Winter driving has a way of stripping things back to the basics. Less grip, more feel, and a lot more learning. This time, we headed out for a snow and ice track day with Falcon Autosport, and it ended up being one of those days where everything just clicked.

We brought two cars out to the track:

• A 2005 Toyota Corolla
• A 2009 Honda Civic Coupe

The conditions were exactly what you’d hope for in winter. The track was icy, covered in snow, and perfectly slippery. Not sketchy, not boring. Just the right balance to make sliding fun and controlled.

The Atmosphere: Classic Falcon Autosport

There was a great turnout, with a wide mix of cars showing up to play in the snow. Everyone was relaxed, helpful, and clearly there to enjoy the experience rather than chase lap records.

As always, Drew from Falcon Autosport was welcoming and hands-on, helping drivers, answering questions, and keeping the day running smoothly. That friendly, well-organized vibe is a big part of why these events work so well.

Midday, we broke for pizza, which honestly felt like the perfect winter track lunch. Warm food, cold air, and stories about almost-spins and surprise saves.

Plenty of cars put on a good show too. Clean drifts, smooth corrections, and the kind of driving that only winter conditions can bring out.

2005 Toyota Corolla: Still Rolling, Still Impressing

If you’ve read my earlier post, I Took a Stock Corolla to a Real Race Track, you’ll remember that this Corolla has a habit of surprising people.

That trend continued here.

Yes, the body roll was very noticeable again. The car leans, especially during transitions, and you’re always aware of the suspension working. But on snow and ice, that softness actually helped. Weight transfer was slow and predictable, which made it easier to feel what the car was doing.

What stood out most was how confident the Corolla felt on the snow. It handled the slippery surface better than expected, stayed controllable in slides, and was very forgiving when things got a little messy. Just like on dry tarmac, it proved that you don’t need a stiff, aggressive setup to learn and have fun.

2009 Honda Civic Coupe: Tighter and More Controlled

The Civic Coupe felt noticeably different right away.

Compared to the Corolla, there was less body roll, which made the car feel more composed through corners. Direction changes were sharper, and the car felt more settled when transitioning from grip to slide.

On the snow, the Civic handled confidently. It held its line well and responded nicely to smooth throttle and steering inputs. Slides were easier to control at slightly higher speeds, and the car felt a bit more planted overall.

Where the Corolla encouraged playful, flowing slides, the Civic felt more precise and balanced. Both were fun in their own way, and both taught different lessons.

Why Winter Track Days Are Worth It

Snow and ice change the goalposts. Speed matters less, and control matters more. You focus on inputs, balance, and recovery instead of lap times. It’s one of the best environments to actually learn how a car behaves.

Events like this also highlight why grassroots track days matter. Safe conditions, good organization, and a community that just wants to drive.

Video and Photos From the Day

A short video from the day is up on YouTube, capturing some of the sliding and overall winter vibe:

Be sure to like the video and subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss future videos.

I’ll also be adding a few photos from the event to this article, because snow-covered track days deserve to be documented.

A frozen track, good people, and zero pressure. Days like this are exactly what winter driving should be about.