Beginners Track day

[thinfourth]

I would avoid hot marques as a first trackday as the driving at times can be a bit pap

SIDC day all the way as a first trackday.

Maybe if we talked to john instead of the normal 3 5 lap warm up sessions we could have an ducks and drakes warm up. Where an experienced driver goes round and the others follow to learn the track. This could either be in addition to the 3 warm up sessions or instead of one of the warm up sessions.

Also the SIDC days have an instructor on hand

[Erik]

Personally, i've not found hot marques nights to be bad at all - certainly a lot tamer / more civiclised than hot hatch Sundays thats for sure!!

Suppose it really depends just how much of a "beginner" and how cinfident you are though.

[simon]

The biggest issue is not what there is to hit, if that's a big worry then just drive well within your limits. The most frightening thing about your first track day is the speed of others around you so that's why it's important to pick a day like the sidc ones where the majority of drivers are experienced.

I wouldn't bother with a yellow learner sticker on your window as having done plenty of sidc days, I can't honestly remember ever noticing if anyone has a sticker in their window! You can usually tell a beginner by the speed they're going at anyway

Have you been along to any days to get pax laps?

[georgeg33]

I did the SIDC day last Saturday as my first trackday, had a ball and would thoroughly recommend it .
Apart from the initial nerves,which go as soon as you're on track, I agree with Simon that it's the speed of others thats initially frightening (disappointing?).
I considered the yellow sticker but didn't bother in the end , just kept an eye on the mirrors and moved out of peoples way as soon as I could (on the straights only - no overtaking on corners or in braking zones).

I went out with the instructor mid session for a few tips - "use the kerbs and don't take 5th on the straight" - so just need to be less "sympathetic " next time.

I survived, the car survived and I can't wait for the next one

George

[Andy G]

I survived, the car survived and I can't wait for the next one

George

Didn't see you at the end - pleased you enjoyed it though

[simon]

I went out with the instructor mid session for a few tips - "use the kerbs and don't take 5th on the straight" - so just need to be less "sympathetic " next time.

You'll never need 5th at KH and 4th (on mine anyway) is only good for about 2 seconds, if that.

[gorrie]

I barely needed 3rd in my old BRM... but then again, that did get 75mph in 2nd...

[thinfourth]

Try a 7 with the 6 speed box the amount of gear changes in a lapis just silly

[pete]

Hi folks

Has anybody done the "newcomers track day" at Knockhill?

if i get time off work, i was thinking about signing up. I think there is an instructor there to teach you the basics, which is exactly what i need as i have never been on a track before and not to sure what the rules and regulations are i guess with other beginners on the track i won't look as bad!

Thanks

simon

I did one a couple of years ago (although I had alerady done a Race school on the bike I used to have).
Eased my fears, well organised but the standard from teh other drivers was poor, not dangerous just they were very slow and got in the way a bit. Did what it set out to though, eased me into it without constantly being lapped or watching your mirrors.

I'd already done a Walshy day, the KH day was cheap. If they are dearer now then do a Walshy day then just jump in on a CE day or (from what I hear) SIDC day.

Pete

[Digital]

I did the beginners trackday back in July '05 in my Integra, it was a bit cheaper back then (£79 I think). It was a decent introduction, but as has been said earlier the actual on-track time is a bit limited. I'd go with everyone else here and suggest an SIDC day would be a better bet, especially if you can grab one of the instructors for a few laps

[skellyjohn]

I did one last year.

Here's what it included:
25 minute briefing that includes safety, flags, overtaking etc.
3 laps in the Seats with the instructor driving to show race lines and breaking points.
Another 7 or 8 laps behind the Seat to get familiar with the track.
30 minute open session where you can put into practise what you've learned. The instructors will come out with you as well if you want more tips.

We were there for around 3 hours.

All in all, it was good fun and I learned a bit about it as well. There was only 11 cars there - should have been 12 - so there was plenty of space on the track.

I suppose once you've done it once, you wouldn't go back but it was worth the money.

J

[sliu82]

Thanks a lot guys, typicals SE'ers alway gives excellant advice

i will take everything into cosideration. i take it track days can be quite addictive?

Thanks again

simon

[Andy G]

i take it track days can be quite addictive? :lol
simon

You have no idea

[JohnStewart]

I have run a beginners/ladies session as part of a track day in the past, but that was a 20 minute session in the middle of a longer one, and in the days when we had a high percentage of newcomers. At our last event, I think there was only about 3 or 4 people who hadn't done an event with us in the past or any other track day.

One option might be to have a beginners warm-up group for 5 - 10 minutes as the first group out, where there is an experienced driver out front to show everyone the lines slowly for a couple of laps, and then increases the pace towards the end.

With another one or two experienced drivers further back in the group, they could hold back, and then start overtaking towards the end of the session to give people the hang of pulling over and being passed etc.

John

[Andy G]

Another option might be to have them pair up with an experienced driver for the first laps if they are very nervy?

Looking forward to Teeside - but still not heard on the Atom's eta