Track near Newcastle?

[Espen]

Hello, I've been watching your very nice forum for a while, and I have a question. Could someone help me with some info on tracks taht are within reasonable distance from Newcastle?

Thanks

[Dave Brand]

The nearest circuit to Newcastle is Croft - about 40 miles. After that, it's something like a two to three hours' drive to Knockhill, Oulton Park or Cadwell Park.

[Ian Sowman]

What about that circuit at Middlesbrough - a kart circuit that I think was extended for car testing. Do they have track days there?

[Kicking-back]

I believe they do, I'm sure I've seen it advertised.

[Espen]

Wow, that was quick. Thank you!

Were thinking of going there for a track day, Croft looks pretty nice.

Edit: the track at Middlesbrough sounds interesting, anyone have any more info?

[ss_collins]

Teeside Autodrome its called

[Ian Sowman]

http://www.teessidekarting.co.uk/index.html may be worth a look.

[ss_collins]

http://www.teessideautodrome.co.uk/

[Espen]

Again, thank you. Friendly people!

[andy97]

Am I correct in thinking that you intend coming to the UK on the Ferry - hence the interest in tracks near Newcastle? If so, what about trying Knockhill in Scotland - It might be "doable". Alternatively how about taking a low cost airline flight and hiring a car !!!! Hertz/ Avis/ Eurocar will never know!!

[Espen]

Andy, you are not that far off, no

We're looking to bring a bunch of friends along. Last time we had 25 cars along, this time easy double that. Hence plane and rentals a bit impractical.

[Ian Sowman]

Can you take a rental car to a track day?

[Dave Brand]

Originally Posted by Ian Sowman

Can you take a rental car to a track day?

Nobody would ever do that, would they................

[dtype38]

Espen... 25 cars from different places coming to Newcastle?? Sounds supiciously like a 7 owners club meeting. For smaller cars like that if the drivers haven't been on the track before then Teeside is a good bet. My mate tried it in his Caterham and said that it was fun, but not for the serious track driver... too small. Croft, on the other hand, is only for the brave of heart. Awesome track! One of my favourites

[Espen]

Thank you dtype, very useful input. I really should'nt say too much I guess, because this is such a good idea someone is bound to copy us. But Bergen is so far away from the nearest track that Newcastle is actually relatively close. At least I know I'd rather have a beer aboard than ride a modified car for ten hours straight at 50 mph

We are going to be assembling a group of friends and aquaintances with a bunch of rather nice cars - last time there were cars like 996, Impreza turbos, Opel Speedesters, Mitsu evo, BMW M3 CSL, Skyline GTR, Delta Integrale and so on. We try to make fun meets where drivers get to drive and ride as much as possible, so a fun track would certainly add to the experience

[dtype38]

Originally Posted by Espen

last time there were cars like 996, Impreza turbos, Opel Speedesters, Mitsu evo, BMW M3 CSL, Skyline GTR, Delta Integrale and so on.

With cars that quick I'd definitely suggest Croft. It's very near Darlington not far off the A1 about 40mls south of Newcastle. It's a big, mostly quite wide track and will be much more suited to things like a 996, M3 or Skyline. Why not check it out at www.croftcircuit.co.uk

[ss_collins]

Yes Teeside is tight...

but It should stil be fun - why not do both?

[Steve Wilkinson]

Espen, check with the people at Teeside Autodrome about secure parking. They were having a lot of trouble with items being stolen from cars.

Croft do run track days and for some reason have it in mind that there is one at Easter (Friday 25th March to 27th). If there is stay over for the Easter Monday sprint meeting at the circuit!

[josvandeperre]

I've raced at Croft - excellent circuit - fast - challenging - not too short - I guess for you its like lots of Brits going to do track days in France

[Espen]

Thank you again for your helpful input. We've decided to postpone till september, as there are a lot of track days and motorsport events here in may. Croft sounds nice, Teeside has a very helpful attitude and quite reasonable prices. And we've still to contact other tracks that have been mentioned here.

Teeside has some Seat Leons and Mini Coopers that were quite reasonable to rent, Croft offers a four car experience, but frankly we'll be bringing along far more interresting cars ourselves so it's not that interresting.

Of course, we'd like to try one of the great experience programs that are offered elsewhere featuring some real exotic machinery. However noone seem to offer this at Croft. Does anyone know if such packages are available at Knockhill, Oulton Park or Cadwell Park? There are som many companies to contact, and som many tracks to look up... although of course it is a luxury problem!

Whatever we end up doing, I think I'll be visiting this forum regularly. God athmosphere in here

[dtype38]

Originally Posted by Espen

God athmosphere in here

Not quite sure we rank quite that highly, but I think we know what you mean.

As for "track days" and "track experience days"... these two things are very different in the UK. I'm not sure if we have the wrong idea of what you want, but a track day is where you bring your own car and drive it on the track for the day. Usually they are arranged in sessions based on level of experience and type of car and range from £100-£250 for a day which normally would give you around 2 hours of on-track time. Most tracks also offer half days for £80-£180. If, however, you were thinking of leaving your car in the carpark and going on track, that's a completely different thing. There are all sorts of companies offering anything from a fast couple of laps around a track with someone else driving from £30 a pop, to a full day of professional tuition at well over £1000 a time.

I'd thought you wanted a track day, but your last email sounds more like you want a "tack experience". If that's the case then try something like www.buyagift.co.uk and look in the driving section.

[Espen]

dtype, we are looking into various ideas. One being to arrange a track day one day, and an "experience" day next day.

[buster bram]

Originally Posted by Espen

dtype, we are looking into various ideas. One being to arrange a track day one day, and an "experience" day next day.

try www.tracksport.co.uk went with them sat great lads then can sort out a package at oulton park or any other circuit open pit lane for mat see there site ask for craig or graeme

[Espen]

Thanks for the heads up

[Grahame West]

Hi Espen. I can highly reccomend Croft, done my first couple of track days there in my mark II mexico. Great fun, but I am biast as its my local circuit and I marshal there all the time. PM me and let me know when you have definite plans as I'll come down and say hello, might even marshal it if the circuit staff need a hand.

Good luck with your plans. Regards Grahame