Discussion
Did Colerne airfield day with Bookatrack today, never done an airfield day before and they're fantastic, so much run off there's no fear in pushing past the cars limit, which IMO is the way to find your cars limits, open track time, so loads of it and whenever you like brilliant, apart from my mates Caterham biting the dust after a lengthy repair (not a happy chappy)it was a great event, and would recomend if you have'nt done one 
Nik
How long did it take to get up to Colerne?? Thought about an airfield myself as an introduction but they all seem to be 200miles plus away from the South Coast. Noted Colerne as a possible track when surfing bookatrack site previously. I also considered Goodwood, but not sure about the noise limits and the off's I could have there as a first circuit
Harry
How long did it take to get up to Colerne?? Thought about an airfield myself as an introduction but they all seem to be 200miles plus away from the South Coast. Noted Colerne as a possible track when surfing bookatrack site previously. I also considered Goodwood, but not sure about the noise limits and the off's I could have there as a first circuit
Harry
Runway is enough to get to 120mph in me Chimp, about the same as a race track, only 6 cars alowed out at a time and probably only 18-20 cars there in total, so very quiet most of the time, and another benefit is the cost, £99, 9am - 5pm bl**dy good value.
Hi Harry - took about 1 1/2 hours from Bournemouth, you could do it quicker but I was travelling with 'flys in the teeth Caterham' he was'nt willing to go above 75mph! they're fantastic as an intro to track days, as any mistake you make will only dent yer pride not your car. Db limits are high also, mine pulled 108db and was o.k, and my mates Caterham with a full race system! you certainly would'nt be allowed at Goodwood with those levels. 7th May is the next one there with Bookatrack (real nice bunch of guys)! I'm up for it.
Nik
Hi Harry - took about 1 1/2 hours from Bournemouth, you could do it quicker but I was travelling with 'flys in the teeth Caterham' he was'nt willing to go above 75mph! they're fantastic as an intro to track days, as any mistake you make will only dent yer pride not your car. Db limits are high also, mine pulled 108db and was o.k, and my mates Caterham with a full race system! you certainly would'nt be allowed at Goodwood with those levels. 7th May is the next one there with Bookatrack (real nice bunch of guys)! I'm up for it.
Nik
quote:
Hi Harry - took about 1 1/2 hours from Bournemouth, you could do it quicker but I was travelling with 'flys in the teeth Caterham' he was'nt willing to go above 75mph! they're fantastic as an intro to track days, as any mistake you make will only dent yer pride not your car. Db limits are high also, mine pulled 108db and was o.k, and my mates Caterham with a full race system! you certainly would'nt be allowed at Goodwood with those levels. 7th May is the next one there with Bookatrack (real nice bunch of guys)! I'm up for it.
Nik
B*gger I'm in for a service with DB that day, tempted by the 3rd June though
see how the service goes on the wallet so to speak, need a set of tyres prior as well, my how things add up when you think about them. May see you at the Dorset meet on the 5th May. Harry
Interesting local trivia for you: it's pronounced "Cullen". Quick question guys, I have never attended a airfield day before and am wondering what types of cars usually do?
The reason I ask is that an airfield represents an ideal opportunity to learn the limits of your car without the fear of creaming into any large fences, etc. I'm worried that I would turn up in an inferior car to everyone elses and hold everyone up, or worse still be told that my pride and joy was crap and not good enough.
Cheers
The reason I ask is that an airfield represents an ideal opportunity to learn the limits of your car without the fear of creaming into any large fences, etc. I'm worried that I would turn up in an inferior car to everyone elses and hold everyone up, or worse still be told that my pride and joy was crap and not good enough.
Cheers
Allsorts of cars go to track days. If once you're out on track you find yourself significantly slower than other cars, it shouldn't be a problem if you're courteous and give the other cars plenty of room to get past.
