Beginner-friendly track day South West

[Jimbo93]

Hi all, 

 

My brother and I would love to have a go on track for the first time, I'm just wondering what our options are in the SW region and if there'd be reasons to chose one place over another? (run off area, track traffic etc). Castle Combe, Llandow, Chivenor... We are based near Plymouth.

 

Is tuition advised? 

 

Thanks

[jaykay42]

Hi!

I'm soon having my first track day at Chivenor with 

"ApexMotorsportCoaching" - they are on Facebook and may even have tickets left.

20 cars max on each event and 5 track days over the year.

They offer tuition etc as well.

I can let you know how it went on the 27th April 🙂

 

[Jimbo93]

Hi, I've messaged Chivenor to find out what other dates they have, maybe they're listed on FB. Please let me know how it goes, looks like a good option 😎

[jaykay42]

Hi!

Here's the link to the booking page

https://www.apexmotorsportcoaching.co.uk/product-page/track-day-16-dec-23

 

 

[Jimbo93]

Thanks, found their other dates on the FB page 👍. Please let me know how you find it on the 26th!

[Paul Baker - Bristol Bath and Cotswold AO]

There’s a few of us getting together at Llandow on Saturday 17 May for a track day, booked direct with the circuit.

It’s a great circuit for beginners, shorter than most and lower speed, certainly compared to Castle Combe which is more technical and faster.

You’d be very welcome to come along and join us, even if it’s just to have a look.

[Jimbo93]

Thank you Paul, that's very kind. That might be a good option, I'll look into it. I'll still be very new to the car and not sure how much driving I would've done by then so just wary of rushing into it. 

[Matt_S]

@Jimbo93 I strongly recommend Castle Combe! I’m quite new to track days but love it! Castle Combe is quite fast but really good!

 

We have also been to Keevil (airfield) which is normally run through https://www.motorsport-events.com which is good as well! But as it is an active airfield sometimes it not available ☹️

[Chris Broster]

Harry, 

 

As @Paul Baker - Bristol Bath and Cotswold AO said some going to LLandow but we are also heading to Castle Coombe on Monday 9th June so there will be plenty of Kit friendly folks to take you for a passenger familiarisation ride and they offer free tuition too?

 

View Dates / Book Now | OpenTrack

 

 

[Jimbo93]

Thanks Chris, unfortunately can't make the 9th but it sounds like a good idea to tag along to one that WSCC members are going to so I'll try and organise that 😎

[Jaime Ward]

Hi, I'm also based in Plymouth. Thinking about heading to my first trackday, Castle Combe has spaces available for next week (28/04) so I'm very tempted!

 

Cheers Jaime 

[Jimbo93]

On 22/04/2025 at 11:24, Jaime Ward said:

Hi, I'm also based in Plymouth. Thinking about heading to my first trackday, Castle Combe has spaces available for next week (28/04) so I'm very tempted!

 

Cheers Jaime 

Hi Jamie, apologies I'm away at the moment so looking to try and do one in the summer. Did you go to CC?

Harry

[Jimbo93]

On 12/04/2025 at 16:13, jaykay42 said:

Hi!

I'm soon having my first track day at Chivenor with 

"ApexMotorsportCoaching" - they are on Facebook and may even have tickets left.

20 cars max on each event and 5 track days over the year.

They offer tuition etc as well.

I can let you know how it went on the 27th April 🙂

 

Hi Jaykay. How was Chivenor!? 

[jaykay42]

22 hours ago, Jimbo93 said:

Hi Jaykay. How was Chivenor!? 

Hi!

I'm sorry I completely forgot to report back.

In short: it was brilliant and I had a fab time.

 

Disclaimer first: my car is an absolute weapon driven by an absolute tool.

I have not done any track days before - the few laps around Castle Combe I did in an Impreza and an Elise some years ago don't really count. So I have nothing to compare my experience to.

 

The track was smooth to me in some sections and fairly rough concrete and tarmac in others. There was a lot of loose stuff in some parts for half the day - until multiple passes cleared it. At least one car ended up with a stone chip/small crack in the windscreen.

The layout had mostly quite tight turns and one fast sweeper which also switched to off-camber halfway through. This one provided a great learning opportunity for me and I committed more and more throughout the day.

It's an airfield so some will miss the elevation changes (corkscrew :-)) and I am sure I'll crave it. However, having nothing to hit and less to deal with was perfect for a beginner.

 

There were 20 people in total - sold out - and probably only ever about 10 on track at the same time. This allowed me to drive my own thing for most of the time.

Plus easy passing and - ahem - ample opportunity to let faster traffic overtake.

 

The staff were friendly, relaxed yet totally professional. The atmosphere among the punters the same.

 

I loved it and I am hoping to return later this year.

 

If you have any questions please just ask!

[Jimbo93]

6 hours ago, jaykay42 said:

Hi!

I'm sorry I completely forgot to report back.

In short: it was brilliant and I had a fab time.

 

Disclaimer first: my car is an absolute weapon driven by an absolute tool.

I have not done any track days before - the few laps around Castle Combe I did in an Impreza and an Elise some years ago don't really count. So I have nothing to compare my experience to.

 

The track was smooth to me in some sections and fairly rough concrete and tarmac in others. There was a lot of loose stuff in some parts for half the day - until multiple passes cleared it. At least one car ended up with a stone chip/small crack in the windscreen.

The layout had mostly quite tight turns and one fast sweeper which also switched to off-camber halfway through. This one provided a great learning opportunity for me and I committed more and more throughout the day.

It's an airfield so some will miss the elevation changes (corkscrew :-)) and I am sure I'll crave it. However, having nothing to hit and less to deal with was perfect for a beginner.

 

There were 20 people in total - sold out - and probably only ever about 10 on track at the same time. This allowed me to drive my own thing for most of the time.

Plus easy passing and - ahem - ample opportunity to let faster traffic overtake.

 

The staff were friendly, relaxed yet totally professional. The atmosphere among the punters the same.

 

I loved it and I am hoping to return later this year.

 

If you have any questions please just ask!

Awesome, glad it was a success. Sounds like a great place to go for a newbie but I'd be gutted if the car got littered with grit/stones, did yours suffer at all?

 

I'm hoping to go with my brother but his car has a fresh paint job so not sure if he'd be so keen! 
 

Cheers