European Trackday advice

[pebles]

Me and my bf are thinking about doing a trackday on one of the Euro tracks. He will be fine, but i'm bit cautious. Never done one, not even in UK, but I'm thinking that these trackdays are never as packed as the usual UK ones which might help me to feel more confident and not under such a pressure as I would feellike being surrounded by way too many bikes on the small track. And I like my bike way too much to feel under pressure and crash it due to that.

Any ideas what to look for, which company, track, etc. Or should I look into like a 'ladies' trackday here first and then maybe think about full on 3 days trackday abroad?

Your thoughts??

[garth]

I'd do one here first, any novice group should be fine, and don't worry -you're more likely to crash on the road than on the track as long as you're not a plonker who tries to be Stoner-fast on the first lap.

[whitedevil]

I agree, try one here first, check out no limits web site.
Euro track days are usually 3 days and pretty expensive when you include the flights etc.

Much better weather tho
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GPZ500 sold ~ CBR600FS-2 sold ~ ZX6R sold ~ Street Triple R

[pebles]

Yeah, weather is more likely to be good abroad. And if you do wanna skip a session you can, that's why I think euro ones are good for that. You pay a lot, but get much more.
And trust me, I'm no Stoner plonker, I might be just way too careful, which might not be great either.
Yeah, will check some local ones here first, but just wondering, which ones are not as busy.
I've got brands quite close and been there on a track day there several times (just to watch), but felt its crowded. but anyone done for example Castle Combe? Any good??

[Slacker24seve...]

My cousin did a 3 day one in Valencia two weeks ago. It rained for a day and a half and he only managed 6 sessions out of a possible 25 due to a gearbox failure on his R6. He also said the pace was really fast, bearing in mind my cousin is comfortably in the fast group on UK trackdays. He does want to do another but he was unlucky; it's also cost him somewhere around a grand for 6 sunny sessions!! Far from ideal.

Definitely do some UK days first. It's a huge expense to go abroad if you don't actually like it.
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[h00dwink]

total cost is about 1k after flights, transfers, food, insurance etc...
they are a wicked holiday. done almeria twice and will be going again this year.
novice is novice. but the pace is a little different as generally there wont be track day first timers.
like others have said, have a crack at a novice day over here first to get your feet wet.
no doubt if you did just do one abroad you'd love it anyway.
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[.Bishbash.]

Klara, if you want to do a slightly less busy one in the UK to try, pick a large track, like Silverstone as the groups will be more spread out due to track size and is a very wide track too, so it's quite forgiving so to say Brands will be packed as it's popular and a teeny tiny track on the Indy circuit.

Or, if you want Le Mans, you know what that's about you went there with me, very laid back. But we may have been lucky on the group sizing as I have seen busier Euro tack days than that.

HTH
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Current bike - GSX-R1000 k8

[pebles]

As much as I like Brands, not a good idea for me as a first trackday, rather do that in the car.
Le Mans was good, but that was just luck with the weather. So thinking Spain or something next year.
But anyone done Castle Combe? those are 99quid and sounds more laid back, but not sure what the track is like. I just don't want to think too much about the crowd and enjoy it.

[Bofh5]

Hi Pebles
I went to Castle Coombe last saturday to get noise tested and have a nose round.

First up i failed the test so if you at all unsure pop down and get tested first.
Not sure where you got the £99 from they quoted £125 to me so would be interested if you could let me know please.

As for the track... Wasn't overly impressed with the layout.
Mostly an oval with three horrible looking chicanes.

They are small groups though with a max of twelve i believe.

For £99 it would be ok for a starter day though.
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[pebles]

Hiya, well, my bad, read it wrong, it is 125£ for track day and 99 for Motorcycle Safety day.
So track as such is no fun you say, but I do like the number of riders, might be good for a newbie like me. So might be an option.
Cheers for the info. I might just literally pop round there and talk to them. I'm in that area pretty much twice a month anyway, track is 5-10 mins from where my bf's dad lives, so the location is quite convenient.

[whitedevil]

Heres a cool map with most of the race tracks shown and location, website, phone number etc...

https://www.racingperfection.co.uk/circuits.html


Altho some dont do bike days.
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GPZ500 sold ~ CBR600FS-2 sold ~ ZX6R sold ~ Street Triple R

[Timmins Lawyers]

No Speed Limit - An obvious starting point for a novice going to a track for the first time is the luxury of no speed limits. This fact can maximize the enjoyment, but also can create danger if not respected. Your speed will naturally increase throughout the day as your confidence grows.

No Cars or Pedestrians - Due to the fact that you are on a race track. You have none of these hazards to factor into your riding. All tracks in the UK have strict rules relating to where spectators can stand and view the bikes on the track. The only car / van based vehicles that are allowed on the track are the circuits own recovery / safety vehicles and medical services.
However it s hould be noted that non of these vehicles will be on the circuit until either session has been stopped. In the event of a serious incident all bikes will either be stopped on the track or return to the pit lane BEFORE any 4 wheel vehicles are allowed on track. Flags will be displayed to warn you of any on track incidents. Full briefings are given at the start of each day relating to flags and their meanings.

Clear Circuit - All vehicles travel in a clockwise direction there are no drain covers, rubbish, potholes or anything of that type to avoid. Watch out for white lines in the wet. REMEMBER YOU HAVE ALL DAY!! What follows is a list designed to help Track Novices enjoy there day fully. After all you are paying for the day and we want you to get maximum enjoyment for your money.

[henry hoover]

From what i remember of Castle Coombe seemed a bit unforgiving in the lack of run off areas and it's a pretty quick track. But I only went round as a passenger in a car years ago.
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Cbr600rr 2010 Sold
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[Slacker24seve...]