Marham track layout
Discussion
To get the Marham trackdayers into the mood, I thought I’d start a discussion about the ideal line around the whole circuit - I don’t think it’s been done before.
The line I’ve described works for me with 100bhp and FWD, but I’m sure the faster guys will have other opinions. So come on, let’s have it!!!
For ease I’ve written it like a guide. The track layout will look familiar to the regulars but hopefully any newcomers will be able to follow.
I've had to make up some names for parts of the track. On the diagrams cones are marked by orange lines.
Corner 1
Starts straight away at the exit from the paddock, but you're on the wrong line. First time around fast cars will merge from a blind complex on your left.
The corner is very long and wide and the apex is right at the end, out of sight to start with. The right line will have you out to the edge of the track, then back in to clip the apex on the left. Follow an imaginary constant curve (which takes practise to find).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HObXrweCC8k
Main straight and east complex
The main straight is very long. The challenge comes from the corners at the end - over a crest where you need to be on the left to get the correct turn-in.
The corners go right, then left (under braking), then sharp left - and there’s a vertical drop in the middle.
The first apex is hard to see at speed, and you need to learn to look for it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbTPSwzCMmk
After the sharp left the track goes right then left – all easy and great for drifters!
Piano keys
The piano keys are a large zebra crossing painted across the runway - the track skirts around the side.
It’s a right hand bend then a left, but you can approach this from the east complex with either one huge curve or a curve - straight - curve. I use the first approach as it seems to fit best with FWD.
The tip going into the piano keys is to get the speed right down, the RH is tighter than you think and there are lots of spinners here. There's plenty of tarmac run-off on the left if you need it.
Paddock straight
It’s fast here, and tricky to see what's at the end of it. What follows is... a tight corner!
The whole complex becomes more difficult if you enter the first corner too fast. Learn to look for the braking point.
Paddock complex 1
The tight left at the end of the straight tightens further into a right. It’s setup as a drift corner, and it's TIGHT!
The tip is simple - slow in, slow out
Paddock complex 2
A short straight links 1 to 2, but you need a good line. Get on the right midway down it, as you've got left - right - left apexes.
Corner 1
Then... you're back where you started, but this time you're on the left hand side of the track exiting that blind complex. You can take a left apex before settling back onto that imaginary curve.
Vetted by GeorgeyDee - thanks!
The line I’ve described works for me with 100bhp and FWD, but I’m sure the faster guys will have other opinions. So come on, let’s have it!!!
For ease I’ve written it like a guide. The track layout will look familiar to the regulars but hopefully any newcomers will be able to follow.
I've had to make up some names for parts of the track. On the diagrams cones are marked by orange lines.
Corner 1
Starts straight away at the exit from the paddock, but you're on the wrong line. First time around fast cars will merge from a blind complex on your left.
The corner is very long and wide and the apex is right at the end, out of sight to start with. The right line will have you out to the edge of the track, then back in to clip the apex on the left. Follow an imaginary constant curve (which takes practise to find).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HObXrweCC8k
Main straight and east complex
The main straight is very long. The challenge comes from the corners at the end - over a crest where you need to be on the left to get the correct turn-in.
The corners go right, then left (under braking), then sharp left - and there’s a vertical drop in the middle.
The first apex is hard to see at speed, and you need to learn to look for it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbTPSwzCMmk
After the sharp left the track goes right then left – all easy and great for drifters!
Piano keys
The piano keys are a large zebra crossing painted across the runway - the track skirts around the side.
It’s a right hand bend then a left, but you can approach this from the east complex with either one huge curve or a curve - straight - curve. I use the first approach as it seems to fit best with FWD.
The tip going into the piano keys is to get the speed right down, the RH is tighter than you think and there are lots of spinners here. There's plenty of tarmac run-off on the left if you need it.
Paddock straight
It’s fast here, and tricky to see what's at the end of it. What follows is... a tight corner!
The whole complex becomes more difficult if you enter the first corner too fast. Learn to look for the braking point.
Paddock complex 1
The tight left at the end of the straight tightens further into a right. It’s setup as a drift corner, and it's TIGHT!
The tip is simple - slow in, slow out
Paddock complex 2
A short straight links 1 to 2, but you need a good line. Get on the right midway down it, as you've got left - right - left apexes.
Corner 1
Then... you're back where you started, but this time you're on the left hand side of the track exiting that blind complex. You can take a left apex before settling back onto that imaginary curve.
Vetted by GeorgeyDee - thanks!
I think the line over / around the piano keys has changed a couple of times - last event it was definitely quite tight and I think it missed the painted bit completely on both entry and exit. The paint is quite slippery when wet, and I assume it was decided to avoid actually running over it in order to give a more consistent and predictable grip level.
Tightening the corner has definitely added a new dimension - the approach is fairly quick and the combination of heavy braking during turn-in and then a sharp change of direction makes it a real challenge! I guess that's the beauty of airfield trackdays - you probably couldn't have that type of corner on a conventional circuit because everyone would be off on the grass!
My diagram isn't quite right then for the current layout - I'll change it if I get the chance.
It's a shame you won't be there - the Sunbeam is definitely one of the highlights of the event both when parked in the paddock and flying around the track.
Tightening the corner has definitely added a new dimension - the approach is fairly quick and the combination of heavy braking during turn-in and then a sharp change of direction makes it a real challenge! I guess that's the beauty of airfield trackdays - you probably couldn't have that type of corner on a conventional circuit because everyone would be off on the grass!
My diagram isn't quite right then for the current layout - I'll change it if I get the chance.
It's a shame you won't be there - the Sunbeam is definitely one of the highlights of the event both when parked in the paddock and flying around the track.
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