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Couple of weeks ago I went on my first track day. It was organised by Area 13 of the Aston Martin Owners Club, at Castle Coombe race track.
Because we were hiring the track for sole use, it was only Aston Martin cars on track & it was limited to 6 cars on the track at anyone time. So no cowboys, everyone had their pride & joy at risk & no one wants a collision, however minor. There is after all no such thing as a minor repair bill on an Aston! Especially, if loaded with carbon fibre trimmings.
I had to get up at 05:00 & left 30mins later, aiming to arrive by 07:30 for registration. Took the longer route, in favour of the M27& M3, as the direct route roads are so awful with potholes & morning traffic.
Arrived on time & there were already 20 cars there, more arrived shortly after. I saw a young chap debaiting a 1950's DB2, that was set up for racing, & asked if he was going to race it today? No, I am just delivering it for the owner. Later I saw the owner & his son driving around the track, getting some impressive times in.
There were plenty of Vantages & DB9's, one Rapide & the very latest Valhalla. The owner of which, apparently made his money as a wildlife photographer & his other car is a McLaren! Which he swore was tge better car, as the Valhalla was so stiff, it was very uncomfortable on ordinary roads, after all it's just a race car.
We registered, had a safety brief & then headed out on the track for half a dozen sighting laps. This is where you see the cones, which indicate suggested braking point & another for the bends apex.
At 10:39 I went out on track with an instructor (no extra charge) & we did 8-9 laps, which was very useful & gave me more confidence.
At 12:30 there was a charity parade, £10 to take part. I was second behind the club organiser, so I was happy to follow his lines, as he'd been there many times. I found I was driving better after the instruction & I did have another session booked in the afternoon but decided I'd had enough & wanted to drive home before the evening rush hour, as with the early start & adrenaline rushes, I was pretty sha**Ed.
One interesting point was, when deflating the tyres after the instruction, I noted the heat coming from the wheels & brakes, fair chucking it out.
You can go on a couple of laps with Virgin track day vouchers but that's very limiting so I wanted to try it in my own car but the negative is - your doing it in your own precious car! Wear & tear on tyres, breaks or worse is your own expense. I had taken out a days track day insurance, which doubled the cost but I don't think I'd pay for it again, now knowing how organised & safe it was. Always dubious what they'd actually pay out for anyway.
My car is the NDZ 207, first pic on the track is with the instructor, the second one my own.
Anyone else tried a track day?
Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk
Because we were hiring the track for sole use, it was only Aston Martin cars on track & it was limited to 6 cars on the track at anyone time. So no cowboys, everyone had their pride & joy at risk & no one wants a collision, however minor. There is after all no such thing as a minor repair bill on an Aston! Especially, if loaded with carbon fibre trimmings.
I had to get up at 05:00 & left 30mins later, aiming to arrive by 07:30 for registration. Took the longer route, in favour of the M27& M3, as the direct route roads are so awful with potholes & morning traffic.
Arrived on time & there were already 20 cars there, more arrived shortly after. I saw a young chap debaiting a 1950's DB2, that was set up for racing, & asked if he was going to race it today? No, I am just delivering it for the owner. Later I saw the owner & his son driving around the track, getting some impressive times in.
There were plenty of Vantages & DB9's, one Rapide & the very latest Valhalla. The owner of which, apparently made his money as a wildlife photographer & his other car is a McLaren! Which he swore was tge better car, as the Valhalla was so stiff, it was very uncomfortable on ordinary roads, after all it's just a race car.
We registered, had a safety brief & then headed out on the track for half a dozen sighting laps. This is where you see the cones, which indicate suggested braking point & another for the bends apex.
At 10:39 I went out on track with an instructor (no extra charge) & we did 8-9 laps, which was very useful & gave me more confidence.
At 12:30 there was a charity parade, £10 to take part. I was second behind the club organiser, so I was happy to follow his lines, as he'd been there many times. I found I was driving better after the instruction & I did have another session booked in the afternoon but decided I'd had enough & wanted to drive home before the evening rush hour, as with the early start & adrenaline rushes, I was pretty sha**Ed.
One interesting point was, when deflating the tyres after the instruction, I noted the heat coming from the wheels & brakes, fair chucking it out.
You can go on a couple of laps with Virgin track day vouchers but that's very limiting so I wanted to try it in my own car but the negative is - your doing it in your own precious car! Wear & tear on tyres, breaks or worse is your own expense. I had taken out a days track day insurance, which doubled the cost but I don't think I'd pay for it again, now knowing how organised & safe it was. Always dubious what they'd actually pay out for anyway.
My car is the NDZ 207, first pic on the track is with the instructor, the second one my own.
Anyone else tried a track day?
Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk
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