Mallory Park
- Thread starter 01286p
- Start date
I haven't been to Mallory Park but, generally speaking, insurance companies will NOT cover your car on a circuit, so you have a choice of either running with no insurance (could be a financial nightmare if you have a crash with another car) or taking out specialist 'track day' cover. As for helmet, again, I suspect this will be mandatory - it was a requirement on every trackday I did on various UK circuits - but the circuit should have some available to hire if you don't have your own (you really should check ahead though). If you're going to make a regular thing of it then it is well worth investing in your own.
One thing that is WELL worth paying for, if they have it available on the day, is some time with one of the circuit instructors/pros. They will help you get the best out of your car, and the circuit, even if you've done a few trackdays before.
One thing that is WELL worth paying for, if they have it available on the day, is some time with one of the circuit instructors/pros. They will help you get the best out of your car, and the circuit, even if you've done a few trackdays before.
You don't NEED insurance but the risk is usually the other drivers on the track, not yourself. That said, if the day is properly organised, then anybody driving like a wally will be black-flagged and spoken to (I've seen that a few times at MSV run circuits). I can well understand you not wanting to take the risk though.
cj10jeeper
New member
01286p said:
TBH I think you get far more out of the experience going on a track day where they provide the cars and some tuition. Done few and never had any inclination to rag my own car around a circuit surrounded by faster and often less valuable cars
Bear in mind track day insurance only covers your OWN car - the circuit T&C will make clear that all users drive at their own risk, so claims against/from other drivers will not be possible (apart from damage to the track). There is also a heavy excess on track day policies. Track day premiums reflect the insured value, unsurprisingly. When researching policies I found that there are good policies available for classic car track days but not for modern vehicles. I suppose the underwriters reckon classic owners are likely to be careful.
I never bothered with insurance on my 200SX for the trackdays I did (it was my daily driver and I'd owned it from new). For the most part I stayed well within my limits and as 99% of them were on MSV circuits, the owners were usually good at keeping the number of cars on track at one time to a sensible level and pulled drivers in who were either a danger to themselves or other cars. The only 2 occasions I went off the tarmac were through a total brain fart and forgetting to brake at the right point and when I thought I'd try and get a little too cocky as the track was drying. Neither result in much damage beyond a mildly bruised ego.
The one thing I would always advise though, is that if you're out on the track and somebody is driving like a wally, pull into the pits and have a word with the organisers. The last thing anybody wants on a trackday is somebody having an accident, not least because it robs everybody of valuable track time!
Oh and for what it's worth, I encounter worse driving on the road on any day of the week than I encountered on the multiple trackdays I did. The accidents I did see were from people overstretching theirs and their car's abilities. That's not to say people don't hit each other, but it's not all that common on well-run days. I would still most likely take out insurance on my Jag, just because it's a lot more expensive to replace parts on it compared to my old 200!
The one thing I would always advise though, is that if you're out on the track and somebody is driving like a wally, pull into the pits and have a word with the organisers. The last thing anybody wants on a trackday is somebody having an accident, not least because it robs everybody of valuable track time!
Oh and for what it's worth, I encounter worse driving on the road on any day of the week than I encountered on the multiple trackdays I did. The accidents I did see were from people overstretching theirs and their car's abilities. That's not to say people don't hit each other, but it's not all that common on well-run days. I would still most likely take out insurance on my Jag, just because it's a lot more expensive to replace parts on it compared to my old 200!
Thank you all for your input.
I will give Mallory Park a miss, especially so after enjoying a stunning day with Jaguar at Fen End driving the 5 litre V8 AWD f type.
You never know though about other folk causing an accident as I witnessed another V8 going down the main straight at 130 mph plus hit the Armco barrier and spin away. I was very impressed at the way the bonnet popped up and front progressively collapsed whilst at the same time all the airbags inflated - Both the driver and instructor walked away unharmed though shaken.
V6S Coupe
I will give Mallory Park a miss, especially so after enjoying a stunning day with Jaguar at Fen End driving the 5 litre V8 AWD f type.
