Track day advice....

**JO5EPH** · Saturday 8th April 2006, 20:20

Well I'm wanting to do an open-pit track day around the late July/August time.

I've been looking here and there's a couple there, but none that really 'suit' me.

I'd really like to do Croft, but I can only find the 23rd June and this is too soon really.
There's also Oulton Park on the 1st July, which is quite expensive and a bit too soon, then there's the 26th November, which I dont really want to wait that long for!

So am I being too fussy??

I've never done a track day before, I did 20mind round silverstone last year and thats it!

So ANY general advice/tips for a track day would be much appreciated!

Cheers,

Joe

EDIT: I've also been looking here but they only have a calender up to early July at the moment, but the one I want (open-pit) seems to be coming in at around £200, does that sound about right?

**Murphy** · Saturday 8th April 2006, 22:28

Apart from my own track day that I think you should join me at

. I would recommend Bruntingthorpe for novice track day goers. The idea of a track day IMO is to achieve whatever it is you want to achieve. I can guarantee you will find someone that is a better driver than you and can drive faster than you at any track day - so as long as your mind is focused on safe enjoyment you are well away. The thing with bruntingthorpe is you need to really try to hit something as there is lots and lots of run off, and a lot of corners are made up of coned areas etc etc. I know a few people on here have had some experience so maybe they can comment further. The only down side to brunters IMO, is it isn't as interesting as other UK tracks.

Croft. It is famous for the tightest hairpin of any UK circuit; it is also [IMO] a complex circuit. I did a track day in my stock Fabia vRS - i did enjoy it, but spent a lot of time letting people past...........................

Good luck with your choice

**speedswede** · Saturday 8th April 2006, 23:14

JO5EPH, I'd recommend Anglesey. It's a short circuit at 1.06 miles, easy to learn but takes longer to master getting all of the corners to flow to make a good lap. It has excellent run-off ...although I have never run off even in the pouring rain. Since it is a small circuit your max speed will be on the pit straight at perhaps 90mph for a short time. Anglesey is also quite cheap and the instructors are great.

**JUDGENINJA** · Sunday 9th April 2006, 01:05

come to Bruntingthorpe in August...

Have a look my video (in Sig), you can see just how much space there is at the place. If you go off the's loads of run off (Grass)...

**BlackBeast** · Sunday 9th April 2006, 01:29

Excellent video Judge, Wobbly had you on the straight there I think

I would think the Brunters track isnt very suited to our heavy lumps though as there seems to be a few coned sharp corners (maybe not but on the video it seems like it) which puts our cars at a disadvantage.

If i ever did a track day ive got a feeling that the adrenaline would kick in and id be trying to race everybody, obviously not in a dangerous manner though.

With regards to my car, suspension (need to think long and hard about the setup) and brake (already planned out) upgrades would definately need to be done before even contemplating a track day as they are getting old at 112k.

**fast-t5** · Sunday 9th April 2006, 12:10

bravo quality vid looks awsome mate

**blackbooty** · Sunday 9th April 2006, 13:16

nice vid Judge, looks fun and the bonus being there arnt any dogs with radars !
will have to join everyone at a track later in the year.

**TangoDeltaSierra3** · Sunday 9th April 2006, 13:46

http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?t=8002

Check that out.

**JO5EPH** · Sunday 9th April 2006, 15:39

Many thanks for the feedback!

Croft in early July sounds good, but with only limited track-time I think I might wait for Bruntingthorpe in August.

Then I might do Oulton Park late Novemeber as it seems a decent price, but the weather could be 'fun' that time of year.....

Anglessey is definitely a consideration too, hmm, i'm too indecisive! So keep the suggestions coming please!

Cheers,

Joe

P.S, How much fuel (ish) do you tend to use on a track day alone? Just so I can work out roughly how much it will cost me in total for a track day

**Vikingxl** · Sunday 9th April 2006, 16:07

Most important thing to remember though is have fun and dont take it too seriously

**Wobbly Dave** · Sunday 9th April 2006, 17:21

Completely agree with Viking. I went on my first track day at Brunters last year and my advice is - It's not a race - nobody wins - there are no prizes, so dont battle with the other runners too much! Key is to enjoy. Always do a wam up/run down lap if you can.
The only prize you get is for having a good time and not stacking your car. Be patient and courteous to everyone else.

**Engineer** · Sunday 9th April 2006, 17:37

Originally Posted by Wobbly Dave

Completely agree with Viking. I went on my first track day at Brunters last year and my advice is - It's not a race - nobody wins - there are no prizes, so dont battle with the other runners too much! Key is to enjoy. Always do a wam up/run down lap if you can.
The only prize you get is for having a good time and not stacking your car. Be patient and courteous to everyone else.

Wise words Dave, but do they apply to Scoopy's as well lol

**JO5EPH** · Sunday 9th April 2006, 20:36

Originally Posted by vikingt5

Most important thing to remember though is have fun and dont take it too seriously

Absolutely!

Like Dave said, it's about having fun and keeping it on the tarmac.

So any Idea of fuel costs for a track day?? I'm thinking if I brim it just outside the circuit, a full tank should last me?

Joe

**Vikingxl** · Sunday 9th April 2006, 20:41

You will use a lot more fuel than normal but just keep an eye on the gauge you will probably be knackered long before the tank runs dry its a lot of physical effort and once you are tired its best to call it a day anyway.Enjoy yourself but be sensible with it you will never keep up with the people that do this sort of thing all the time just have a good time and get someone to take some piccys for you so you have some memories of the day!

**BigJC** · Sunday 9th April 2006, 21:01

Drive it like you stole it! No wait, thats my usual style...

**Vikingxl** · Sunday 9th April 2006, 21:04

Originally Posted by BigJC

Drive it like you stole it! No wait, thats my usual style...

Well i suppose you do live near liverpool

**BigJC** · Sunday 9th April 2006, 21:09

Originally Posted by vikingt5

Well i suppose you do live near liverpool

The cheek of it! My fellow mancs don't have too good a reputation either if you watch BBC's car wars!

**Vikingxl** · Sunday 9th April 2006, 21:11

Lol

**Murphy** · Monday 10th April 2006, 09:05

I did 55 laps of Donnington in my diesel Fabia, and went through a tank, averaging 15 mpg !!!!!!

**Wobbly Dave** · Monday 10th April 2006, 09:08

You can also expect to wave goodbye to a set of front tyres.

It is also no bad idea to change the oil/filter when you get home/within a few days and possibly the plugs too.

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