Home  
Site Partners: SpotterGuides Veloce Books  
Related Sites: Your Link Here  

Go Back   TenTenths Motorsport Forum > Racing Talk > Racers Forum

View Poll Results: Do trackdays breed race drivers?
Yes 8 16.33%
Maybe 15 30.61%
No 26 53.06%
Voters: 49. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 7 Mar 2001, 19:08 (Ref:69208)   #1
AlexF
Racer
 
AlexF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
United Kingdom
Newbury
Posts: 138
AlexF should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
I read an interesting piece on the net today (can't remember where but).

The point said that trackdays are the training ground for the next generation of racing driver.

What do you all think?

I'm sitting frimly on the fence for this one (being a trackday person and a wanna be racer!!)

Last edited by AlexF; 7 Mar 2001 at 19:10.
AlexF is offline  
Quote
Old 15 Aug 2005, 16:12 (Ref:1382885)   #2
AlexF
Racer
 
AlexF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
United Kingdom
Newbury
Posts: 138
AlexF should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
up!
AlexF is offline  
__________________
Alex
Quote
Old 15 Aug 2005, 16:22 (Ref:1382891)   #3
CombeMarshal
Veteran
 
CombeMarshal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
England
Stroud, Glos
Posts: 1,521
CombeMarshal should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Not any that I've Marshal'd, I wonder how most of them even manage to get home!!!
CombeMarshal is offline  
Quote
Old 15 Aug 2005, 19:55 (Ref:1383029)   #4
Al Weyman
Veteran
 
Al Weyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
England
South of Watford (just)
Posts: 14,699
Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!
I have been on a couple and got banned from both, I would say absolutely no way. How can they when the only place they let you overtake is down the straight bits, bit of a joke really.
Al Weyman is offline  
__________________
You can't polish a turd but you sure can sprinkle it with glitter!
Quote
Old 15 Aug 2005, 21:21 (Ref:1383116)   #5
Tim Wilkinson
Veteran
 
Tim Wilkinson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
England
Essex
Posts: 782
Tim Wilkinson should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
For those of us coming to motorsport a bit late, trackdays do a sound job. Some muppets, but where aren't there, these days?

If it hadn't been for trackdays I wouldn't be looking to go racing next year, so in a way trackdays are a breeding ground for race drivers, but not a training ground.

Al - two sides to the coin; no overtaking on the straights is a bit of a joke, but it's not a competition and you get a hell of a lot more time on track than you do at your average club meet, plus that no overtaking pretty much guarantees that driving your toy home depends on you rather than someone else.

Racing people might sniff at trackdayers, but that's where the future of club motorsport is going to come from. I'm part of a group of a dozen or so regular trackdayers and i'm the only non-racer to have expressed any kind of interest in taking it to a competitive level, and that's more because of racer friends. Maybe targetting trackdays would be a good way to get interest and grid numbers up?
Tim Wilkinson is offline  
__________________
If you want to get a hat, get a head.
Quote
Old 15 Aug 2005, 21:51 (Ref:1383143)   #6
Al Weyman
Veteran
 
Al Weyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
England
South of Watford (just)
Posts: 14,699
Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!
Yes fair comments TeeJ but I did say they will let you overtake on the straights but should have said not round the bends. I understand this and appreciate it but I went to one at Silverstone several years back and I am sure they (the orgnisers) deliberately sent out a bog standard 1300 metro out just to slow every one up (I was driving 500+ bhp Camaro). After several laps of parading around the Luffiled complex at literal 30 odd mph I got frustrated and took several cars in one go including some around bends so out came the black flags predictably and that was it. Another one was at an army base and we had to slow right down to go through a chicane made up of cones because there were blokes playing golf! Trouble was I hung the tail out a bit and took all the cones out and was sent home yet again (bloody vandal I know).
Al Weyman is offline  
__________________
You can't polish a turd but you sure can sprinkle it with glitter!
Quote
Old 15 Aug 2005, 22:46 (Ref:1383178)   #7
AlexF
Racer
 
AlexF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
United Kingdom
Newbury
Posts: 138
AlexF should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
heheh no one like this thread when I originally posted it

I like the idea of track-day to racer... in fact I am doing exactly that next year!

