Guide to Booking Track Days

So you fancy getting you Coupe out on track to see what it can really do? This is the first of a series of guides aimed at helping you book up a track day, prepare your Coupe and finally attend the day itself. Hopefully you will find the information useful laugh !

To book a track day, there are a number of options open to you:

1. Keep an eye on the forum, as there are regularly people arranging days that you could attend
2. Try a few of the well known track day organising companies on the internet (TrackDays , Easytrack , BookaTrack)
3. Try a circuit directly, as they often have an associated race/driving school that arrange track days ( Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Bedford, Cadwell, Park, Snetterton , Castle Combe )

Track days generally cost between about £99 & £299 depending upon circuit, day of the week, format, etc. Days on European tracks will probably be more than this, but I’m guessing that you don’t need this guide if you are considering those wink . Weekend dates obviously tend to cost more, and are generally more popular, but are clearly more convenient than having to take a day off work! During the summer months, there are often evening events available, which offer a shorter amount of track time, but are a good introduction to track driving.

Circuits also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from airfields such as Elvington, through corporate facilities such as Bedford Autodrome, right up to proper race circuits like Castle Combe, Donington and even Silverstone. These larger circuits often have a variety of layout options that are used for different racing championships, so be aware of this when you are looking to book. The Indy or National circuits are undoubtedly great fun and still challenging (and will be cheaper), but if you want to drive the full GP circuits, you will have to look a little harder, and pay more for the privilege wink .

The format of events is also a factor to consider. Open Pit Lane (OPL) is generally considered to be the best, as it allows you to go out on circuit whenever you want throughout the day, subject to the circuit’s maximum capacity. This can mean that the circuit gets very busy at times, but allows you a lot more flexibility than running in sessions. Sessions are where the organiser puts you into groups (numbers usually vary) dependant upon the ability of car and driver. You will then be allocated a set session time, usually 15-20 minutes in every hour, in which you can be on track. This format usually gives you between 6 & 8 sessions throughout the day, and this should be weighed up in considering the cost of a day as compared with OPL, which may appear more expensive at first, but actually allows you significantly more track time if you want it cool ! OPL also allows you to compare you Coupe to others more easily, and to be more flexible on giving passenger rides.

I guess that the ultimate track day would be a full GP circuit on OPL for £99 shocked . That might sound fanciful, but I can tell you that this sort of deal is available, if you know where to look wink . When you are looking at price, make sure that you consider the extras that you might want as well, as these can often make the difference when comparing two similar offers. Additional drivers, passengers, instruction and helmet hire prices vary signficantly!

I don’t propose to tell you how to book a track day once you have decided which one to go for, as this is just a case of following the instructions from the organiser, and making the necessary payment, but you might be interested in a few other aspects at this stage:

Which type of track is best?
- airfield circuits are a good first introduction to track days, but often consist of a coned 'track' laid out and, as such, don't feel like a proper race circuit. They also tend to have very abrasive surfacing, which can eat its way through you tyres in next to no time shocked !
- corporate circuits like Bedford Autodrome are probably best for beginners, as they offer a proper circuit feel, but without all the scary barriers and gravel traps. Having said that, they are still no substitute for a proper race circuit.
- race circuits allow you to get the full on experience, and make watching races on TV much more interesting when you have had personal experience of the circuit. They do have gravel traps and barriers, but these only come into play if you push yourself or your car too far wink . It is very rare to see a car-on-car accident at a track day, so most are down to drivers.
- Once you have decided on a track, you can often find videos of the circuits on YouTube to get a feel for what they are like. Alternatively, TOCA Driver 3 has quite a few of the UK circuits included (including all of the options at Bedford Autodrome) if you fancy some crafty practice before the day laugh !

What do you need to attend a track day?
- A roadworthy car (you don’t have to show an MoT certificate) – See separate guide
- A valid full driving licence (you will have to show this (both parts, if you have one of the photo ones) before you will be allowed on track
- A crash helmet (although these are usually available to hire on the day from the organisers at additional cost)
- A towing eye ( this might seem trivial at this stage, but go and check that you have one, and if not, source one in plenty of time before the event and make sure that you take it with you tongue )

Insurance
You don’t have to have insurance to use your car on track, but clearly a standard motor insurance policy will not cover you in the event of an accident on track. There are three options open to you:
1. Don’t bother and risk it shocked !
2. Take out a special policy to cover you for the single event (about £50-80 for a Coupe). Try these guys .
3. Take out a motor insurance policy that does cover you for track use. Try these guys .
Clearly, option 3 is probably only an option for those considering doing a number of events in a year, but this option will probably pay for itself within a couple of events when compared to option 2.

Now, to find out more about getting you Coupe prepared for the track, and attending the day itself, please follow the links below:

Guide to Preparing a Coupe for Track Days

Guide to Attending a Track Day

Phil