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Track Days
If you
want to drive your car on a race track but don’t want to actively
compete against other drivers, track days offer a great alternative.
With so many speed cameras and traffic around high performance driving
on the road is really best avoided. Having a high performance car
and having nowhere to drive it fast can be a pain – a track
day can offer the best legal solution to this problem, and for some
this can be the first rung on the ladder to competitive motor sport,
although remember track days are non-competitive and not classed
as motor sport.
What are Track Days?
Track
days are designed for people who really want to drive fast without
the worry of speed cameras and the general traffic and get a feel
for their car at speed. A track day costs between £70-£200
for a day driving around a circuit. You don’t need a competition
licence. However, you will need a crash helmet; some specify that
you also need a fire extinguisher. Some places allow you to hire
out a helmet, but if you are serious about track days it is recommended
that you buy your own. Look to spend around £100 upwards for
a good quality track day helmet. If you are planning to drive a
single seater car or Westfield-type car you really must consider
a full-face helmet.
Most track
days are open to cars and motorcycles. Normally you will go out
in batches for a specified time, unless you are attending an open
pit lane day, where the circuit is open all day and you decide when
you go out and come in. Normally you are grouped with people of
similar track driving experience so it’s unlikely you will
be out of your depth. A good frame of mind to have when going to
a track event is to understand that you are not racing against anyone.
There are no speed limits yet you still need to remain very observant
and be aware of cars around you!
Also be
aware that although you may have the latest 250bhp hot-hatch, there
will be cars and drivers who will be hugely quicker than you - give
them room. Don't underestimate some of the much older hot hatches
either, especially if they appear to me heavly modified for competition
use, as often motor sport competitors will bring their cars along
for a bit of testing before a race, and again will quite possibly
be a great deal quicker than you. But remember it should all be
great fun no matter what you drive.
Other
things to consider.
Before
you go on a track day, make sure you do the following:
1. Ensure
your discs and pads are in good order and are not too worn.
2. Check
the general health of the engine, check oil and water levels too.
3. Ensure
you have a good level of grip on your tyres, and enough to get you
home legally!
4. You
may want to upgrade your brake fluid with DOT 5.1 or similar as
track driving can boil the brake fluid which reduces braking ability.
5. Check
you have plenty of fuel.
6. Ensure
you dont have any loose items in the car, as they will bang around
and could be dangerous.
Are you
serious about being more than just another track day participant?
We offer professional race and rally driver training with professional
race/rally drivers. Email us for more info
or visit our Thruxton page here.
Get more information
on Track Days and bookings via Google:
Where are they organised?
United
Kingdom
Anglesey - 01407 840253
Bedford Autodrome
- www.bedford-autodrome.com
Brands Hatch
- www.brands-hatch.co.uk
Castle Combe
- www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk
Croft - www.croftcircuit.co.uk
Donington
- www.donington.co.uk
Goodwood
- www.goodwood.co.uk
Mallory Park
- www.mallorypark.co.uk
Oulton Park
-01829 760301
Pembrey -
www.barc.net
Rockingham
- www.rockingham.co.uk
Silverstone
- www.silverstone-circuit.co.uk
Snetterton
- 01953 887303
Thruxton
- www.barc.net
Europe
Spa-Francorchamps – Location: 30 miles south-east of Liege.
Cost: £175 per day www.spa-francorchamps.be
Le Mans –
Location: 3 miles south-east of Le Mans. Cost: no charge!! www.lemans.org
Monza –
Location: 10 miles north-east of Milan. Cost: 30 euros for 30 minutes.
www.monzanet.it
Hockenheim
– Location: 15 miles south-west of Hamburg. Cost 12 euros
for 15 minutes. www.hockenheimring.de
Nurburgring
– Location: 40 miles west of Koblenz. Cost: 14 euros for a
lap. www.nurburgring.org.uk
Monaco –
Location: central Monte Carlo and mountains above. Cost: Free! www.acm.mc
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