View Full Version : Ideal track for a 'newbie' in NW...
Any recommendations?
I need to get this track bug out of me... :wack:
Novice day at Oulton with MSV :thumbs:
Novice day at Oulton with MSV :thumbs:
Seconded :nod: Did that last year as only my second track day.
Meant to add that you dont exactly get track bugs out of you, more like into you :wack:
Meant to add that you dont exactly get track bugs out of you, more like into you :wack:
too true :cry: :D (says he who's just been to Snetterton, is going to Donnington in 11 days and going up to Oulton again in the next couple of months - and at this time last year, had never been on track :wack: )
Meant to add that you dont exactly get track bugs out of you, more like into you :wack:
Either way its your fault :whip: :D
Novice day at Oulton with MSV :thumbs:
They are doing one on 1st May ... full day / half day... :nod: - will speak to the Wife about it tonight :)
Car is pretty much ready as its ever going to be although better brakes could be on the list very shortly :thumbs:
Elvington isn't to far away and is cheap with plenty of run off if you fancy an airfield day. Once you'd done it once you will want to do it again.
Fake Ben Taylor
28-03-2007, 13:56
though im doing donnington as my first id highly recommend elvington as a first trackday - lots of room for error and mistakes
Donnington - max runoff :nod:
id highly recommend elvington as a first trackday - lots of room for error and mistakes
:nod: I did my first couple here too and would do the same again.. I'd rather work up to proper corners and surface myself
Now I have done that though... Oulton sounds interesting :)
Donnington - max runoff :nod:
Donnington sounds good... I wont do Elvington as its an airfield and will wreck my tyres and paintwork :wack:
It wont be a regular thing anyway - sort of once / twice a year ... honest :nod:
Excuse the novice question but what does:
'3 sessions ph' mean? - How long does a session last?
Just looking up Donnington days at moment... around beginning to mid May
3 sessions per hour . Most sessioned track days run 20 minute sessions. They can be OK for some, as you tend to be put in with others of a similar ability (in theory), but you might lose out on overall track time
Donnington sounds good... I wont do Elvington as its an airfield and will wreck my tyres and paintwork :wack:
It wont be a regular thing anyway - sort of once / twice a year ... honest :nod:
Plenty of gravel at donnington to wreck your paint work if you end up in it where as there is just grass and concrete at elvington... it will kill your tires though.
My paint work was fine after Elvington but I made sure I kept a decent distance from the car in front. As for the tyres just get a cheap set of standard alloys with tyres to use on the day. I used about 2mm of tread all round. I'd imagine gravel traps would do far more damage to paint work..
3 sessions per hour . Most sessioned track days run 20 minute sessions. They can be OK for some, as you tend to be put in with others of a similar ability (in theory), but you might lose out on overall track time
Thanks mate for clarifying :)
I REALLY want to do Oulton Park... I used to remember watching Ren 5 GT's racing on it when I was 16yrs old - would be nice to drive on it...
Open to options at the moment though as hoping for a track day beginning to mid May...
Would you guys recommend a full day or half day?
My thinking at moment (perhaps wrong?) is use the morning to learn the track and its lines ... then the afternoon to step the pace up a bit :)
Fake Ben Taylor
28-03-2007, 14:57
Donnington sounds good... I wont do Elvington as its an airfield and will wreck my tyres and paintwork :wack:
It wont be a regular thing anyway - sort of once / twice a year ... honest :nod:
how will it wreck your paintwork:confused:
and tires wise you just put some cheaper ones on:nod:
how will it wreck your paintwork:confused:
and tires wise you just put some cheaper ones on:nod:
There is crap on the track at Elvington that gets thrown up by cars ... thats why windscreens / lights often get damaged there :nod: - its a derelict airfield so the surface wont be maintained at all :no:
I might see if I can blag a pair of wheels from somewhere to use with worn tyres... to swap the rears over...
Got a full set of S14 alloys (my originals) in the garage at home but with bald tyres... not keen on using them though as the wheels are mint :ghey:
As it's your first time on track, I'd opt for a half-day. That's how I started, at Brands, and it's more than enough for a first taster. Oulton was my second go and I did a full day - but even then, probably only spent about 3 hours actually on track.
