Trackday advice near Derby
Discussion
Right, It will shortly be 2010 and I'm determined to get my Elise onto a track this year (with me driving it), can anyone suggest a good localish track course that is suitable for a complete novice (never been on a track before on my life). I'm not looking to set any records, just want to have a go in a safe and fun environment to see if its for me.
Also is there anything that I need to do to the car in order to make it 'track-legal'? Helmet I presume? tape over the lights?
Also is there anything that I need to do to the car in order to make it 'track-legal'? Helmet I presume? tape over the lights?
Nothing in particular needs doing to the car. If its due a service then get it done before the day and its a very good idea to have a spanner check on suspension components. If anything is slightly suspect then sort it as driving on track will soon find out any weakness in your car.
For yourself you'll need a helmet although you can normally hire one (about £20 at most places) for the day. Shirts must be long sleeved too.
The best place for a first track day is Bedford. Miles of run-off and virtually sod all to hit. The only problem with the place is noise - they are very strict and whilst you may easily pass the static test you can still fail drive-by. You don't get any second chances with them either - trip a meter and you're out for the rest of the day.
Another track with good run-off is Snetterton. Noise isn't so much of an issue either (unless your car is very loud).
A final recommendation is Abeville in France with LOT. Always very popular and although a fair tot the extra travel and overnight cost is offset by the low cost of the day itself.
I'd join Lotus on Track as they run excellent track days, idiots aren't tolerated and everyone remembers that they were a novice once too. You also get your first instruction session foc on your first track day with them.
As they organise over 80 days a year there's bound to be something for you.
For yourself you'll need a helmet although you can normally hire one (about £20 at most places) for the day. Shirts must be long sleeved too.
The best place for a first track day is Bedford. Miles of run-off and virtually sod all to hit. The only problem with the place is noise - they are very strict and whilst you may easily pass the static test you can still fail drive-by. You don't get any second chances with them either - trip a meter and you're out for the rest of the day.
Another track with good run-off is Snetterton. Noise isn't so much of an issue either (unless your car is very loud).
A final recommendation is Abeville in France with LOT. Always very popular and although a fair tot the extra travel and overnight cost is offset by the low cost of the day itself.
I'd join Lotus on Track as they run excellent track days, idiots aren't tolerated and everyone remembers that they were a novice once too. You also get your first instruction session foc on your first track day with them.
As they organise over 80 days a year there's bound to be something for you.
I'd go to Silverstone before Bedford. Mind you I'd go almost anywhere before Bedford. Silverstone is wide, interesting, has very few opportunities to hit anything (though there are a couple) plus its the F1 circuit and its nice to have driven somewhere you get to see on the TV.
Snetterton also a good shout, but (like Silverstone) the long straights are a bit dull for an Elise.
Snetterton also a good shout, but (like Silverstone) the long straights are a bit dull for an Elise.
Well Donington Park is the best option but your guess is as good as mine as to whether it will be available again in the near future (or ever?).
Wouldn't have thought SIlverstone was that far though is it? I have nothing less than an hour away, so I regard that as a sort of base travel distance.
Wouldn't have thought SIlverstone was that far though is it? I have nothing less than an hour away, so I regard that as a sort of base travel distance.
As suggested, join Lotus on Track - http://www.lotus-on-track.com/ have a look on there for the locations of track, they all have a write up suggesting what is suitable for a novice you may need to do a sessioned day which has different classes of experience or one of the novice days.
Agree with TIPPER about Bedford.
It isn't the most exciting circuit in the world (on a former airfield hence as flat as a pancake), but there are a couple of points in its favour for the novice:
- As said, lots of run-off
- Corners are brake boarded and signposted for direction and angle so you know what to expect (useful since most of them aren't particularly well sighted)
- In the 'south west' layout at any rate, the circuit is quite long, therefore lots of room for everyone without feeling unduly hassled if you're slower than the rest of the pack
- It's also quite twisty with tight corners / chicanes in rapid succession, so in addition to its length, a good test of whether or not you are physically up to the demands of track driving.
It isn't the most exciting circuit in the world (on a former airfield hence as flat as a pancake), but there are a couple of points in its favour for the novice:
- As said, lots of run-off
- Corners are brake boarded and signposted for direction and angle so you know what to expect (useful since most of them aren't particularly well sighted)
- In the 'south west' layout at any rate, the circuit is quite long, therefore lots of room for everyone without feeling unduly hassled if you're slower than the rest of the pack
- It's also quite twisty with tight corners / chicanes in rapid succession, so in addition to its length, a good test of whether or not you are physically up to the demands of track driving.
The nearest track to me is over 100 miles away - you need some committment Loudman
One thing I forgot to say was to beware Novice track days organised by anyone other than LOT or SELOC: many of them seem to attract peeps who are far from novices.
