Knockhill Beginner's Trackday Experience

dezzy · Post by **dezzy** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:11 pm

Anyone here been on this? http://www.knockhill.com/trackdays/new.php

Thinking of doing this on 10th October as I'm off work that week. Is it worth the £99? People have been recommending the high performance day (£135), but would it be worth doing this first as an introduction? There may be a chance I could talk the other half or a family member into chipping in to get me it for my birthday a few days later.

Plan would be this as a wee taster, then maybe a high performance day early next year along with a Walshy day before getting on track properly when the good weather starts again next Spring.

Whaddyathink?

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:14 pm

sounds good mate - a tad pricey though! However, it will buy you the piece of mind of not having someone run into the back of you

and ....anything that gets ppl on track is a good thing IMO

r055 · Post by **r055** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:57 pm

Looks good dezzy - I would be interested in this (if i can get the time)....

i'll wait until you post your review of it before I go on it though

Happy birthday by the way.... for when it comes

max1966 · Post by **max1966** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 6:04 pm

I did the high performance day straight off. Would think you would be best just going for that, it was first class, track was near empty and the instruction excellent and assuming you are happy to use your own car can't see any reason not to JUST DO IT.

Digital · Post by **Digital** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:03 pm

I did the introductory course last year with my Integra (not the one in the pic!), it was about £75 for 2 hours back then. It was a good way of getting some confidence on the track, and wasn't especially busy - something like a Hot Marques or an SIDC event might be a tad intimidating for a complete novice given some of the machinery.

I'd say go for it, but it's the start of a slippery slope you know...

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:09 pm

if it was me i'd get the instruction instead and then if you are bnervous do one of these days. The instruction is well worth it and you have an empty track.

My cousin is down for that beginners day (my xmas present to him) so if you are going to do it, I'll probably be there to spur him on

You'll have a riot either way though, and realise how much more fun these things are on track.....it is massively addictive though

skellyjohn · Post by **skellyjohn** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:15 am

I'm booked on it. I did the 25 laps with an instructer thing but this will maybe give more confidence. Even if its just for proper prceedures at track days: flags, overtaking, pit rules etc.

I'll be able to compare them after I've been but they don't seem to be on very often. There are only 12 spaces in total and I think I was the tenth to book so it shouldn't be too crowded on track.

tenkfeet · Post by **tenkfeet** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:28 am

I did the high performance course which was great for getting shown the line round and building up confidence . When I did my first track day it was all straight forward and far less intimidating.

mac · Post by **mac** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:30 am

tenkfeet wrote:I did the high performance course which was great for getting shown the line round and building up confidence . When I did my first track day it was all straight forward and far less intimidating.

Not from where I was sitting!

Mac

Blaque · Post by **Blaque** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:12 am

Dezzy, I've had a look at this too.
I don't think I can get the time off, but I think from a track day point of view, it would give a lot more insight in to doing a track day and not just be about keeping the car on the black stuff.

I've done the Walshy day, which I would recommend doing if you haven't been on track before. You will learn the limits of the car and you. With the added bonus of nothing to hit. I've also just been given an Elise Experience at Teeside autodrome as a birthday present but there's only 20min track time, but the track looks interesting.

mac · Post by **mac** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:15 am

Not wanting to put you guys off or anything - but from memory - most of the BIG incidents on KH trackdays seem to take place on the novice days - Rolled Focus springs to mind right away and I think there was another incident on a previous/subsequent one.

IMHO - Book on the SIDC day where the driving standards are good and most of the other drivers will be of sufficeient skill to avoid you should you spin. There's also plenty of SE'rs dotted around to take you out and offer advice.

Mac

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:22 am

the knockhill experience days probably wont do any harm, but personally, i'd just bite the bullet and get on track. If your really worried about it, stick an L plate on your rear clam to warn the tailgaters to hang back.

rossybee · Post by **rossybee** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:30 pm

Blaque wrote:I've also just been given an Elise Experience at Teeside autodrome as a birthday present but there's only 20min track time, but the track looks interesting.

I did a track day at Teesside autodrome earlier this year - bloody fab wee circuit

Very tight & twisty, with a hilly section too, and one big long straight

It pissed with rain the whole day but everyone had fun

rossybee · Post by **rossybee** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:31 pm

mac wrote:IMHO - Book on the SIDC day where the driving standards are good and most of the other drivers will be of sufficeient skill to avoid you should you spin. There's also plenty of SE'rs dotted around to take you out and offer advice.

Totally agree with this advice

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 8:02 pm

As above, I fretted for nearly 18 months before I finally grew a set and took the CTR on track, turned up to watch a hot marques early in the year, the track was quiet and decided to take the plunge (I had some encouraging words fom Tut, think they were "just f**king get on track you poof!")

First time is nerve wracking but get someone to pax with you and take it very easy at the start and build your confidence (but dont get caried away) just go for it mate.

I had the Exige on track 2 weeks after I bought it, I was rubbish but you soon find the limits.