Knockhill Beginner's Trackday Experience

rossybee · Post by **rossybee** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 11:56 am

simon wrote:I'd say bite the bullet and do a track day, it's closer and cheaper and gives you some experience then do a walshy day after that.

Victor Meldrew · Post by **Victor Meldrew** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:05 pm

rossybee wrote:
simon wrote:I'd say bite the bullet and do a track day, it's closer and cheaper and gives you some experience then do a walshy day after that.

A very good idea to try one track day first. Just go and get on track, you will find someone who you can follow for the first few laps to get a feel for it, by all means take a pax who knows the track for the first run.

I dont think you need an instructer right away. One of the SE'rs could talk you round for a few laps, enough to keep you safe. At the end of the day, if you stick to driving within the limits of the car and within what you can see, its no different than a road run. You go at your own pace and learn the track as you go.

When you want to go quicker, then you get the instructor to tidy your lines and Walshy to sort your tecnique.

rossybee · Post by **rossybee** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:18 pm

I couldn't be bothered typing all that (after my Le Mans thread advice), but John, that's almost exactly what I meant

Rory · Post by **Rory** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:57 pm

I have done both the Track Day School and the High Performance Own Car events at Knockhill.

The School was fine for losing one's track virginity with other nervous drivers, whose only goal for the day was to drive the car home unscathed.

After two or three trackdays I did the 1:1 tuition and it was great value. It got me out of bad habits before they had got too ingrained, and made me 'competitive' with more experienced drivers in similarly powered-to-weight vehicles.

So thumbs up to both from me.

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 5:51 pm

I'm also on the Walsh day in March, but I've already been out at KH on the last SIDC day, when it was p15hing with rain.

I just took it easy, to get a feel for it. The scariest moment was at the end of my first warm-up lap when I didn't know what was coming up, and nearly went off track - too fast.
Then one of the instructors went out with me (him first, then we swapped) which I found useful.

I'd recommend trying it if one comes up before a Walshy day, although weather may be an issue.
What've you got to lose; nothing can go wrong, he, he...

gorrie · Post by **gorrie** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:06 pm

I did a single seaters day for my 1st time round KH. A couple of pax/demo laps from an instructor to show you what/what not to do, followed by about 6-8 laps in the MGTF's (Seats now?) with an instructor by your side telling you the lines/braking points and scoring you. Finally, you go out in the single seater on your own for a blast.

I then did the Legends day... same format (Intructor laps, MGTF for scoring, Blast in the Legends). Those things are mental. Anyway.. I won driver of the day at that one... so decided to stop pi55ing about and got a cheap Rover200 BRM for the track. Moved on to MGZS180 last year, so hopefully I won't bin the Elise this year.

I think these 'experience days' probably give you as much info as a novice day (lines/braking points) but also give you the opportunity to drive something a bit different while popping your track cherry.

My 2p

georgeg33 · Post by **georgeg33** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:00 am

I had a couple of pax outings first, one with Sasha (KH instructor?) at a Scooby dealer day, one with Pete in a Xsara (Thanks Pete!). Both good fun and useful for learning lines etc.
Then did the single seater day like Gorrie. Started raining just before the single seater laps which made it even more interesting!
That was a couple of years ago but I now have an Elise and will be out to play at KH in the spring.

My intention is to get out there at my own (old git) pace and build from there.

Had considered X stickers on the back (as in novice racers) to warn the regulars though. Good idea/ bad idea?

Actually.a bit more gaffa tape and job done ( I still have one half of the x covering my "cosmetic" damage)

See you on track?

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:07 am

i reckon 'L' stickers wouldnt go amiss on your first trackday. Honestly though, i would just get out there and see what its all about. Thats what most of the old hands did, starts off steady and build up your confidence.

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:03 am

mckeann wrote:i reckon 'L' stickers wouldnt go amiss on your first trackday.

I think the SIDC crew were doing something with Yellow stickers in the rear windows to make people aware of first time track goers.

Come along, get some pax's and then go for a shot yourself. Take it easy and drive within your abilities and you'll have a great time.

You'll find everyone very friendly and willing to help/advise. There may even be some people up for pax's on the day that have a lot of track time and may be willing to come out with you and help you with lines etc.

oldminiclub · Post by **oldminiclub** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:44 pm

I take SIDC is the Subaru Impreza Drivers Club. How can I find out info on when they do knockhill days?
Do you Lotus guys have any trackdays planned for 2007?

I am getting the impression its probably best to do a trackday first before some driver training, its not that I have no track experience anyway...its just its in my own car! I did a day driving formula fords and a Ferrari 355 round Thruxton, so I sort of know the basics.

Post by **simon** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:50 pm

We don't do our own track days just do ones organised by other clubs or companies. Brunty on here does them http://www.cemotorsport.co.uk/ and there's the SIDC ones too. Both are always well organised and John and Brunty usually post to let us know when there's one on.

I think the 1st SIDC one is mid march, have a look on http://www.sidc.co.uk in the shop, not sure about Brunty yet.

rossybee · Post by **rossybee** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 11:03 pm

SIDC is 10th March, 9am-1pm

georgeg33 · Post by **georgeg33** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 1:31 am

Date duly noted, but I don't see it in the SIDC shop yet?

rossybee · Post by **rossybee** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 8:13 am

georgeg33 wrote:Date duly noted, but I don't see it in the SIDC shop yet?

Early doors yet

bertieduff · Post by **bertieduff** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 8:21 pm

Probably missing something, but why don't we organise Lotus track days?

Assuming it's not the hassle, given the time some people put into sorting calendars, events, moderating etc. (which is appreciated by everyone i'm sure

)

Assuming it's not costs or numbers. The November SIDC day looked more like a Lotus one given the turnout (and in really crappy weather too)

Do you have to be a bona fida club to book or something?