What Happens On A Novice Car Track Day? - News

KEY POINTS

• Novice car track days are the perfect introduction for those who are new to the world of track day events
• They are delivered by qualified ARDS instructors in a controlled and relaxed setup
• A novice track day session is even ideal for those that just want to try it out

Most seasoned car track day enthusiasts can doubtless recall where their interest - and thus obsession - began. But what if you've recently had your curiosity piqued, perhaps from recently attending an event as a spectator, or hearing about it from a family member or friend, and are, as David Bowie once put it, an absolute beginner?

Even the most experienced track drivers had to start somewhere, which is why our range of Novice Car Track Day events, designed specifically with the newcomer driver in mind, are the perfect starting point - and hopefully bridging the gap - to many glorious times to come out on the circuit…

• What Is A Novice Car Track Day?

Let's address the obvious question first. For starters, it's vastly different from a general car track day event. Let's face it; it can be quite a daunting prospect to decide to take your own set of four wheels onto a proper race track or circuit.

That's why the track length will usually be no more than 1 mile in length, formulated in a basic track layout that has a couple of chicanes and hairpins. The noise limit will typically be a lot lower than it is on a normal track day event - on average, around 105db is the capped number.

Group numbers on the day will usually be smaller than average as well, and absolutely no experienced drivers or racing cars are allowed, so everyone's on an equal footing. And it goes without saying that you will need a full and valid driving licence. Venues for novice sessions are based all over the country, from Snetterton Circuit in Norfolk to Seighford Driving Centre in Staffordshire.

In essence, a novice track day is done in a much more relaxed yet enjoyable setup for those that are getting started, and who aren't as yet accustomed to the demands (as well as the rules and regulations) that come from attending an event and the general etiquette surrounding this that eventually becomes second nature to you. So if anything, a novice event is giving you the best setup to flourish.

• How A Novice Track Day Session Progresses

Following your registration and sign-on at the start of the day, you'll meet with an ARDS qualified instructor. Which stands - acronym fans - for the Association of Racing Driver Schools, the UK's leading organisation which represents racing schools as well as regulating these, and is recognised by Motorsport UK, so they are also responsible for licensing ARDS instructors to circuits.

In short, you're learning from both professionally qualified instructors and only the very best. They have seen and acquired years of knowledge and expertise on and off track, so there's no better person for guiding you through your session.

The main focus on your tuition will be on perfecting and fine tuning your driving lines, as well as braking and cornering. And because the track layout is situated away from the larger main circuit layouts, it means you're under less pressure to pick things up immediately.

On some events, in-car tuition may even be available or included in the price of your session (of course you're best to double check this before you book, which you can do under the 'Event Info' section of the booking page).

The day is usually divided up into a morning and afternoon session, with a break for lunch in-between. So you'll have more than enough opportunities to put what you're learning into practice, and hopefully have gradually built in confidence and got up to a suitably good standard by the time your session ends.

• Can I Go On More Than One Novice Session?

Absolutely! We understand - as indeed, do our event hosts - that for some people it might take another rodeo before they've built the courage to book onto a full scale track day event. In fact, some people do book them even as a taster to try out.

If you are, therefore, looking to do a second or even third novice session, we'd always recommend reaching out to our Customer Service team before you book. They are not only incredibly knowledgeable and willing to help, but they have fantastic relationships as well as regular communication with our network of suppliers, so they can enquire for you about anything you're wanting clarification on.

Of course, if you're feeling ready to take on your first proper track day after just your first novice session, that's great as well - and something to be celebrated!

If this is you, you could also, of course, consider exploring our range of Race Tuition vouchers, which will help further your existing racing driving skills base for future events. Our particular tip to book is this Bronze Level Track Driving Course that's hosted at Mallory Park in Leicestershire.

Not only is this fantastically priced at under £100, this course is a fantastic platform on which to build the basic knowledge and skills you've acquired and advance them to the next level, focusing on techniques such as understeer and oversteer, and increasing your braking prowess.

• In Conclusion

Hopefully we've convinced you that a novice track day session is the route to success out on track for you and your hot wheels. Don't forget to browse and book from our regularly updated Novice Events Calendar which has complete listings of all forthcoming events at venues across the UK!