On the Subject of Good Track Day Organisation

Feedback we frequently get from new customers on our track days (all open pit lane) is how nice it is to attend a properly run event with realistic numbers of cars.  They say they have been to other days when the numbers of cars booked meant endless pit lane queuing for track access.  Well I’m sure you know the old saying “If it looks too good to be true it’s because it generally is too good to be true”.  So here’s my take on the business.

Track day organisation for a good open pit lane day revolves largely around numbers.  Basically the trick is to balance numbers booked against the numbers permitted on track at any time.  The rule of thumb is 2:1 but that can vary a bit from circuit to circuit, and the optimum really can only be determined by experience.  Our aim is to run with minimal pit lane queuing.  This means there will often be no queue at all but if there is one, customers will only have to wait for a very few minutes to get out on circuit.  We think that if a customer has to queue for longer than about 5 minutes at any time then they may as well have gone to a sessioned event because they will effectively be getting the same quality of day.

Stoppages can of course be an issue and lead to an unavoidable queue while the track action gets under way again.  Repeated stoppages caused by the same car or driver would need to be addressed promptly by the organiser (ie us!).  Track time is expensive to hire so inconsiderate driving or a repeatedly unreliable car can’t really be tolerated.  It’s often a fine line between allowing for a bit of exuberance and the odd breakdown and us taking action.

Also the half hour period immediately after lunch often has a temporary queue in the pits because everyone is ready to go straight after the break.  If customers are sensible about staggering their lunch break a bit then this can be minimised and is generally over and done with in about 30 minutes.

So back to the topic “If it looks too good to be true etc”.  It’s obviously the maximum entry size that drives the track day price the customer has to pay.  Here are a couple of examples on pricing in broadly accurate terms.  Of course exact numbers will vary from company to company depending on their overheads, quality and quantity of support staff etc.

Donington GP Circuit – high season pricing:

Maximum number of cars on an open pit lane day and still achieve the target of minimal pit lane queuing is 60 – 65 cars.

Approximate break even pricing for the TDO would be around £240 per car and one driver if full at 65 cars.  On top of that needs to be added the TDOs margin and an allowance for risk.  So a realistic price for the day (not allowing for a proportion of extra drivers, passengers, garage hire or tuition) would be around say between £265 and £290.

I have seen Donington advertised mid year at as little as £140 or thereabouts – you do the maths!

Castle Combe Circuit – high season pricing:

Maximum number of cars on an open pit lane day and still achieve the target of minimal pit lane queuing is 34 - 38 cars.

Approximate break even pricing for the TDO would be around £175 per car and one driver if full at 34 cars.  On top of that needs to be added the TDOs margin and an allowance for risk.  So a realistic price for the day (not allowing for a proportion of extra drivers, passengers, or tuition) would be around say between £195 and £210.

I have seen Castle Combe advertised mid year at as little as £150 or thereabouts – again, you do the maths!