I Want to learn to drive FAST!!!

[craigt1097]

Hello all

I notice a few of you are regulars to track days. Me and few mates are wanting to take our cars to a track to learn the limits befoe out planned trip to the "Ring" in July. Where is the best place to go and how would i go about arrange it. Also any idea of cost? Thanks you.

PS the cars that will be involved.

Me in my 94 MR2 N/A
Bell in his 92 MR2 N/A
Hoyle in his Escort GTi
Dave in (yet to be decided)
Daves Dad in his Pug 405 MI 16
My Dad in his girls MX-5 sport.

[ENSMR2]

PM Lauren. She books track days or something like that.

[steve b]

www.bookatrack.co.uk

[Lauren]

Okay there are a number of options open to you.

I am guessing you want to use your own cars? If so this is the cheapest option.

Here's a link to Bookatrack's events so that you can get an idea of upcoming events http://www.bookatrack.com/-pE we currently run days on Elvington Airfield

Airfield days have their advantages for those new to trackdays as its basically a wide open space where we layout a circuit using cones. so the only thing to hit is cones. This makes it a really good place to push your abilities and drive over the limit safe in the knowledge that there is plenty of room.

we also offer instruction so you can go out and get a feel for it then go out with an instructor and learn something.

Pricewise its £99 so a relative bargain really.

The downsides to an airfield are that in Elvington's case its concrete so tyre wear is about double what you'd get on a circuit. Also driving in such a wide open space, you don't really get a sensation of speed so braking distances can be difficult to judge and 100mph doesn't feel very fast. Also as a result of all the cones is that it can get a little confusing so for the first few laps it may feel like a sea of cones out there, though you tend to get used to this.

The other major disadvantage is that being an airfield, it is completely flat so there is no gradients involved which in all honesty is the one thing that can really make a circuit great (eg Cadwell).


Moving onto circuits obviously the track is much better defined. Contrary to general folklore there is a reasonable amount of run off where you need it at most circuits. When it comes to driving circuits there are not surprisingly circuits that i'd consider suit those new to track driving and those that really are better saved till you've got more experience.

Track driving is like anything you do, the better at it you are the more you enjoy it and like anything else its very sensible to learn to walk before you run etc.

Here's a list of ideal circuits to get your teeth into prices from £120-175ish:

Anglesey- small but perfectly formed and challenging enough to suit all levels

Donington- a good beginners circuit and good length wise. Has a few tricky corners but a lot of run off so it won't bite if you do willy up.

Brands Indy (GP is rare) - okay for first timers, too short to be endearing

Mallory- Short but nice and simple to learn- a good beginners circuit, but can catch out the unwary (ie goddards).

Croft - corker of a circuit okay for all levels (but advanced drivers love it so its popular with the regulars)

Castle Combe- Avoid action days as driving standard is dangerously low. A challenging enough circuit for beginners and very fast.

Snetterton- not the most interesting and fairly fast, okay for first timers

The following i wouldn't recommend until you are in the swing of things:

Oulton Park = fantastic, but easy to do a lot of damage

Cadwell Park- Best circuit in UK IMO but you will either die or you will be so cautious that you won't enjoy it. If you lose it here you are likely to hit something.

With BookaTrack you can book online. I should mention that there are other trackday companies out there and there is some variance betweeen who uses various venues. Googling trackdays ought to give you some info too.

I also organise the IMOC trackdays and there is a very good chance that something will be happening for the springtime so obviously if thats going on it'd be a good idea to go on that.

Other options are to get a training day via first lotus or the like.

In summary i'd say go on an Elvington airfield day or Anglesey. If you can bag another day Donington will not dissapoint.

HTH

[steve b]

my first trackday was at combe with bookatrack in my n/a at least 1 lesson is a must, teaches you loads, also makes you immediately aware of those that drive like tools so you can avoid them (you'll probably find you were driving like this before the lesson). Also makes you much quicker. In the dry by the end of the first day I was lapping faster than some guys whos cars had an easy 100bhp more than me, they hadn't had lessons.

