what a good day Donington
08 July 2002, 06:26 PM
#152
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well it explained it like it was! lol
Phil
Phil
08 July 2002, 07:49 PM
#153
Phil
Actually I do know what you look like, I just couldn't find you that day even though I parked next to you.
I had a real good poke around your car and I now feel that I do know you. You've got so much junk and rubbish in there I thought it was a skip
Your picture at the scooby ball is the one I have in my mind, so I expected you to drive something new and flashy, imagine my suprise to see that old wreck -it's so last centuary
I'd better not 'nerd' up and get a named T shirt afterall, Phil will be throwing the rotten eggs at me.
F
Actually I do know what you look like, I just couldn't find you that day even though I parked next to you.
I had a real good poke around your car and I now feel that I do know you. You've got so much junk and rubbish in there I thought it was a skip
Your picture at the scooby ball is the one I have in my mind, so I expected you to drive something new and flashy, imagine my suprise to see that old wreck -it's so last centuary
I'd better not 'nerd' up and get a named T shirt afterall, Phil will be throwing the rotten eggs at me.
F
08 July 2002, 08:29 PM
#154
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See us, we had a brilliant Day. Thanks to all those involved and good to meet old faces again. New people aswell
Mikey & Ame
Gutted that there were more cars than there was at "The Big One"
Mikey & Ame
Gutted that there were more cars than there was at "The Big One"
08 July 2002, 08:55 PM
#155
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Chelsie:
Er, no. I had jeans, a stripey jumper and white shoes
Love the colour of that car
Were you the lady with the pink-sprayed jeans? Blond shoulder length hair?
Love the colour of that car
08 July 2002, 09:03 PM
#157
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Floyd!
you just wait....just wait!!!!!!!
Phil
you just wait....just wait!!!!!!!
Phil
08 July 2002, 09:43 PM
#159
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lol I like the way michelle refers to you coming on here, when you are an old school member
08 July 2002, 10:01 PM
#160
oy croney, at least i look a damn site pretier than you behind the wheel you git. 
LOL
Phil, i forgot to say before i left, you really are a tart! Shame it wasnt dark, i could have seen just how much of a tart you really are with the neons on full whack! Good to see you again m8.
Not going to get into the track driving debate apart from to back up what Pete said, if you have issues you discuss it on the day with the people that can make a diference. We have all been doing this thing a long time so should know that's the way to handle any misunderstandings.
I have a lot of respect for Rob Mac, he doesnt run track days without adequate marshalls or safety crews in place, you may not see these people, but they are there. The events with Blue showed how quickly they responded when required.
As to david coulthard, that guy never passed me when i raced him, he is seriously crap.
Anyone got some decent shots of me giving it some at the hairpin, it was a lot of fun from the inside so hopefully was a laugh for people outside too.
Oh and Clare, make sure i take you for a lap at the ring in a couple of weeks, you'll definately learn some things from that.
The bigest disapointment of the whole day for me was that Stef didnt enter the show and shine! LOL Who won that anyway?
LOLPhil, i forgot to say before i left, you really are a tart!
Shame it wasnt dark, i could have seen just how much of a tart you really are with the neons on full whack! Good to see you again m8.Not going to get into the track driving debate apart from to back up what Pete said, if you have issues you discuss it on the day with the people that can make a diference. We have all been doing this thing a long time so should know that's the way to handle any misunderstandings.
I have a lot of respect for Rob Mac, he doesnt run track days without adequate marshalls or safety crews in place, you may not see these people, but they are there. The events with Blue showed how quickly they responded when required.
As to david coulthard, that guy never passed me when i raced him, he is seriously crap.
Anyone got some decent shots of me giving it some at the hairpin, it was a lot of fun from the inside so hopefully was a laugh for people outside too.
Oh and Clare, make sure i take you for a lap at the ring in a couple of weeks, you'll definately learn some things from that.
The bigest disapointment of the whole day for me was that Stef didnt enter the show and shine!
LOL Who won that anyway?
08 July 2002, 11:07 PM
#161
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Well said John, face 2 face is always best if you have a problem with someone.
Most of the traffic problems I saw were related to novices. Well, I for one can remember my first trackday and how intimidating it was, so lets cut the guys some slack eh ??
As my name has cropped up in some others posts I'd like to clarify something. I was only baulked twice, once by someone who was obviously a novice, hence me slowing right down until I was sure he had seen me ; you obviously didn't know this Sam when you went past (on the right you naughty man ) the horn as to warn you to watch the rookie.
