I'm really wanting to do a track day but scared of crashing
Discussion
I recently brought this mx5 and I've really been wanting to do a track evening.
I've been looking at track insurance but people said it's not worth it. And my main worry is crashing and not being able to afford another mx5. It was about 4 grand not expensive but not cheap.
I'm not going to go round really fast and push my car I'm just going to go round spiritly as I'm not looking to push my car.
However it's a sports car and needs to be driven like one.
I have taken my old 1999 k11 Micra auto soloing but never done a track day unless 4 laps of a driving experience counts
My mx5
I've been looking at track insurance but people said it's not worth it. And my main worry is crashing and not being able to afford another mx5. It was about 4 grand not expensive but not cheap.
I'm not going to go round really fast and push my car I'm just going to go round spiritly as I'm not looking to push my car.
However it's a sports car and needs to be driven like one.
I have taken my old 1999 k11 Micra auto soloing but never done a track day unless 4 laps of a driving experience counts
My mx5
Get yourself on a MOT track day https://mottrackdays.com/
Likeminded people with similar cars and very well organised days
Likeminded people with similar cars and very well organised days
I had the same feelings about ruining my own car.
In the end I rented an mx5 off someone on an owners page.
He bought it to the track, prepared it etc, he was in the passenger seat at all times. Cost £300 inc the track day fee.
You could do that first and see how confident you are afterwards?
In my limited experience I’d say people stick to the rules so accidents are unlikely.
In the end I rented an mx5 off someone on an owners page.
He bought it to the track, prepared it etc, he was in the passenger seat at all times. Cost £300 inc the track day fee.
You could do that first and see how confident you are afterwards?
In my limited experience I’d say people stick to the rules so accidents are unlikely.
roddo said:
Get yourself on a MOT track day https://mottrackdays.com/
Likeminded people with similar cars and very well organised days
What's special about them? Sounds like it's something to do with the MOT test. Appears not from the website (although it doesn't give much away). Likeminded people with similar cars and very well organised days
You need to be able to accept that you MAY crash. If this is not something you can accept then don’t do it.
However, crashing is pretty unlikely, crashing heavily very unlikely.
On the whole, track days are relaxed events where drivers are free to drive at the pace that suits them and tracks like Snetterton, Thruxton and Bedford have plenty of space for this to happen.
However, crashing is pretty unlikely, crashing heavily very unlikely.
On the whole, track days are relaxed events where drivers are free to drive at the pace that suits them and tracks like Snetterton, Thruxton and Bedford have plenty of space for this to happen.
Terminator X said:
John D. said:
In answer to the OP, book a day at Bedford. There's loads of run off, you'd have to be really trying to hit something.
Same. I've been there loads of times and the people attending all seem to be sensible too eg no nutters overtaking in the corners.TX.
I've spun off plenty of times on that track but the run off areas are immense. So don't push it until you have some space and run off area. Often it is my over exuberance on cold tyres at the start of the session.
The more experienced drivers seem to wait out the first half hour until novice like me come back to the pits.
Once you get a bit familiar with the track and your car on the track it is worth getting a driving tuition session. It's worth the cost because this allows you to get more out of the day.
Disclaimer: it's been over a decade since the last time I did a track day so I don't know what Bedford is like now.
OP look at the MSV novice days - a much more controlled environment. Spend an hour going as you feel, then book an instructor to come out with you. The most important thing is to build it up slowly and not over-do it. The people who crash early on are the ones who push too hard for their levels.
Nickp82 said:
On the whole, track days are relaxed events where drivers are free to drive at the pace that suits them and tracks like Snetterton, Thruxton and Bedford have plenty of space for this to happen.
As a novice in a slow car (in a straight line) I wouldn't recommend Snetterton and Thruxton - lots of long corners being hassled by very fast machinery, attracted by the fast track speeds.John D. said:
roddo said:
Get yourself on a MOT track day https://mottrackdays.com/
Likeminded people with similar cars and very well organised days
What's special about them? Sounds like it's something to do with the MOT test. Appears not from the website (although it doesn't give much away). Likeminded people with similar cars and very well organised days
On
Track
Generally like minded people as he said.
1. Book tuition.
2. Don’t book Bedford. If the best thing you can say about a track is it’s hard to crash, it’s a poor recommendation (feel free to look up my previous posts on this tor more detail
).
3. Not a novice day. Who ever thought it would be a good idea to let all the inexperienced drivers out on track at the same time?
4. MoT or other clubbie days are a good option. Less likelihood of teams testing, generally more inclusive atmosphere will be a nice way to start. BMW Car Club run similar days and are happy to see other makes of car.
