Track day
- Thread starter Rivendell
- Start date
How far South are you thinking?
Over to the South East you have Brands Hatch in Kent, whilst Snetterton is up a little bit in Norfolk. Across to the West a little you'll find yourself at Bedford Autodrome, but they have always been very strict on noise levels, so you might find yourself black flagged if you're not careful (Donington is also quite strict - I got black flagged for being 0.5db over their 98db limit). If you head up a bit further then you have Cadwell Park. Heading into the central area you've got Donington Park and Silverstone. Coming back down a bit you've got Castle Combe and Thruxton.
If you want a nice flat circuit to start with, try Bedford, Thruxton or Castle Combe. I've only done Castle Combe, of those 3, back in my old Nissan 200SX.
Silverstone has the history but it is incredibly wide in places, giving the impression of glacial speeds despite being over twice the national speed limit (I recall calculating Hangar straight as being something like 6 lanes of a motorway). Personally, it's the most disappointing circuit I drove, but you will probably get to exploit more of the power of the car than at some of the other circuits.
If it's your first trackday, try and find an evening that is specifically run for novices and spend a bit extra on a session with one of the circuit pros. Although there will be experienced trackers there too, the majority of people should be first-timers.
When I used to do trackdays in my 200SX, I'd arrive at the circuit, let the car cool down whilst in the briefing, adjust the tyre pressures to suit, check the fluid levels again (having checked before leaving the house) and then I'd head out on to the circuit and have fun. At the end of the day I'd wait for the car to cool down, reset the tyre pressures, check the fluids again and then drive home.
The only people that crash on trackdays are people that exceed their own limits. If you're out on the circuit and get concerned about the way somebody is driving, head back in and have a word with one of the marshalls. Definitely try and keep your sessions down to about 20 minutes max. (if it's an open-pit day) and let the car cool down for at least 15 minutes before going back out again.
I haven't been on track for about 10 years now, but I'm itching to take the F-Type out on some next year.
Hope that's useful.
Over to the South East you have Brands Hatch in Kent, whilst Snetterton is up a little bit in Norfolk. Across to the West a little you'll find yourself at Bedford Autodrome, but they have always been very strict on noise levels, so you might find yourself black flagged if you're not careful (Donington is also quite strict - I got black flagged for being 0.5db over their 98db limit). If you head up a bit further then you have Cadwell Park. Heading into the central area you've got Donington Park and Silverstone. Coming back down a bit you've got Castle Combe and Thruxton.
If you want a nice flat circuit to start with, try Bedford, Thruxton or Castle Combe. I've only done Castle Combe, of those 3, back in my old Nissan 200SX.
Silverstone has the history but it is incredibly wide in places, giving the impression of glacial speeds despite being over twice the national speed limit (I recall calculating Hangar straight as being something like 6 lanes of a motorway). Personally, it's the most disappointing circuit I drove, but you will probably get to exploit more of the power of the car than at some of the other circuits.
If it's your first trackday, try and find an evening that is specifically run for novices and spend a bit extra on a session with one of the circuit pros. Although there will be experienced trackers there too, the majority of people should be first-timers.
When I used to do trackdays in my 200SX, I'd arrive at the circuit, let the car cool down whilst in the briefing, adjust the tyre pressures to suit, check the fluid levels again (having checked before leaving the house) and then I'd head out on to the circuit and have fun. At the end of the day I'd wait for the car to cool down, reset the tyre pressures, check the fluids again and then drive home.
The only people that crash on trackdays are people that exceed their own limits. If you're out on the circuit and get concerned about the way somebody is driving, head back in and have a word with one of the marshalls. Definitely try and keep your sessions down to about 20 minutes max. (if it's an open-pit day) and let the car cool down for at least 15 minutes before going back out again.
I haven't been on track for about 10 years now, but I'm itching to take the F-Type out on some next year.
Hope that's useful.
Hi Rivendell
Not sure how this fairs compared to other events.
Just Google
JEC Track Day and Club Car Meet, Castle Combe
20TH OCTOBER 2020, 8:00AM - 4:30PM
The above is well run and you don't have to be a JEC member.
You can do whole, half a day or just book some laps.
I went last October as a complete novice really enjoyed the day. Certainly scratched the itch for me!
Not sure how this fairs compared to other events.
Just Google
JEC Track Day and Club Car Meet, Castle Combe
20TH OCTOBER 2020, 8:00AM - 4:30PM
The above is well run and you don't have to be a JEC member.
You can do whole, half a day or just book some laps.
I went last October as a complete novice really enjoyed the day. Certainly scratched the itch for me!
Rivendell
New member
Thanks for everyone’s replies. Although I’m mad keen to do a track day myself, this request is actually for a friend’s 60th birthday who’s got a V8R P575 (I shall tag along to spectate, Covid allowing). It’s given me great food for thought. I’m probably going to opt for a voucher that will give him maximum flexibility. If it were me, based on the recommendations and a bit of subsequent research, I think I would go for the Grand Prix circuit at Silverstone. It holds a few memories for me as a spectator and it would be an iconic drive. Many of the smaller circuits, including the Castle Combe JEC event, also look great and are of course far cheaper. There is an extraordinary amount of choice – far more than I realised. Thanks again.
Tel
New member
Don't be tempted for a too twisty circuit, even if it is more technically challenging and enjoyable.
The F is better at longer sweeping turns as it's not agile enough for sharp changes in direction. Pick your track from the limited number down South with that in mind and you won't go far wrong.
Motorsportevents are your very best friend for giving your car a chance to stretch its legs.
Bedford is the perfect starting place.
The F is better at longer sweeping turns as it's not agile enough for sharp changes in direction. Pick your track from the limited number down South with that in mind and you won't go far wrong.
Motorsportevents are your very best friend for giving your car a chance to stretch its legs.
Bedford is the perfect starting place.
I don't know about Bedford, but at Donington they have a noise meter on the S/F straight, they don't do a static noise test (like they do at Brands for example). What's utterly ridiculous about Donington is that you can usually hear the incoming Midlands Airport aircraft over the noise of the cars on track! Anyhoo, if you know where the meters are kept, you can 'drive around them' to avoid triggering them if you think you're going to get a warning.
Tel
New member
Bedford is static - It's really easy to pass noise tests....keep your flaps closed! Should keep you within the mid to high 80's. (allegedly).
When they ask you to floor it, don't mash the peddle, slowly bring it up to the max which is 4k if I remember rightly.
Brands is a good track. Not tried Donny, did you fail there?
When they ask you to floor it, don't mash the peddle, slowly bring it up to the max which is 4k if I remember rightly.
Brands is a good track. Not tried Donny, did you fail there?
Nick said:
They didn’t do static tests at this event - CV-19 related I think. My previous trip to Bedford I was ok on the static but got black flagged after two laps. The guy from MSV showed me where the trackside microphones were and suggested a little lift as I went by them might do the trick.
Tel
New member
Davidb said:Nick said:
They didn’t do static tests at this event - CV-19 related I think. My previous trip to Bedford I was ok on the static but got black flagged after two laps. The guy from MSV showed me where the trackside microphones were and suggested a little lift as I went by them might do the trick.
Interesting that MSV had mics...MSE didn't!
Lifting off is difficult though anywhere.
I wish I could remember the dB figures measures at 1m I think it was. I'm sure F's are around 84-87 flaps closed and 96 'ish open???
MANTOT3 said:
I can also recommend this event, did it last year and found it very relaxed and no idiots threatening to take you out with some crazy last minute braking on corner entry. Only recommendation is book late to make sure the weather is OK, for me, track time and rain don't equal fun.
