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Track days, where to start?

Posted By : Calvin Andrew, 31-Dec-2006, 07:22pm

Right, airing another random thought i had today now, what trackdays do people recommend for a virgin? Don't want to be mixing it with lotus and porsche just yet.
Would love to be doing one with other triumphs if poss, like-minded people who understand the handling etc.. is there a trackday for triumphs?
My thoughts went towards an airfield based track with humungous(?) run off areas such as Binbrook, (lincolnshire based as i am, it would suit, but i am prepared to travel.
Is there any advice from the old hands to take with me?

over to you then.
cheers Calvin

Followups :

Track days, where to start?

Posted By : John Davies, 01-Jan-2007, 10:27am

Calvin,
The TSSC/TRR track day is still, AFAIK, un-decided, but get on over to the Club Triumph site where they already have a track day (at Silverstone!) lined up, with others in the pipeline. These may be with the MGs, which will include modern(-ish) cars, but don't let that stop you. All responsible track day organisers will arrange the sessions into novice/ advanced/ racer or something like that, so you won't be outfaced.

DO attend the briefing and listen - some don't do either; some, sorry to say, who from their experience should know better.
The cardinal rule is - Pass, or let past, on the Left. Contrary to normal UK road driving, so maybe a sticker on the dashboard? That "Conduire a la Droit" from your last Continental foray perhaps?

Enjoy!

John
- Track days, where to start?
  
  Posted By : Philip Charlton, 01-Jan-2007, 12:00pm
  
  i thought they tore binbrook up. it was a good track that. ripped up the axel in the Westy tho.
- Track days, where to start?
  
  Posted By : Nigel Gibbins, 02-Jan-2007, 03:49pm
  
  go to http://www.mgs-on-track.com/index.htm and book through them....
  
  Tell them you are with the TSSC (or club triumph) and they will welcome you with open arms. You should be okay to go to any event they have listed as we have an open invite to attend any of their track days
  
  They tend to split out the more modern cars and you should find yourself with cars of a similar speed to your own.
  - Track days, where to start?
    
    Posted By : Jason Chinn, 02-Jan-2007, 04:34pm
    
    There's also a dedicated Track Day section of the Club Triumph board (the whole board is open to non-members) here http://club.triumph.org.uk/cgi-bin/blah/Blah.pl?b=... there seems to be a healthy Triumph contingent into Track Days within the Club
    - Track days, where to start?
      
      Posted By : Calvin Andrew, 03-Jan-2007, 08:55pm
      
      Sorry Gentlemen for my tardy thanks, this is not ungratefulness but bad organisation, membership ran out and i renewed it over new year, no one in the office then,
      
      Thanks Nige, John and Jason for the info, it will come in useful soon i hope.
      Cheers Calvin
Track days, where to start?

Posted By : Michael Charlton, 03-Jan-2007, 10:13pm

We have a minimum of 8 club members interested in track days.
We have Spits,GT6s, TRs and Westfields
Is there any meetings we can join in ?
Is ther any inter area challenges?

EtcEtc

Mike
Track days, where to start?

Posted By : Michael Charlton, 03-Jan-2007, 10:14pm

We have a minimum of 8 club members interested in track days.
We have Spits,GT6s, TRs and Westfields
Is there any meetings we can join in ?
Is ther any inter area challenges?

EtcEtc

Mike
- Track days, where to start?
  
  Posted By : John Davies, 03-Jan-2007, 10:27pm
  
  Mike,
  AFAIK, all, ALL, track day organisers ban timing and come down hard on anyone who can be seen to be 'racing'.
  They are neither licenced, insured nor staffed for safe circuit racing.
  So a 'challenge' is out of the question.
  
  Organise your own, and you must get into negotiations with the MSA.
  And arrange the above safeguards, inc. marshals, rescue, medical cover etc.etc.
  Sprinting is a different matter, lots of competition there, and many prefer it because it's cheaper than racing and there's no chance of a 'coming-together'.
  And there, drivers need an MSA non-race licence - Clubman Â£16, National 'B' Â£33. Not bank breaking.
  No need for a track licence, Event permit, insurnance MSA Stewards and staffing - it's all included in your competitors entry fee.
  See: http://www.britishsprint.org/ "Getting started"
  
  Good luck!
  John
- Track days, where to start?
  
  Posted By : Calvin Andrew, 03-Jan-2007, 10:41pm
  
  And a Bond Equipe,
  
  John, is Michael not suggesting that the club could organise something similar to or in discussion with Club Triumph/ MGOC.
  If there is a big enough desire, then favourable terms can be sought from the clout of HQ with the necessary parties, sounds like a good idea, Don't want to go racing yet anyway.
  Calvin
  - Track days, where to start?
    
