2023 Track Day Thread

agw_01 said:
Not sure it counts as a track day but I've booked Phil Price Rally School for my Dad and me. I've been wanting to go for the last couple of years but then covid happened and put a halt on things.

Track day wise... I wouldn't mind getting the MX5 booked in for a couple of sessions around Three Sisters in Wigan (my closest circuit) and I'd love to get the Impreza across to Anglesey, however until I change its exhaust I have absolutely no hope of getting it under the noise limits.
Click to expand...

Still not had a chance to do any track days myself this year but today was our visit to Phil Price.

I'm still processing the day and am finding it difficult to put into words what an experience it was. Whatever I say here will not do it any justice. An absolutely fantastic day, well planned and thoroughly enjoyed by all the drivers. About 10 drivers sharing 2 cars but things were kept moving by the organisers allowing the cars to be fully utilised, as soon as one car came in, another went out.

It really was as good as I was expecting, and then some. The marshalls/tutors were superb offering some great advice and pointers, and really pushing you to get your foot down and make the most of the experience. Of course, the more comfortable you became with the car the more you'd push its boundaries and end up throwing the newly learnt knowledge out of the window in return for some legal drifting fun.

I found the RWD Impreza Sports were well set up, easy to control and predictable and very enjoyable with just enough power that they wouldn't send you spinning off into the tyre wall, unless you did something really really stupid. We also had a sighting lap of a short rally circuit with one of the guys (John) giving a run through on the basics of co-driving, after which we got to drive (in anger!!) a stripped out Impreza STi while John provided co-pilot commentary through the intercom. The car was fitted with full dual controls so you weren't completely on your own if things got a bit lairy.

Nothing can prepare you for the workload of trying to process directions while navigating an unfamiliar muddy gravel topped rally circuit and being strongly encouraged to keep your foot planted while you rapidly approach the next blind bend. Unreal!

The day was finished with a passenger ride in another Impreza STi driven at MUCH speed... this again, was simply outstanding and so hard to put into words unless you've experienced it.

I'm just sorting through a few pics and vids and will post some up soon but overall, a superb day, very much enjoyed and I will definitely be returning. If you're thinking of going to PPRS, don't think, do it!

edit...





I might add a few more pics as I sort through them!
 
Last edited:
First track day in the McLaren 600 LT Spider, needless to say it was insane and like driving around with a cheat code but absolutely brimming with feedback and sensations. Truly is a Lotus on steroids, frickin loved it and also loved catching and passing the 992 GT3 RS's several times, quickest car on track, easily best car I have ever driven on track for performance and feedback and fun nearly on parr with Caterham, but the latter is far cheaper to track, the McLaren cost quite a lot more.

My first track day at Donington Park in my 600LT Spider, in the GP Layout on the 23rd of August 2023. I fitted MP4-12C wheels with 11mm spacers (including longer bolts) with Nankang AR1 tyres in 235/35/19 & 305/30/20. They performed really well and were progressive and forgiving at the limit. The car was in Track suspension and Track Powertrain with ESC Dynamic Enabled. The AR1's aksi switch on really quick, so be a great sprint tyre too.

Session 1 (First 17 minutes): Lotus, 991 GT3, 718 Spyder, 992 GT3 RS, Caterhams etc, tyres hitting 38psi hot and getting a bit greasy. So let ONLY 2psi out to stop tyre bong alarms going off and improve grip.
Session 2 (17 minutes onwards): Various cars, tyres were still a bit greasy now 36psi hot so at the end of session I dropped another couple of PSI but was slowly getting faster, some minor over steer but the cars balance was always spot on and easy to correct.
Session 3 (33 minutes onwards): Now 34psi hot, getting a few tyre bongs from TPMS low-pressure warning, but I am faster, and more confident and the tyres only got a tad greasy at end as 30-32psi is their ideal hot range. Carrying more speed towards the end of Session 3 I spotted the white 992 GT3 RS (43 minutes onwards) in the distance so went chasing him down, once I managed to catch and pass it was a good feeling and time to let the car cool and let him back on his way. Am sure everyone had great fun and no red flags.

