RAF Marham Driving Days 11 & 12th October 2008

That's how i recall it happened. I might argue as to the best seat in the house though, mine was certainly more eventful.

There were several factors that caused the roll if one wasn't there i don't think it would have happened.

A few laps earlier i was driving without my passenger. I entered the corner a little bit faster than when i rolled but didn't slide as much on the left hander and then had a fair amount of understeer when i changed direction to the right. When John got back into the car it put more loading onto the left front, which i didn't account for, and helped the roll occur.

I was using R-888 tyres which were far too grippy for the standard suspension

The corner entry speed was a little too high but the major factor was that the car had oversteered more than expected. i had previously allowed the car to spin out as Phil has said, but this time, as i saw that no-one was near me, i tried to correct the slide and flick it into the next corner. I have done this before but not at this speed or from such a severe slide.

With out one of these factors i dont think the car would have dug in and rolled. Unfortunately it did. All i can do now is chalk this up to experience, learn form it and not get myself in the same situation again. I also hope that all of you reading this will also learn from my mistakes so it doesn't happen to you.

Another point i'd like to make is during the roll, the windscreen shattered and glass shards and dust went everywhere. Fortunately, John had his visor down. Mine however was up and i got a faceful of glass. This also happened to the passenger of the Sunbeam that had it's screen implode at 140mph. It's not a pleasant experience, so i'd like to suggest always having your visors down as you never know what might happen.


I'll be at the next event George if you'll let me. My trackcar is getting it's rollcage strengthened first though, and i'm thinking of getting stabilizers fitted.

Phil, sorry you missed your tea, look me up in April and i'll shout you a bacon roll. As for worrying if the car stayed on the trailer, i'm gonna struggle to undo the straps to get the bloody thing off!!!!!

Many thanks for everything once again to all the volunteers and organisers, i'll try to be more careful next time.

Glad to hear that all is well with the Pug occupants (if not the Pug itself) and to see a very clear and sensible explanation/view taken of the incident by the driver. I think that probably the most critical piece of information to come from that and the Sunbeam incident is the need, at all times, for visors to be always worn down on full face helmets and proper goggles with an open face helmet.... the rest is down to the car's limits and the driving of it. Sometimes the lesson bites, and often that is through attempting correction.

One interesting thought in all of this is that, although 2 cars have rolled, a biker or two went down at the early events, and a TVR has hit a runway traffic light, I can't recall anyone actually colliding with anyone or anthing else. Given the number of events, participants, and track miles driven, it sort of tells its own story .

Ultimately, it is a hazard of pushing a car to its limits and, like most unintended happenings, various factors conspiring together at one time. But one of the main benefits of Marham is that, wherever an incident might happen, whether at high speed or not, the risk inherent with any loss of control or roll is significantly reduced. Quite unlike a normal race track, there is a complete absence of solid things like buildings, embankments, trees, armco, concrete walls etc to hit and, with good visibility of the track ahead where ever you are on it and run-offs everywhere, there are plenty of escape options for others to get out of the way of an evolving incident (assuming they're not up the ar*e of the gyrating car in front). Thus, IMHO it is de-risked as much as is reasonably practical and necessary to do so.

The "piano keys" corner has become a course feature - but, indeed, one that could usefully be mentioned specifically at the briefing next time, which has been taken on board. On this event, as has been mentioned, it was laid out better than previously, as the entry had been opened and provided a flowing line on the left by hitting the apex of the previous. A wide range of lines is taken on many of the corners though, as people learn what works better and what doesn't - not just on that corner, but on pretty much all of them. Basic rules - take a line that straightens the corner up as much as possible (which might involve setting that up out of the previous corner or two), brake to the point of turning in, balance the power and smoothly (unless drifting) increase it as you exit. If people think it worthwhile, in conjunction with a few mates, I'll produce a course diagram for next time, showing the "ideal" lines, which people can take or not as they please.

The variety of cars that come is brilliant. The supporting facilities are excellent. The relaxed atmosphere and friendliness to all by all is a deep joy. The entry price is outstanding - and it goes to charity. Everyone learns sooner or later to give each other space in the corners by adjusting speeds up or down for a while on the straights. No noise limits. The rules are few, simple and mostly self-policing. Pocket rockets, high speed missiles, classics and drifters co-exist pretty happily for the most part, with tolerance shown on all sides. Marham is a quite unique track, event and atmosphere, the magic of which I would like to see continue.

MG Mark

Hear, hear!

it's a difficult corner, and rewarding. Having driven only RWD on the track, it's obvious that the "wide" line is the only one that works for this layout. it all revolves around being able to put down power coming out of the corner smoothly, which is key coming out of the previous corner and for the next corner onto the straight.

FWD and 4WD are much more able to follow the tighter line

Of course your very welcome to come back Martin