greg.g

Does anyone know of any trackdays for first-timers coming up
around april to june.
I would love to have a go in my scooby, but feel the open track
days may be a bit too much to handle for a first timer.
Ideally, it would be nice to go round with an instructor
for a few laps first to find the racing line and breaking points.
Donington would have to be my first choice.

Racing gloves at the ready

Greg

RRH

you should be fine on the majority of track-days. Instructors are usually available to go out with you, and you'll get to do a fair few laps behind a pace car so you can start to learn the circuit.

the majority of track-day drivers are very tolerant towards those without experience, so book one and have a go!

you won't regret it

simon

ElliotP

Hi,

Just echoing the above... I did my first trackday at Donington on last Sunday and it was excellent. Didn't get any grief and everybody was very friendly. As long as you are aware of the more experienced drivers coming up behind you (and move out of the way quickly and safely) you should be fine and have a really good time!

I'm back on the 1st Mar :-)

Cheers.
Elliot

greg.g

Thanks elliot and simon.

I will have to take the plunge soon
Lets hope that all the regulars are tolerant of a novice.
I will probably wait for a dry spell before my first go.
Are there many prangs, and should i get track day insurance.

Any other advice would be apreciated

Greg

RRH

once you get used to the car the wet's much more fun

greg.g

Its the getting used to that worries me

RRH

its nothing to worry about. after the first big crash, they all feel the same. you'll soon get to know that feeling and should be able to avoid that 'oh **** i'm really going to die this time' moment by your third or fourth car

only joking

if you're nervous, maybe try an airfield day or a circuit where there's plenty on run-off (not oulton) and don't be tempted to try and keep up with faster cars.

you'll have fun. believe me. i'm a doctor (bit of an exaggeration, really. just a trainee gynaecologist in my spare time)

cheers,
simon

RRH

I should be doing Oulton on the 15th march so maybe come up and come out for a few laps with me ~ and i'm sure silly-si will take you out as well. it should give you the feel for it

cheers,
simon

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

Greg,
good advice by RHR Simon, also remember track days take toll on your car, repspect it and it respect you.

Remember you drove it there there is a fair chance you'll want ot drive it home

Pads 3/4 worn change them a month before keep the old ones for emergency.

One warm up lap and one cool down lap then let the car cool down and you. Check Oil water fuel brake fluids tyre pressures and have a relax

Try Air field first or Donny. Agreed Oulton is good but if things go wrong many close hard things to hit.

Your a learner All the fast experience guys give you plenty of room and expect you (and me)to make judgement errors. But will expect you to obey the rules

I Have done 10 or so Trackdays an always meet a great bunch of enthusiasts, they've always have time to help beginners even me enjoy

Tony

greg.g

Thanks for all the advice.
As well as taking a spare set of pads,
i think i will take a spare set of underpants as well

I think i will be checking out donington in the near future,
but will drive within my limits

See you at a track soon

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

Greg
A std Scoob might last 20-30 mins stretch's your first trackday you'll last 15-20 mins. So take it easy and enjoy you have nothing to prove and lot's to lose. Use the force LOL

Tony

See you at next meet

sillysi

Greg,

All above is good advice, just take it easy and don't feel under pressure, leave plenty of room between yourself and other cars and you should be ok. Remember you are driving a road car and not a race car so don't push her to hard. If you fancy Oulton on the 15th March there will be a few of us there to show you the ropes.

Track Action are organising the day, I have done plenty with them and they are well organised, driving standards have been excellent, most of the time. One good thing is that they limit the number of cars to a day so the chances are you can get many laps in without even coming across another car, ideal for the newbie.

Insurance is up to you, I have used Competition Car Insurance in the past but my current insurer covers track days.

Si.

[Edited by sillysi - 2/14/2003 5:29:32 PM]

greg.g

I cant make the 15 march as i will be working.
Unfortunatly i have to work 4 out of 5 saterdays up til 1230pm.
I will keep an eye on the board for track meets, but will have
to be a sunday or monday.

Thanks again
Greg.

RRH

thats no excuse
only take you an hour from brum - just about the start of the afternoon session

RRH

T5NYW,
the only problem with using the force at oulton is the tractor beam of the opposing bloody imperial barriers

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

Simon,
I was at Oulton Feb 01 when a Dealers Demo car met up withe barriers just before the start straight. Mine conked out on follow the leader lap MAF sensor went down car was standard MY99 aswell gutted.
Was a passenger in a Scoob At July02 Donny SIDC event that saddly came to grief at Craner's towards the end of the day so Agree Insurance won't stop the tears of a bent motor but will help stop the earache from the missus LOL

Tony

RRH

That will have been the lister demo
was supposed to be there that day but TKH took his mrs for her first (and probably last) track day.
Oulton's bad enough in the dry, but can be hell in the damp, let alone the icy conditions that day.
simon

[Edited by RRH - 2/14/2003 10:36:22 PM]