By the way, I am not saying the 600 LT is faster than a 992 GT3 RS just on this day I was able to catch these epic track monsters and the 600 LT performed flawlessly and the feel and engagement from the 600 LT was incredible, coming from an Exige 410, 991 GT3 and Caterham the Mclaren 600 LT is my favourite on track with the Caterham a solid match, even if slower, but those who have driven a Caterham will know where I am coming from.

The car performed flawlessly and felt way beyond my capabilities as a driver as I was braking too early and lifting out the throttle when I could have stayed flat, particular up past old hairpin... but WOW it was fun!! Some great battles with Porsche's latest 992 GT3 RS Weissach and non-Weissach cars and other Porsches. Even in my non-professional hands, the McLaren 600LT Spider was able to catch and pass these track monsters. Which shows what an awesome track car the 600LT is. A very underrated model which is also a stunning car to drive daily and do long road trips in.A really enjoyable day overall. My buddy Mac (not filmed here) also had a drive of the car on track and we both loved it. An average of 5 MPG on track, and a sedate cruise home with the roof down ... 30MPG+



It is a long video but enjoy, Session 3 is my fastest and 40 minutes onwards I chase down another GT3 RS. :)
 
agw_01 said:
Still not had a chance to do any track days myself this year but today was our visit to Phil Price.

I'm still processing the day and am finding it difficult to put into words what an experience it was. Whatever I say here will not do it any justice. An absolutely fantastic day, well planned and thoroughly enjoyed by all the drivers. About 10 drivers sharing 2 cars but things were kept moving by the organisers allowing the cars to be fully utilised, as soon as one car came in, another went out.

It really was as good as I was expecting, and then some. The marshalls/tutors were superb offering some great advice and pointers, and really pushing you to get your foot down and make the most of the experience. Of course, the more comfortable you became with the car the more you'd push its boundaries and end up throwing the newly learnt knowledge out of the window in return for some legal drifting fun.

I found the RWD Impreza Sports were well set up, easy to control and predictable and very enjoyable with just enough power that they wouldn't send you spinning off into the tyre wall, unless you did something really really stupid. We also had a sighting lap of a short rally circuit with one of the guys (John) giving a run through on the basics of co-driving, after which we got to drive (in anger!!) a stripped out Impreza STi while John provided co-pilot commentary through the intercom. The car was fitted with full dual controls so you weren't completely on your own if things got a bit lairy.

Nothing can prepare you for the workload of trying to process directions while navigating an unfamiliar muddy gravel topped rally circuit and being strongly encouraged to keep your foot planted while you rapidly approach the next blind bend. Unreal!

The day was finished with a passenger ride in another Impreza STi driven at MUCH speed... this again, was simply outstanding and so hard to put into words unless you've experienced it.

I'm just sorting through a few pics and vids and will post some up soon but overall, a superb day, very much enjoyed and I will definitely be returning. If you're thinking of going to PPRS, don't think, do it!

edit...





I might add a few more pics as I sort through them!
Click to expand...
Done it 4 different times before Phil passed away. Such a fantastic day out.
 
ScoobyDoo69 said:
Curborough date of 18th September anyone?

Got 6 or 7 committed at the moment, could do with some more to fill the day :)
Click to expand...

Is any Track Experience required?

Always wanted to do a track day but have always felt overwhelmed and never really gone for it.

Curborough seems ideal for a complete novice in comparison with other types of track days?
 
Last edited:
Gilbert89 said:
Is any Track Experience required?

Always wanted to do a track day but have always felt overwhelmed and never really gone for it.

