I’m booking myself onto a trackday at Donnington at the end of November. When we went to Donnington Park and had 3 sessions of tracktime at Japfest 2, we had a right laugh.
The day begins at 7:45 AM with driver and passenger indemnity sign-up, shortly followed by the half hour driver briefing at 8:30 AM.
The track time runs from 9:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00 with an hour for lunch in the middle. Lunch can be got onsite in the track diner.
The format of the day is 3 groups (beginner, intermediate and advanced). Each group goes out for 20 minutes, followed by the next, and so on. This means that you will get a 20 minute track session followed by 40 minutes to cool off, relax and twiddle with your car before going back on. Because of the shorter nights in November, the track will close when the sun sets, which is due to be 16:00. According to the nice lady on the phone today, they will aim to keep going until 17:00, but if weather is bad then they may call bad light slightly before 16:00. This means you should get 6 x 20 minute track sessions, possibly even 7. If there’s not many people on the day, and/or people are happy with it, then the sessioned day may revert to an “open pit lane” day, whereby anyone can go on the track at any time, for as long as they like.
Cars don’t require an MOT, but they must be in a safe condition. Marshals can remove any car they consider dangerous from the track at any time - you then have the choice to fix it, or stop racing with no refund!
Exhausts are limited to 98 dba, which is the UK road legal noise limit (apparently!). They monitor noise with stations set up around the track which are linked to a computer and the local council. Myself and Stevie were both fine at Japfest II, and the system was operational as they black-flagged the entire Time Attack qualifiers!
Drivers must hold a full UK driving license, or race license. If you turn up with a driving license, make sure you fetch both the photocard and the paper section (originals, not copies) as a number of people were disappointed at Japfest II. Drivers must wear a helmet and have their arms and legs covered (ie no shorts and t-shirts).
Front seat passengers are allowed, but they must be over 16 years old, wear a helmet and have arms and legs covered.
Second drivers are allowed, they must follow the same rules as normal drivers regarding license, indemnity forms, driver briefing and clothing/helmet.
Spectators are free, but children must be accompanied at all times by an adult, and aren’t allowed in the pit lane or on the pit wall to spectate.
Proffesional race driver tuition is available on the day. They will ride as your passenger for a 20 minute session, giving you advice on lines and techniques to improve your driving on the track. These are best booked in advance, although they may be available on the day.
A proffesional photographer will be on the track for the day, and you can buy photos/prints at the track as a souvenier.
Prices;
£99 for the car and driver
£20 for a passenger
£20 for a second driver
£35 for a session with the instructor
More details and booking available here;
http://www.donington-park.co.uk/trakzone/
Myself and a mate are going for the day, him as a second driver.
Who else is up for this?
Steve
) may even take advantage of an instructor for the first session, will have a word to see if her indoors fancies a day out, never done this before & the car seems to be running A1 so why not, have to have a go sometime.
