Corporate day out was on the right track

THIRTY-THREE daredevils hurtled around a French racetrack in cars on a novel corporate day. Pentagon Insurance Brokers director Stuart Butler came up with the idea for the Heritage Group.

'Having decided on a track day, a small circuit at Loheac, just south of Rennes, was chosen and the guests, mainly from Guernsey but also Jersey and the UK, set off with their 22 cars to the track,' said Mr Butler.

Makes included VW, Mazda, BMW, Subaru, Lotus, Porsche, Audi and Mitsubishi and those who did not have a vehicle were able to borrow either a VW Golf GTi or a Peugeot 205GTi provided by the Heritage Group.

The day started with a driver briefing and then the group was split into three, with about seven cars on the track at any one time. Each had about a 15-minute session.

'It doesn't seem much, but when you are travelling at high speed it is surprising how long it is,' said Mr Butler. 'Some drivers swapped cars but passengers got an opportunity to go in various different ones.

'In the afternoon we changed the format of the sessions into what is known as open pit, which means you can go out whenever you like.'

Such events are becoming extremely popular in the UK, with companies such as Trackdays and Circuit Days arranging outings to various race venues on a regular basis. An owners' club or a group of individuals can hire the likes of Brands Hatch, Castle Combe or Snetterton. Participants turn up at the track and get the chance to drive around the circuit as quickly as they wish to see how their own vehicle performs without the restrictions of normal roads. The organisers provide marshals, first aid, fire and breakdown facilities.

The local contingent really enjoyed their day.

'Two-thirds of the group had never done a track day and some didn't know what one was until the event. But everyone came away with comments like ?best corporate day ever? and ?brilliant? reported Mr Butler. 'Whilst the day itself was organised perhaps as a one-off, such was its success that it will now become an annual event. The next one is in its early stages but is likely to be at the Bretagne circuit at Nantes, which is two-and-a-half miles long and is actually three circuits in one.'

Some of the participants enjoyed themselves so much that they have decided to form the Guernsey Trackday Club. Its inaugural meeting is to be held soon and the club will arrange a number of activities throughout the year for the benefit of its members.

* For more information, call Stuart Butler on 704648.