Track Days, Not Just For Boys
Sarah Williams, describes her first track day experience below, as she joined Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club for their Brands Hatch event, last week.
As a 23-year old university student, when it comes to track days you couldn’t get more novice than me — the closest I had ever got to racing around a track was using my brothers’ Scalextric when I was seven.
I am a bit of a thrill seeker though, so the idea of racing around a track at 120mph sounded exciting – yet, the sensible part of my brain (and my mum) was terrified.
I had no idea what to expect once I arrived at Brands Hatch and I feared it would be like going back to the playground where all the enthusiasts stuck together. Well, my stereotypical idea of this track day was proved very wrong from the very beginning.
There was a combination of different types of enthusiasts – those who owned sports or classic cars driven to just simply enjoy, those who participated in racing and those who came along to watch their cars race around the circuit.
After managing to squeeze my head and long mane of hair into a helmet, I was a passenger in the car with Professional Driver, Ray Ingman as he took participants on a sequence of practise laps.
Ray taught us how to adapt to the twists, turns and dips of the Brands Hatch track. I have never had the joy of sitting in a Jaguar, let alone the sexy F-Type, and even on a slow test lap I was in love.
After the slow practice run, Ray took me for another adventure around Brands Hatch. It was time for me to enjoy exactly what the F-type was really capable of.
Thankfully, Ray Ingman was the perfect man for the job having driven F-Types for Jaguar, since their release in 2013. After a few laps around Brands Hatch, it time for the car to be returned to its owner, Terry Dye from Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club (JEC). Unfortunately, Terry didn’t seem up for car swapping my little Corsa for his F Type — can’t imagine why?!
When I got back to the pits I decided to explore all the garages and meet some of the enthusiasts in attendance.
I met Kelly Dann, who was no stranger to the racetrack, as her husband has been racing cars for a long time. After years of watching from the sidelines, she threw caution to the wind and decided to throw herself into the drivers’ seat.
This was Kelly’s first track day since making the decision and being local to the track, Brands Hatch was the perfect place to get started. Kelly had a few teething problems to get her Golf Mark III going at first, but hopefully it’ll be ready for her first race on Easter weekend. Good luck Kelly!
The heritage of car enthusiasts was very apparent in the owners of the cars, generations from families each taking a role in their shared passion. Watching Peter Bevan and his son Jonathan rearranging the silencer on their racing car, to abide by Brands Hatch regulations, was a true visual of a family working together.
How do you enjoy the glorious Brand Hatch racetrack, while abiding to the restrictions?
It would seem without too much trouble the enjoyment can be seen on those speeding around the track. There’s something very addictive about the roar of a car as it takes on the circuit, each car with their own distinct sound.
I would easily recommend a track day, there’s a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere. All abilities are welcome and the onsite instructors are on hand to provide support and guidance.
Thanks to all the participants at Brands Hatch who took the time to speak to me and share stories. And thanks also to Driver, Ray Ingman, for showing me around the track and encouraging my love of the F Type.
Finally a massive thank you to Terry Dye and the JEC for organising a great event day and inviting me to come along.
Look at our events calendar and find out more about future JEC events and track days