anyone thinking of doing their first trackday, or just getting some cheap tracktime, dont overlook the RAF days Can't say I have ever ridden on a worse surface, and it was so abrasive it wears tyres out quickly, but great day, well run and an opportunity to get pretty much any bike flat out! £110 for two days. Go do one, recommended! RAF Benson RAF Odiham RAF Shawbury RAF Valley (heard some talking about it) and bet loads more
RAF Leeming (North Yorkshire) do them as well, really good weekend out. I love the abrasive Tarmac, anything that keeps me from spanking the bike down the road. Yorkie
I used to do Leeming whenever I wanted as that was my first posting in the late '70s. Dropped my Honda 250 many times on the ice in the winter. Later I used to ride the RAF Bruggen (Germany) circuit but that was long, and when you went off the taxiway you ended you ended up in miles of barbed wire - didn't do much for the paint on my new BMW back then!
Used to do some drift days in the cars on the airfields and agree with your points. Good way of getting out for a little less money but a bit of a beast on the tyres so not always cheaper. Nearly always a more relaxed atmosphere which is very welcome.
Reckon the multi would have been mint at Shawbury, and not much would have got past either with the skyhook sorting out the really fast overband covered turns
Last time I used the runway at Leeming I was in the back of a Hawk trainer doing a FAC familiarisation flight.
Shawbury last weekend was my first 'track day' and served its purpose exactly - relaxed, well priced and an opportunity to twist the throttle a bit without having to look out for speed cameras - airfields, recommended to track day novices/virgins. Yes, the 'track' (working airfield) was a bit rough, but only like the roads and no speed limits Some of the people either marshalling or otherwise helping were volunteers, so thanks to them. Go again? probably, as its so close to me, however another local track like Oulton Park would probably be higher on the list
Apologies, didn't go around the paddock much as I was talking to my other half who kindly brought the car, gazebo and supplies with her Red/silver Bimota. I was there on Sunday only - wasn't feeling great (nothing to do with the event!) so went home after lunch after 3 sessions and 60 miles. Thinking back, probably noticed 'your camp' - Cagiva Moto/748?
The mito was a hoot to ride in the novice group on the Saturday, sadly electrical problems (it is italian) meant my son didnt get much track time on the Sunday. He looked ok though for his first trackday and second time only on a road bike.
