Driving on trackdays, safely and courteously.

Mako

Mako

Club Member
Feb 6, 2011
15,250
14,358
Milton Keynes
As per the thread title, I'm interested in hearing stories from people who have driven on track in a road car.

Apart from getting out of the way of something clearly faster than you, what are the rules and the etiquette?

I've driven on track before, but was either the only car for miles (Silverstone Ferrari experience) or was deliberately evading or attacking other cars, (offensive driving course). Neither of these are really helpful for driving with others safely and having fun.

Any advice please? And can I learn enough here before getting on track that I won't annoy the serious racers?
 
Different rules for different places. It is NOT your job to get out of the way of other cars they overtake you and do so on one side only, obviously don't move around on straight sections but go at your pace very easy if rules are followed and most places require you to have a marker on your car as a novice so others are a little more cautious around you.

Great fun and the cougar is reasonably decent around a track!.

JJ
 
Thanks JJ.

Interesting that getting past you is the overtaking car's problem. I know it works that way in proper racing, but didn't know that was the case on a friendly track day - I suppose because they're often very aggressive-looking and I assumed wrong?

This is exactly the sort of thing I was asking for and I want to know what I'm doing before I get out there.
 
A briefing is always given before a track event, normaly its no overtaking in corners and I think all overtaking has to be on the off-side from memory? And the car infront uses the left indicator to notify the car behind they are aware of thier presence and are allowing them to pass, please note though its been a while since I've been to a track day and I'm more accustomed to the club racing rules now......so I will await correction on the above lol
 
Not all are fun the same but I've done three and it has always been this way I usually when I am moving also flash indicator to let the overtaking car know I'm aware and won't cut across them randomly and you always know which side they will pass as I think all track days keep passing to one side only (usually the outside of the track)

JJ
 
I was a passenger on a track day once in a supercharged 5 litre tvr chimera, the driver decided to overtake on the wrong side.....on a bend, past a bloke on his arrds test, wait for it............@120mph! Needless to say we ended up in the kitty litter! Driver banned for the rest of the session, just not worth it! Needless to say I had a brown trouser moment sat in the passenger seat spinning at that speed!
 
But that kitty litter does what it says on the tin! Stops you in an instant. But you deffo need towing out!
 
Much obliged, both of you.

JJ said:
Not all are fun
Click to expand...

I thought as much. I'm glad I didn't buy track time at FordFair last year because there were guys taking it very seriously (and why not!) and I didn't want to be the dribbling idiot in their way.
 
Chris; if you're thinking of having a go at Castle Combe drop PM's to Iain(mofo sob), Matt(ginja) and Tim(WildV6) who, I'm sure, would be happy to share their experiences with you.
The 'rules' there are much as JJ has said with everyone finding their own pace and not 'evidently' racing. Most sessions have a mixture of types of vehicles and drivers from Joe Public in standard road cars, through clubmen in their weekend hobby racer to the more serious stuff that usually turn-up on trailers.

The photos from last year would give you some idea of the mix of vehicles:
http://www.ukcougarforum.com/vb/showthread.php?21071-Castle-Combe-April-2012-Pic-s-amp-Vid-s
 
Chris, are you located near a track? Most tracks do newbee taster sessions that run you through all rules etc. Have a briefing, a few laps behind a pace car and then a few laps to go as fast as you feel comfortable, and they are normaly only around the £25/30 mark so not a bank breaker!

And its strictly for newbies!
 
The nearest track I have is Silverstone. Might be able to practice there if they allow it and it's not too expensive?

Truth is I'm probably over-thinking the whole thing. I'm not scared of driving; I just don't want to be the idiot that everyone complains about because of bad manners, if that makes sense?
 
If you fancy spannering this with me your welcome to come along (yellow #24)
 

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Chris - I had the same sort of fears as you - looking like a knob - getting in everyone's way etc but once out there on the track with the adrenalin flowing freely I find that it all falls into place quite naturally. See some mad man screaming up behind you the natural reaction is to tuck in on the inside etc It really is a great buzz but most people are not pushing it 100% because for a lot of folk they just can't aford to bend their pride and joy (y)
 
My only experience of track days is 3 visits to the Nurburgring and the one thing i have learnt is to just enjoy yourself.As mofo says it all slots into place and its great fun driving on a track. Dont fret just enjoy:)
 
Thanks again - and Iain has it spot on. That's really reassuring mate - I appreciate it. :beer:

localloon said:
If you fancy spannering this with me your welcome to come along (yellow #24)
Click to expand...

That would be...just awesome. I'd love the opportunity to do that. Not sure if you have my details, so will PM you in a minute. :)
 
Been on Silverstone about 6 or 7 times now (3 times in cougar IIRC) and castle Combe once, just have to keep a watch on your speed into the corners and watch the gear changes too (cooked the clutch in my old escort) overtake on the right at most circuits except on bends.
Generaly if you dont drive like you stole it you wont stack it :D they removed the kitty litter at Silverstone at trackdays like ford fair and trax because so many idiots came off and trashed their cars back in the day.
 
Chris have a look on Pistonheads as there is lots of discussion and reassurance for beginners on there. Most of the rules are stated above; overtaking by consent etc. There's a lot of wisdom on PH also about which types of trackday you're best to go on. Lots of the "hot hatch trash" type events are a little too hairy for my liking and involve copious amounts of binnage from people driving beyond the limits of their talent.

I'd suggest taking Localloon up on his offer by the way. (y)

P.S. I'm pretty much at the same place as you. Never tracked before but now have the trackday insurance etc in place and would like to track the car. I'm not so much doubtful of my own abilities but I'm nervous about interfacing with someone else. I definately won't be going near the hot hatch type days - there are way too many videos of well driven cars being collected by understeering/spinning/reversing hatchbacks on Youtube. My nearest is Knockhill but it looks a crap track so I'll travel a bit further for one which flows a bit better. Luckily for me, club track days are fairly common for the new motor so I'm less concerned about sharing a track with a load of other people with a healthy respect for their car.
 
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