Alex
AlexF is offline  
__________________
Alex
Quote
Old 16 Aug 2005, 07:47 (Ref:1383340)   #8
greenamex2
Veteran
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
England
Hertfordshire
Posts: 1,686
greenamex2 should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Out of the 30 odd people I do track days with on a regular basis only ONE has the temperament to start AND continue racing. The rest of them are generally either just posers or not nearly committed enough.

The number of times I hear someone in a 80 grand Porsche that gets used half a dozen times a year saying he can't afford to race....

Which is a shame because some of them can actually drive.

If anything I would say that the flow of drivers is in the reverse direction. I know of a number of drivers that have given up racing to do track days because of money, time and the way we are treated when racing.
greenamex2 is offline  
Quote
Old 16 Aug 2005, 09:39 (Ref:1383415)   #9
COLIN STUBBS
Veteran
 
COLIN STUBBS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
United Kingdom
Louth.Thats the one near Cadwell
Posts: 579
COLIN STUBBS should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
exactly right dennis iv seen the same happen at cadwell. they have some brilliant track days which are well organised and good fun. its not easy when your a racer though and like al,iv been *******ed a few times for "intimidating driving".a few of my mates cant understand why we put up with so many people that seem intent on making it difficult to race when track days are so easy.but we,re racers arnt we!! most of the track day people iv seen are either very interested spectators or ccc readers with 4" bore tailpipes... you do get a few dads taking their kids round though and thats got to be good for the future.
COLIN STUBBS is offline  
Quote
Old 16 Aug 2005, 09:48 (Ref:1383421)   #10
RobC
Racer
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
United Kingdom
Gloucestershire
Posts: 161
RobC should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
I personally know a lot of trackdayers that have given up trackdays and gone racing so I think that they help. Ok, these days I go on trackdays for a laugh, trundle around hanging the tail out and generally enjoying being on track with out the pressure of having to put in a quick time. Years ago I moved from bike trackdays (at Combe) to racing mainly because a few of the organisers suggested that I could do well (and I did for a while). Again in the car I am currently hill climbing and *fingers crossed* will be circuit racing at Combe next year. For me racing is in the blood, blame my dad for that one, but trackdays have helped me realise that I can drive quickly and safely on track.

Just my 2p's worth.
RobC is offline  
Quote
Old 16 Aug 2005, 13:15 (Ref:1383615)   #11
Tim Wilkinson
Veteran
 
Tim Wilkinson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
England
Essex
Posts: 782
Tim Wilkinson should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Quote:
Originally Posted by teej
Al - two sides to the coin; no overtaking on the straights is a bit of a joke,
Apologies, Al, I meant in the corners, not on the straights. I read your post right then typed mine wrong! I've had a lot of instances of being held up by cars through corners - from the end of the straight to the esses at snetterton is a no-overtaking zone and can be a little frustrating if you are stuck behind something that can't do corners. (MX5s in the wet at Oulton with novice drivers springs to mind as well)

A lot of the guys I know who do trackdays have cars just for the track - not porsches or the like, but little things like 106 rallyes, astra gte's, second cars that they can make more track-focused without having to worry too much about how they are on everyday roads. They have a little money, and could probably stretch to more to go racing, but for the little they have trackdays are much better value. A couple of them are very good drivers, but for whatever reason don't have the interest in going racing, which i think is a shame. I sold my road car for a track car, and the track car for a road saloon race car. It may be the stupidest thing I ever do, tho!

Having ridden quite often with a guy who races, and often with people who don't, the difference is phenomenal. Not necessarily in speed, but in how comfortable they are in close proximity to other cars; that is something that only comes with competition, and is the difference between trackdayers and racers, i think.
Tim Wilkinson is offline  
__________________
If you want to get a hat, get a head.
Quote
Old 17 Aug 2005, 08:15 (Ref:1384370)   #12
zefarelly
Veteran
 
zefarelly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
European Union
Posts: 9,710
zefarelly has a real shot at the podium!zefarelly has a real shot at the podium!zefarelly has a real shot at the podium!zefarelly has a real shot at the podium!
I got red flagged ??? ( should have been black flagged ) as my car was too loud and I scared someone by overtaking them ( driving like a granny)

