Help.....!!!!
I am undecided as to whether or not to take up the offer of the free track day - I have heard mixed feedback and although I would be well up for learning more about the handling capabilities of my car (simply to be a better driver....honest !), I am worried about potentially damaging my pride and joy.
Has anyone out there had any bad experiences or adverse affects to their 8\'s after taking part in the track day ???
Can anyone answer these question :
1. How much hard driving is done on the day (resulting in excessive brake/tyre wear) ?
2. Roughly, how much would I expect to pay for the day in terms of additional insurance cover ?
3. How much time is spent driving ?
4. Am I being a big girl\'s blouse and worrying about nothing ??
Lee...
no experiance of it but put it this way how much more expensive is it going to prove if your driving your 8 on the road enthusiastically ;) the limits are breached accidentally or stupidly or wotever a damn sight more than a bit of worn rubber & tyres c/o learning limits in safety let me tell you....
IMO DO IT DO IT NOW!!! :cool
Si (AKA jealous...)
Hmmm. No mention of this from my dealer - and I\'ve had the car nearly a week... Should I be hassling them?
I agree with Si - it will be good to find the limits of the car on a track - or fail to find the limits of the car if you hit the limit of your sphincter first. :rollin
At least then you know, and you can choose to go nowhere near the limit on the roads...
I gave it proper beans for the first time this morning - those Potenzas just never let go do they?
(Yes, I really have done running-in mileage in a week, mostly paid for by business miles :D )
Lee,
I would definitely go and do the Prodrive day if you have the oppertunity.
You can read my description at:
http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4528
Four main driving exercises:
1. Slow speed handling circuit - mainly 2nd/3rd gear stuff. I would say no real risk of any damage unless you are a real hooligan.
2. Hazard Avoidance/Emergency stop - 2 emergency stops one from about 70 and one from about 85 on my runs, once again no worse than having to do one for real and it is very eye opening onto the capability of the car. Avoidance worst you can do is run into a cone but once again most people will not even come close unless they go too fast and don\'t pay attention.
3. High Speed Driving - Good wide circuit, you are spaced out from other cars so no real dicing or risk of hitting someone else. You go as fast as you feel comfortable.
4. Skid Pan - best part, approx 20-30mph in a big open space, worst that happens is that you spin the car. Nothing to hit!
All in all you only have to do what you feel safe in doing, you are not pressured by instructors, and worst case is if you think something is dangerous you do not need to do it.
I did not get any extra insurance however I think some people may have paid around £100.
Each of the 4 sessions above is about 20-25 minutes in length and also about 3 hours road driving tuition.
I wouldn\'t worry just go for it.
Dave
Hi Dave,
If I am absolutely honest - it was your thread that pushed me towards attending the day (what a fantastic write up...!!), it\'s just the usual nerves setting in before committing to it (I am going through similar emotions as I was when deciding whether or not to buy the 8).
My main concern is whether or not to take out any additional insurance (basically because I cannot find anyone who will cover me for the day) and I am a little dubious about simply relying on lady luck steering me through - but after reading your comments about the days activities, it seems there is little to worry about.
Did anyone else out there take out any additional insurance ??.....If so, how much and who with ???
Cheers,
Lee.....
I went on the Prodrive in May and had sooooo much fun!:)
The road session has been useful to some people on the RX8OC forum, but less so to others, and I guess it depends on your level of experience and the instructor. The Prodrive has been cut to a 1/2 day now so if you haven\'t got your 8 yet, you will just get the 1/2 day, which omits the road session - not a huge loss, IMHO.
Nobody, as far as I am aware, has had a bad thing to say about the track sessions - as well as being a huge blast, it also gives you a really useful introduction to what the 8 can do. I thought the handling circuit and the high speed stuff was the best for sheer adrenaline hits, but the skidpan and braking tests are excellent for teaching you how to handle the car in an emergency.
I got insurance, despite several people on the RX8OC forum saying you didn\'t need to bother. Now I have been, I can see that it would be really tough to damage the car - the guys there pay a great deal of attention to safety - but I wanted the reassurance of knowing I didn\'t have to worry too much about it. I got mine through Competition Insurance (0115 941 5255) and paid £135 - that covered just the track sessions, up to £24,000 value on the car, and carried a £1000 excess. They do a cheaper version for only 1/2 the value. They know all about Prodrive so you don\'t need to explain it to them. I have a copy of a document Prodrive produces for insurers to tell them what it includes, so if you are thinking of going elsewhere for quotes and want a copy, let me know.
You will have a blast if you go - just wish I could go again!!:) :)
Fantastic news - if you could forward me the details (w00d1e@hotmail.com), it would be most appreciated.
Many Thanks....
Lee.....
Leeman - I got my brochure from Mazda through the post this morning. (Congrats on your new purchase etc...)
I\'m going to ring and find out what dates there are - do you fancy trying to get on the same session? I\'m pretty booked up until October...
Zevans,
I called up last week to get the next few available dates, which are :
Sept 20,21,27,30
Oct 1,7,8,9,
I am governed by the time I am able to get from work, so it looks as though I\'ll be forced to book Sept 21st (bugger!!) - what are the chances of you being able to make this date ??
Lee....
Bugger indeed, can\'t do those September dates at all - I\'m on holiday (driving the 8 round Europe!)
And I\'ve got two day\'s holiday left until 2005 so I\'d rather do one of the Saturdays...
Come on, has no-one else bought an RX8 recently? :)
Every owner who gets the chance MUST go for it. Take the day as it comes, go at your own pace, and you won\'t have a better day out for free in your 8 ever. When I went on it they were talking about reducing it to just a half day session so don\'t know if thats happened yet, anyone know.
They let me and the \'naggin tackle\' share the driving on the day, at no extra charge, so we all went home happy.
John
I believe you only get a half day now??... but suffice to say I\'d do it again tomorrow, and I\'ve not noticed any detrimental effect on the car beyond a bit of tyre wear (I still expect to get close to 18K miles on the factory set).
Mazda phone me once a month to invite me, I ask them for 2005 dates, and they promise to ring back, and then the next month they ring me, and...
:rolleyes:
Still want to go though!
I have had my car since March and have FINALLY booked my prodrive day. 22nd of Jan. I won\'t be holding back ;-)
p.s. its still a full day.
Arrrgh... congrats to you then - when I phoned a couple of days before your post they didn\'t know 05 dates AND I got a letter through saying "are you still interested?" the next day. With no dates on. :rolleyes:
Do you know
- what the other dates were
- if there was any space left on the 22nd?
it was the 21st and 22nd of Jan, all she told me anyway.