Track Day Advice

[Martin H]

Hi all I am wondering how a track day works having never done one before is track day insurance a must have, do you always have an instructor in the car at all times if it is your 1st track day, how do you know what speeds/gears to be in on the various parts of the track, how do you know which is the best racing to drive on etc etc many thanks in advance.

[The Handbrake]

Track day participants are liable for damage to their own cars, regardless of fault. You sign disclaimers to this effect before going onto the circuit, so its not compulsory but highly recommended. Daily track-day cover will cover accidental damage to your vehicle whether the accident is caused by you or by another individual on the track. If you crash into someone else they are not covered unless they have purchased their own track-day insurance. Hence without taking this extra cover it's a gamble on your wallet.

[Lucky]

As far as how you drive, its up to you. Basically, drive at a speed that is comfortable for you. As you get used to the track you will get more confident and speed up but its vital to stay observant, keep looking in mirrors and keep over to the right to let faster cars go through. Tracks like Brands and goodwood are nice to start with as they are easy enough to remember and learn compared to say, the ring!.

You can pay for an instructor at most circuits for a few laps of tuition and thats well worth it. Also, pick a track day where there are novice sessions so that you are not way slower than everyone else.

[bonner]

Ive neva done one but "if in doubt flat out" enough said

[Martin H]

Originally Posted by The Handbrake

Track day participants are liable for damage to their own cars, regardless of fault. You sign disclaimers to this effect before going onto the circuit, so its not compulsory but highly recommended. Daily track-day cover will cover accidental damage to your vehicle whether the accident is caused by you or by another individual on the track. If you crash into someone else they are not covered unless they have purchased their own track-day insurance. Hence without taking this extra cover it's a gamble on your wallet.

Well that answers that question track day insurance is a must have as would not want to be without it cheers

[Martin H]

Originally Posted by Lucky

As far as how you drive, its up to you. Basically, drive at a speed that is comfortable for you. As you get used to the track you will get more confident and speed up but its vital to stay observant, keep looking in mirrors and keep over to the right to let faster cars go through. Tracks like Brands and goodwood are nice to start with as they are easy enough to remember and learn compared to say, the ring!.

You can pay for an instructor at most circuits for a few laps of tuition and thats well worth it. Also, pick a track day where there are novice sessions so that you are not way slower than everyone else.

That is some sound advice as I am a complete novice to track days I would like to do brands hatch when it comes up again, I will have to try and remember all the points you have stated for when I do a track day, I think the ring would be a long way off for me Are instructors not included in the price of the track day and how much would they cost roughly? Also do brands hatch have novice sessions when SES do track days there?

[555_Si]

If I was you, come along to next track day as a passenger, usually costs £10. Go to the drivers briefing, go out a few times and get a feel for the day/evening. This will help you a lot by getting the familiarities out if the way, you'll know what to expect when you do your first day. You can then concentrate on getting a few laps tuition on a novice day and slowly get upto speed.

A lot of people who have never done one, especially in higher powered cars, come baiting out the pits like there hair is on fire, forget to warm the brakes and the tyres up and crash on the first lap!

[Martin H]

Originally Posted by Wagon_Si

If I was you, come along to next track day as a passenger, usually costs £10. Go to the drivers briefing, go out a few times and get a feel for the day/evening. This will help you a lot by getting the familiarities out if the way, you'll know what to expect when you do your first day. You can then concentrate on getting a few laps tuition on a novice day and slowly get upto speed.

A lot of people who have never done one, especially in higher powered cars, come baiting out the pits like there hair is on fire, forget to warm the brakes and the tyres up and crash on the first lap!

Ok I will come along to the next track day depending on where it is being held as a passenger just gotta find someone who would be willing to let me go out with them I agree with getting a few laps tuition on a novice day and take things from there, like my grandad used to say don't run before you can walk if I bear that in mind me and the scoob should both be ok, any ideas how much a few laps of tuition would be are they not included in the cost of a track day and do you have the option of having an instructor with you in the car at all times and would there be any extra cost for that?

[Moley_WRX]

When taking out track cover just consider the excess will be very high, normally £1000-£1500, although it depends on the value of the car.

