Different race tracks (how challenging)

Tiptop · 3 Nov 2004, 16:33 (Ref:1143947)

I only drive at Castle Combe (formula ford) at present and would like to know everyone's opinion on which is the MOST challenging race track in the UK.

Which is the best for outright speed, which one for hard braking, best track for overtaking etc etc..

Cheers

ianselva · 3 Nov 2004, 17:13 (Ref:1143977)

I would say Oulton Park , maybe not on outright speed but on corners , braking and ovetaking it takes a lot of beating.

rbs · 3 Nov 2004, 18:56 (Ref:1144113)

Excluding Rockingham's oval, Thruxton is the fastest.

graeme · 4 Nov 2004, 08:38 (Ref:1144525)

Depending on the car, Mallory can be quicker than Thruxton (lap record speed in Caterham Graduates is higher at Mallory)

Rod Birley · 4 Nov 2004, 22:08 (Ref:1145141)

You say "challenging", then surely it has to be Brands GP or Cadwell Park.

NiG_21 · 5 Nov 2004, 13:19 (Ref:1145511)

Cadwell... especially in race conditions... you have to breath in to overtake

...also the most satisfying too...

R59 · 7 Nov 2004, 21:02 (Ref:1146954)

Cadwell, then it's Cadwell, er, Cadwell, and... Cadwell.

The rest are picnic's in comparison.

If you want hustle - Lydden.

If you want balls out speed - Thruxton.

Rob.,

kickstart · 8 Nov 2004, 00:00 (Ref:1147096)

Oulton Park has a really majestic feel even though I have never mastered the place.
Mallory and BH (indy) offer lots of overtaking opportunities.
Thruxton is just mega fast although Mallory is not far behind.
Cadwell Park on the full circuit is a real challenge and great fun even if you are not dicing with anyone.
Tiptop just get out there next year and see what you think.

Mark Mitchell · 14 Nov 2004, 19:51 (Ref:1153401)

It has to be Oulton - judging from what drivers past & present say!

The adverse camber into cascades and either down to fosters or round lakeside tests the mettel of the finest amongst you.

Then there's Druids - a double-apexed right-hander. Can be taken flat out I'm told.

All this is assuming that you've got round Old Hall in the first place!

**Adam43** · 14 Nov 2004, 21:22 (Ref:1153457)

Quote:

Originally posted by Mark Mitchell
Then there's Druids - a double-apexed right-hander. Can be taken flat out I'm told.

What in? An underpowered high downforce car presumably

Not for me it isn't, but it is a great corner. A fast approach and a tricky entry. Many still get fooled by the first apex. The exit is nice, no run off, but if you have got the corner right I find the exit a time to smile.

Tiptop · 15 Nov 2004, 08:35 (Ref:1153740)

Anglesy race track how does that compare to all the others (it doesn't look like a big circuit ?)

MightyMiniMan · 15 Nov 2004, 10:08 (Ref:1153801)

Oulton - Druids - Flat Out in Mighty Mini... Oh what fun..

Flat through Cascades(..into Fosters. Not Long circuit!!) and then get it slowed down intime.. Have change of underwear at the ready.. LOL (Lost it mid Cascades once last year... Nice trip across the grass and skip through gap of 2 cars at exit of Fosters and across onto long circuit.. SCARY!!!!)

**dtype38** · 15 Nov 2004, 18:46 (Ref:1154282)

Tiptop... Anglesy is a great little track. Not long but it has big elevation changes.. Radar is nearly as steep as the Mountain at Cadwell, then there's a downhill straight into a tight hairpin followed by a tricky bus-stop then an even bigger downhill into a very fast right-hander. And all with great views. I like it!

(eddited for speling)

**Adam43** · 15 Nov 2004, 19:01 (Ref:1154302)

Quote:

Originally posted by MightyMiniMan
Oulton - Druids - Flat Out in Mighty Mini... Oh what fun..

