133 replies to this topic

[VIX]

I dropped Castle Combe an email. Their prices seemed more reasonable but actually when you work it out including VAT, 50 cars would still work out at £160 each. Good circuit though and they have said they can be flexible:

All cars using the track must be road going and silenced to 100 dba. Track is 1.85 miles long but if you would like to see a map then this can be downloaded from our website as below under the link to the Castle Combe Circuit map on homepage.

We run a static test measured at 0.5 metres at 3/4 max revs. Track use is from 9am-5pm with a break for lunch and costs are as follows:-

'3' Car Day - This will allow you to have no more than '3' cars on track at any one time - £3,600 + VAT
'4' Car Day - This will allow you to have no more than '4' cars on track at any one time - £4,400 + VAT
'6' Car Day - Again no more than '6' on track at any one time - £5,500 + VAT
'12' Car Day - This is max no of cars allowed on track at any one time - £6,800+ VAT

Although the above prices are what we call “book” prices but we can be flexible on the costs so if could let us know roughly how you would like to run the day and possible number of cars to expect we can then perhaps look at the costs for you but alternatively it might be an idea to come down for a site visit and at the same time meet up with our MD, Graham Marshallsay, to discuss your requirements etc

If you feel that this is out of your budget range then we do run our own car track days where you can just book individual places at a cost of £170 per driver, extra drivers are £40 each - All cars must be road going and again full driving licences - on the day we will place you in a group of up to '20' cars in each group and then each group will be out on track for 15 mins sessions so you should be out every hour but really it depends on number of cars booked for the day but '20 would be max but sometimes we only have '12' in each group. All this info is on our website under the link for 'trackdays' so please take a look if you want more info but if you are interested and are looking to possibly book 10 plus places then please contact me colleague emma@castlecombecircuit.co.uk who looks after these days and whom I'm sure can enquire if we could do a deal if you block book some places.

All prices include all necessary staff ie marshals, paramedic, rescue vehicle and a track manager. Catering is separate but the Tavern will be open early in the morning for breakfasts, drinks, and for you to use for registration etc... If you require a set menu for the day or wish to discuss catering options then please contact Jacqui Brenton at Tavern Events on 07887 775161 or 01249 782154.

[Ash]

How about Brunters?

Brunters is Ok but a little boring after a while.

last time the national was there 2005 there was a few problems, like the owners son wheelying a motorbike down the pit entrance the wrong way while cars were coming in

Ah, I guess not then!! Not good when the owner's own son does stupid stuff like that, the rest of the marshalling must be terrible as well if that's the kind of thing they allow!!

[off topic]
Sean, forgot to mention in my PM, I hope you get better soon, is it Norovirus? I hope not, that doesn't sound at all pleasant!!
[/off topic]

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

I dropped Castle Combe an email. Their prices seemed more reasonable but actually when you work it out including VAT, 50 cars would still work out at £160 each. Good circuit though and they have said they can be flexible:

All cars using the track must be road going and silenced to 100 dba. Track is 1.85 miles long but if you would like to see a map then this can be downloaded from our website as below under the link to the Castle Combe Circuit map on homepage.

We run a static test measured at 0.5 metres at 3/4 max revs. Track use is from 9am-5pm with a break for lunch and costs are as follows:-

'3' Car Day - This will allow you to have no more than '3' cars on track at any one time - £3,600 + VAT
'4' Car Day - This will allow you to have no more than '4' cars on track at any one time - £4,400 + VAT
'6' Car Day - Again no more than '6' on track at any one time - £5,500 + VAT
'12' Car Day - This is max no of cars allowed on track at any one time - £6,800+ VAT

Although the above prices are what we call “book” prices but we can be flexible on the costs so if could let us know roughly how you would like to run the day and possible number of cars to expect we can then perhaps look at the costs for you but alternatively it might be an idea to come down for a site visit and at the same time meet up with our MD, Graham Marshallsay, to discuss your requirements etc

If you feel that this is out of your budget range then we do run our own car track days where you can just book individual places at a cost of £170 per driver, extra drivers are £40 each - All cars must be road going and again full driving licences - on the day we will place you in a group of up to '20' cars in each group and then each group will be out on track for 15 mins sessions so you should be out every hour but really it depends on number of cars booked for the day but '20 would be max but sometimes we only have '12' in each group. All this info is on our website under the link for 'trackdays' so please take a look if you want more info but if you are interested and are looking to possibly book 10 plus places then please contact me colleague emma@castlecombecircuit.co.uk who looks after these days and whom I'm sure can enquire if we could do a deal if you block book some places.

