a dozen of these and I think he’d be well ahead as you spend most of your time on the limit or just past it. This then transfers well to the higher speeds on track imho where the cost is much higher.

[BrickCounter]

Try speaking to Mark Freeman Race Prep who are based in the SE. They are heavily involved in a friendly, and inexpensive junior oval championship.

They offer tuition and then the opportunity to race the same weekend in a hire car on an oval.

I plan to get my son a session with them, as it’s low cost, unlike all the other junior championships.