Knockhill 29th November
Discussion
With trepidation I set out yesterday for my first ever track day. My Parents bought me a day at Knockhill for my birthday.
I turned up early to get my bearings and chat to others and watch some of the other kit turn up.
Many and varied would sum the metal on display, two Aerial Atoms, and old 1961 lotus I think it was, Ford Mustang, some Evo's and Impreza's, various Porsches(Turbo, Boxster and a lightweight stripped out one?) Mazda RX8, Vauxhall VX220's, a Caterham superlight and various others.
Some of the stuff was highly modified and looked very quick.
So out we went, I realised quite quickly that the painted bits on the corners were quite slippery so decided to avoid most of them! Took the first couple of laps gently to heat up tyres and brakes nad then went for it.
WOW! what fun I had assumed that I was going to be one of the slowest, being a novice and in a familly estate car complete with child seat, but I was pleasantly surprised, the E55 didnt just hold it's own, it stormed round, very little body roll, although the small buzzy things could outdo me on the twisties they soon became specs in the mirror down the straight.
It was damp, so putting the power down after the corners had to be done in a measured fashion.
Quite a few breaks for hot Brakes(which the Mustang driver now wishes he had done) but all in all a fantastic day, which I will surely repeat.
I found the Caterham and the atoms difficult to see under my boot, but as the atoms seemed to like gardening a lot that wasn't too much of a problem!
The major casualty of the day was the Mustang that ended up in the Tyre wall on it's side, he had had problems all day putting the power down, but on this occasion couldnt stop for the corner and went straight across the kitty litter......driver was fine though.
So I leave to go home, head off down the road. Hmmmm what's that vibration Clunk
The rear left brake disk is lying on the alloy, all the wheel bolts had come out and were on the road. So AA back to the garage and home in a Mitsubishi Carisma
The only visible damage is a broken brake caliper, but will wait to see what the garage say today!
I turned up early to get my bearings and chat to others and watch some of the other kit turn up.
Many and varied would sum the metal on display, two Aerial Atoms, and old 1961 lotus I think it was, Ford Mustang, some Evo's and Impreza's, various Porsches(Turbo, Boxster and a lightweight stripped out one?) Mazda RX8, Vauxhall VX220's, a Caterham superlight and various others.
Some of the stuff was highly modified and looked very quick.
So out we went, I realised quite quickly that the painted bits on the corners were quite slippery so decided to avoid most of them! Took the first couple of laps gently to heat up tyres and brakes nad then went for it.
WOW! what fun I had assumed that I was going to be one of the slowest, being a novice and in a familly estate car complete with child seat, but I was pleasantly surprised, the E55 didnt just hold it's own, it stormed round, very little body roll, although the small buzzy things could outdo me on the twisties they soon became specs in the mirror down the straight.
It was damp, so putting the power down after the corners had to be done in a measured fashion.
Quite a few breaks for hot Brakes(which the Mustang driver now wishes he had done) but all in all a fantastic day, which I will surely repeat.
I found the Caterham and the atoms difficult to see under my boot, but as the atoms seemed to like gardening a lot that wasn't too much of a problem!
The major casualty of the day was the Mustang that ended up in the Tyre wall on it's side, he had had problems all day putting the power down, but on this occasion couldnt stop for the corner and went straight across the kitty litter......driver was fine though.
So I leave to go home, head off down the road. Hmmmm what's that vibration Clunk
The rear left brake disk is lying on the alloy, all the wheel bolts had come out and were on the road. So AA back to the garage and home in a Mitsubishi Carisma
The only visible damage is a broken brake caliper, but will wait to see what the garage say today!
Hi, So pleased for you doing your first track day, in a Merc! Very underrated, because it`s not small and nimble, and people think it will be a barge. The suspension is excellent, the 5 speed autobox is brill, And of course the wall of torque from that V8. No it may not be the quickest round the track, but you will sure have plenty of fun and you wont be last!
Loved my CLK55 on track, and much missed.
All the best with yours.
Loved my CLK55 on track, and much missed.
All the best with yours.
Your car was awesome on the track
My wee Gt3 was tucked up in the garage so I came along as a passenger with the Porsche ( and Mustang ) boys
I was in the pass seat on Gt3 owning but Boxster S driving pal and saw your car closing in up the straight -- wham right by us and it cornered very well.
K'Hill is mental on the brakes , they just don't get enough time to cool down and very few people discipline themselves with a no brake cooling down lap , some even then use the handbrake in the pits on a red hot disc - fatal.
Glad you enjoyed your day , your car added to the fun , but as Mustang owner found out - you can have too much fun.