[Speedy]

a good beginners circuit, but can catch out the unwary (ie goddards)

- Braking for the hairpin can be tricky.....

[cyril_sneer112]

Ha ha ha ha .... awwwww isnt it sweet craige tyring to gain more experience as he is worried sick that i will lap him.

Bless him ........... so then mate when are we going as some of those tracks sound int, will have to arrange it next time at pub.

[craigt1097]

Thank you everyone for your advise. I can't wait to get my MR2 on a track.

Bell, must i remind you how good i am in a kart. no one gets near me, I just want to be careful in my pride and joy then when im happy you will not see me for dust!!! well until we meet up in the pub lol.

Thanks again all

[Lauren]

a good beginners circuit, but can catch out the unwary (ie goddards)

- Braking for the hairpin can be tricky.....

Yes it can, though i've only ever seen incidents happen on Gerrards when on trackdays.

When i raced at Mallory last year i did have a shunt into the hairpin, as the braking area is pretty tricky as you go over a crest which unsettles the car.

[Speedy]

Btw - incase you didn't already see - we are going to be at Mallory on the 26th (ish)..

[Lauren]

Btw - incase you didn't already see - we are going to be at Mallory on the 26th (ish)..

Hi Alex,

Okay cool, i'm working that day so will see you there.

[jonno]

If that didnt clash with the Noble Dyno day I would come - its right next to where i work!.

Is it the 26th Feb or March?

[Speedy]

feb

[jonno]

Hmm, tempting

If I can fix my IC pipework I might come along - you can show me how good you all are

[BenF]

Hello all

I notice a few of you are regulars to track days. Me and few mates are wanting to take our cars to a track to learn the limits befoe out planned trip to the "Ring" in July. Where is the best place to go and how would i go about arrange it. Also any idea of cost? Thanks you.

PS the cars that will be involved.

Me in my 94 MR2 N/A
Bell in his 92 MR2 N/A
Hoyle in his Escort GTi
Dave in (yet to be decided)
Daves Dad in his Pug 405 MI 16
My Dad in his girls MX-5 sport.

Craig,



Welcome to IMOC. You're at the right place if you want to drive your '2 ..

OK, before I start, you don't mention what experience you've had of driving Rear Wheel Drive cars before ..

If I may just plug my Turbo FAQ

http://www.btinternet.com/~netsurf/mr2t ... ng_the_car

I'd say get some time on a skidpan first is a must, to get the hand of what the '2 feels like on the limit, and how to collect / correct things when you overstep that limit.

I'd then look to go to some Airfield trackdays near you - Elvington would be ideal (its outside York) and you can learn a lot there - the concrete surface is quite abrasive so expect your tyres to come off a little the worse for wear ..

As for the Nurburgring - fancy joining an IMOC strip that I'm plotting for Late Lune early July?

We can't confirm dates yet, as it depends on when the circuit is open - and the opening times for 2005 probably won't be available until the end of this month.

[Lauren]

As for the Nurburgring - fancy joining an IMOC strip that I'm plotting for Late Lune early July?

Are you sure you don't want to re-word that?

Seriously though, the Ring trip ought to be fantastic. Mark and I are thinking of coming along and it ought to be a great trip. May even if i have time/money go and do a bit of a road trip round Italy. So you will be in with a good crowd if you fancy it.

[craigt1097]

Hello again all

Thanks for the advice Ben. My experience with mid-engine RWD car is quite limited, I have only had one for about 3 month. and before that the only one i have driven was a Ferrari Testarossa around a track got that side ways a few times but handled it well.

We are planning to be at the ring sometime in July so we will have to wait for the dates to be announced. I found this site EXTREMELY useful for anyone thinking of going, and some interesting and scary stories too.
http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/

Speak to all soon
Craig