You never know though about other folk causing an accident as I witnessed another V8 going down the main straight at 130 mph plus hit the Armco barrier and spin away. I was very impressed at the way the bonnet popped up and front progressively collapsed whilst at the same time all the airbags inflated - Both the driver and instructor walked away unharmed though shaken.
V6S Coupe
I would recommend the JEC events in which they do a Castle Combe track day in October.
I've been 3 times in my car and never had a concern about other people on track as they are also in Jag's or if not, the very limited numbers allowed on track plus the careful marshalling prevents any coming togethers. The only accidents have been cars taking themselves off, no actual cars coming together.
I think they have more events this year at different venues so google them on "Jaguar Enthusiasts club"
I've been 3 times in my car and never had a concern about other people on track as they are also in Jag's or if not, the very limited numbers allowed on track plus the careful marshalling prevents any coming togethers. The only accidents have been cars taking themselves off, no actual cars coming together.
I think they have more events this year at different venues so google them on "Jaguar Enthusiasts club"
mikemsm999
New member
The JEC have a track day at Mallory this year, never been to Mallory myself so have booked it along with Castle Combe.
With the JEC track days there are limited spaces, so you never end up with loads of cars on track at the same time all buzzing around you like flies. I find there is also normally a good split split of novice (like myself) and more experienced drivers. Best of all there is Free ARDS instructors available along with a number of drivers from the Jaguar race series who not only will go out with you and offer instruction and pointers, but many also offer fast passenger laps in their own race cars. The mix of classic and modern cars on track is nice, love seeing an E-Type flying past with an enthusiastic owner driving it like it was intended to be!
If you don't want to take you car on track you can just go and spectate and join in the mini meet up. They are great events, everyone is really friendly and helpful, I'm looking forward to getting out and doing some driving again this year.
Mallory Park Circuit - 6th April
Harewood Hill Climb - 26th June
Anglesey Circuit - 6th September
Castle Combe Circuit - 4th October
https://jec.org.uk/events/tracksport
You don't need to be a member of the JEC to book, anyone with a Jag they welcome, but the saving if you are a member almost pays for the membership fee.
Insurance wise, they don't offer just track day insurance by itself, but Lockton's offer a JEC policy which has lots of additional benefits, including track day cover when attending Club Track days. Their policies won't suit everyone, but for me the ability to be able to drive other vehicles not owned by me, have other people able to drive my cars and the track day cover make the policy I have with them worth while. I also have a couple of non Jags that I insure with Admiral purely on price, so really is a case of what you need from a policy. https://www.locktonperformance.com/insurance-services/specialist-jaguar-insurance.html
With the JEC track days there are limited spaces, so you never end up with loads of cars on track at the same time all buzzing around you like flies. I find there is also normally a good split split of novice (like myself) and more experienced drivers. Best of all there is Free ARDS instructors available along with a number of drivers from the Jaguar race series who not only will go out with you and offer instruction and pointers, but many also offer fast passenger laps in their own race cars. The mix of classic and modern cars on track is nice, love seeing an E-Type flying past with an enthusiastic owner driving it like it was intended to be!
If you don't want to take you car on track you can just go and spectate and join in the mini meet up. They are great events, everyone is really friendly and helpful, I'm looking forward to getting out and doing some driving again this year.
Mallory Park Circuit - 6th April
Harewood Hill Climb - 26th June
Anglesey Circuit - 6th September
Castle Combe Circuit - 4th October
https://jec.org.uk/events/tracksport
You don't need to be a member of the JEC to book, anyone with a Jag they welcome, but the saving if you are a member almost pays for the membership fee.
Insurance wise, they don't offer just track day insurance by itself, but Lockton's offer a JEC policy which has lots of additional benefits, including track day cover when attending Club Track days. Their policies won't suit everyone, but for me the ability to be able to drive other vehicles not owned by me, have other people able to drive my cars and the track day cover make the policy I have with them worth while. I also have a couple of non Jags that I insure with Admiral purely on price, so really is a case of what you need from a policy. https://www.locktonperformance.com/insurance-services/specialist-jaguar-insurance.html