A track day is safer than most people expect, and how safe depends on the format. The three things that matter are how many cars are on the circuit, who is sitting beside you, and who pays if something goes wrong.
In short: Risk on a circuit comes mostly from traffic and from driving beyond your level. A private circuit, a coach in the car and a professional safety crew remove most of it. At Stratos every car is insured, and your exposure is a damage deposit of €10,000, or €20,000 for the Lamborghini or a custom car.
Key facts
- Every Stratos fleet car is insured.
- The damage deposit is €10,000 per driver, or €20,000 for the Lamborghini or a custom car, held on a card and released after the event, subject to any damage.
- Each event has 15 drivers max on a privately hired Grand Prix circuit, with safety crew and marshals.
- Every driver has private coaching with a professional race driver.
- Road car insurance almost never covers circuit driving.
- Stratos events run in the rain; the circuit's safety team decides if running stops.
Where the risk comes from
- Other cars. On an open day, dozens of cars of mixed speed and skill share the circuit.
- Pace beyond your level. Trying to keep up, or to impress.
- A car you do not know. Its brakes, its grip, its limits.
- Tired tires, brakes and drivers late in the day.
How the format changes it
| Open track day, your car | Stratos | |
|---|---|---|
| Cars on circuit | Often 70 or more | 15 drivers max |
| Coach beside you | Rarely | Yes, a professional race driver |
| Safety crew, marshals, medical | Provided by the circuit | Provided, both days |
| Car preparation | Yours | Mechanic team, fresh tires and brakes |
| If you damage the car | You pay for your own car, and often for barrier repairs | The car is insured. Your exposure is the damage deposit |
Insurance: what covers what
- Your road policy almost never covers driving on a circuit.
- Track-day insurance can be bought per day for your own car on open days, with a large excess.
- At Stratos, every fleet car is insured. You do not arrange or buy anything.
- Travel insurance often excludes motorsport. Check yours, or ask us what to look for.
What a damage deposit is
A damage deposit is the most you can owe if you damage the car. At Stratos:
- €10,000 per driver, held on a card shortly before the event.
- €20,000 for the Lamborghini or a custom car.
- It covers the insurance excess. It is released after the event, subject to any damage.
Incidents are extremely rare. The whole format of 15 drivers, private coaching and a private circuit exists to keep them that way.
What keeps you safe at Stratos
- The entire Grand Prix circuit, privately hired, with safety crew and marshals.
- Private coaching with professional race drivers, in your car.
- A briefing the evening before on race driving theory, the flags and the plan.
- Your pace. You start in the passenger seat, then build speed with your coach.
- Helmet and driving gear provided.
- Rain plan. You drive in the wet, with the program adjusted. Running stops only if the circuit's safety team calls it.
What you can do
- Sleep well, drink water, and skip the late night before a track day.
- Say when you are tired. The fastest laps come when you are fresh.
- Listen to your coach. Smooth comes before fast.
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FAQ
Is a track day dangerous?
It carries risk, like any sport. A private circuit with a coach beside you and a safety crew on site keeps it low.
What happens if I damage the car at Stratos?
Every car is insured. The cost up to the excess comes from your damage deposit: €10,000, or €20,000 for the Lamborghini or a custom car.
Does my car insurance cover a track day?
Almost never. Road policies usually exclude circuits.
Do I need my own insurance for a Stratos event?
Not for the car. Check that your travel insurance covers driving on a circuit.
Is it safe to drive on track in the rain?
Yes, at the right pace. Wet laps are some of the best teaching there is, and the safety team stops running if conditions require it.
What should I wear on a track day?
Long sleeves, long pants and thin-soled shoes. At Stratos, helmet and driving gear are provided.
Is there medical cover at the circuit?
Yes. Stratos events run with the circuit's safety crew and marshals on site both days.
How much is the damage deposit?
€10,000 per driver, or €20,000 for the Lamborghini or a custom car.
When is the damage deposit taken?
It is held on a card shortly before the event and released afterward, subject to any damage.
About Stratos
Stratos runs exclusive driving experiences at Europe's greatest Grand Prix circuits, for founders and leaders. Each event privately hires the entire circuit for 15 drivers max, with a supercar fleet, private coaching with professional race drivers, 3 nights of luxury accommodation and 2 full track days. Stratos is invitation-only.