Secondly by someone who knew we were there for over a lap (you know who you are).......sorry mate but if someone is waiting to get past it's better to move over, not speed up until you go off
Re the ettiquette thing, I have never, ever found either Mellow or David Brown to be anything other than courteous on track over many trackdays.
Most of the traffic problems I saw were related to novices. Well, I for one can remember my first trackday and how intimidating it was, so lets cut the guys some slack eh ??
As my name has cropped up in some others posts I'd like to clarify something. I was only baulked twice, once by someone who was obviously a novice, hence me slowing right down until I was sure he had seen me ; you obviously didn't know this Sam when you went past (on the right you naughty man
) the horn as to warn you to watch the rookie.Secondly by someone who knew we were there for over a lap (you know who you are).......sorry mate but if someone is waiting to get past it's better to move over, not speed up until you go off
Re the ettiquette thing, I have never, ever found either Mellow or David Brown to be anything other than courteous on track over many trackdays.
09 July 2002, 12:51 AM
#162
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Hi John
Long time no see. Gather you have a Scooby now having got rid of the Beast. What spec is it, just so that I know what to expect if we meet again?
Interesting thread, nine pages long. Wish I had been there. Unfortunately I wrote my last car off shortly after we met at Oulton, but replaced it with an identical one, which now has a few more hp.
Been to quite a lot of SIDC events, but never one with 450 Scooby's.
Cheers
tut (N1 TUT)
Long time no see. Gather you have a Scooby now having got rid of the Beast. What spec is it, just so that I know what to expect if we meet again?
Interesting thread, nine pages long. Wish I had been there. Unfortunately I wrote my last car off shortly after we met at Oulton, but replaced it with an identical one, which now has a few more hp.
Been to quite a lot of SIDC events, but never one with 450 Scooby's.
Cheers
tut (N1 TUT)
09 July 2002, 01:09 AM
#163
Hi Tut!
I didnt know you stuffed the elise! shame, you peddled that really well!
My scoob is an STi5 TypeRA V-Limited, it's the one with the electric centre diff control, 280BHP standard, big brakes, close ratio box, LSD front and rear etc. Top piece of kit. It was fun in the hairpin, with the TypeRA you can use the handbrake as when you apply it the front diff gets disconected so it becomes RWD until you release the handbrake again, so you can flick it sideways then nail it and it leaves the corner initially as a RWD car then gradually starts putting torque to the front. It's got a plated rear diff too so is pretty agresive but if your confident in driving a snap oversteering RWD car its perfect.
I am helping build a 280BHP/430Kg Supercharged Ariel Atom at the moment, that should be ready to run at the ring in august!
Hopefully see you on track soon m8!
I didnt know you stuffed the elise! shame, you peddled that really well!
My scoob is an STi5 TypeRA V-Limited, it's the one with the electric centre diff control, 280BHP standard, big brakes, close ratio box, LSD front and rear etc. Top piece of kit.
It was fun in the hairpin, with the TypeRA you can use the handbrake as when you apply it the front diff gets disconected so it becomes RWD until you release the handbrake again, so you can flick it sideways then nail it and it leaves the corner initially as a RWD car then gradually starts putting torque to the front. It's got a plated rear diff too so is pretty agresive but if your confident in driving a snap oversteering RWD car its perfect. I am helping build a 280BHP/430Kg Supercharged Ariel Atom at the moment, that should be ready to run at the ring in august!
Hopefully see you on track soon m8!
09 July 2002, 01:31 AM
#164
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John, Tut did that ages ago
Those of us in the know heard about that when it happened
Tut, look forward to taking you out on track at Knockhill finally, has been a pleasure to be whisked around at a frightening pace in your Liz
Would be good to see you down here, you are more than welcome to stop at Little Miss Towers
Those of us in the know heard about that when it happened
Tut, look forward to taking you out on track at Knockhill finally, has been a pleasure to be whisked around at a frightening pace in your Liz
Would be good to see you down here, you are more than welcome to stop at Little Miss Towers
09 July 2002, 01:57 PM
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Right then,
Before I start, it is RobMac typing this, not tonyw as I am sitting at his computer and have forgotten my password... And for those who don't know, I was the one giving the briefings on Sunday. I am a professional, licensed instructor (Grade A - the highest there is)and have worked in the industry for 10 years. I am on my third Subaru and I am one of the Subaru UK demonstration drivers mentioned in a previous post. My family used to have a Subaru dealership and I have been the SIDC instructor for four years.
