now just to convert those "west coast wussies(sp)"

glad you enjoyed it,knew you would.I was exactly the same,full of all the excuses,until I did a track day and now I can't get enough of them .really must go out with an instructor and learn how to drive properly.

top marques night,is I think the 18th this month.

[Edited by T-uk - 4/3/2002 8:33:51 PM]

 

No the track also had an Octavia RS with another instructor, and a few race Pros here and there in Fiestas. But the nearest I was to another car was about 50m.

I didn't take insurance for this session, but I'm going to look into a policy with Eggar Lawson.

I did understeer quite a lot coming out of Clark once and only just kept off the grass, but I didn't even remotely scare myself and spoil the day.

Had some great fun coming out of the hairpin in 2nd in the wet

I don't know whether wet or dry is better. Wet is fun as you can play with the grip at lower speeds I suppose when you are beginning and you are quite cautious and expect to lose grip.

The amazing thing was that when you get the chicane and Clark right it feels so easy. Deceptively so, because when you get it wrong it is horrible, feels ragged and untidy.

Sasha had me quite early on the brakes to save them a bit, but pointed out that if I braked later I probably wouldn't go any quicker as they would just fade. We'll have to see how the relaxed, controlled, technique intensive style works on a trackday compared with T-uk's fun method.

It is amazing the dividends paid by setting the car up well for a corner. The exact point of turn in influences massively what happens.

Angle of attack of the chicane makes a big difference.

I tried the straight on method taking the curbs and then some, and then the braking whilst you are approaching the chicane to drop the front end of the car to make it bite more as you get on the power to do the right hand flick of it and move across and use all the track.

Staying in third gear on the approach to Clark was interesting compared with going up to fourth, as if you did the latter you were braking harder fairly soon after you had changed up (long UK gears).

Lots of little things to experiment with on a trackday. Fabulous fun. It seems I went much faster when I was concentrating on technique rather than speed. If I tried to go too fast I just messed up and ended up scrubbing off speed with understeer and going slower, and everything was happening too quickly.

Also I was coming off the power down Duffus Dip but apparently when you get more confidence you can stay on the power all the way down in a Scooby after the turn in at the end of the main straight, and only come off the power and brake for McIntyres, but it feels a bit scary apparently.

[Edited by john banks - 4/3/2002 9:47:50 PM]

 

Absolutely loved it

Sasha was a very good instructor - she taught me all the lines and braking points and the difference after just 25 laps was incredible. With the emphasis on this rather than outright speed it all came together quite nicely and the speed just seemed to follow.

Nice to get the old Scooby sliding about in the wet - I can't believe how forgiving it is and what you can recover from Lovely to feel the diffs doing their thing Not too much tyre wear either as I was running the pressures at 37F 34R cold and it was soaking wet. I didn't get the tail out, but that wasn't really the aim of it and isn't really my thing to be honest. I did learn a huge amount about car control.

Now when's the next trackday? I hope I am ready to brave the likes of T-uk

Who wants to sell me a set of 16" wheels?

 

Pleased that you found the course worthwhile John. I'll try and book in myself sometime soon (got the inlaws staying for two weeks so might treat myself after that!)

Richard.

 

Meant to ask - did you have the track to yourself and did you require track day insurance cover?

 

Sounds excellent John.

How much does it cost?

 

£79 if you pay and book a date at the same time. Worth every penny, and I am as tight as an ant's chuff.

 

Glad you enjoyed it John. Women drivers eh ? and they let them on a track

What Sasha probably didn't tell you is that when she raced, she lapped Knockhill in her wee Fiesta XR2 in 65 seconds. These Fiesta's had bog standard 1.6 engines, gearboxes, brake discs and standard road type Khumo tyres.
That was a few years ago, before they made the track over a second faster by widening the corners out

 

Thanks for the info John.

 

Have done this also and as John says, excellent, amazing what you can learn in an hour.

Jack

PS I have a couple of sets of 16's in the garage if you're interested. Call me on 07976 202021

 

John,
"wheels around" were at the last SIDC track day at knockhill, they were selling wheels and part worn slicks. Maybe give them a try? Failing that I've got a set of 16" wheels you can have for nowt, take them away, keep them, sell them, I never want to see them again. As you can guess, they're not the best but are definately round and ideal for track days. You'll only have to find the tyres. Only snag is, they won't fit over 4 pots, dunno what you're running?

Alan

 

Thanks for the offer. I do run four pots though.

Jack offered me some 16s with slicks which sounds good and he was keen to sell them with the slicks on, but I am only a beginner, and I think worn Bridgestones would be a lot safer - of which I have a set, just need some wheels to go with them. Have put an advert in wanted. Better still some MY00 wheels would be nice in reasonable nick, and if any of the road ones get kerbed I can mix and match to keep a nice set for the road. I am not planning to go up to 17s - there is plenty of grip on 16s for me.

 

so keep the 16's for track,sell all that ICE nonsense and with the cash buy some 17's for the road and a decent back box that you can hear ,not a blitz though .

 

meant to ask did you monitor intake temps on track?

 

I've sorted some MY00 16s. Need to keep a few spare sets of pads. Have booked the next two SIDC Knockhill sessions (June and July), will book next two Hot Marques tomorrow.

Didn't measure intake temps - only running 17 PSI.

 

Bought ma squaw said Knockhill tuition last Christmas, she got Up The Duff before booking her day.... so Knockhill let her postpone until after she dropped sprog, she recently took her 25 laps the only draw back i sold Impreza 6 weeks ago Tee HEE, she had to contend with wallowing A4 Audi 2.6.. not too amused at the prospect she wasn't. Never the less she really enjoyed it ( her instructor was Gordan Sheddon).
At recent SIDC track day she was bumpin on about u guys missing braking points, wrong lines etc!!!! bloody bird drivers eh.
Hope to be back in scooby ownership soonish ,mmmm... how do u guys fancy droppin down Duffids wi a no it aw bird up yer ****ter??
Col

 

Well well Mr H

I took my time to reply but i will get u in the end m8

Weast Coast Wossies then where did that come from M8,or were u just bored like Alan and tried to do some fishing.

Come down and have your fun with us the next time then m8, I am sure John P will let u know all about it.

Hope to see u at the next Knockhill M8, how's the car doing now?any new mod's planned for it or is it just as it come's for now.

Dougie+Diana

 

Oi' leave me out of it!! I was just getting over the nightmares. Anyway who is doing the Top Marques night on the 18th? I've just phoned and booked me a slot.

Evos first trip round Knockhill, as I was dis-appointed about missing out on the last one. Time to see how slow I really am.

Good thing is, THERES NO FEKING WATER !!!!! Dougie

...John

 

I'm doing the 18th. My first trackday go easy on me please.