Best first trackday - recommendations?

As part of this year's 'must do's I have decided to pop the trackday
cherry. But I have a dilemma. I have narrowed it down to two tracks
(dictated partly by dates) but I need to decide.

Do I:

a) Do Cadwell Park? Being a flat-beer-drinking soft Southerner it's a
bit of a ways to go, and I am not certain that my passport is still in
date nor that it will work that far north of Watford. And the track has
been described as "challenging", which may not be good from a first
timer point of view. However, it *would* mean being able to descend on
an old mate in Grimsby[1] and relate ever more exaggerated tales of
derring do over vast quantities of beer.

b) Do Mallory Park? Described as a "friendly" circuit and easy to learn.
But does this equate to boring? On the plus side I don't have to deal
with the hangover from hell from straying too near Grimsby....


Seriously, what are people's opinions on these circuits? Which one would
be best for a first timer to scare the crap out of himself, but not end
up hospitalised?

Cheers.

Chris


[1] Paging Mr Stannard....

 

Chris wrote

Go along with the rest of ukrm to the trackday Loz is arranging.

Ho yuss.

Not been seen in these parts for quite a while now.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^

What? Everyone?! It'll be like the M25 at rush hour ;-)

Indeed...but the name still lingers, I see!

 

Chris wrote

Not quite, more cunts less wankers is my estimate.

 

Of the two, Mallory is probably the more novice friendly. Cadwell can be a
tad technical especially for a novice but great fun though.

 

Possibly, as long as you're happy to put up with/teach a complete
track newbie. Is there a date/venue set yet? Couldn't see anything in
the archive.

 

Chris wrote

Not me, if I go it will be as a spectator.

Not yet.

 

Of the two I'd pick Cadwell every day of the week. Mallory is pretty
fucking crap (imo) whereas Cadwell will hold your interest all day
long. Cadwell is longer so harder to learn but you'll score heavily in
that the traffic on the track will be lighter and you'll have the
whole of the Park Straight to chill and sort your mind out every lap
whereas Mallory you're more on the case all of the time with no chance
to relax.

If you're in the south it's like comparing doing Brands indie to
Brands full circuit and I can't think of anyone who'd pick the indie
over the full GP circuit given the choice.

If distance is an issue have a look at either Silverstone or
Snetterton. Both are bigger and consequently more interesting circuits
than Mallory but Silverstone in the summer is a bit expensive to say
the least and Snetterton is a bit dull if you haven't got horsepower
to spare.

It's your money and your choice so take your pick.

 

Look at Donington Park. That was my first one. Quite a flowing track,
the blind apex is fun and the whole thing helps you sort out your
cornering a treat. You'll learn you can lean much further than you
think you can. Then go and do Cadwell, as that's a right hoot.

 

"They're all like that, sir."

I fondly remember the final session of my first track day.

I'd been a bit lacking in confidence to start with, as I hadn't ridden
much since my accident, but it all started coming together before lunch;
then in the afternoon something just clicked.

I spent almost all of the last session chasing someone on a new-ish
litre bike round the whole track: I'd close right up on him through
every corner, then he'd wind it on for each of the two main straights
and the poor old Bandit just couldn't keep up, despite some serious
throttle abuse. Hanging off as far as (I thought) I could, grinding both
pegs round the corners. No red mist, just having a damn good time.

I got back to the paddock after the session, collapsed on my back in the
sunshine and lay there giggling to my self. Fan-fucking-tastic.

 

Nidge said...

Find the thread and read it.

 

I very much doubt you'll find your first trackday 'boring', wherever you do
it. A more twisty, technical one will be harder for you to find your feet
on, as you'll be busy enough getting used to the whole 'riding the racing
line without speedlimits' thang. However, the slower pace will be less
intimidating, and if you do fall off, you'll generally be going that bit
slower.

On a faster-but-simpler circuit, you'll be able to concentrate more on your
riding, as you'll be able to learn the circuit in less time, then be able to
concentrate on the finer points sooner. However, you may well get
intimidated by the extra speed, and falls will be nastier.

I've done Snetterton, Brands Indy / Full, and Silverstone GP so far. Of the
three, I've ridden my best (and enjoyed myself most) at Brands Indy - not
too many corners to learn, and not too fast, so I'm less worried about
falling off. Silverstone would probably be my preference if I was a much
better rider, but it scared the crap out of me. All I was thinking on the
120mph bends was 'if I fall off now, I'm toast', rather than 'brake at the
150m marker, accelerate now' etc.

I've never ridden Cadwell or Mallory, and don't know your ability level, but
personally I'd go for Mallory for your first one, from what I've read.

 

Monkey said...

For a number of reasons I am leaning very heavily towards Mallory in
late July.

 

This might be a good time to unsubscribe.

Actually I should have said that Donington is brilliant as well and
you know you've been trying hard enough when you've got bruises from
where the tank smacks you in the chest as you go under the bridge.

 

My strongest memory of Silverstone is being stupid enough to pick
halfway along the start/finish straight as the setting point for my
lap timer and consequently going into Copse corner way too fast. The
split second lost pressing the button and looking at my lap time was
enough to make me come much too close to crashing for my own good.

 

Cadwell is great, but it's quite a complex course, and I'm not sure I'd be
happy doing it as a first track day. It's not wildly difficult, just that
there's an awful lot to remember. Mallory is pretty simple, as is
Snetterton.

Cadwell is also *fucking* *miles* away. I'd got it into my head that it was
just past Peterborough. Oh no.

Whatever you do, I'd advise staying over somewhere the night before. I
wouldn't fancy getting up at the crack of dawn and then riding from London to
Leicester/Norwich/Louth and then doing god knows how many laps

 

What can I say?

Thanks to everyone who has provided opinions/experiences/advice and
helped me out here. I reckon Mallory first of all to get the feel of
trackdays, then wherever....

You never know...I might even put my name down for the UKRM day
(assuming I can find and read the thread that chap Lozzo keeps on
banging on about ;-) ).

Chris