EURO TRACKDAYS
WHAT’S THE APPEAL?
Fancy some winter warmth… and kneedown while you’re at it? Dean explains the appeal of Euro trackdays.
Now, there’s a fair amount to consider when looking into doing your first European or overseas trackday – but it’s not quite as much work as some of you may think. I’ve spoken to so many people recently who’ve just written off doing any Euro events because of the potential extra paperwork and Covid tests involved, but from my own experiences this year it wasn’t such a problem. Brexit and Covid have certainly added jobs to the to-do list, but restrictions are easing as time goes by and if it means riding in 33˚ heat, then it’s worth a little extra work to me. I’ll cover what I have experienced next month, but this issue I want to focus on the appeal and justification for packing your kit and heading to a racetrack far away.
I could and maybe should write a book on this subject. I love writing detailed track maps to help people, with tips and reference points, and I’m always the go-to man for the best places to eat, and even what to eat. But for now, here’s why I can’t get enough of riding in Europe.
Value for money
Why should you pay between £500 and £800 to ride at a track 1500 miles away? Well, if you want to look at the pound-forpound comparison to a UK trackday, then you will be very surprised. Take Donington Park – one the best tracks in the UK. A noisy (unsilenced) day with No Limits will cost about £195. Multiply that by three and you’re looking at £585 just for the track time. Add three nights in a Premier Inn and that’s anywhere between £150 and £300 extra. So, at the cheaper end it’s just over an estimated £700 and at the higher end almost £900 to ride Donington Park for three days with accommodation. Right now I can see a three-day event at
Jerez, one of the greatest circuits in the world, with three nights’ accommodation and your bike/ kit transported to and from the circuit for just £745. That’s a circuit used by F1, WSBK and MotoGP for about the same price as, or less than, Donington Park.
A trip to Cartagena, which is also in southern Spain, only costs £490 for the same three days of accommodation and track time, making that an absolute bargain by comparison.
Weather
Pound for pound, we have established that Euro events are more than worth it, but what else draws us to haul our kit to a foreign land?
Top of the list has to be better weather. I’m not going to say it never rains in Spain because it does, but it tends to be warm and soon dries out. My first trip to Cartagena was back in 1999, and I couldn’t guess how many times I have revisited over the years. In that time, I have only mounted wet tyres once for a coaching day. Between March and October you are almost guaranteed sunny weather, and mid-20˚ to 30˚ heat in Spain and Portugal. Outside those dates you may have a chilly morning and then low 20s, maybe late teens, in December and January, but it’s still much nicer than a typical winter in the UK.
Circuits
Next on the list would be the quality of circuits, such as Catalunya, Jerez, Brno, Portimao, Le Mans, Spa, Valencia and so on. They look good on TV, but until you’ve tried keeping a superbike flat-out until the 200 board at the end of the start/ finish straight at Catalunya, or done 100mph over the blind final corner at Portimao, you will never appreciate the sheer magnitude of these long, wide, smooth and technical circuits.
I love riding Donington Park and Oulton Park, yet I barely hit fifth gear on my R1 – but when in Europe I’m often flat-out in top gear and can see my speedometer reading into the other side of 190mph. The tarmac you get to ride on is generally smoother, warmer and wider, allowing for a higher average speed, but you will also find the Euro facilities are built to cope with accommodating higher numbers. Garages are much bigger, electric points are never in short supply, shower and toilet facilities are fit for F1, and available food is normally five-star at the likes of Catalunya, Jerez and Portimao.
Relaxed
UK trackdays can feel a little rushed in the morning for some people, especially if the weather is in between or traffic makes you late. This adds to the stress of getting garage space or setting up the gazebo, signing on, noise testing, making the right tyre choice and getting to the holding area in time for sighting laps.
None of this is a problem at a Euro event. You normally sign on in the hotel the night before the first day on track, and there’s always available garage space and electric hook-up. You will never have an issue with noise and you’re only required to do sighting laps on day one. Due to this relaxed feel, there seems to be much fewer red flag situations as well; this could be due to our subconscious minds knowing we have more track time, or because the admin process was done the night before. There’s even an argument that the bigger tracks feel a little safer. I can’t say exactly why, but there’s rarely a red flag during a Euro event.
Off-track
It’s not just about the riding for everyone; only if you’re a club or national level racer who’s getting prepared for the season do you just want quality track time. For an enthusiast it’s a weekend away with friends, and the social side is very important. Evening food and refreshments are essential when you’ve been working hard on track. Seven sessions in the blistering heat can take a lot out of you, and a good meal helps replenish for the next day.
No Limits is very experienced at booking events and you will find there’s always plenty of options away from the hotel if you want to sample some local culinary delights. Each circuit can offer something different away from the track, and many riders book extended stays to make a holiday of it. If you do enough research beforehand, you could have three days on track, followed up with a perfect lads/ girls weekend away, a family holiday next to the beach, or a biking holiday with your partner. For example:
Cartagena and Catalunya would make a prefect city break for you and your better half.
Parcmotor could be followed up with a few rounds of golf.
Portimao is a thriving family holiday destination with miles of golden beaches. There’s so many places to stay, eat and drink at.
Andalucia in the Tabernas desert has some of the most amazing and challenging roads, perfect for cycle training to support your pre-season preparation, or just hire a road bike and use it to do some sight-seeing.
Ask around
Hopefully you’re getting my point. There’s a multitude of reasons why Euro trackdays should be on your agenda, with the appeal being well-rounded and justified. More to the point, who doesn’t need to indulge in a little R&R every now and again, with a trackday overseas during the cold UK winter months being just the tonic?
I’m not here to sell spaces on No Limits’ extensive calendar of foreign trackdays. I’m trying to open your eyes and reassure you of some of the virtues that come with making that booking and taking that trip. Of course, if you’re really after reassurance that it’s a good call to make, you only have to ask the opinion of a mate who’s made such a trip before. Do that and I’m sure you’ll get the picture of the brilliance on offer.
But, as I mentioned right at the start, the scene has changed a bit in recent times thanks to legislation. I will cover those areas in the next issue, giving you the low-down on requirements, what needs consideration, and how you can make your Euro trip as easy and pleasurable as possible.