A review and report from a user of this TDO.
Steve C 02 April 2016 at 13:26 Quote Steve C Quote Post Reply Reply
Decided to go try this company out as the dates suited us and the being Scottish the price was right
This was Circuit Moto's first ever event and we were told they're would be limited numbers and plenty of time on track as it was going to be a trial run to see if they had got everything right.
There was a group of four of us going from Glasgow and another two from further up north.
We arranged with the owner Nigel to pick up our bikes from Glasgow for an additional cost, £70 each way, which is £20 cheaper than F.E. and Tracksense with N.L. not doing a Scottish pick up.
Since booking it tail end of last year our first impressions were positive, you called them they answered their phone, you mailed them you received a reply within 24hrs. Nothing was too much trouble and they actually went out they're way to help, unlike another TDO. We were told well in advance when and where our pick up would be.
They use stillages to transport the bikes, which I'm personally not a fan of, but our bikes would be picked up in a van and transferred to stillages down south at the main depot. I must admit I was a wee bit worried some one else mucking about with my kit.
The day came to get the bikes picked up and they were there bang on time, we even got a text 4 hours before to let us know everything was on schedule. Nigel himself had come up to pick the bikes up and after talking to him my mind was easier as he seemed to know what way round a bike went.
So we arrive in Alicante about 2pm and were just going straight to the hotel as some TDO's don't like you going to the circuit early.
The satnav showed that we were passing by the circuit so we thought we'd pop in anyway.
The stillages were just being unloaded so we asked if we could split them and grab a garage.
No problems get stuck in guys.
We grabbed a garage that already had 2 bikes in it so we bundled our 4 bikes in there. It was a relief to find that Nigel has a talent for packing stillages as mine was perfect, nothing damaged and all accounted for.
As is the usual we were scurrying about trying to claim space and power before the masses arrived.
What a total waste of time, there was millions of space with only 6 bikes or less in most garages.
Having got everything set up for the next day we decided to go and check into the hotel.
The check in was easy and quick with no hassles.
It is situated about 20 minutes from the track and is in the north of Cartagena centre.
There are plenty of restaurants within 5 minutes walk and a few decent pubs close as well.
The rooms were decent sized, spotless, decent free wifi and a good breakfast.
No complaints about the hotel whatsoever but I will say the following:
Parking is pretty scarce but there is a car park 5 minutes walk away.
If you're taking your other non biking half it is a city centre hotel, great if she likes shopping and local culture, not great for sunbathing. So don't take her giggle
Also Circuit Moto only charged us 20 euro for the extra night thumbsup
So to track time.
I'm not going to talk about the track as I'm sure everybody knows it.
There were 2 groups of about 30 bikes in each group with Nigel happy to move you into whatever group you wanted.
It was ran in 30 minute sessions, which for me was too long especially in the heat, but it did mean that everybody got more time than they could have asked for. Every one was sensible and either came in early or went out late which made the track seem half empty and meant you could get a good run to yourself without holding others up or being held up.
There was a 15 minute briefing on day one and we had to do 3 laps behind the instructors for sighting.
Circuit Moto had 20lt jugs of fuel for you to buy on the first day but you filled them yourself for the rest of the trip, which was easy as there is a petrol station beside the hotel.
Summary, never had so much quality track time at any event, ever.
Overall impressions.
Nigel came into the garage at least twice a day to ask if there was anything we needed and if we were enjoying ourselves. So refreshing to feel like a customer and not a pest like you do on some of these events. He genuinely did care that you had a great time.
The instructors were also top notch. They were there to help you and went out they're way to do so. If you went out with them they spent as much time as you wanted, came and looked for you the rest of the trip to see how you were getting on and if you wanted to go back out for and update to see if you
had mastered that line. They were working, not just on a jolly.
PCR was doing the spannering and suspension and again were excellent with advice and if you took their suspension service they kept coming round and asking if you needed any more help.
This event was more like a group of friends hiring a track with some one arranging everything to be on hand.
Everyone was friendly, laid back and helpful, the way track days should be.
My next Euro is already booked with N.L. but next year I will definitely be going Circuit Moto, especially as they have a few cracking tracks up their sleeves.