5. Don’t drive like a plank and the odds of crashing fall significantly, get out there, it’s fun
.
2. Don’t book Bedford. If the best thing you can say about a track is it’s hard to crash, it’s a poor recommendation (feel free to look up my previous posts on this tor more detail
).3. Not a novice day. Who ever thought it would be a good idea to let all the inexperienced drivers out on track at the same time?
4. MoT or other clubbie days are a good option. Less likelihood of teams testing, generally more inclusive atmosphere will be a nice way to start. BMW Car Club run similar days and are happy to see other makes of car.
5. Don’t drive like a plank and the odds of crashing fall significantly, get out there, it’s fun
.
Bit too flat and featureless. Steve H said:
1. Book tuition.
2. Don’t book Bedford. If the best thing you can say about a track is it’s hard to crash, it’s a poor recommendation (feel free to look up my previous posts on this tor more detail).
3. Not a novice day. Who ever thought it would be a good idea to let all the inexperienced drivers out on track at the same time?
4. MoT or other clubbie days are a good option. Less likelihood of teams testing, generally more inclusive atmosphere will be a nice way to start. BMW Car Club run similar days and are happy to see other makes of car.
5. Don’t drive like a plank and the odds of crashing fall significantly, get out there, it’s fun.
I embedded my elise is the tyre wall at Cadwell when I had an instructor in with me saying, "It will go around this faster". He was incorrect and he walked back. Thankfully the car was undamaged2. Don’t book Bedford. If the best thing you can say about a track is it’s hard to crash, it’s a poor recommendation (feel free to look up my previous posts on this tor more detail
).3. Not a novice day. Who ever thought it would be a good idea to let all the inexperienced drivers out on track at the same time?
4. MoT or other clubbie days are a good option. Less likelihood of teams testing, generally more inclusive atmosphere will be a nice way to start. BMW Car Club run similar days and are happy to see other makes of car.
5. Don’t drive like a plank and the odds of crashing fall significantly, get out there, it’s fun
.Terminator X said:
Same. I've been there loads of times and the people attending all seem to be sensible too eg no nutters overtaking in the corners.
TX.
Apart from the famous kebab guy TX.
But to the OP, I think it's not bad at all. If you are sensible and just get round and build up, you should be fine
Also get instruction early doors that is super good for getting better and getting confidence
s55shh said:
Steve H said:
1. Book tuition.
2. Don’t book Bedford. If the best thing you can say about a track is it’s hard to crash, it’s a poor recommendation (feel free to look up my previous posts on this tor more detail).
3. Not a novice day. Who ever thought it would be a good idea to let all the inexperienced drivers out on track at the same time?
4. MoT or other clubbie days are a good option. Less likelihood of teams testing, generally more inclusive atmosphere will be a nice way to start. BMW Car Club run similar days and are happy to see other makes of car.
5. Don’t drive like a plank and the odds of crashing fall significantly, get out there, it’s fun.
I embedded my elise is the tyre wall at Cadwell when I had an instructor in with me saying, "It will go around this faster". He was incorrect and he walked back. Thankfully the car was undamaged2. Don’t book Bedford. If the best thing you can say about a track is it’s hard to crash, it’s a poor recommendation (feel free to look up my previous posts on this tor more detail
).3. Not a novice day. Who ever thought it would be a good idea to let all the inexperienced drivers out on track at the same time?
4. MoT or other clubbie days are a good option. Less likelihood of teams testing, generally more inclusive atmosphere will be a nice way to start. BMW Car Club run similar days and are happy to see other makes of car.
5. Don’t drive like a plank and the odds of crashing fall significantly, get out there, it’s fun
.John D. said:
In answer to the OP, book a day at Bedford. There's loads of run off, you'd have to be really trying to hit something.
Whilst I agree, the banked grass (end of straight) and after the double left hander, always worry me. If it goes wrong in this two places, then you have no where to go..! Not sure why they didn't re-profile these at some point. Maybe no-one has ever gone off here...?jj
JackAttack2002 said:
I recently brought this mx5 and I've really been wanting to do a track evening.
FYI there are no track evenings now until May next year when the days are long enough. But a full track day is good value at this time of year, so do it!If you haven't owned a RWD car before then spend some time getting used to driving your car on the road - no hardship at all when it's a MX5.
Lift-off oversteer - make sure you know what this is if you don't already. A big lift mid-corner, or turning when braking heavily, are the most common causes of a spin.
Book tuition sessions on your track day. Ideally one at the very start and one later in the day so you can get feedback on your progress.
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