All prices include all necessary staff ie marshals, paramedic, rescue vehicle and a track manager. Catering is separate but the Tavern will be open early in the morning for breakfasts, drinks, and for you to use for registration etc... If you require a set menu for the day or wish to discuss catering options then please contact Jacqui Brenton at Tavern Events on 07887 775161 or 01249 782154.

Sounds excellent!!!! Far more positive than any responses I've had yet!!!!

I'm waiting for LoT to get back to us, but I think now Coombe will take SOME beating. Just hope ther'es availability, as Donnington and Bedford were rammed!!

£6,800 for 8 Hrs with 12 on track max..

Easy numbers to juggle!!

Say 48 cars 20 min sessions x 6 each. £140 each (+VAT). Tons of facilities too.

Now to start a thread about how to quieten my car down....

Edited by JimmyJamJerusalem, 15 January 2008 - 04:19 PM.

[siztenboots]

I dropped Castle Combe an email. Their prices seemed more reasonable but actually when you work it out including VAT, 50 cars would still work out at £160 each. Good circuit though and they have said they can be flexible:

All cars using the track must be road going and silenced to 100 dba. Track is 1.85 miles long but if you would like to see a map then this can be downloaded from our website as below under the link to the Castle Combe Circuit map on homepage.

We run a static test measured at 0.5 metres at 3/4 max revs. Track use is from 9am-5pm with a break for lunch and costs are as follows:-

'3' Car Day - This will allow you to have no more than '3' cars on track at any one time - £3,600 + VAT
'4' Car Day - This will allow you to have no more than '4' cars on track at any one time - £4,400 + VAT
'6' Car Day - Again no more than '6' on track at any one time - £5,500 + VAT
'12' Car Day - This is max no of cars allowed on track at any one time - £6,800+ VAT

Although the above prices are what we call “book” prices but we can be flexible on the costs so if could let us know roughly how you would like to run the day and possible number of cars to expect we can then perhaps look at the costs for you but alternatively it might be an idea to come down for a site visit and at the same time meet up with our MD, Graham Marshallsay, to discuss your requirements etc

If you feel that this is out of your budget range then we do run our own car track days where you can just book individual places at a cost of £170 per driver, extra drivers are £40 each - All cars must be road going and again full driving licences - on the day we will place you in a group of up to '20' cars in each group and then each group will be out on track for 15 mins sessions so you should be out every hour but really it depends on number of cars booked for the day but '20 would be max but sometimes we only have '12' in each group. All this info is on our website under the link for 'trackdays' so please take a look if you want more info but if you are interested and are looking to possibly book 10 plus places then please contact me colleague emma@castlecombecircuit.co.uk who looks after these days and whom I'm sure can enquire if we could do a deal if you block book some places.

All prices include all necessary staff ie marshals, paramedic, rescue vehicle and a track manager. Catering is separate but the Tavern will be open early in the morning for breakfasts, drinks, and for you to use for registration etc... If you require a set menu for the day or wish to discuss catering options then please contact Jacqui Brenton at Tavern Events on 07887 775161 or 01249 782154.

Sounds excellent!!!! Far more positive than any responses I've had yet!!!!

I'm waiting for LoT to get back to us, but I think now Coombe will take SOME beating. Just hope ther'es availability, as Donnington and Bedford were rammed!!

£6,800 for 8 Hrs with 12 on track max..

Easy numbers to juggle!!

Say 48 cars 20 min sessions x 6 each. £140 each (+VAT). Tons of facilities too.

Now to start a thread about how to quieten my car down....

LoT are sharing a trackday with Easytrack at CC on 30th June, £150 incl per car , they have one 20 min session in each hour with 12 cars per session, whereas its usually 15mins/4 sessions /hour

Plus LoT do not charge extra for an extra driver, whereas most other TDO charge for this

Edited by siztenboots, 15 January 2008 - 04:36 PM.

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

LoT are sharing a trackday with Easytrack at CC on 30th June, £150 incl per car , they have one 20 min session in each hour with 12 cars per session, whereas its usually 15mins/4 sessions /hour

Cool, hopefully Paul will contact me tomorrow, and we can discuss running it through them, as they are obviously getting further discounts to what VIX was offered.

Are we agreed that Donnington and Bedford are too expensive?? And that Brunters is too rough?

Where else shall we look??