I have purposely not posted on this bbs for well over a year, but having read some of the bull over the last 9 pages, I feel I HAVE to respond.
First, most of the people who were driving on Sunday were EXPERIENCED track drivers and should know by now what the black flag means. I mentioned the black flag with regard to the video camera because that was the only reported incident I had all day and that on SIDC days the driving standards are usually VERY good and so I rarely have to use the black flag for driving etiquette.
Second, the briefings were a little shorter than usual due to me having to be in several places at the same time. On a day like that I would normally have a few other instructors helping me look after the track events, but I was on my own... And I was helping Stef by running around fetching him things etc., as well as helping Donington with the running of the event. I was usually dealing with some other 'minor' problem when I should have been briefing; especially when I was trying to make sure that the briefing was 'brief' enough to give the drivers the maximum time possible on track. To let you know, I was running around so much, I didn't have lunch until 3.30... I was also seen on track doing two sighting laps in the girlfriend's A class coz I couldn't get to my own car on time to maximise track time for the paying masses (1st time in 7 years she has been on track with me; AND my 5 week old daughter came along too...)
Third, to re-iterate whate Pete Croney and a couple of others said, if you have a problem, tell me or the pit lane marshal that you have a problem and let me deal with it... Don't moan after the fact on the bbs... I cannot help you then! I distinctly remember saying in ALL briefings (coz I always do...) that if you have a problem, either find me or let the pit lane marshal know as we are all in radio contact with each other... Did everyone miss this point...???
Fourth, I do a lot of track days throughout the year, as do the marshals at Donington. We are known as one of not THE best and friendliest places to go on a track day in the country and to say that the standard of driving was apparently our fault for not noticing it is plain crazy. I had 8 experienced people dotted around the track in SAFE places (usually in either marshals boxes or rescue units, that is why you could not see them) and not once did they mention anything untoward that warrented my attention. Also in the control tower there was the Circuit Manager who WAS watching on the cctv system. On this system, the WHOLE of the track can be seen and is constantly monitered for ANYTHING that is not as it should be. Anyone who has been in the control tower office will know that there are 16 cameras in there and video recorders should the need arise... Again, he is vastly experienced and did not feel the need to ask me to sort out any issues on the day...
Anyone who has been in the club for a while will remember the VERY tough briefings I used to give coz I was so p'ed off with the driving standards then. Every day there was a car being written off, it was a miracle no-one was killed... Everyone has come a long way since then to the point that I think I could hold the club up above a lot of other driving clubs due to the hard work that has gone onto driving better by everyone. Only last Thursday there was a Scoob written off at the Old Hairpin by a driver from another club... And I am sure most people will have heard of the Evo at Snetterton a couple of weeks ago... I had an instructing friend of mine nearly killed in that one and he is in a bad way as it is... (I'll remind people of that when they think my job is the best in the world...)
To re-iterate, I did not give my usual full briefing coz given the time constraints I had, I expected the vastly experinced majority to know better... As someone said, it was only the experienced people who have moaned, not the 'newbies'...
RobMac.
Before I start, it is RobMac typing this, not tonyw as I am sitting at his computer and have forgotten my password... And for those who don't know, I was the one giving the briefings on Sunday. I am a professional, licensed instructor (Grade A - the highest there is)and have worked in the industry for 10 years. I am on my third Subaru and I am one of the Subaru UK demonstration drivers mentioned in a previous post. My family used to have a Subaru dealership and I have been the SIDC instructor for four years.
I have purposely not posted on this bbs for well over a year, but having read some of the bull over the last 9 pages, I feel I HAVE to respond.
First, most of the people who were driving on Sunday were EXPERIENCED track drivers and should know by now what the black flag means. I mentioned the black flag with regard to the video camera because that was the only reported incident I had all day and that on SIDC days the driving standards are usually VERY good and so I rarely have to use the black flag for driving etiquette.
Second, the briefings were a little shorter than usual due to me having to be in several places at the same time. On a day like that I would normally have a few other instructors helping me look after the track events, but I was on my own... And I was helping Stef by running around fetching him things etc., as well as helping Donington with the running of the event. I was usually dealing with some other 'minor' problem when I should have been briefing; especially when I was trying to make sure that the briefing was 'brief' enough to give the drivers the maximum time possible on track. To let you know, I was running around so much, I didn't have lunch until 3.30... I was also seen on track doing two sighting laps in the girlfriend's A class coz I couldn't get to my own car on time to maximise track time for the paying masses (1st time in 7 years she has been on track with me; AND my 5 week old daughter came along too...)