    Posted By : John Davies, 03-Jan-2007, 11:10pm
    
    Izzat so, Michael?
    
    If so, the more the merrier.
    We changed the title of this forum from Racing to Motorsport to encourage other disciplines to contribute, but not many have.
    But my points still stand - track days are yet another form of motorsport, but non-competitive.
    Long may they all continue!
    John
    - Track days, where to start?
      
      Posted By : George Ralph, 04-Jan-2007, 08:28am
      
      John is right. For competitive motorsport, Speed Events such as Sprints & Hillclimbs are probably the most accessible. Entries are very reasonable as is registration for the various championships. Roadgoing classes are particularly good for the beginner (like me) and Woolbridge MC (WWW.woolbridge.co.uk) is running a series this season in the West Country for 100% standard road cars as an entry level championship. I run in modified production road car (Class A3).
      
      I will be out this year with the WMC and hopefully TR Register Hillclimb & Sprint championship. I did my first one in September at Longleat as previously reported. I have posted a video on YouTube for posterity ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUgkCRgpDpE ) and I am astounded how much quicker it seemed in the car! I might have been slow, but the car makes nice noises though!
      
      I promise I will try an post updates in the Motorsport section in order to encourage others.
Track days, where to start?

Posted By : Michael Charlton, 04-Jan-2007, 08:49am

All
I understand the 'race' implications on track days 'cos having a Westfield (and Triumphs) we have enjoyed track days at Elvington and Binbrookand hill climb events at Harewood .So we are no amateurs relating speed events
As I have not been involved with anything relating Triumph organised events then that is why I am testing the water (or responses) relating club events and who does what .
(but we do have some new starters) Michael
- Track days, where to start?
  
  Posted By : John Davies, 04-Jan-2007, 05:01pm
  
  My aplofgies, Micheal, if you feel I underestimated you!
  Please tell about you exploits in the sprint/hill climb events.
  
  How many TSSC sprint/hillclimbers are there?
  Heve we enough for an internal championship?
  
  John
  - Track days, where to start?
    
    Posted By : Nigel Gibbins, 04-Jan-2007, 06:23pm
    
    I would dearly love for a TSSC sprinter/hillclimber to write something for me to submit to the Courier. As I am only directly involved in the racing it is extremely difficult to get any articles on these events although I have tried/asked a number of times so far it hasn't happened.
    
    If a regular monthly article is too much then a season summary would be just excellent. Lots of details of where and when are also very useful and as a TSSC member you have an open invitation to compete in the Revington TR Sprint and Hillclimb Championship (if you have the correct license).
    - Track days, where to start?
      
      Posted By : George Ralph, 05-Jan-2007, 01:04pm
      
      Hi Nige,
      
      I think it might have been me that suggested I would keep you up to date with my hillclimb exploits some time ago. Unfortunately, everything was put on hold when I got made redundant but after a protracted period of unemployment all is OK now and I got to do my first one at Longleat last September and I will be campaigning this year. I will be registering for the Woolbridge MC championship and hopefully some of the TR Register chanmpionship as well. I can't afford to travel too widely so my choice of championships means that I can get a fair season in the South & South West (wife permitting) and get "double headers" at places like Wiscombe where I can compete in TR Register on the Saturday and WMC on the Sunday. Wehey!!!
      
      I promise, that I will endeavour to send you reports. I will start with some kind of season preview in the next couple of weeks. As I am Dorset based and Speed events tend to be a bit regional, perhaps competitors in other areas might want to join in?
      
      A TSSC Speed championship sounds like a good idea, but would take some serious organising?
      - Track days, where to start?
        
        Posted By : John Davies, 05-Jan-2007, 07:13pm
        
        George,
        Get on over to the CT site, where they have had a championship for some time.
        See: http://club.triumph.org.uk/cgi-bin/blah/Blah.pl?b=...
        All sorts of events count, and points earned for position and type of event.
        Needs some organisation, agreement on points table for instance - and you're just the man!
        
        best of luck!
        
        John
  - Track days, where to start?
    
    Posted By : Calvin Andrew, 04-Jan-2007, 09:02pm
    
    any old car can do hill climbs yeah? is there regulations for this or not?
    Could be interested if it as cheap to do as trackdays.
    Calvin
    - Track days, where to start?
      
      Posted By : John Davies, 04-Jan-2007, 09:29pm
      
      Calvin,
      No, sorry! Any old car will NOT do!
      
      See the MSA Blue Book (Competitors' Year Book) - the Bible.
      In the 2006 issue, Section L, pp168-178 details the regs, for Hill climb, Sprints - and Drag Racing!
      
      In particular, you need the basic safety requirements:
      Rollover bar, head restraints, fire extinguisher (plumbed-in), external cut-off switch.
      Fire proof overalls (to FIA standard) and helmet (to BS 6658-85 A or better).
      