[wierdjam]

castle combe is ok, not a very "technical" track very suited to the turbo vx'es Secondly Quarry....... However price wise is not too bad. I personally prefered Rockingham that takes some beating as a venue imo. Jamie

[Timbo]

CC is all well and good but still plenty of armco to hit if you get it wrong and no gravel traps to stop you hitting said armco or if your like me and spin but go infield then you will be fine beacause there is nothing to hit apart from a lot of rapeseed Also having sessions can get a bit boring, ie being told when you can and cant go on track and also going out with the same cars all the time!! Just my 2p's worth

[ianrm]

I'd much prefer open pit lane so I can pick and choose when I go out. You could end up having a red flag on a few of your sessions and miss out on track time. Rockingham in the summer would be different to winter and perhaps after all the Red flags of last year it may not be as bad. After all it's a great circuit.

[roy]

....so then knockhill it is this year then eh? nice & central for all the scottish guys & just a "couple" of hrs from london....

[Dave]

rather than a track day as such how about a sprint (thinking about the chappie who hired a airfield) it would appear that it would be a lot cheaper. this is just for the South East so country wide there must be quite a few. (the details below were copied from a web site) just a thought! There seems to be a lot of places that have held them in the past.Sprint Venues INTRODUCTION Here is a list of venues that are used by some of the speed championships run in the South East of England. As you can see some of these venues are nowhere near the South East! What follows are my personal views on the venues in question, except for the asterisked venues which I have not visited and where I have used a description from the Sevenoaks & District Motor Club Speed Events year book. Often people are nervous about damaging their car so I have made a note if a venue is notorious for accidents, or whether it is very safe. Abingdon nr Oxford, Oxfordshire Abingdon is unique in that the event has 2 separate courses. In the morning half the entrants tackle the Bentley course while the others do the Abingdon course. The Bentley course is laid out on the main runway. It consists of 4 longish straights connected by 2 90 degree bends, a hairpin and 2 chicanes. Each straight is about 300 yards long so powerful cars can reach 3 figure speeds. The Abingdon course is more curvy but again it is a real power course. It is pretty much flat out for well over 1/4 mile before a chicane slows you right down and leads you back out to a 1/4m straight, round a high speed 90 left and across the finish. Brands Hatch nr Fawkham, Kent Sprints take place on the Indy circuit which is 1.2 miles long. The hire fee is astronomical so the entry fee is high. Even so there is a full entry here. Used once a year in February when the weather can be pretty horrible making the circuit even more demanding. The sprint is usually 2 laps from a standing start. The start is either on Cooper Straight or from the Pit Lane. Paddock bend is far more fearsome when you are driving it than when you are spectating! Click for map (15K) Brighton Speed Trials Sussex Held annually on Madeira Drive, Brighton. The speed trials vary in length from year to year. It is currently 1/4 mile long after a fatal accident on the 1/2 mile course in 1994. Always a big crowd with lots of interesting cars. Being a straight line blast it is very safe in a 'slow' car like a 7 replica. Unlike all the other venues detailed here you need a National A speed licence to compete at Brighton which means no beginners. Castle Combe nr Biddestone, Wiltshire This proper racing circuit hosts sprints on a regular basis. The course starts near the finish line and is less than 1 lap, finishing just after Tower. Very fast venue. The infamous Quarry bend normally claims a few victims at each meeting. Good spectating. Approximately 1.5 miles long. Click for map (20K) Cornbury Park nr Charlbury, Oxfordshire This is an annual event hosted by the Jaguar Drivers Club. The course is best described as being like a hilclimb on the flat. A long straight will see speeds of over 100mph away from the start line before a 90 degree right takes you into a winding section through some trees, over a crest and on to the finish. 1230m long. Crystal Palace SE London This famous venue was host to Grands Prix in the past and Sevenoaks Motor Club organised a sprint for 1997 which should become an annual fixture. The course starts on the old pre-war circuit before a hairpin bend takes you onto the Grand Prix circuit. An artificial chicane slows the action before a long right hander sweeps you into a wooded section and onto the finish straight. Curborough nr Alrewas, W Midlands Mainstay of sprinting in the midlands this purpose built track is very short (900 yds) and very twisty. The surface is also slippery if it is wet. Has a short straight at the finish that features a speed trap. Click for map (18K) Debden nr Saffron Walden, Essex 2 sprints a year are held at this challenging military base. From the start line to the first roundabout is nearly 1/3 a mile and is on a continually tightening left hander. Speeds of about 100mph are attainable on this section and you then have the difficulty of slowing to about 20mph for a mini roundabout while having to tighten your line all the time. After coming back along the same road you make a 90 degree left hander onto the main runway which leads to a hairpin bend that takes you through the Go-Kart circuit (watch out for the tyre barriers) followed by a quick squirt down to the finish. Big run-off areas make this a fine venue while also being very technical. One of my favourites and always oversubscribed. 