Curborough seems ideal for a complete novice in comparison with other types of track days?
Click to expand...
Curborough is exactly ideal for this. Great place.

agw_01 said:
Ohhh... put me down as a maybe please! I will confirm as soon as I can get in a holiday request!
Click to expand...
Cool - not me arranging this time so just let me know asap and I'll bring you into the chat :)

Gibbo said:
Gutted that’s the day I’m heading back from IOM.
Click to expand...

Sorry... I gave up trying to get decent dates so piggy backed off someone else arranging it..
 
Housey said:
Done it 4 different times before Phil passed away. Such a fantastic day out.
Click to expand...

It was recommendations from people like yourself that made me really consider it. I mean, someone with the experience of dailying an exhilarating, firebreathing, supercar beating Polo GTi really holds ground on this forum.

Being serious though, while OcUK Motors may be a pop'n'bang mapped Fiesta owners worst nightmare, it is generally full of honest, realistic and no bull**** advice. If something is good enough to receive such praise from this forum, I will take that!
 
Last edited:
agw_01 said:
It was recommendations from people like yourself that made me really consider it. I mean, someone with the experience of dailying an exhilarating, firebreathing, supercar beating Polo GTi really holds ground on this forum.

Being serious though, while OcUK Motors may be a pop'n'bang mapped Fiesta owners worst nightmare, it is generally full of honest, realistic and no bull**** advice. If something is good enough to receive such praise from this forum, I will take that!
Click to expand...
Polo dreamers the lorra ya
 
Never done a car track day before, quite a few bike track days though, what's the general format at this place.

(If its the same as bike track days its general getting back unscathed with zero repairs apart from maybe a tyre bill) :)
 
SPG said:
Never done a car track day before, quite a few bike track days though, what's the general format at this place.

(If its the same as bike track days its general getting back unscathed with zero repairs apart from maybe a tyre bill) :)
Click to expand...
At Curborough? It's technically not a track day but a sprint circuit. Only one car out on circuit at any time so you can drive as fast or as slowly as you like, no pressure from other drivers. Depending on who is organising the day it can be a free circuit or you do timed runs over a set route.

Decent place for testing the cars/bikes limit as the only thing you can really hit is the grass (as I've found out :D).
 
Last edited:
On a track day how much times do you guys generally go out? I did 7 runs of about 20 minutes and was knackered by 4pm lol. I know it's car/driver dependant but I'm surprised people pay that money then only seem to go out 2/3 times.
 
Some aren't comfortable with going constantly at it's hard on the car and just want a few laps to enjoy without pushing too hard.

I'm one who is guilty of getting carried away and ruining tyres/brakes by over heating them... by over driving mostly :D
 
MikeTheNative said:
On a track day how much times do you guys generally go out? I did 7 runs of about 20 minutes and was knackered by 4pm lol. I know it's car/driver dependant but I'm surprised people pay that money then only seem to go out 2/3 times.
Click to expand...
I tend to go out once or twice in the morning, then come the afternoon when it's quieter, go out a bit more.

When racing the Friday test sessions are usually 25/30 mins x 4 and that's usually more than enough. Only issue with test days is red flags, I've literally had two sessions in one day wiped out due to red flags. Not good when they are £400 with msv!
 
MrKnifey said:
I tend to go out once or twice in the morning, then come the afternoon when it's quieter, go out a bit more.

When racing the Friday test sessions are usually 25/30 mins x 4 and that's usually more than enough. Only issue with test days is red flags, I've literally had two sessions in one day wiped out due to red flags. Not good when they are £400 with msv!
Click to expand...
We were on our 3rd red flag by 10.30 yesterday! Luckily did settle down though, there was one just before lunch then none in the afternoon. I suppose that all the cars that were going to blown up already have by then. :p
 
Tempted to pop down to Curborough its only 40mins away from me, never heard of the place before.

How much it is ? Not going near the place if its raining, every time i have crashed on bikes its down to rain and my total lack of ability, would rather not bin the daily driver :)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom