Before Your First Track Day....

[scotsman]

I'm at the stage when I'm looking to start doing track days - but was wondering if it is worth doing the 'own car' 25 lap driving experience at Knockhill first?

Cheers

Richard.

[RA Dunk]

i would say use your own car TBH, but be carefull which type of trackday you choose to do your "first" one on, keep clear of the speed fest or speed sundays they do at knockhill as the driving can be quite eratic to say the least, ive done them ones before and never had any bother but thats probably cause i had one of the quickest cars there

i would recommend the SIDC trackdays or the trackscotland ones before any other, think trackscotland have one going tomorrow TBH

[scoobysailor]

I'm at the stage when I'm looking to start doing track days - but was wondering if it is worth doing the 'own car' 25 lap driving experience at Knockhill first?

Cheers

Richard.

I am at the same stage as you. Last time I was up at Knockhill I was looking at the own car 25 lap package and think I will do this first before venturing out on the track and getting in peoples way!!.

[RA Dunk]

I am at the same stage as you. Last time I was up at Knockhill I was looking at the own car 25 lap package and think I will do this first before venturing out on the track and getting in peoples way!!.

just keep to the right on track give people enough room to pass and you will be in nobodys way

[scotsman]

Good advice on the SIDC and Trackscotland events only.

I think I might go for the 25 lap driver experience at Knockhill first - it would be good to get some one-on-one tuition priop to taking the leap

[sti pretender]

Did the 'own car' driving experience before my first trackday and was well worth it. You get to learn the track when it is quiet and you gain valuable info on gears, braking points, etc. You can grab the instructor on then trackdays but you have to watch your mirrors more.

I've only done the SIDC days but looking at Hot Marques and Trackscotland next year for more track time, you pay a bit more but there are less cars than Speed Sundays.

[wilky]

I am at the same stage as you. Last time I was up at Knockhill I was looking at the own car 25 lap package and think I will do this first before venturing out on the track and getting in peoples way!!.

Before your first trackday you should

a. Drink as much as you can the night before

b. Stop shaving the week before

c. Noise all the fannies who think they can drive up on here over the course of a week.

d. Turn up on the day, forget your licence and mot, argue the toss with uncle John, then bully your way onto the track.

Alternatively you could book an sidc track day and ask one of the nice KH instructors to come out for a few laps and help you, which they are more than willing to do!

Callum W

[DR Motosport]

I do both the SIDC track days from John Stewart, and Track Scotland events. Both are very well organised.

I wouldn't attempt a Speed Sunday event, it's not nicknamed Banger Racing for nothing.

For a first timer, the 25 lap package is a great idea.

That option didn't exist when I did my first track day at Knockhill back in 1992, but I was lucky to have some lessons from Ian Forrest.

They'll give you tips on the racing lines, braking points, plus things you don't think about like weight transfer, balance.

I noticed at the last SIDC event, Tut went out with an instructor, even though like myself Tut has been doing SIDC events for nearly 10 years. Your never too old or experienced to keep learning more.

David

[RA Dunk]

ive done quite a few trackdays now (none lately though ) and have always told myself to get the instructor for picking up nice little tips and stuff, still never done it yet though but deffo something im going to do

[scotsman]

Superb feedback guys - many thanks

I'm going to phone KH up today and get the 25 lap session booked in for the next couple weeks.

[DR Motosport]

ive done quite a few trackdays now (none lately though ) and have always told myself to get the instructor for picking up nice little tips and stuff, still never done it yet though but deffo something im going to do

Yeah, I'm going to do the same. We can always improve.

I'm also going to get an instructor to drive my track car.

I think it handles and brakes perfectly, but they may suggest trying something different with it's set-up. Something like ......soften the rear damping or adjust the tyre pressures, etc.

I don't know....................but they will

David

[scotsman]

Booked in for Tues 23rd September for the 25 laps own car package

[ScoobySounds]

Booked in for Tues 23rd September for the 25 laps own car package

That sounds like a pretty good idea.

I've done one trackday in the scoob ... previous experience was one of those 5 laps in 5 cars days (not enough time in one car to get the hang of things) and about 10 or so trackdays paxing in my dads motor when I was car growing up - so already had a bit of knowledge about the track layout.

and when I went with the scoob I got an instructer, who was good, but was pushing me to drive much harder than I wanted to for my first time, no compromise. he was very loud when shouting the instruction, so it was very exciting:) I just wasn't expecting it

can't wait for my next trackday, I think taking it more easy and learning by following other cars will be the key next time.

is this 25 own car package on an empty track? how much is it?