1.1 miles long. Click for map (29K) Goodwood nr Chichester, Sussex The historic circuit that effectively ended the career of Stirling Moss. The fastest circuit in the UK, its 2.4 mile lap will be completed in about 90 seconds from a standing start by a quick 7 replica. Can be tough on engines as quite a few cars are flat out for longish periods on the run to St Mary's and then on the Lavant straight. Despite the high speeds there are not that many accidents here probably due to the big run-off areas. Some sprints use 1 lap and others 2. On a 2 lapper your approach to the first corner (Madgwick) is a lot quicker! Click for map (16K) Harewood * nr Leeds, W Yorkshire Found 'up north', where this venue has a huge following for its difficult 1448 metre course. Excellent spectator facilities are provided by an enthusiastic land onwer, and this is a must for any serious hillclimber. Click for map (24K) HMS Daedalus nr Lee-on-Solent, Sussex No, not an aircraft carrier! This is one of those naval bases on land that is called HMS for some strange reason. An annual event that uses perimeter roads and runways. The course has a good mixture of fast sweeping bends and incredibly tight hairpin bends. Longleat Wiltshire Situated in the grounds of Longleat House, Wiltshire. The course is 1200 yards long and the first half of it has a very slippery surface - tiny little polished stones in concrete. A challenging right over a crest is followed by a sweeping left hander and a tight hairpin which precedes a rough section of road leading to the finish. Click for map (40K) Lydden nr Shepherdswell, Kent Another real racing circuit near Dover. Spectating is brilliant here as you can see the whole circuit from most locations. Sprints start in the pit lane and consist of 1 3/4 laps finishing after the Devil's Elbow. Paddock bend is very difficult and normally accounts for at least 1 write off at each meeting. Chessons Drift often has chalk all over the surface which makes it slippery. The Devils Elbow also causes a fair few cars to spin although being pretty slow there is usually no damage. Click for map (20K) Llys-y-Fran * Dyfed In Wales, a charming hillclimb set close to a reservoir and parkland. 725m long. Millbrook nr Ampthill, Bedfordshire Famous for having the worst toilets of any sprint venue in the universe, this is definitely a driver's course. This is part of the GM/Lotus development facilities. The first part of the course is on the 'city circuit' which is incredibly tight and twisty. After about half a mile a couple of 90 degree right handers take you onto the high speed handling course. Near the start of this is a right hander over a sharp crest which always produces a lot of spinners. While the first half is all 2nd gear stuff the handling course gets very fast towards the finish. Highly recommended. 1.6 miles long. MIRA * A 1 1/2 mile trip around the MIRA handling circuit has been laid on by the Jaguar Car Club. New for 1997 the course has not been finalised by the RAC but should prove interesting... one part of the course has a crosswind generator at the side - hopefully turned off! Click for map (27K) North Weald nr Weald Bassett, Essex Just off the M11 near the M25 this is an airfield course. Not very inspiring as the course is laid out with cones on a huge runway. The benefits are that it is cheap to enter and very very safe for the car. A normal course consists of 2 hairpin bends about 1/4 mile apart with a chicane on one of the connecting straights. Most courses are 2 laps (about 1 mile). Click for map (9K) Ocean Village Southampton I'm not sure if this is still run. The course uses normal roads in the Ocean Village Marina at Southampton. Very short and very damaging. Because the roads have pavements next to them alot of cars get suspension damage from the kerbs. Pembrey * nr Llanelli, Dyfed Another Welsh circuit which is rarely used for sprinting. The circuit is quite fast with a few surprises. Click for map (22K) Pestalozzi nr Hastings, Sussex Now that Valence hillcimb has gone this is the only hillclimb in the southeast. Situated near Hastings in the grounds of a special school. The course is fast and flat at the bottom before rising towards the school. Includes a serious hairpin that some of the bigger cars have difficulty negotiating. Tim Harvey did it one year in a Renault A610 and had real problems getting around it. His solution ? Just bounce it off the tyres and set one of the fastest times of the day! 828m long. Click for map (64K) Ragley Hall Organised by the Jaguar Car Club twice a year. This is a hillclimb that is pretty tricky at the top. After a flattish start with a few bends there is a steep, long, blind left hander that is very quick. Can you keep the pedal to the metal all the way around it ? Rotherfield Park E Sussex Another hillclimb. Santa Pod nr Podington, Bedford No, not drag racing. The braking area at the end of the drag strip is used for the sprint course. Similair to North Weald in that the course is made up entirely of cones. Held in October when it is bound to be raining. Valence nr Westerham, Kent A very famous hilclimb that was last used in 1996 and will probably never be used again thanks to Dunblane. Security measures installed at the Valence School (gates, lights &c) have made it too dangerous. The course had a hairpin bend at the bottom and the top with a fast winding section through tress in the middle. 712 yards long. Click for map (23K) Watton Norfolk One of the longest sprint courses in the country at 3 miles. Uses perimeter roads on a military airfield. The roads are wide with some long straights. Very difficult to remember the course after a run, especially as none of it is visible from the start line. This also means it is the worst venue in the country for spectators. The speeds involved are very high and 2 of the straights have artificial chicanes like Mulsanne to try and keep things safe. Finishes with a lovely, HUGE, S bend. Click for map (61K) Wiscombe Park * nr Honiton, Devon A fine 1000 yard hillclimb used in the National Championships with the steepest part at Martini having a 1:7 gradient. The first section rises across an open field where speeds of over 100mph have been measured, through a wide gate into a wooded section featuring 2 serious hairpins. Click for map (57K)

