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Life in the Fast lane – Our Guide to Track Days

May21

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Life in the Fast lane – Our Guide to Track Days

Posted by Laura Keane on May 21, 2018

Life in the Fast lane – Our Guide to Track Days

Laura Keane shifts into high gear and shares some tips on getting the most out of Track Days Track days, for me, are one of the most exciting things to do in the world, and when you do your first one – you’ll be bitten by the bug and after that, it becomes an addiction. There are mainly three different track days you can do in Ireland (providing you have a full licence) Open/Public days – anyone can enter with differing levels of experience, these are organised by the track itself Club days – you have to be part of a club/forum, usually you’d have to be well known to regulars before you can partake Dedicated track days – there are a limited number of sites that will organise a track day for you but with minimum numbers a requirement I always opt for the club days, because, I know who I’ll be on track with and that track etiquette and mutual respect will be adhered to. The vast majority are now friends, who I’ve met down through the years on track days. Open days are not for me because I don’t know anyone out there driving and what their abilities are – but each to their own. Remember, you are not insured when you are on track – so anything that happens to your car (or damage you cause to another car) is your responsibility. Do you need a special car to go on track? Not necessarily. Obviously it helps if you own some sort of sport based car as these are usually set up to absorb the demands of a track and will handle better. But I’ve seen many people go out in normal everyday cars, taking their time and still having fun. I would recommend buying a CG – Lock for your seatbelt. I’d also recommend fitting a towing eye – if you don’t have one and you go into the gravel, they will lift your car using the underbody with a forklift. Do I need special clothing? Yes, a helmet (which can be open or full face) and driving shoes (arriving in heels won’t really do ladies). You can borrow a helmet if you don’t have one but we girls usually have small heads so this may not be an option for a mainly male dominated sport. Wear a...

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Planning a Goodwood Revival trip?

Sep04

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Planning a Goodwood Revival trip?

Posted by Laura Keane on Sep 4, 2017

Planning a Goodwood Revival trip?

The Goodwood Revival is a veritable feast of golden-age motor racing and vintage glamour writes Laura Keane so we have some tips to get the very most out of the experience. Goodwood Revival is something that you have to experience at least once in your life. The festival takes place each September over three days near Chichester in West Sussex, and brings you back to the motorsports era of the 40s-60s. When you step inside the gate it genuinely feels like stepping back in time. Men, women and children surround you donned in their finest vintage clothing; the smell of raw petrol fills your nostrils and the stomach churning sounds from the track coupled with the shouts from the crowd, all add to the unique atmosphere that is the Goodwood Revival. Below are some tips I’ve picked up from my trip across the pond: 1) If you can buy your tickets early, it sells out fast. Make sure you book a programme when purchasing. They can’t be purchased online so you’ll have to call to book. 2) Accommodation can be a bit nightmarish, so again – book early. Any places near the circuit are usually booked out year to year. If you can get somewhere in Portsmouth you are doing well. In the end the nearest place we could get was Basingstoke which was about 40 miles from Goodwood, but we did leave it a bit late to book. 3) Please make an effort to dress up, however small. You will really stick out if you wear normal attire. In my naivety, I went the whole hog – heels and all. Big mistake and never again, next time I’m going as a mechanic! With the mud and rain my shoes got destroyed, and with my little vintage dress I nearly got pneumonia over the few days. Wear thermals underneath if you really must wear a dress. Bring a strong umbrella, and a coat. There is no shelter there. 4) When you get inside you’ll find a stand selling newspapers with a nice canvas bag as a keepsake (my lunch has the privilege of traveling to work in a Ford Cortina bag every day!), this also contains a little radio which is invaluable for when you are walking around the circuit from one viewing spot to another and still want to...

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Laura Keane drives the Fast and Furious Nürburgring

Sep11

Laura Keane drives the Fast and Furious Nürburgring

Nicknamed ”Grüne Hölle”or “The Green Hell” by Jackie Stewart, sooner or later any serious car enthusiast will be drawn to the Nürburgring, Laura Keane remembers her first time Where to begin… We arrived in Frankfurt at a reasonable hour, feeling sorry for the folks driving over, but not regretting our mode of transport either. Asked where we were going when picking up the rental – it was enough for my friend...

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Laura Keane’s First Car……….

Jul31

Laura Keane’s First Car……….

Like your first kiss, you never forget your first car. My first car was affectionately known as ‘Betsie’ a 96 Skoda Felicia. It was bought new by my partner’s parents as a run-around, which was then passed to him (in return for a new kitchen oven) before subsequently being offered to me, free of charge. I needed a car, how could I refuse? Some cute teddies, nodding dogs and strawberry scented fresheners later – Betsie was officially...

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