Taking to the track together

Motor Sport magazine hosted its first-ever reader track day at Thruxton recently. Here are some highlights

The tread on my Dunlops told the whole story. They arrived at Thruxton with suitable depth; however, they were doing a better impression of pure slicks when my Ford Puma Cup car rolled back into its trailer having completed over 100 laps.

This was Motor Sport Magazine’s first reader track day. A total of 35 cars and 45 drivers joined members of the Motor Sport team for a memorable day of driving on the country’s fastest circuit.

The selection of machinery was fantastic. Models included pure-bred supercars such as the McLaren 650S LM, Porsche GT2 RS and Mercedes AMG GT, plus our road tester Andrew Frankel’s new Alpine A110. We had historic racers like a Triumph TR4, a contingent of stunning Alfa Romeos and a lovely MG B. We also had more modern, track-specific cars, such as Angus Fender’s monstrous Ginetta G55 GT4 Supercup machine, a rather unique Mercedes SL and of course, my own Puma, aka ‘Penny’, in which I was conducting more passenger rides than I could count. Even the new staff project, ‘Dukla’ the bargain eBay Skoda Favorit did a few laps!

Visitors on the day were treated to full hospitality and guest host Tiff Needell was on-hand offering tips and entertaining guests with a mid-day Q&A. Thruxton also provided a team of professional race instructors, who spent the day jumping in and out of the plethora of cars, helping drivers unlock the secrets to getting the most from the 2.4-mile track. Many drivers also opted to tackle the low-grip skid-pan.

Nobody left the circuit without a smile. Keep an eye out over the next few months, as it’s certain that Motor Sport Magazine’s first track day won’t be our last. I’d better get ordering more tyres…

Big thanks must go to our headline sponsor Classic and Sports Finance and supporting partners; Remous Print and Heritage F1. Also to the organisers and staff at Thruxton Circuit, the British Automobile Racing Club, Tiff Needell and the many marshals and volunteers who helped to make the day possible.