Third, to re-iterate whate Pete Croney and a couple of others said, if you have a problem, tell me or the pit lane marshal that you have a problem and let me deal with it... Don't moan after the fact on the bbs... I cannot help you then! I distinctly remember saying in ALL briefings (coz I always do...) that if you have a problem, either find me or let the pit lane marshal know as we are all in radio contact with each other... Did everyone miss this point...???
Fourth, I do a lot of track days throughout the year, as do the marshals at Donington. We are known as one of not THE best and friendliest places to go on a track day in the country and to say that the standard of driving was apparently our fault for not noticing it is plain crazy. I had 8 experienced people dotted around the track in SAFE places (usually in either marshals boxes or rescue units, that is why you could not see them) and not once did they mention anything untoward that warrented my attention. Also in the control tower there was the Circuit Manager who WAS watching on the cctv system. On this system, the WHOLE of the track can be seen and is constantly monitered for ANYTHING that is not as it should be. Anyone who has been in the control tower office will know that there are 16 cameras in there and video recorders should the need arise... Again, he is vastly experienced and did not feel the need to ask me to sort out any issues on the day...
Anyone who has been in the club for a while will remember the VERY tough briefings I used to give coz I was so p'ed off with the driving standards then. Every day there was a car being written off, it was a miracle no-one was killed... Everyone has come a long way since then to the point that I think I could hold the club up above a lot of other driving clubs due to the hard work that has gone onto driving better by everyone. Only last Thursday there was a Scoob written off at the Old Hairpin by a driver from another club... And I am sure most people will have heard of the Evo at Snetterton a couple of weeks ago... I had an instructing friend of mine nearly killed in that one and he is in a bad way as it is... (I'll remind people of that when they think my job is the best in the world...)
To re-iterate, I did not give my usual full briefing coz given the time constraints I had, I expected the vastly experinced majority to know better... As someone said, it was only the experienced people who have moaned, not the 'newbies'...
RobMac.
09 July 2002, 02:15 PM
#166
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Thanks for putting things straight Rob.
I guess "it was only the experienced people who have moaned, not the 'newbies'" because the "newbies" wouldn't know whether what was happening was par for the course or not. It was only the experienced drivers that could tell what was out of order.
I know several people immediately went to Stef with their complaints - so they were keen to get it sorted there and then; I gather they were then told to speak to you. Pete Croney kindly clarified how to get hold of you earlier on in this thread.
I guess "it was only the experienced people who have moaned, not the 'newbies'" because the "newbies" wouldn't know whether what was happening was par for the course or not. It was only the experienced drivers that could tell what was out of order.
I know several people immediately went to Stef with their complaints - so they were keen to get it sorted there and then; I gather they were then told to speak to you. Pete Croney kindly clarified how to get hold of you earlier on in this thread.
09 July 2002, 02:47 PM
#167
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May I be so bold as to say it may have been testoterone?
I trying not to be provocative, just trying to think of reasons to stop this happening again.
I read your response but it dissapeared? You edit it too much?
I trying not to be provocative, just trying to think of reasons to stop this happening again.
I read your response but it dissapeared? You edit it too much?
09 July 2002, 06:45 PM
#169
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Hi all, my first posting after my first Suby event. Bit criminal really having had the car for a few years. Anyway, just to say Donington was fantastic, and it was great to see so many cars in the paddock. I went on the two 20 minute sessions, and it was well worth it (as many have alreeady said). I look forward to more....
Cheers,
Dave
ps. If whoever avoided my 360 is on this forum - good driving! Pushed it a little too hard, I think.
Cheers,
Dave
ps. If whoever avoided my 360 is on this forum - good driving! Pushed it a little too hard, I think.
09 July 2002, 09:05 PM
#170
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I've been biting my tongue for 5 mins now but I'm going to respond.
Shortness of time is not an excuse for not making it plainly clear what a black flag is for and emphasising track etiquette during a briefing. If there was only one novice at a briefing in a sea of experienced track drivers then that novice should be given the benefit of all the information that the more experienced drivers already know (from experience).
That's all.
Edited to say ... I'm not the only one to have commented about this but those comments aren't necessarily in this thread or on this site.
Ian.
[Edited by droid42 - 7/9/2002 9:09:54 PM]
Shortness of time is not an excuse for not making it plainly clear what a black flag is for and emphasising track etiquette during a briefing. If there was only one novice at a briefing in a sea of experienced track drivers then that novice should be given the benefit of all the information that the more experienced drivers already know (from experience).
