From Bike to Car: Why Make the Switch for Track Days?
Mijn passie voor motorracen is er nog steeds, maar de laatste jaren voel ik dat de drang om alles te riskeren op circuit minder groot is. Motoren zijn bovendien enorm geëvolueerd: aerodynamica en elektronica spelen een steeds grotere rol. En laten we eerlijk zijn: het blijft gevaarlijk. In de afgelopen 15 jaar heb ik meerdere dodelijke ongevallen van dichtbij meegemaakt, en een daarvan zelfs met mezelf erbij betrokken. Gelukkig kon ik wegwandelen van dat ongeluk, maar voor de andere rijder kwam alle hulp te laat. Dat zet je aan het denken.
Are cars safer? Absolutely. Running wide in a corner rarely ends with a broken collarbone – more often it’s just an ‘oops’ moment and you carry on driving. Of course, equipment choice still matters, but a roll cage simply offers more protection than a leather racing suit ever could.
How to Get Started with Car Racing or Your First Track Day
The decision to start car racing had been on my mind for a long time. This year, I finally made the leap: I booked a track day. Just like with motorcycles, it’s often the best way to get a first taste of the sport.
Yes, you could buy your own car and head straight onto the track, but having guidance is a far better choice. In just one session with a professional instructor, you’ll learn ten times more than you ever would on your own.
What car to choose for a track day?
The hardest decision was: which car to choose? With my background on 1000cc superbikes, I wasn’t eager to drive an old manual BMW with far less horsepower than my daily driver. But for many beginners, that’s actually the perfect choice. The learning curve is all about understanding the track, getting used to speed, and overcoming fear.
"But I was looking for something more challenging. Not a full GT3 racer or a formula car right away, but something in between. That’s how I discovered Xwift Racing Events – an organizer with an impressive line-up ranging from entry-level cars to Pragas and even a Toyota Supra GT4. My choice? The Ligier JS2 R – a pure race car, not street-legal, built with one purpose: racing..
Where do you drive your first track-day (in Belgium)?
In Belgium, you really only have three realistic options: Spa-Francorchamps, Mettet, or Zolder. For my first time, Spa and Mettet were off the table.
Because it was my first time, I didn’t want to jump straight onto an overly complex circuit. On a technical track, you’ll spend most of the day just learning the corners. That’s fine, but my goal was to understand the car as quickly as possible—and to explore my own potential. Spa is no place for beginners and Mettet is a little bit too easy.
That’s why Zolder was the ideal choice for me: a true car circuit with flowing lines, challenging chicanes, and a distinctly technical character.
First track day experience: wet track and racing lines
At 9 a.m. I checked in at the Xwift pit box. After a warm welcome with coffee and pastries, it was time to gear up. To no surprise, a racing suit is far more comfortable than a leather motorcycle suit.
Call it faith, but just like my first ever session on a motorcycle, the track was wet when we started. During the instructor's warm-up lap the rain started to fall.
As you'd expect, the first session was ... cautious. Slicks were very quickly exchanged for rain tires. Without any electronic aids, the instructor warned me to take it easy and mind the throttle. And rightly so: yellow flags and cars spinning off track. Luckily, we kept a steady pace, building up momentum and confidence as I learned the car and what it was capable of. The hardes part was using 'wet racing lines', which deviate from the regular ones.
Driving the Ligier JS2 R at Circuit Zolder
In the second session, the asphalt slowly began to dry and we could return to the ideal racing line. That immediately felt much more natural. My confidence grew—and so did the pace.
And what a car. With over 350 horsepower, the Ligier feels like a raw racing machine. You sit low, get tons of feedback through the chassis, and even in the rain it stays surprisingly approachable. But it’s on dry asphalt that it truly comes alive: flat-out on the throttle, hard on the brakes (without ABS), and with a precision that leaves a real impression.
Circuit Zolder Track Day Noise Limits – Good To Know
There’s still one drawback: the noise limits. At Circuit Zolder, it’s usually set at 98 dB – which isn’t much. Even stock motorcycles and standard sports cars sometimes get a black flag here. And just like in the old days, I got one too. Despite the team adding extra damping, we were finally forced off the track in the afternoon by a second black flag. Track day over… or was it?
Alternative: a BMW 325i track day
Luckily, I was offered one more session in a BMW 325i. Ironically, it was exactly the car I didn’t want at first: old, manual, and relatively low on horsepower. But together with the instructor, it turned out to be a fantastic drive.
The comparison? The Ligier is precise, sharp, and demands finesse. The BMW, on the other hand, is playful, forgiving, and pure fun. Where the Ligier requires discipline, the BMW invites you to hit every curb and brake hard. Different experiences—but secretly just as enjoyable.
Conclusion: is it worth switching from motorcycle racing to car racing?
My biggest question was: does car racing feel as natural as motorcycle racing? The answer: yes—almost immediately. From the very first session I felt at home behind the wheel. Much of my track experience and two-wheel skills transferred perfectly to four. It’s also physically less demanding, which gives you more focus for technique and racing lines.
Am I hooked? Yes! Without a doubt! The race-bug bit me and it got me good. I can't wait to get back behind the wheel and push my limits.