Fake Ben Taylor
28-03-2007, 15:15
There is crap on the track at Elvington that gets thrown up by cars ... thats why windscreens / lights often get damaged there :nod: - its a derelict airfield so the surface wont be maintained at all :no:
I might see if I can blag a pair of wheels from somewhere to use with worn tyres... to swap the rears over...
Got a full set of S14 alloys (my originals) in the garage at home but with bald tyres... not keen on using them though as the wheels are mint :ghey:
:ghey: :ghey:
i see your point on the paintwork thing but personally ive never heard of anyone getting damaged there. never asked either though lol
do donnington on easter monday:nod:
There is crap on the track at Elvington that gets thrown up by cars ... thats why windscreens / lights often get damaged there :nod: - its a derelict airfield so the surface wont be maintained at all :no:
I cant think of any damage Ive suffered from stones from the surface. It is not a derelict airfield, just not used by the military anymore. There is far more likelihood of damage from mowing down cones (done that enough times) than from any other crap.
do donnington on easter monday:nod:
:no:
Too soon... :)
I cant think of any damage Ive suffered from stones from the surface. It is not a derelict airfield, just not used by the military anymore. There is far more likelihood of damage from mowing down cones (done that enough times) than from any other crap.
I'm talking bollocks then... :wack:
I am sure somebody mentioned to me about Elvington being very hard on the cars due to the surface, etc as I was considering it last year but got put off by the stories...
Fake Ben Taylor
28-03-2007, 15:45
I'm talking bollocks then... :wack:
I am sure somebody mentioned to me about Elvington being very hard on the cars due to the surface, etc as I was considering it last year but got put off by the stories...
its hard on the tyres because its quite a rough surface. other than that id say its fine
Carl_S13
28-03-2007, 16:04
its hard on the tyres because its quite a rough surface. other than that id say its fine
I've done 4 days there in the last 14 months and have never had any problems with stones/foreign objects. You only really kill tyres there if you go hell for leather, I killed a brand new cut slick there last time but the time before I went with knackered fronts and they lasted all day, all depends on how hard you throw it into the corners :nod:
Chrislong
28-03-2007, 16:36
Im tempted by Oulton Perk too, with Scott. Whats the script with gloves and helmut? Are the ones to rent okay, or adviseable to buy own.
I may just rent for my 1st go, then buy the costume if the bug sticks.
Chris
jrtuning
28-03-2007, 17:57
id also suggest elvington for a first trackday :nod:
never ever heard or suffered myself from things hitting my car (apart from when i was taking the piss on the seperate slalom track and hit about 20 cones :wack: )
if your taking your car on track stone chips wants to be the least of your worries really :)
not intended to put anybody off just an eye opener, i only started trackdays last year and have so far witnessed at least 3 cars being written off numerous people having mechanical issues (my own engine blew up at oulton :cry: )
its a risk you take and if your worried about getting a few stone chips then it may be best to think again before you go on track.
having said that it is unlikely that you will do any damage to your car, especially if you drive within you and your cars limits :thumbs: and i absolutely love trackdays and cant get enough of them, theres nothing like it :smitten:
i'd say Anglesey:)
not driven the new track yet, but it's not too far, and the old one offered plenty of run-off (except for the bump coming onto the main straight which has claimed a few victims:( )
it's an unsung hero:nod:
Once my car is back working i will be hopefully doing my first track day at elvington
paradigm shift
28-03-2007, 19:28
Aside from the risk that someone will spank into your car (of which there is equally high risk on the road), you really shouldn't have any problems on track if you drive accordingly. Cane it on the straights and you will overheat quickly then things go bang. Barrel into a corner too fast and you will get intimate with some armco.. it's common sense...
Donnington sounds good... I wont do Elvington as its an airfield and will wreck my tyres and paintwork :wack:
I know hence a different answer than my usual Elvington, I know your :ghey: about stonechips you see ;)
I know hence a different answer than my usual Elvington, I know your :ghey: about stonechips you see ;)
:thumbs:
Wife says :nod: :thumbs:
Booking half day at either Oulton or Donnington :D
Suspect will be Oulton :o
A few stonechips I can cope with but not loads :whip: :ghey:
Looking at beginning of May to mid May - anyone know of trackdays around then?
Where are the best places to try online Kev?