IMO the first time you go out an instructor is essential, not only will it help you learn the track, but it'll also help put your mind at rest. I was bricking it doing my first track session, but the instructor really helped.

Go at your own pace, don't feel the need to push it untill yor confidence is up.

A novice session is a perfect was of doing it, but you can also take part in a normal track day. They'll put a sticker on the back of your car which will let the other drivers know you're a novice, and the drivers will (or should) give you more room and be careful when overtaking.

[Martin H]

Originally Posted by Moley_WRX

When taking out track cover just consider the excess will be very high, normally £1000-£1500, although it depends on the value of the car.

IMO the first time you go out an instructor is essential, not only will it help you learn the track, but it'll also help put your mind at rest. I was bricking it doing my first track session, but the instructor really helped.

Go at your own pace, don't feel the need to push it untill yor confidence is up.

A novice session is a perfect was of doing it, but you can also take part in a normal track day. They'll put a sticker on the back of your car which will let the other drivers know you're a novice, and the drivers will (or should) give you more room and be careful when overtaking.

I had a quote for track day cover just to see the cost the cost of the excess was £400 the track day cover was £85 does that seem a good price to you? yeah I guessed an instructor would be essential for your 1st time so I will def be doing that for sure I was not aware of normal track days or that they put a sticker on the back of your car to warn other drivers you are a novice are these kind of track days different from the one ses did at brands hatch recently? Any ideas how much it is to have an instructor with you or is it included in the cost of the track day?

[Moley_WRX]

Instructor is normall £25ish for a 20 minute session.

The Brands novice sessions were for people who have done less than 3 track days, so everyone out there was supposed to be a novice... hence no need for stickers.

If you're a novice on a normal track day they'll slap a sticker on it you ask them to, which is defiantley a good idea.

The £85 is about right, and the £400 excess is very low indeed.

[Martin H]

Originally Posted by Moley_WRX

Instructor is normall £25ish for a 20 minute session.

The Brands novice sessions were for people who have done less than 3 track days, so everyone out there was supposed to be a novice... hence no need for stickers.

If you're a novice on a normal track day they'll slap a sticker on it you ask them to, which is defiantley a good idea.

The £85 is about right, and the £400 excess is very low indeed.

The price for the instructor is quite reasonable, so £85 for a track day insurance cover is about right that is good to know what do you make of the excess cost? I used this company to do my quote http://www.insuremytrackday.com

[Moley_WRX]

I don't know who the underwriters are so hard to comment on the level of cover.
£400xs is very very cheap for a track policy though, so assuming there are no horrible exclusions in the t's and c's it should be fine.

[Martin H]

Originally Posted by Moley_WRX

I don't know who the underwriters are so hard to comment on the level of cover.
£400xs is very very cheap for a track policy though, so assuming there are no horrible exclusions in the t's and c's it should be fine.

Yeah I would be inclined to agree with you on that one cheers for the advice fella

[Lucky]

Track days aren't as daughnting as you think. It's about having a good time and exploring the limits of you and the car. When you are our there no one is watching what you are doing as they are to busy concentrating on staying on track. If you can pick a quiet session that would be good. You could also jump in with any of us at a track day, even BIG E if you're brave enough!!!

[Martin H]

Originally Posted by Lucky

Track days aren't as daughnting as you think. It's about having a good time and exploring the limits of you and the car. When you are our there no one is watching what you are doing as they are to busy concentrating on staying on track. If you can pick a quiet session that would be good. You could also jump in with any of us at a track day, even BIG E if you're brave enough!!!

They seem daunting as I have never done one before I will keep an eye open for up and coming track days I would like to go as a passenger with someone before I do a track day on my own I would gladly jump in with any of you thanks for the offer I would gladly jump in with BIG E as I am a self confessed adrenaline junkie

[Bytes]

I survived 2 sessions with Big 'E' and it was great Well worth being a passenger and seeing how a scooby handles as it's a very different experience from normal road driving

[Martin H]

Originally Posted by Bytes

I survived 2 sessions with Big 'E' and it was great Well worth being a passenger and seeing how a scooby handles as it's a very different experience from normal road driving

I will have to ask BIG E if he will take me out as a passenger on the next track day then hope he says yes as I would love that I think