20 replies to this topic

[Thorney]

The following have paid Colin Porter Robert Bridges Neil Fox Robert Kozicki Louise Alexander Ben Jackson Ian Rush Robert Woolridge Ian Matthews Chris Smith Stephen Hatcher Steve Persighetti Mick Palfrey James Mitchell Simon Fox Joss Manners Armstrong Graham York The following are also booked for instruction: Robert Kozicki Ben Jackson Steve Persighetti Joss Manners Armstrong Robert Bridges Ian Matthews Come on everyone, UK's best suited VX220 circuit, VX220 only, Wales run/meet on the Sunday, beer on the Sunday night

[tommyboy]

can't guarantee I'll have my car back by then can a track the cinquecento

[ECM]

Thorney, I thought that I'd put down for tuition as well. If I'm not on the list can you let me know & I'll sort it. Rob W

[barrybethel]

I'll be paying on Friday when my wages are in. Save me a place!

[Eminator]

I am very interested, just needing to clarify my insurance situation (Does anyone know if First Alternative (Esure) cover track days). I have looked for info on what is required (I am a newbie) i.e. insurance, helmet - is there a faq anywhere so I know what I need to do.

[DanDare]

Esure don't cover track days. When I got my insurance they gave me the lowest quote but wouldn't cover track days, so I went with Liverpool Victoria who do Dan

[Eminator]

Cheers Dan, I suspected as much but I read somewhere else (jneil - I think, he can correct me if I am wrong) that ESure did do it. Ok, I know I could probably search for this but any idea how much a one off payment would be for the day? - ballpark figure even.

[earlystock]

Most people don't bother

[Jim Mitch]

Ok, I know I could probably search for this but any idea how much a one off payment would be for the day? - ballpark figure even.

Competition Car Insurance quoted me about £250 for the day - Bruntingthorpe at the 2003 national club meet (so about as safe as you can get). I think the premium depends on the circuit, time of year, event, what they've had for breakfast, what the tea leaves tell them - that kind of thing...

Link here to:

Competition Car Insurance

[Robski]

£250 !!!!!!! Many people, me included, go without insurance. You really just have to remember to be sensible and gradually learn the circuit / limits of the car! Don't go ballistic straight away! You can still have fun!!!! Robski

[wickywire]

i don't bother with track insurance anymore since vauxhall withdrew it from their policies. If you do have a bump just make sure you have no license plates on the car while on track as they sometimes check picman and other photo companies who take piccies as you go round. Then you can push your car to the side of the main road and make a claim. I know a few people that have done this but i suppose you would be in a bit of trouble if they found out.

[ShinyAndy]

As the others have said, it's rare that people will take out seperate specialist insurance. It also doesn't work in the same way that your normal insurance works either. You take out a policy that will cover you for say £5000 of damage with a £750 excess. Depending on the amount of cover you want and the amount of excess you want to pay coupled with the organiser that runs the day along with the type of circuit and this is how they work out the policy cost. So if you have to claim then you would only be able to claim up to the amount on the policy. It also doesn't cover mechanical damage so if you blew your engine up on track you couldn't claim for that. Car to car contact at a properly run event is virtually non-existent (I've only heard of 2 incidents in about 4 or 5 years and they were bizarre circumstances). So ultimately most accident damage is caused by you and the way you're driving which is why we try to ram home the fact that you should build up your speed slowly and not go out there thinking you're a driving God (unless you're Timbo of course ) Clear as mud ??

[Robski]

Eminator Don't let all this serious insurance talk put you off though! My first time on track was just a couple of weeks after I had bought the vx ... it was absolutely amazing! It really is a lot of fun and very safe if the event is organised properly - which this one is! I'm still very protective over the car and I would only take my vxon a vx only track day as I know that everyone else feels the same about their cars. You will learn so much about your car on one of these events and they're FUN!! Also remember that there are 3 groups - novice, intermediate and expert - so that adds to the safety too...

[Eminator]

everyone. I am coming round to the no-insurance way of thinking - will you all give me a push to the A55 in case of a small bump? The one off insurance does now seem like an unjustified security. I am encouraged by the VX only day, I would perhaps think twice if it were a free for all with the whole of Colwyn Bay Sports Academy for Young Delinquents turning up!! They hate the English at the best of times! Ok, so basically, turn up (having paid £115 notes before hand) with a helmet - (borrowing my mates bike helmet - ok?) Book some tuition and off we go? Just let me know if I am over simplifying things here? I have done track racing before - Peugeot 106 rally car BIG . So I am not stupid, in that respect anyway. Getting a little bit now!

[ShinyAndy]

Now: Pay the money and book tuition On the day: Turn up with helmet Sign on Listen to briefing where we will explain the rules of the day, such as flags, overtaking rules, etc, etc Split into sessions so will run 3 or 4 laps behind a pace car so you can see where the circuit goes and where the marshalls are situated Run 20 minute sessions to lunchtime Stop for lunch and free burger & drink Depending on the split of ability and how well everyone behaved we may well go to open pitlane in the afternoon (with black cross on yellow square stickers to signify beginners)

[Pidgeon]

Eminator, as Shiny said, there are two risks on track, car/car contact and car/scenery contact. Both are in your hands. To avoid other cars, if there is a slower car in front as you approach the corner, lift off, give him some room and hope he has the courtesy to let you through on the next straight. If there is a faster car approaching you, indicate, back off and let him through before you get to the corner. By remaining aware of the other traffic and maintaining a safe space envelope, the risk can be minimised. To avoid contact with the circuit hardware, first choose a circuit that has as little as possible. I understand Anglesey is good in that respect. This is one reason Bedford is so popular, as the risk of damage is lower than any other circuit and you can push the limits to infinity and beyond. As the RMA chap said one briefing 'spin off on any other of our trackdays and you are banned for the rest of the day - here, if you do not spin off you are not trying hard enough' Take it easy, learn the circuit, build up speed gradually. Think of driving your favourite piece of road. You know every corner, you know where you can push, you know where you need to be careful. This is a very short piece of road, so you will soon learn. The bike helmet will be fine. As for insurance, it a lot of bother and a lot of money. Again as Shiny said, you are not covered in the same was as road risks. Insure yourself in your head and by your track conduct. Look forward to meeting you there! Andrew

[wickywire]

how many do we have going now?

[rubber]

how many do we have going now?

Not enough!!

Ian

[Timbo]

I'll be going (cashflow problem at the mo) and then i can show you all how to be a driving g*d

[stomper]

Thorney I have been trying to call you and send you some money! I guess you are on holiday?? Please put me down for the Anglesey Track day and touch base so I can send a cheque cheers jon