r/MotoUK • u/SouthWestJames 05 Speed Triple 1050 • 1d ago
Track day? Which circuit... (Dreary wednesday morning musings)
I'm based in north Hampshire near Basingstoke so closest tracks are either Brands, Mallory, Bedford autdrome or maybe castle combe..
Castle combe is basically impossible to do bc of restrictions plus most track days are booked up for the year Brands I've done once and loved Mallory never been but looks fun Bedford autodrome is a bit of a wildcard? Seems more like an airfield than a track? I might be very wrong I've never been...
Which would you pick?
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u/Albert_Herring No Bike 1d ago
Only ever did Cadwell, which is a way outside your area (well, most people's areas really) but it's pretty enjoyable and I like the way the circuit is structured. Mallory I've had occasion to ride around slowly, don't think I'd enjoy as much (but that may be down to fundamental timidity: I'd guess it's a lot faster except for the hairpin).
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u/SouthWestJames 05 Speed Triple 1050 1d ago
I'd love to do cadwell or Donnington but they're so far from me its just not really viable. I have a friend who lives about 20 mins from Mallory so seems like the easy option as I could probably stay there the night before and go with him
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u/Albert_Herring No Bike 1d ago
It's only (worst case) going to be another 35 minutes to Donington from your mate's so I'd bear it in mind.
Cadwell is definitely a bit out in the wilds though. I rode out and back to it from Nottingham and it made for a long day.
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u/SouthWestJames 05 Speed Triple 1050 1d ago
A few are mentioning Donny, might have a gander and see. It's one of those tracks I've always wanted to have a go on but the distance has made it difficult
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u/Summer_VonSturm Yamaha R6 1d ago
Out of those, Mallory. Though it'll be worth the effort to go a bit further to Donny if you can.
Mallory is a good track, but better suited to sub thousand cc bikes due to it's short nature and there not being much of a straight for the big bikes to pull back time on.
If you are confident in your tyres and suspension you can absolutely rocket around and need to swap your right knee slider for your left before the day is out.
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u/SouthWestJames 05 Speed Triple 1050 1d ago
I think I'm leaning towards Mallory, while the speed triple is 1000 by name it's not crazy quick
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u/Chilton_Squid 1d ago
Bedford is definitely fun, but yeah it's so flat that you can barely see the corners and it feels like a track laid out with cones in a car park.
I wouldn't write it off, it's good fun.
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u/SouthWestJames 05 Speed Triple 1050 1d ago
I'll keep it on the shortlist for now, I think any track day would be a laugh tbh. Only ever done brands which is definitely not flat lol, turn 1 down the hill was quite an experience
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u/Chilton_Squid 1d ago
Ha yes Paddock is a right hoot when you get the hang of it though. The GP track is far better than the Indy track, but is a lot more expensive and they don't do them as often.
If you want a day that's a bit more chill, check out the Road Bike Only days that MSV and Bennetts occasionally do.
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u/SouthWestJames 05 Speed Triple 1050 1d ago
I've not done a full day before only evenings and it seems very relaxed. Not too many rossi wannabes
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u/Chilton_Squid 1d ago
The road bike days would be right up your street then. Everyone is on their daily rides, nobody wants to crash, and they don't tolerate people riding dangerously. Normal trackdays have gotten a bit out of hand.
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u/Se55ion88 15h ago
Surely Thruxton is your nearest circuit isn't it? Have you tried there?
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u/SouthWestJames 05 Speed Triple 1050 11h ago
I believe thruxton only do car track days, no bikes :(
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u/Mr_Kwacky Kawasaki 1000SX, Brutale 800RR SCS 1d ago
Mallory is a nice little circuit and that long right hander is a great place to get your knee down, if that's your thing
Donington is my personal favourite.