Have a browse through the LOT calander: at Bedford you can do an open pit lane day (came and go as you please on the track) with absolutely no experience, on other tracks you may be limited to sessioned days but that means you will be with other novice drivers.
Have fun when you go
One thing I forgot to say was to beware Novice track days organised by anyone other than LOT or SELOC: many of them seem to attract peeps who are far from novices.
Have a browse through the LOT calander: at Bedford you can do an open pit lane day (came and go as you please on the track) with absolutely no experience, on other tracks you may be limited to sessioned days but that means you will be with other novice drivers.
Have fun when you go
Also I've got a Janspeed exhaust (back end only) on it (S2 111s), will that put me in danger for noise restrictions? It doesn't sound that loud to me but then the wife always says that I'm deaf..... - looking at the Lotus on Track site it looks like my local circuits are Donnington (open?), Outlen and Malory, all of which are within about 45mins drive.
Never been myself but Rockingham National looks like a bit of a laugh and only one place where you can seriously screw it up (AFAIK).
http://www.lotus-on-track.com/circuit_guide/rockin...
As above, I'd go for a Bedford day first, and deffo before Silverstone. Why? Because Bedford has a range of different options (half days, different cicruits etc.) and at Silverstone you may find you're in traffic with some very very fast stuff which might be a bit unnerving on your first day.
Whatever you do, go with a good TD organiser. LoT are without doubt in my mind, the best of the bunch. Really well organised, very friendly, and usually with some mechanical backup from Sinclaires just in case you need help, advice or a checkup during the day (unlikely if you follow the tips above).
Should you fancy a little jaunt, then Abbeville in Northern France is a hoot.
http://www.lotus-on-track.com/circuit_guide/rockin...
As above, I'd go for a Bedford day first, and deffo before Silverstone. Why? Because Bedford has a range of different options (half days, different cicruits etc.) and at Silverstone you may find you're in traffic with some very very fast stuff which might be a bit unnerving on your first day.
Whatever you do, go with a good TD organiser. LoT are without doubt in my mind, the best of the bunch. Really well organised, very friendly, and usually with some mechanical backup from Sinclaires just in case you need help, advice or a checkup during the day (unlikely if you follow the tips above).
Should you fancy a little jaunt, then Abbeville in Northern France is a hoot.
Oulton Park is fairly close to Derby.
Its not for the faint hearted though but is very thrilling to drive. There are some testing corners and sections especially in the damp/wet and the run offs are a bit tight in places. An instructor session is defo recommended so you get the most out of it.
Its not for the faint hearted though but is very thrilling to drive. There are some testing corners and sections especially in the damp/wet and the run offs are a bit tight in places. An instructor session is defo recommended so you get the most out of it.
Loudman said:
Also I've got a Janspeed exhaust (back end only) on it (S2 111s), will that put me in danger for noise restrictions? It doesn't sound that loud to me but then the wife always says that I'm deaf..... - looking at the Lotus on Track site it looks like my local circuits are Donnington (open?), Outlen and Malory, all of which are within about 45mins drive.
I have a Janspeed exhaust on a 111S and the only problem I've had was Castle Combe where it registered 102 (limit 100) however, after a quick blat to get it hot it was down at 98 an passed. But I would say that experience on one day at one track may not be at all relevant on another day at a different (or even the same) circuit. Two months later the same car/exhaust (no changes at all) registered 88 at Cadwell ... 
Sounds like you are spoiled for choice ...
hi im from sheffield , elvington near york is a good starter ,an airfield day
http://javelintrackdays.co.uk/trackday/index.php?o...
http://javelintrackdays.co.uk/trackday/index.php?o...
I would recommend you don't do Cadwell as a first track. It's very tight, has some tricky lines, and will punish silly mistakes in some areas with a write off. Mistakes are easily made at the best of times, so I'd go for somewhere which isn't too long, and which has lots of run-off just in case.
Some of the smaller tracks at Bedford are ideal, or Snetterton etc. are perfect. Easy to learn the circuit and you can concentrate on traffic, your lines, and above all having a laugh.
If you've never done one before, and aren't sure how the car will behave near/on/over the limit I would heartily recommend doing a day with Andrew Walsh at Carlimits.com first. Learn what the car feels like when it's about to break away, what causes it to break away, and what you can (and can't) do to recover it, and you'll be able to go on track with more confidence rather than wondering what's going to happen if you overcook it.
Some of the smaller tracks at Bedford are ideal, or Snetterton etc. are perfect. Easy to learn the circuit and you can concentrate on traffic, your lines, and above all having a laugh.
If you've never done one before, and aren't sure how the car will behave near/on/over the limit I would heartily recommend doing a day with Andrew Walsh at Carlimits.com first. Learn what the car feels like when it's about to break away, what causes it to break away, and what you can (and can't) do to recover it, and you'll be able to go on track with more confidence rather than wondering what's going to happen if you overcook it.
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