Ah flat, well done

I agree with dtype38, Anglesey is good fun and it is great for a newbie. You get lots of laps in your timed race. Good for learning a track - Anglesey was the first track I felt I knew may way around, and maybe that is why my first podium came there?

Redlake27 · 16 Nov 2004, 09:40 (Ref:1154789)

I'd say Anglesey packs more into a mile than any other, but Cadwell is tops for me. Oulton was great until it was blighted by chicanes.

In terms of corners, the 'big' bends are the ones that make me smile:

Riches at Snetterton, Paddock at Brands, The Gooseneck at Cadwell, Gerards at Mallory and the Craner Curves at Donington. Link those together and you would have some track

**dtype38** · 16 Nov 2004, 18:00 (Ref:1155193)

Hmmmm.... would make a great track to drive so long as you're not expecting to overtake anyone

archibold · 22 Nov 2004, 16:05 (Ref:1160939)

dtype

Have to disagree there, most of the corners listed you can overtake into (Riches, Gerrards, Paddock) or can be used to hustle someone out of the way...Craner etc. (though I admit that's only for the committed)

For me Brands GP has to be included, on Saturday night in the dark it was truly awesome, can't wait to get the on-board video tape back from Sky

Cadwell for me lacks the flowing rewarding corners of D'ton and feels awkward in places in anything bigger that a Caterham...

All IMHO

**dtype38** · 22 Nov 2004, 22:56 (Ref:1161311)

archibold.. I was only just at Mallory and had a very hairy moment trying and failing to drive round the outside of a slower car at Gerrards. As for Paddock and Craner, surely they are where you set the other guy up for overtaking into Druids and Old Hairpin respectively. Your not seriously saying you can overtake a similarly paced car actually in any of those bends are you (apart from if he makes a stupid mistake or you're lapping him of course) ?

Red Dog · 23 Nov 2004, 00:36 (Ref:1161383)

It can definitely be done at both of those corners. Element of surprise counts for a lot...

Chris Y · 23 Nov 2004, 08:57 (Ref:1161519)

I've seen plenty of people dive for the inside at Paddock Hill and make the pass cleanly and safely. Same with Mallory, although it does depend what speed you're approaching it at, and how much you have to brake - real scary that one sometimes!

Not seen so many at the top of the Craners, but as Red Dog says, it's the element of surprise.

**Adam43** · 23 Nov 2004, 10:29 (Ref:1161622)

I've passed someone into paddock. For position, in a very similar car. A big smile moment. However, I agree with dtype38 generally they are best used for causing someone to defend weakly on the inside and be slow up to Druids. Then the switchback works well, or if they hug the inside you probably have more speed up the hill to beat them anyway. All of that is in an ideal situation, obviously!

archibold · 23 Nov 2004, 15:41 (Ref:1161840)

Adam

I would agree with you they are all useful for setting people-up. Though I like the element of surprise as well. Often in the intimidating corners the threat of you getting your nose up the inside is enougth to put people off and you can get along side. It's real easy to get left on the outside into Paddock if you are not 100% sure where the car on your inside is at that moment and effectively give the line away by turning too late.

**dtype38** · 23 Nov 2004, 18:03 (Ref:1161950)

Hmmm... seems I'm out-voted on that one. Guess I'm just too cautious to consider "springing a surprise" on anyone in a very fast corner. Did accidentally shear the front indicator off someone who tried to do it to me half way down Craner Curves though! So be warned, trying to take people by surprise can have its consequences.

**Adam43** · 23 Nov 2004, 18:27 (Ref:1161968)

Boo!

Slippy Diff · 23 Nov 2004, 22:19 (Ref:1162204)

Quote:

Originally posted by dtype38
As for Paddock and Craner, surely they are where you set the other guy up for overtaking into Druids and Old Hairpin respectively. Your not seriously saying you can overtake a similarly paced car actually in any of those bends are you

Been there, done that, got the Tshirt.

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