This has probably been done numerous times before, so apologies but if I were to go on a track day what do I need to be aware of? I never driven on a track before.

- obviously need a helmet, but can you hire them at the track?

- do you need extra insurance?

- what things are liable to wrong with the car? Clutch? Tyres?

I was interested in the castle Coombe day but as a novice i feel i would be a bit over whelmed

Yes, you need a helmet. Yes, you can hire one at the track. But if you know your head size a fellow Briskodian may be able to bring you one.

No, you don't need insurance. But some people like it for peace of mind. If you are in a group of people that don't drive like absolute idiots and obey the rules then you shouldn't need it. Anyone driving like a loon or ignoring rules and overtaking on corners will usually be removed from the track by the marshalls. They do take safety seriously. Drive within your limits and you should be fine.

Nothing is really likely to go wrong with the car specifically. It just accelerates wear a little bit as you will be reving the engine higher and going round faster than you do on a public road. Views differ, but many people think 1 mile on a track is equal to about 10 miles on the road.

The Castle Combe day is perfect if you have not driven before on a track.

It's only a 15 minute taster session, which is about 4 or 5 laps at most. Plus you'll be on track with other people from this forum.

If you go to a regular track day it'll be more driving time, more expensive and you'll be on track with a number of random people who you've never heard of. So the chances of one being a bit overenthusiastic are greater.

The Castle Combe days are the ideal starting session for a bit of track driving and I'd reccomend taking part with other forum members so you can decide if you like it before going on full-blown track days at far greater expense.

They are mainly aimed at the novice.

+1 what he said about Combe.

Combe meet was my first time on track 4 years ago

Thanks for the bit of marketing, chaps.

I definitely aim the 15 mins at Combe for first timers. This is why I try and ensure all are Skodas and members from here, but with 9 spaces to fill still, its looking for likely I will look elsewhere to fill all the spots.

First time on track for me was the 15mins at Castle Combe as well.

Even if the spots are filled by others, it's usually only 3 or 4 'randoms'.

I'd recommend it. If you're unsure, bring a passenger with you or make a friend with a Forum member who's done it before and take them as a passenger with you :sun:

That way they can direct you round, calm you down if needed

Cheers all. Definately reassuring. Just need to bite the bullet now!

Cheers all. Definately reassuring. Just need to bite the bullet now!

Bite the Castle Combe bullet you'll have a ball. A word of warning though, it gets addictive

+1 on everything that's been said above.

The Combe session is a great taster and as Barrie says it is massively addictive.

The only thing i consider essential if doing a full day is a second set of wheels.

Having seen the state of the shoulders of tyres after full baking hot summers day on track i'd have hated to be driving home on them and would have been looking at serious points and fines had i been stopped.

AFAIK no track insurance covers your own car, just damage to other cars and the track itself. And your normal motor insurance won't cover it as it's not on a public road. So just be aware of that if the car is your daily driver and you can't easily replace it.

As said though the Briskoda events are very friendly (and to be honest all the trackdays I've been on have been the same), so you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

If you're going to do more than a couple of trackdays a year then you might as well buy a helmet that fits you properly instead of paying £10 a time to hire them. You can pick up some good open-faced ones for £50-60 from OMP or Sparco.

As said above - spare set of wheels is a good idea. You can wreck a set of tyres in one full day on a track. Brakes as well - you can warp discs pretty easily with a lot of repetitive braking from high speed. And don't park up and leave the handbrake on after you come off track

I think that's my concern - possible clutch, tyre or break replacement. Haven't got the money to replace any of those at the moment.

If you don't drive any harder than a "spirited drive" on track, then there's no cause for major component damage.

If you're not sure, why not come along, put your car on the Briskoda Clubstand and grab a passenger ride IIRC £5 for a passenger wristband.

I'll happily take you round in my car so you can see what you'd be letting yourself in for

Thanks, I may do that.

AFAIK no track insurance covers your own car, just damage to other cars and the track itself. And your normal motor insurance won't cover it as it's not on a public road. So just be aware of that if the car is your daily driver and you can't easily replace it.

As said though the Briskoda events are very friendly (and to be honest all the trackdays I've been on have been the same), so you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

If you're going to do more than a couple of trackdays a year then you might as well buy a helmet that fits you properly instead of paying £10 a time to hire them. You can pick up some good open-faced ones for £50-60 from OMP or Sparco.

As said above - spare set of wheels is a good idea. You can wreck a set of tyres in one full day on a track. Brakes as well - you can warp discs pretty easily with a lot of repetitive braking from high speed. And don't park up and leave the handbrake on after you come off track

As for the insurance it's the other way round, You insure 'Your Car' but not others and there is a large excess involved. It is up to the individual to look after their own.

There are some trackday organisers that do special 'Novice days' Brands Hatch do 'Novice sessions' now and again usually a Am/PM or Evenings.