as has already been said, its a miracle some people get to the circuit

I thought it was a complete waste of time as I couldnt drive at any pace to achieve anything worthwhile
zefarelly is offline  
Quote
Old 17 Aug 2005, 08:24 (Ref:1384372)   #13
RobC
Racer
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
United Kingdom
Gloucestershire
Posts: 161
RobC should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
You need to go on events that restrict the number of cars on track, I use Lotus-on-Track who specialise in small numbers on track and making sure people of differing ability are in the right sessions. Did a Donington evening a couple of weeks ago and had a empty track and no problems with traffic. Some organisers just put far to many cars on track imho.
RobC is offline  
Quote
Old 17 Aug 2005, 10:31 (Ref:1384468)   #14
Peter Mallett
The Honourable Mallett
20KPINAL
 
Peter Mallett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 1999
England
Here and there
Posts: 37,233
Peter Mallett is the undisputed Champion of the World!Peter Mallett is the undisputed Champion of the World!Peter Mallett is the undisputed Champion of the World!Peter Mallett is the undisputed Champion of the World!Peter Mallett is the undisputed Champion of the World!Peter Mallett is the undisputed Champion of the World!Peter Mallett is the undisputed Champion of the World!Peter Mallett is the undisputed Champion of the World!Peter Mallett is the undisputed Champion of the World!Peter Mallett is the undisputed Champion of the World!Peter Mallett is the undisputed Champion of the World!
I don't think they can breed racers, but they do encourage people to get on track. All the old points about time on track and value etc. pale into insignificance when you experience racing because it is so different.

I like track days when I can take people around. Especially if its wet!

However I'm not of a mind to do one just because its there. May as well do a test session at Mallory Park.
Peter Mallett is offline  
__________________
I've decided to stop reaching out to people. I'm just going to contact them instead.
Quote
Old 17 Aug 2005, 10:47 (Ref:1384478)   #15
Anuauto
Racer
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 410
Anuauto has a lot of promise if they can keep it on the circuit!
Track days are killing motorsport. Countless venues that could be used for sprints - the real grass roots level for newcomers to motorsport - are tied up by so-called track days that, as has been more than adequately explained, rarely if at all permit driving to competition standards. Its not "good value for money compared to a sprint" if a track day wont let you drive properly. Its all well and good trying to bridge the gap to the cruise brigade to attract young drivers off the roads but if there are no venues left for the lower levels of true motorsport the end will come.
Anuauto is offline  
Quote
Old 17 Aug 2005, 10:57 (Ref:1384485)   #16
RobC
Racer
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
United Kingdom
Gloucestershire
Posts: 161
RobC should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Don't agree with that one I'm afraid, well at least in this neck of the woods there is no shortage of venues for sprints.
RobC is offline  
Quote
Old 17 Aug 2005, 11:38 (Ref:1384526)   #17
Grahame West
Racer
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Scotland
Fife
Posts: 224
Grahame West should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
I voted no. I'd love to be a racer but dont have the talent or the money. So my involvement in motorsport is through marshalling and do track days for fun.

The increased popularity of tracks must be more to do with the increase in speed cameras etc. Yes track day have rules but at least you can have fun without worrying about points etc.
Grahame West is offline  
Quote
Old 17 Aug 2005, 12:16 (Ref:1384562)   #18
stuart05
Racer
 
Join Date: May 2004
England
Southampton
Posts: 114
stuart05 should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
What better way at the end of the year to say "Thank you" to a long suffering Wife, Girlfriend and raceday helpers than to strap them into the passenger seat and show them why you do it?
We tried a track day last year as a means to getting some "no-pressure" seat time and had an absolute riot, as did our pasengers.

Do they produce new racing drivers? Everyone I met on the day I attended said no, they just wanted to drive fast for a few hours, and weren't fussed about being competitive.

As far as a breeding ground goes, I felt the only benefit I found was having a lot of time to learn a track thoroughly, with the opportunity to take another driver out to tell you where you can make up some time. It doesn't teach you how to race - theres only one way to learn that as far as I'm concerned.
stuart05 is offline  
__________________
MG Metro #35 - Proud Class A Series Winner CSCC Tin Tops 2006
Quote
Old 17 Aug 2005, 13:37 (Ref:1384655)   #19
greenamex2
Veteran
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
England
Hertfordshire
Posts: 1,686
greenamex2 should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Grahame - If you can afford to do track days you can probably afford to race (but not win). Some guy did a couple of seasons in our series in an almost bog standard Metro GTI, had a whale of a time and progressed his driving ability far beyond what you could achieve on a track (and not get thrown out).

All it cost him was the entries, which are cheaper than race circuit based track days. The car was too standard to go wrong!
greenamex2 is offline  
Quote
Old 17 Aug 2005, 13:46 (Ref:1384659)   #20
Jim Spencer
Rookie
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location:
Hough, Cheshire
Posts: 22
Jim Spencer should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Maybe

Not entirely sure if they breed racers or not, I do speed events and they're certainly a good way of trying things out on the car, and as mentioned above frightening the missus.
for myself though having now done a few and a few speed events it doesn't make the thought of doing my first race meeting a daunting prospect just now one of preference for being responsible for my own mistakes, and budget, hence the maybe.
Perhaps their biggest help to the racers is that the circuits are now used more, got to help keep they a viable business concern?
Jim Spencer is offline  
Quote
Old 17 Aug 2005, 13:55 (Ref:1384663)   #21
JohnMiller
Veteran
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location:
Rutland
Posts: 3,069
JohnMiller should be qualifying in the top 10 on the gridJohnMiller should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Spencer
Perhaps their biggest help to the racers is that the circuits are now used more, got to help keep they a viable business concern?
One o fthe best points made so far Jim, I think.

The 'man in the street' couldnt tell the difference and, like many sports, numerical strength is actual strength.

The world of motorsport is far too small to be fracturing into different splinters.
JohnMiller is offline  
Quote
Old 17 Aug 2005, 14:05 (Ref:1384669)   #22
greenamex2
Veteran
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
England
Hertfordshire
Posts: 1,686
greenamex2 should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Yes, until they forgoe races and test days for track days.
greenamex2 is offline  
Quote
Old 17 Aug 2005, 15:16 (Ref:1384718)   #23
RobC
Racer
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
United Kingdom
Gloucestershire
Posts: 161
RobC should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Quote:
Originally Posted by Denis Bassom
Grahame - If you can afford to do track days you can probably afford to race (but not win)
See...never understood that....why race with out having a hope in hells chance of winning? Might as well stick to trackdays were you get 10x the amount of track time for less than a entry fee
RobC is offline  
Quote
Old 17 Aug 2005, 15:43 (Ref:1384741)   #24
R59
Veteran
 
R59's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Heard and McDonald Islands
Bedfordshire
Posts: 3,523
R59 should be qualifying in the top 10 on the gridR59 should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
There's something different between going out on a track day with No RACING allowed, no overtaking in corners, and even rev limits on certain stretches of track, and going out in a real race with no holds barred, and the chance of some competition, even if it's not for the win, but a mid or tail end battle.

Sometimes the battle "not to be last" can be as intense as the one for the lead (only ever done that once, following a collision, long visit to the pits, and returning to the track a lap down and very very last with deranged suspension)

Rob.
R59 is offline  
__________________
There is no substitute for cubic inches. Harry Belamonte - 403ci Vauxhall Belmont!!
A 700hp wayward shopping trolley on steroids!!
Quote
Old 17 Aug 2005, 18:45 (Ref:1384889)   #25
greenamex2
Veteran
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
England
Hertfordshire
Posts: 1,686
greenamex2 should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Just trying to better your lap times or beating that other guy/girl on a similar budget to yourself can be just as much fun.

Neither of which you can do on a track day.

Err, officially/without getting banned from the circuit.
greenamex2 is offline  
Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Track days??? Ntrprise Track Day Forum 4 4 Nov 2004 20:02
Anyone do track days ? woodyracing Road Car Forum 5 19 Apr 2002 17:09
Track Days CheshireBlue Track Day Forum 9 4 Mar 2002 17:07
Track days pitstopralph National & Club Racing 7 27 Feb 2001 20:27


All times are GMT. The time now is 10:21.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Original Website Copyright © 1998-2003 Craig Antil. All Rights Reserved.
Ten-Tenths Motorsport Forums Copyright © 2004-2021 Royalridge Computing. All Rights Reserved.
Ten-Tenths Motorsport Forums Copyright © 2021-2022 Grant MacDonald. All Rights Reserved.