[VIX]

Presumably you don't mean a proper sprint which would require a timing strut, licence, race overalls etc etc like the SELOC Sprint and as detailed on the Sevenoaks Club website.

[Dave]

Presumably you don't mean a proper sprint which would require a timing strut, licence, race overalls etc etc like the SELOC Sprint and as detailed on the Sevenoaks Club website.

good question(s).... I'm just thinking aloud so dont know???

Can these things be done on a more informal basis. (and would you want too?)

Just thinking about HMS Dadalus near me, a while back local car clubs used some of the perimiter roads for a srint...seemed like an informal affair. Not sure of the details.

[Richy]

Pembrey * nr Llanelli, Dyfed
Another Welsh circuit which is rarely used for sprinting. The circuit is quite fast with a few surprises. Click for map (22K)

I know its out of the way for most, but Pembrey is quite cheap when it comes to track hire, theres also a karting track there and a sprint/tarmac rally section.

I did a sesion there last year with open pits - so they definitley do that too.

[ianrm]

Pembrey * nr Llanelli, Dyfed
Another Welsh circuit which is rarely used for sprinting. The circuit is quite fast with a few surprises. Click for map (22K)

I know its out of the way for most, but Pembrey is quite cheap when it comes to track hire, theres also a karting track there and a sprint/tarmac rally section.

I did a sesion there last year with open pits - so they definitley do that too.

Pembry sounds good to me 3 1/2 hrs from Milton Keynes. Nice track, plenty of viewing all round circuit. Restaurant with large portions. Friendly locals and lots of fluffly little sheep for R1CHY.

[VIX]

[slindborg]

Pembrey and Llandow are both excellent tracks (although the end of Llandows main straight might prove comedy for the ABS system lol. I think I've mentioned that a certain old vauxhall hatchback club go to Llandow most years and get it mid august for a little over £100 each with 20 cars, open pit. Me thinks either of these tracks will prove better in terms of value and facilities than the "big boys"

[SilverstoneVX]

I have contacts at Millbrook - should I get a quote?

[rsg]

the handling circuit at Millbrook is really short, probably no more than 5 cars at a time. The hill route has NO run off i places and is quite tight. Doubt you'd be able to get exclusive use during the summer. Would be good to see what speeds some of the Stage 4 boys get round the bowl though

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

I have contacts at Millbrook - should I get a quote?

Yeah, why not. Can't hurt eh?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Right, Paul from LoT mailed me:-


Hi James



Would be more than happy to give you some advice on venues and idea of pricing that you can expect.



The main things to take into consideration will be position of venue if you’re doing a national meet, safety of that venue for drivers of all abilities, time of year and of course price.



If you’d like to give me a bell – XXXXXXXXXXX any time maybe we can focus efforts on a couple of circuits and time of year and then I’m happy to get you availability and price – by having a chat first we can work out what’s suitable and then I can get you dates and final prices. You can either then deal with the circuits direct or maybe get me to provide someone to run the day and sort instructors – LoT wouldn’t be looking to make any profit as with last year.



Regards



Paul Golding

Seems dead friendly, and not perturbed by the fun and games at 'the Rock'.



Also, I rang Pembrey, they instructed me to put it in writing, and they'll put it to the commitee..... Sounds like the local Workingmens club, lol.

Edited by JimmyJamJerusalem, 16 January 2008 - 03:47 PM.

[crossVXT]

Been on a number of trackdays at Llandow.

Cracking little circuit, ideal for newbies too and cheap as chips to hire (especially on weekdays - used to be approx £1500 for the day, open pit lane). Could well work out as the most cost effective option

http://www.llandow.com/