Have you done a track day and was it worth it?

[joshmrmateria]

Looking at doing a track day soon after completing a defensive driver course. I was wondering what i'm likely to get out of it. ei a new appreciation for my car ( 02 4mo Bora) or if its not worth spending the dollars. The track day i'm looking at is with John Bowe Driving with a fair bit of instruction.
Thanks in advance
Josh

[vwthunder]

I have done a few track days before and always wanted to do some track time with a professional. Im sure they would point out a few things i am doing wrong or could improve on.

If i was you i would do some track days first then get some professional advice once you have a bit of experience under your belt

[bigfoot]

The most fun you can have with your clothes on...Eastern creek tomorrow

Check out the ARDC website - if you join you get all manner of discounts including 50% off your first two track days (at participating circuits) so membership pays for itself

[brad]

track time with an experienced observer / instructor in the passenger seat is really good. very helpful with braking, turn-in points etc.

[nat225]

best thing you can do to explore your car's limits in a safe and closed environment.

track, motorkhana, drag strip

public roads

it is also awesome that you are starting one with an instructor.

explore it gradually and know your skills and car's limits. it is not uncommon for a starter to write off his car on the 1st or 2nd lap once on his own... even someone with an instructor spun a scirocco r once!

when you are off the circuit, make sure you don't continue. it is also not uncommon to see v8 falcodore to continue their burnout outside the circuit area

[Stanton]

You won't get a new appreciation for your car sorry.
But track days are the best legal fun you can do with a car and this day and age its still relatively cheap here in Tassie.Join a car club and get a basic CAMS licence and rock up to Supersprint days you will go home with a big smile on your face but will want to sell the Bora.
An instructor will teach you more in a day that some track goers still don't know after years at it.What part of Tassie are you.
Good luck with it.

[joshmrmateria]

I'll get a cams licence then! I'm looking at selling my Bora in a few months anyway so thats good hah. I'm 40km south of Hobart so live down near all the best Targa Roads I'd be doing the track day to improve driving skills.

[Stanton]

Google Hobart Sporting Car Club,good bunch of people.I have run VWs on the track before but there are better and cheaper options.

[joshmrmateria]

Thanks, I'll have a look. What are you running at the moment? do you compete?

[seangti]

A track oriented driver training course is the best place to start. You'll learn the right techniques from the start in a much more controlled environment. Plus it'll be less taxing on your car and yourself as you're there to learn, not race anyone or obtain a lap time. And by learning it first, you'll find you're less likely to over drive your car (less wear and tear), safer and quicker lap times will follow.

[Sirocco20348]

Depends where your level of skill is at. Personally I would recommend buying a good simulator such as assetto corsa, pCars, (hell even GT6 in simulator mode) and a steering wheel and practice driving road cars virtually. This might sound stupid but it gets you used to braking points, corner apexs, driving on the limit etc.

I did this and the transition to real life track days was fairly simple.

The only problem with tuition is that it costs about 500 for a days tuition. Try to find someone who races at the track and ask them to come as passenger and get them to give you pointers.

BTW you will enjoy them but the only thing you will get out of them is a lighter wallet due to track prepping your car, tuition, buying timing gadgets and paying for repairs.

And like any skill, if you don't drive on a track monthly, you lose the ability quickly but you retain the knowledge.

I don't regret my track days, but 1000s has been spent for the experience haha.