If you're a good driver then there's every chance you'll be keeping up with and overtaking much "better" cars. A guy on the Elise BBS once had to take a Fiesta courtesy car to a track day when his garage let him down and he famously overtook a Ferrari. Returned the car with no brakes and tyres.
Check bookatrack's website and look at the cars that people are registered to take on various trackdays to get a feel for it.
Your Alfa should be plenty quick enough anyway.
Bonce
>> Edited by Bonce on Tuesday 23 April 10:07
If you're a good driver then there's every chance you'll be keeping up with and overtaking much "better" cars. A guy on the Elise BBS once had to take a Fiesta courtesy car to a track day when his garage let him down and he famously overtook a Ferrari. Returned the car with no brakes and tyres.
Check bookatrack's website and look at the cars that people are registered to take on various trackdays to get a feel for it.
Your Alfa should be plenty quick enough anyway.
Bonce
>> Edited by Bonce on Tuesday 23 April 10:07
Cheers for that 
makes me feel better and will be looking at doing an airfield day soon as.
I guess all the talk about TVR's etc doing 120mph + without trying etc is a bit intimidating (but impressive) to us relative new comers - all I hope is that there will be other like minded people (like the majority on this site) at the day who are willing to give me some advice/patience.
Apart from checking my tyres/brakes are up to scratch is there anything I need/things I should do before I attend?
Thanks again.
makes me feel better and will be looking at doing an airfield day soon as. I guess all the talk about TVR's etc doing 120mph + without trying etc is a bit intimidating (but impressive) to us relative new comers - all I hope is that there will be other like minded people (like the majority on this site) at the day who are willing to give me some advice/patience.
Apart from checking my tyres/brakes are up to scratch is there anything I need/things I should do before I attend?
Thanks again.
Make sure the oil is topped up to the max. Put a couple of psi more in the tyres on the day (will help to reduce shoulder scrub). Remove all loose stuff from the interior. Take advantage of a cool down lap before you come off the track each time (or anywhere else at the venue you can cool your brakes) & don't park with the handbrake on 'cos it can lead to warped discs. Open the bonnet when you park after each session to help it cool - airfield days are harder on the car from a cooling perspective IMHO as you are at high revs/low speed a lot of the time = not a lot of cooling airflow. HAVE FUN!
Nigel - sorry, did'nt mean too imtimidate, it was just clear way to get over, that the straight was the same as most tracks there was all sorts of machinery there from locosts (cheaper form of Caterham) too E46 BMW M3. there were slow and fast people with different tallents, and all were laughing and joking together, I for one would encourage you strongly to go and have a go, as I said before, they are fantastic for fun, as you would find it very difficult to hit anything (beleive me i tried) apart from cones. just be aware of other track users, and when its clear give it some in safe knowledge, no matter what you drive you'll be welcome, and you'll be grinning from ear to ear for days.
Nik
Nik
Nik
No offence taken mate - I'm just in awe of the TVR's etc and would love to have one and suppose I didn't want to be holding other people up and spoiling their fun!
Anyway cheers to everyone who has helped today - I am going to get myself to a day asap. The bottom line I guess is that these days are attended by like minded people (regardless of what you drive) and so as long as I behave correctly (ie letting faster cars through safely) I have nothing to fear.
Also if a Fiesta can overtake a Ferrari!!!!
Hopefully see some of you there - and if any of you would like to offer a quick couple of passenger laps in your TVRs etc I won't be complaining!!!
Nigel
No offence taken mate - I'm just in awe of the TVR's etc and would love to have one and suppose I didn't want to be holding other people up and spoiling their fun!
Anyway cheers to everyone who has helped today - I am going to get myself to a day asap. The bottom line I guess is that these days are attended by like minded people (regardless of what you drive) and so as long as I behave correctly (ie letting faster cars through safely) I have nothing to fear.
Also if a Fiesta can overtake a Ferrari!!!!
Hopefully see some of you there - and if any of you would like to offer a quick couple of passenger laps in your TVRs etc I won't be complaining!!!
Nigel
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