90 replies to this topic

[Skortchio]

As Kat says, track days are experience days and promoted as such. Even on bikes, racing isn't condoned which isn't to say you're not allowed to overtake and are expected to drive in a column for 20minutes at a time but ettiquete takes place over position.

Actual racers are the least of your worries on an open track, they're be behind you, around you and away without getting close or panicking you at all. You're no threat to them

Having approximate groups for level of track skill is a good idea, novices and first timers in one. Seasoned track users in another and those capable of running acceptable lap times in the top.
What usually happens is either no one wants to go in top (as it's better to look a big fish in a small pond and stay in the inter's) and blazes about in the middle group or no one wants to accept they're maybe not that experienced and avoids the novice pack. Leaving the intermediates bloated and the other 2 empty

Split sessions are great as they give you time to recouperate, 20mins driving and 40mins recovery (assuming 3 sessions) may seem a bit disproportional but if you've not done it you'll be wasted by the end of the day and you have to drive home!

On a 2:1 ratio a full day at the track should give about 6-8 sessions without any long stops and a break for lunch.

I'd personally opt for a small'ish venue, as the big tracks can become a bit dull given most of the drivers are in road level cars. the start/finish at snett is great on a 185bhp superbike but it's a touch tedious in a 45bhp mini!

[The Matt]

Having organised this sort of thing before, there are a number of factors that have to be taken into account.

Location is an obvious one, but also availability, cost, insurance and the willingness of the circuit owner to allow a group of mini owners onto the circuit. Within the cost there has to be provision for an ambulance and some sort of marshall or incident backup. Scrutineering is a must.

This is why I was going to do it through an organisation like MSV. They would organise all of that, we'd just have to turn up as per a public track day.

[Tommyboy12]

Id be up for this! Although I think my knackered shock needs replacing first!

[rally1380]

Donington is prob the most central location for all... also minis flat out down Craner Curves is a sight to see, so Donington gets my vote. Just remember that to get the race cars out will be a complex issue as looking at all the series cars on here they will clash with respect to dates coinciding with series dates.

Not sure this is about getting 'race' cars out is it? Isn't this more a track day for road going mini's?

If its going to be packed with race cars then i'm not interested as i don't want to spend my time looking in my mirrors to get out of the way of Miglia's.

Ive done track days at Donington before, and the difference in performance from a road going 70HP car to a 300HP race car on open pitlane..... many and varied and LOTS of cars on track at the same time from Full blown race cars down to road going cars...... The thing is that the circuits dont permit racing at track days.... they are very strict and remember we wont have a full marshal contingent and all the saftey personel you get, and pay for, at a race. Theirfore anyone racing at a track day is removed. Also you do find that the race cars..... ie those drivers that have experience in a full race situation recognise the demands and allow for the road going cars limitations, we arnt all looneys Race cars are expensive bits of kit, we dont want them damaged and we know the difference between the handling and speed of a road car and a race car. Their are options of course, we could split down the day into 2 sessions session A and session B.... with 40 min sessions on a rotation, road cars and race cars. Belive me you wont want to drive for 8 hours all day, and neither will your road car OR a race car..... splitting into 2 sessions might work rather well as it give s both cars and driver rest time. Just my view, others may differ...... but I think it might work well...... also I might fit a second seat in my car and take a few passengers out to see if the race scene is for them..... anyone fancy a passenger ride in a Mini Se7en???

Sensible answer and a good solution. I think from my experience of track days, it probably isn't the seasoned racers that are the issue (as they do respect other track users in slower cars) but it is the idiots in stripped out want to be race cars that are the issue....or maybe i just had a bad day!

Love the idea of 'hot laps' in a proper mini race car. How about possibly charging for hot laps and making some money for charity??? (and cover petrol costs for the owner)

[Kat7Racing]

Sensible answer and a good solution. I think from my experience of track days, it probably isn't the seasoned racers that are the issue (as they do respect other track users in slower cars) but it is the idiots in stripped out want to be race cars that are the issue....or maybe i just had a bad day!

Love the idea of 'hot laps' in a proper mini race car. How about possibly charging for hot laps and making some money for charity??? (and cover petrol costs for the owner)

Another good idea re the Charity thing, in fact an excellent idea...... Id be happy fitting a spare seat and doing passenger laps for Charity...... So theirs the offer, Ill supply a spare crash helmet if you need one, a spare seat in a genuine Mini Se7en flat through Craner.... or any circuit that is decided upon Just need the track day organising, as long as its not on a race weekend lll fit it in. Once the day is organised Id take bookings in advance, money to charity on the day and, if their are slots left, rides on the day to those who didnt book

[charliebudd]

id be interested in my mighty .. any track but rockingham, cant stand the place

[Deathrow]

I'll be interested in this if it's an annual thing. I doubt the Mini will be on the road in time for the first one but the next one (fingers crossed) could be an option.

[Midas Mk1]

Also Three Sister's circuit would be awesome in a mini.....its a large go kart track after all!!!

I agree! Did the first drive thing there in Bini 'S's 4 times 4-5 years ago, was a good hoot!, 75ish by the end of the straight

Edited by Midas Mk1, 01 March 2013 - 03:26 PM.

[iMurray]

i want to play!

[Tamworthbay]

Curdborough sprint track is cheap and central. Good fun too, but I would still prefer Rockingham, donington or Mallory.

Edited by Tamworthbay, 01 March 2013 - 06:38 PM.

[Old Bob]

I think the success - or otherwise - of a TMF trackday will be cost. If you can get something going which is affordable, you will have all the entries you can handle. And that kind of rules out places like Silverstone!

Somewhere like Curborough (which is pretty central) is ideal, being small, safe and huge fun. It should also be affordable. But, I for one would certainly enjoy a TMF get-together like this.

Bob

Edited by Old Bob, 01 March 2013 - 05:28 PM.

[DanParsons]

Castle Combe pretty please

[The Matt]

Curborough is good for me. Easy access from the M6 I suppose. M

[Pitcrew6464]

Add me to the list always up for playing :)

[Kam]

Good idea Matt

I know you want to do MSV so they can take care of all the nitty gritty stuff (yeah you don't want that on your hands) but MSV tracks aint really in an ideal location to make it middle country, cadwell and oulton are on opposite ends, bedford is realistically too far south, brands is silly south, snetterton is just being awkward

Bedford aint too bad but if you get the GT circuit the 998's will hate you! Also viewing is absolutely diabolical as its only really available from the pit area, the track is good as it has huge run offs but with plenty of people there they won't have much to see or go anywhere inbetween

Rockingham sounds good but never been there or round but would like to at some point, someone mentioned they didn't like it? can they elaborate please?

As mentioned above, Curborough sounds good, good middle location and small enough for minis to enjoy, and most people here know it as Mr Sollis has been round