Stu, Chris, Tom, and Ryan recently headed over to Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire for a track day and a proper day out on one of the fastest circuits in the UK.
One of the best things about Thruxton is that it’s relatively easy to get to from home compared to some circuits, so there’s no painfully early 3am start needed. At roughly a couple of hours away, it makes for a much more relaxed trip while still feeling like a proper motorsport day out.
Stu had actually driven Thruxton before during his time racing in the MINI Challenge, but driving the Golf TCR around there was a completely different experience altogether. Compared to the old race cars, the Golf just feels ridiculously quick around a circuit like Thruxton where maintaining speed through the fast sections is everything.
The circuit itself is absolutely mega. Fast corners, hardly any time to rest, and plenty of commitment needed if you want to carry real speed through the lap. It’s one of those tracks that genuinely feels quick everywhere.
Of course, no track day is complete without at least one mechanical drama, and Ryan managed to provide that almost immediately with his Alfa Romeo MiTo. Unfortunately, the turbo decided it had had enough and completely gave up during the day.
After attempting a few repairs in the paddock and briefly pretending it might survive, the reality set in that the car wasn’t going anywhere under its own power. In the end, Ryan had to abandon it at the circuit and make a separate trip back later that week to recover it properly.
To be fair, this is apparently what happens when you buy a questionable Alfa Romeo for track day duties.
Stu also had a small issue with the Golf TCR on the drive down. The car runs Nitron suspension with modules that plug into the factory suspension connectors to keep the car’s electronics happy despite running aftermarket suspension. Somewhere along the A27, one of the plugs managed to fall off, which caused the car to repeatedly complain that something was wrong with the suspension system.
Thankfully though, aside from the dashboard warnings constantly having a panic attack, the car itself drove absolutely fine for the rest of the day.
Despite the various mechanical incidents, the track day itself was brilliant. Plenty of fast laps, good company, and the usual paddock atmosphere that always comes with these sorts of events.
Overall, it was another really enjoyable day out at one of the UK’s best circuits. Thruxton is properly fast, the Golf TCR felt incredible there, and although Ryan’s MiTo didn’t exactly survive the experience, at least it gave everyone something to laugh about afterwards.