My first track day (Cadwell Park)

[chris128]

Just got back from doing my first ever track day - a "novice only" day at cadwell park. Got there at 7:30 and thought I must have come on the wrong day as there were only cars and no bikes, but it turned out they were doing car track days today as well, we just basically took it in turns with the car, each getting a 20 minute session.

Obviously because its the middle of winter there were not that many bikers, I think there was only about 12 of us in total, so it was nice and relaxed. Even though it was a novice only day, there were a couple of guys there that had clearly done this a lot before (the fact that they turned up with proper race bikes on a trailer and tyre warmers etc gave us a bit of a clue that they werent quite the same level as the rest of us...) but I don't think they caused anyone any problems, just went a lot faster than the rest of us and overtook in some places that I would not have dreamt of.

So anyway, we got out onto the track and did a few laps behind a pace car just to get to know the circuit a bit. It was quite foggy to begin with but cleared up after the first session, so I took it steady on the first session and just tried to learn what was on the other side of some of the blind hills. One thing I did do which scared the crap out of me, was get my front wheel off the ground on "the mountain" part of the track... I didnt even think about it I just went up there in 2nd gear as fast as I could and didnt realise my wheel had left the ground until I felt a big thud as it hit the ground again and made me wobble all over the place didnt do that again lol

After that first session, the instructors there gave us a few tips on some of the lines to take through the corners and answered any questions we had. Of course one guy had the question "I want to get my knee down, how do I do it?" but the instructors basically just said dont try to do it, its just something that will happen as you get better body position and go faster through the corners.

On the second session I felt a lot more confident now that I knew the track a bit and tried using lower gears a bit more and going faster round the long sweeping corners (which was fun!). Scared myself a couple of times though when I left braking a bit too late or got the wrong line through a corner, but never felt like I was pushing it too hard really. I even managed to overtake a couple of people lol

Anyway, we got another session after lunch but I wasn't feeling it so much on that one, dont know why... probably just cos quite a few people overtook me and I messed up a few corners. Was still fun though, just really cold on my fingers!

Then it started to rain quite a bit so me and a few of the other riders there decided to call it a day as there was only one more session left anyway. Oh and someone in a new lotus sports car crashed into the barrier just before that,

All in all, definitely worth the £49 that it cost as the first few sessions were pretty dry and it was a nice introduction to track riding. Needless to say, I have now caught the track day bug and want to do another one as soon as it starts getting a bit warmer I'm even considering selling my Audi A3 that I just bought (which has been nothing but trouble so far anyway) and buying a cheaper car and a track bike... but I will probably go off that idea by tomorrow

[Guest philgale]

I'm even considering selling my Audi A3 that I just bought (which has been nothing but trouble so far anyway) and buying a cheaper car and a track bike... but I will probably go off that idea by tomorrow

 

trust me you wont

glad you had a good day, now get cadwell booked for the 12th and 13th and ill see you there

[Netmeister]

Glad you had a good day pal, and I knew you would get the bug just like I did

With regards to not feeling it after lunch, did you stuff your face by any chance? If so this can often leave you feeling tired and groggy. It's best to eat small portions throughout the day.

If you want a track bike, just go along with Phil and use one of the TWO track bikes the greedy fecker has. He wont mind, will you Phil

EDIT: Any videos???

[Revvin Kevin]

Good report, glad you enjoyed it. Once you've done one trackday you'll soon want to do another. They are very addictive

[chris128]

No sorry I didnt get any video as they told me that you cant use suction mounted cameras and I only have a suction mount for mine, plus I thought as its just my first track day I would rather just go out and think about the track without having to worry about whether or not the camera has fallen off or is still recording etc. Next time I'll be sure to get some video though

[Guest philgale]

i dont have two bikes, one is my brothers....

were there any pictures on the day? and im sure if you duct taped your camera on as well you would of been allowed

[chris128]

I dont think there were any pictures, after all it was just a novice only day

[Guest philgale]

I dont think there were any pictures, after all it was just a novice only day

 

if there is a chance to make money they will do it, there should have been pictures on the day. there usually is.

keep an eye here gotta feeling if there was a photographer it would be these guys

[Netmeister]

I dont think there were any pictures, after all it was just a novice only day

 

Even more reason for there to be pictures IMO. People would want pictures of their first track day. Seasoned track day go'ers wouldn't be so keen.

[Phill_vtr]

Good to hear you had a good day, my first track day was a wet one at Cadwell and I loved it.

[chris128]

my first track day was a wet one at Cadwell and I loved it.

Really? I'm kind of worried that I might not really enjoy the 2 I've got booked for February if its wet..