[scotsman]

£109 for the 25 laps - where you have an instructor with you one on one. I'm not sure whether others are on the track but when I was booking it up there was only specific days for the 'own car' experience and you had to book a specific 1 hour slot - so the track could well be clear.

[b4z]

never heard off this before sounds like a great idea

[braveheart]

I would say use your own car TBH, however the second time. I did do the Knockhill experience first 25 laps ect just to lean the lines and use of the brakes ect, use there car first so all the big mistakes are done at there expense, then get your own on there and enjoy, i have done speed Sunday's and never had an issue but would not suggest to do it your second time, whatever you decide to do you will love every minute.

Regards

Chris

[stubaroo]

I gave my other half Lindsy a Knockhill driving experience for her birthday earlier this year. It was the Seat track star one and she loved it.

While there, the instructor told us that doing the 1 hour session in your own car is a great way to learn, the track, your car and your own ability.

He also told us that if we wanted, we could even share the session. Half an hour each, which I thought was a great idea.

As far as having the track to yourself, I'm not sure but I very much doubt it. The day we were there, there were other instructers and drivers on the track but there wasn't as much traffic as there would be as on a track day.

If in doubt give them a phone call and ask, as i found the staff to be very friendly and helpfull indeed.

Edited September 16, 2008 by Stubaroo

[sparky_sj04]

£109 for the 25 laps - where you have an instructor with you one on one. I'm not sure whether others are on the track but when I was booking it up there was only specific days for the 'own car' experience and you had to book a specific 1 hour slot - so the track could well be clear.

I did it a couple of months ago mate, was absolutely awesome and i'm thinking of just doing it again for a laugh..

I was out 10am on a Friday and the only thing on track was a couple of the Leon Cupras, and the Ferrari briefly, but they all moved out the way and it was never a worry at all, the whole thing was just a great laugh, and the track was bone dry... There's not really far you can go wrong with the instructor there so no worries!!

Just make sure you have a proper full tank of fuel before you go on... I used about a third of a tank in 25 laps, and soon as the tank got to about halfway i was getting fuel starvation coming out of the hairpin..

[Guest]

THe best piece of advice i can give is definetely to let the instructor take you round in your car, and show you how its done, they'll show you the lines, turn in points, braking points, and what your car can do!

Ive only been round Knockhill in the Impreza once, and my big cousin, who just so happens to be a Knockhill instructor with years of racing experience under his belt, came out with me, and within 5 laps, it had just made such a difference to the way i was tackling the corners, the way i could attack more, and really using all of the track.

All of the instructors are brilliant, they all have years of racing experience, and all seem to love your job, but if you go, keep your eyes peeled for a short dark haired, glasses wearing, 30 ish year old, round faced chap called Barry, and try and get him. He'll make sure you have fun and learn lots

[scotsman]

Thanks for the advice and feedback - really looking forward to the day

[Typer666]

Just recieved one of these 1:1's as a gift at knockhill....

Any advice on anything specific i should check/prep on the car?

Last time I was up for the skid pan there was a guy in an EVO 8 fq 300 who crashed it during his 1:1, then came onto the skid pan with us... felt sorry for him, im sure couldnt really enjoy the skidpan after that .

[Guest]

Nothing in particular that you shouldn't be checking weekly anyway. Oil, coolant, brake fluid, check your brakes are in good working order and check your tyre pressures, take a foot pump and a pressure gauge with you, you'll find that after a few laps your pressures will work their way up quite a lot, let them down a bit when this happens, then when you're done for the day, sit about for half an hour, have a coffee, let them properly cool down, then before you get back in the car to go home, check the tyres and inflate them accordingly

[Typer666]

Nothing in particular that you shouldn't be checking weekly anyway. Oil, coolant, brake fluid, check your brakes are in good working order and check your tyre pressures, take a foot pump and a pressure gauge with you, you'll find that after a few laps your pressures will work their way up quite a lot, let them down a bit when this happens, then when you're done for the day, sit about for half an hour, have a coffee, let them properly cool down, then before you get back in the car to go home, check the tyres and inflate them accordingly

Thanks for the advice

[man-with-men]

Just save your money and take it out on the day and build up to it slowly.

Easy to get bitten by the "that car keeps passing me bug" but if you go at your own speed and limits you will have more fun.

Look after your car and yourself is all you can do!

Other than stroking your eggs