That's all.
Edited to say ... I'm not the only one to have commented about this but those comments aren't necessarily in this thread or on this site.
Ian.
[Edited by droid42 - 7/9/2002 9:09:54 PM]
10 July 2002, 12:30 AM
#171
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Wow!
I just spent the last 40mins catching up on this thread. I would like to take my Scooby on the track at some stage in the future, but was almost discouraged given some of the comments posted here. I "only" have a '99 Sport so I would take it for granted that I'd get lapped and overtaken all the time, as long as this can happen safely and us less experienced drivers still get to enjoy the circuit.
As for the briefing I think I'll make sure to point out at the start that I'm a newbie in order to get a full briefing as I got no experience of actually driving at track days whatsoever. I quite like the idea of the orange badge that was mentioned so that others would know.
I'm still confused whether it's worth driving at these events. Can anybody comment?
I just spent the last 40mins catching up on this thread. I would like to take my Scooby on the track at some stage in the future, but was almost discouraged given some of the comments posted here. I "only" have a '99 Sport so I would take it for granted that I'd get lapped and overtaken all the time, as long as this can happen safely and us less experienced drivers still get to enjoy the circuit.
As for the briefing I think I'll make sure to point out at the start that I'm a newbie in order to get a full briefing as I got no experience of actually driving at track days whatsoever. I quite like the idea of the orange badge that was mentioned so that others would know.
I'm still confused whether it's worth driving at these events. Can anybody comment?
10 July 2002, 07:38 AM
#172
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Thunder don't be put off!
My gripe was not about being over taken but where it was done.
The guilty know who they are, over taking in the braking zones and around the bends! (exspecially on the tracks two right handers furthest from the pits). This was clearly a no no in the briefing. There were some greast drivers out there and apart from the above it was certainly safe.
This had never happened before and Im sure that it won't happen again so keep your eyes peeled for the next track day and get on board.
...Ian
10 July 2002, 07:39 AM
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Thunder77, its well worth driving at these events. Your first few laps are always a little worriesome (?) but you soon get into the swing of things. Its all about being aware of whats around you and knowing your own limits. If you are caught, well, let them past. Its not a race and you are there to have fun. I wouldn't worry about being "slow", a lot of events seem to match cars of similar abilities into sessions (not really possible when you have an open pit lane) so you would be out with people in similar cars, with a similar level of performance and experience. I can empathise (sp) with you "worrying" about being thought slow in a sport, after all I do drive a Skoda!
10 July 2002, 10:34 AM
#177
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droid42,
Well said! I was thinking the same, I have only done three airfield days but the briefings always stress driver etiquette.
Don't get me wrong, I realise what a difficult and mostly thankless task being an organiser/marshal etc is BUT surely time should have been spent stressing safety and after all, that should be the number 1 most important part of the day.
If Rob was too busy then surely there must have been other people who could have helped out Stef or whoever whilst Rob handled the briefings.
OK, so I wasn't there so can't really comment
Well said! I was thinking the same, I have only done three airfield days but the briefings always stress driver etiquette.
Don't get me wrong, I realise what a difficult and mostly thankless task being an organiser/marshal etc is BUT surely time should have been spent stressing safety and after all, that should be the number 1 most important part of the day.
If Rob was too busy then surely there must have been other people who could have helped out Stef or whoever whilst Rob handled the briefings.
OK, so I wasn't there so can't really comment
10 July 2002, 12:46 PM
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RichB the briefing was to the point with all the rules explained fully. It was a handful of people that just took the law in to their own hands as I said before, over taking where it was prohibited putting both cars in a dangerous situation also cutting across gravel traps littering the circuit was another problem.
Im sure this won't be repeated.
...IS
10 July 2002, 12:47 PM
#179
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RichB the briefing was to the point with all the rules explained fully. It was a handful of people that just took the law in to their own hands as I said before, over taking where it was prohibited putting both cars in a dangerous situation also cutting across gravel traps littering the circuit was another problem.
Im sure this won't be repeated.
...IS
10 July 2002, 12:48 PM
#180
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RichB the briefing was to the point with all the rules explained fully. It was a handful of people that just took the law in to their own hands as I said before, over taking where it was prohibited putting both cars in a dangerous situation also cutting across gravel traps littering the circuit was another problem.
Im sure this won't be repeated.
...IS