Scott, go with a group, not on your own its better fun and more support :nod:
Scott, go with a group, not on your own its better fun and more support :nod:
Plan to go with my mate :thumbs:
Nismo Pete
28-03-2007, 20:05
Mine got pebble dashed quite badly at elvington the other week, bonnet was sprayed 6 months ago and is now covered in stone chips at the front as well as the bumper. That was caused by me chasing Bren down the straight as we both overtook cars, so we were on the far left of the straight. :D
So I arent talking bollocks then :D ... my car just had the bumper resprayed as well....
Your still being :ghey: though :p
Nismo Pete
28-03-2007, 20:17
No your not:) but having done elvington 4 times now this is the first time it has happend to me and that was down to being off line right behind Bren:nod:
Your still being :ghey: though :p
So would you be if you put in 5hrs a week keeping your shiny S14a immaculate... ;)
I want to track it once or twice a year to find the cars limits but fail to see why I should knacker all my hardwork because of a couple of track days...
If its going to feck the car I wont bother :indiff: :cry:
Its not going to Elvington. < note the full stop ;)
If I get into the track day element then I will get a rusty S13 just like some of you guys... :D ;)
This one sound good?
http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/oulton-park/trackdays/event-details.asp?ProductID=3291
Nismo Pete
28-03-2007, 22:19
looks ok if a little pricey, unless you are very uneasy about going on track then a normal track day would be fine or go and get some passenger rides first so you can see what goes on , like donnington on bank holiday monday:D
Had passenger rides before... got fed up of being the passenger :D lol
Why expensive mate? - I thought it was pretty cheap?
Donnington on BH is £235 which is pricey?
Nismo Pete
28-03-2007, 23:26
Yeah its pricey because its open pitlane and on a bankholiday, donnington is a lot less with donnington themselves £135 i think but it is sessions. I have done a trackday with them and i can recomend it , would not hesitate to book again with them for session trackday.
I may go do the anglesey GP circuit on the 17th June for £175 :nod: :wack: :annoyed: :D and :annoyed:
Nismo Pete
29-03-2007, 00:48
was also thinking of doing that:)
Yeah its pricey because its open pitlane and on a bankholiday, donnington is a lot less with donnington themselves £135 i think but it is sessions. I have done a trackday with them and i can recomend it , would not hesitate to book again with them for session trackday.
I will take a look as Donnington isnt too far away either... Anglesey sounds good but best do a novice day before being let out with you nutters :D
I kno wyou might disregard it as being ghey, but at the Donny show there is plenty of track time available. £20 for 15 minutes over 10 sessions over a weekend.
Chance to get some sun, check out some cars and still have a brief blat. Not enough to waste your car for the day, but enough to give you a taste to decide if you want to actually spend the cash and do a full/half a day.
For £20, plus fuel, what have you got to lose?
Got a decent helmet dude?
Have you seen the quality of the driving in the public session at these shows? There is a reason why SXOC blocks out sessions at trax and jap fest! Not worth the risk IMHO
Fair enough mate. I figured for £20 I can't really go wrong. Booked a session for myself and 10 of my friends that I regularly go out driving with so I'll aim to stay in a pack with them.
There's me, an R32 GTR, CRX VTec, DC5 Type R, CRX Vti, EP3 Civic Type R, Astra SRi Turbo, Escort Si and a couple of others I forget.
Its going to be a full day at Donnington Park gents :)
Good lad :D Lovely track!
Please do me the favour of telling me when you're going. I'm in Notts most weekends and as a result I'm only around 30 minutes from "The Park". Be a good crack to come down and watch ya :D
You do know you can't stop on the track to clean the flies off don't you? :p :wack:
pffffffffttt :p
I still cant make my mind up - my mate wants to do Oulton Park... I want to do Donny as its cheaper and I have never been to Donnington Park before so would be a cool experience.
But I have always wanted to drive on Oulton Park myself...
Decisions.... going to book it this weekend so I have till then to make my mind up!!!
:rolleyes:
Donnington Park - 4th May... Thats where I will be... :D
Thanks for help guys... now be prepared for lots of threads on track preparation ... :p
REALLY looking forward to having a go in the 200...
Scott
Fake Ben Taylor
29-03-2007, 13:35
Thanks for help guys... now be prepared for lots of threads on track preparation ... :p
dr bob did a sticky:nod:
dr bob did a sticky:nod:
Found it and reading it... :)
Think pretty much got it covered ... will just be brake fluid change needed really and will probably remove the rear seats ...
Tempted to get a harness as well :wack:
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