      You should also read:
      Section E, Common regs for competitors.
      Section Q, Safety Criteria.
      Stupidly, although the complete Blue Book on line, it is only available to licence holders!
      
      To get your copy of the 2007 Blue Book, complete the MSA a Competition Licence application form.
      See: http://www.msauk.org/uploadedfiles/msa_forms/AppCo...
      
      And good luck!
      
      John
      - Track days, where to start?
        
        Posted By : Jonathan Binnington, 04-Jan-2007, 09:42pm
        
        your description sounds like the supersix, John...
      - Track days, where to start?
        
        Posted By : Calvin Andrew, 04-Jan-2007, 09:54pm
        
        Well bugger that then, it ain't cheap enough at the mo, so, is sprinting straight forward?
        had a look at the sites suggested earlier on this thread, does not seem to be a recognised club that serves the midlands, is it cheap to try? does my modded 1500 Bond fit in okay? Rollbar, racing buckets and four point harnesses, oh and brakes,
        Calvin
        
        Track days, where to start?
        
        Posted By : Jonathan Binnington, 04-Jan-2007, 10:34pm
        
        Au contraire, mon brave!
        
        The Shenstone and District car club near lichfield has the only west mids sprint course at Curborough.
        
        the regs, entry fees and car prep for sprinting is basically the same as for hillclimb ie the ususal safety equipment.
        
        a few yrs ago the S&DCC were running a handicap historic/classic sprint championship
        
        now that I have an appropriate car I might even do a round or two...
        
        there - said it now!
        
        Track days, where to start?
        
        Posted By : Jonathan Binnington, 04-Jan-2007, 10:48pm
        
        see: http://www.curborough.co.uk
        
        no it won't hyperlink for me
        
        Track days, where to start?
        
        Posted By : John Davies, 04-Jan-2007, 11:52pm
        
        Calvin,
        On sprinting, I refer the honourable member to my previous answer.
        John
        
        Track days, where to start?
        
        Posted By : Calvin Andrew, 05-Jan-2007, 08:57am
        
        Danke mein grosse Auto Freund von Triumph!
        
        Cut off switch and plumbed in extinguisher on this years wish list then.
        
        in the meantime, back to initial question (and answers) about where to get on a trackday as a beginner?
        
        where would people recommend?
        
        Cadwell too complicated? Snetterton? Mallory too long for 100 hp?
        
        Thanks again for input.
        
        Calvin
        
        Track days, where to start?
        
        Posted By : John Davies, 05-Jan-2007, 09:56am
        
        Calvin,
        Where you live, Cadwell seems the nearest circuit.
        But rather than insist on a 'proper circuit', have a look for 'airfield track days'.
        They are usually half the price of a circuit day, and there are more of them.
        The wide open tarmac/concrete of an airfield allows the organisers to lay out a circuit with cones, in the manner of a US Auto-X event.
        This has the advantage that mistakes can be made without ending in the gravel trap.
        You may have noticed that F1 courses are going this route too, of enormous run-off areas rather than kitty litter.
        
        Also, look out for 'open pit lane' or 'Sessions' in the organiser's blurb.
        I suggest you go for the second, as the organisers should set up such sessions by experience or performance.
        
        How about a "Calvin's Progress" article for the Courier, later this year?
        I'd love to read of your exploits!
        
        John
        
        Track days, where to start?
        
        Posted By : Chris Mills, 05-Jan-2007, 11:55am
        
        All
        
        When we looked at a couple of alternative venues for the International weekend last year, we looked at Bruntingthorpe which is around 15 miles from the Club HQ.
        
        For an " International Weekend " it was'nt suitable, but we discussed a track day with the organisers we were meeting with.
        
        A day could be arranged fairly easily, min numbers would have to be 65 and costs would be in the region of Â£110 - Â£120 per car.
        
        If numbers interested approached 80 - 100, then the price per car would decrease.
        
        ( Costings have been worked out on last years pricing.)
        
        Would there be enough interest for the club to organise a day ?
        
        Cheers
        
        Track days, where to start?
        
        Posted By : John Davies, 05-Jan-2007, 07:00pm
        
        Chris,
        Exactly the same conversation (Different posters though) is taking place over on the TRR website.
        http://www.tr-register.co.uk/forums/index.php?show...
        The attraction of including the TSSC has already been mentioned!
        
        So please make any arrangements in concert with our TR cousins!
        OR
        our CT cousins, who are a lot further down the line to a track day already - like it's all fixed, March 5th at Silverstone!
        
        John
Track days, where to start?

Posted By : Michael Charlton, 04-Jan-2007, 11:04pm

JD

See if I can find some pics/ video of Harewood
.......going to bed
Mike