Hi, based on my 17 trackday experiences over the last 3 years, in different cars and a now empty wallet....
Looked at a few companies. Read a few
reviews. Very mixed messages
-- I've used: OpenTrack.co.uk, has always been very well organised and offers free photos in the price + was slightly cheaper than the rest till this year.
MSVtrackdays.com, always found them to be well organised also.
Javelin.co.uk, only done two with them but same as the others well organised and no complaints, I like the fact you can see on their website who's already booked on the event and the cars they are taking.
Circuits-Days.co.uk, one one event with them and was organised fine.
I've only done Brands Hatch and Snetterton so can't comment on other tracks. One point I would say is I feel that with MSV and Circuit Days you get a 'lot of Money' cars. Where as the other two you get more normal level of car, but that's not saying anything about the people I find 95% are really nice and you can talk to anyone in their garage (just don't try talking to someone on a race team as you generally get a 'who are you' look).
I would also suggest looking at TrackDays.co.uk who list the majority (but not all) of every trackday out there.
-- My advice on choosing: choose your date and see who's running it at what price, then include the price of Garage hire, Passenger cost, etc, as some charge £20 for an extra driver and an other charges £30, same with garage hire.
Some say great day. Some say poor marshalling and people practicing for races the next day ruined their days. With 20 min wait in pit lane etc. Loonies diving up the inside of you while turning in etc.
-- Both Snetterton and Brands are run by MSV, even if another company runs the event. The marshals, etc. all work for MSV so you never see a difference in this area, in my experience. I have shared the track with some fast cars, including Mat Jackson testing his Focus in the past but you just move over and let them past, remember it's a Trackday not a test day, they have the same rules as you (and this is pointed out in the briefing), if they want a test day they can pay double money for a test day.
Which companies offer the best events.
-- see above
Would I be better off on a rookie day or an open track day?
-- if you've never done a trackday before yes, do a few evening events then do a novice event then when you start complaining about how slow other drivers are or how they don't pull over then you're ready for a general / road car only Trackday. I found as I moved on to General Trackdays the driving got better and pretty much everyone understands we are all out there to lap as fast as we want.
Lastly what do I need to do to prep the car. I don't have a catch can or baffled sump which I know helps on track.
-- for starters, check, if not change, the Oil, brake fluid, tyre condition and pressures and general car condition. Go have fun, you will gradually start to think what else you need to buy and once you see how much it's all going to cost decide whether to ask us more questions on tyres / baffled sumps, etc.
Ah. One more thing. Noise limits. I'm having a custom 3" turbo back made. Resonated because I want it to go on track. Do you guys have problems with db readings?
-- nope my 2.75" (i think) Turbo back Milltek has sports cats and is non-resonated, records at 88 dB. My brothers Subaru running big power and drainpipe exhaust has need wire wool before but look at the quoted limits as they change per day / venue. Your probably be ok with the 1.8T engine and a resonated section.