Mike
My wee Gt3 was tucked up in the garage so I came along as a passenger with the Porsche ( and Mustang ) boys
I was in the pass seat on Gt3 owning but Boxster S driving pal and saw your car closing in up the straight -- wham right by us and it cornered very well.
K'Hill is mental on the brakes , they just don't get enough time to cool down and very few people discipline themselves with a no brake cooling down lap , some even then use the handbrake in the pits on a red hot disc - fatal.
Glad you enjoyed your day , your car added to the fun , but as Mustang owner found out - you can have too much fun.
Mike
Being my first day out I was being a bit gentle!
I really felt for the Mustang Man, but I am sure he must have known that his brakes were fading? Glad he was unhurt though.
I think I have some video of passing you! I will post it in a minute.
I had a really good day out, I was surprised how ineffective the Atoms were on the day, too much power and too wet I assume.
I really felt for the Mustang Man, but I am sure he must have known that his brakes were fading? Glad he was unhurt though.
I think I have some video of passing you! I will post it in a minute.
I had a really good day out, I was surprised how ineffective the Atoms were on the day, too much power and too wet I assume.
OK Here are two segments of the same run, 20 Minutes in total broken into two as Youtube doesn't like anything over 10 Mins!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-vkCNoS6eQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjfkeILJTw0&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-vkCNoS6eQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjfkeILJTw0&fea...
mike58 said:
Your car was awesome on the track
My wee Gt3 was tucked up in the garage so I came along as a passenger with the Porsche ( and Mustang ) boys
I was in the pass seat on Gt3 owning but Boxster S driving pal and saw your car closing in up the straight -- wham right by us and it cornered very well.
K'Hill is mental on the brakes , they just don't get enough time to cool down and very few people discipline themselves with a no brake cooling down lap , some even then use the handbrake in the pits on a red hot disc - fatal.
Glad you enjoyed your day , your car added to the fun , but as Mustang owner found out - you can have too much fun.
Mike
Did you spot the Baby seat in the backMy wee Gt3 was tucked up in the garage so I came along as a passenger with the Porsche ( and Mustang ) boys
I was in the pass seat on Gt3 owning but Boxster S driving pal and saw your car closing in up the straight -- wham right by us and it cornered very well.
K'Hill is mental on the brakes , they just don't get enough time to cool down and very few people discipline themselves with a no brake cooling down lap , some even then use the handbrake in the pits on a red hot disc - fatal.
Glad you enjoyed your day , your car added to the fun , but as Mustang owner found out - you can have too much fun.
Mike
boxsey said:
Are you sure you are new to this because you look very smooth and it looks like you have good speed through the corners? Or are you really a budding racing driver that fancied embarressing a few trackdayers by driving round them in a family estate?
If you had seen me before going on the track you would definately have put me down as a first timer.....First to arrive and register, nervous fiddling before going on track, couple of daintyish laps getting the feel of the circuit and then all out!It really helps having others to follow to get the lines, although when the red flag came out after about 5 mins the nerves started again....what if????
Thanks for the kind comments, I think the car(
)flattered me to be honest, it is very deceptive as some of the comments from the day showed
E55 Max said:
boxsey said:
Are you sure you are new to this because you look very smooth and it looks like you have good speed through the corners? Or are you really a budding racing driver that fancied embarressing a few trackdayers by driving round them in a family estate?
If you had seen me before going on the track you would definately have put me down as a first timer.....First to arrive and register, nervous fiddling before going on track, couple of daintyish laps getting the feel of the circuit and then all out!It really helps having others to follow to get the lines, although when the red flag came out after about 5 mins the nerves started again....what if????
Thanks for the kind comments, I think the car(
)flattered me to be honest, it is very deceptive as some of the comments from the day showedI think you should try a pukka sports car. people in the paddock would be muttering about Pro ringers.
m
weed said:
I can see the handling start to deteriorate after lap 2 but I would tend to agree with Boxsey that you are carrying the car, and not vise versa.
I think you should try a pukka sports car. people in the paddock would be muttering about Pro ringers.
m
HaHaI think you should try a pukka sports car. people in the paddock would be muttering about Pro ringers.
m
Would be nice to think that!
I would love to try a proper sports car round a track, I had to settle for the E55 Estate as Kids and Dogs rule the roost, I have only had it 4 weeks after having an E320 cdi Estate before. This is as sporty as it will get for a couple of years, but after that experience I think I can live with the trade off!
Thanks for the kind comments......Is that you Mum????
Hi Deuchars
Mine is completely standard apart from the After Market Baby Seat in the Back!
It was a great day, I was worried about the wet on the drive up as it was raining heavily, but that didn't affect the track too much once a dry line appeared. I suppose that the slight dampness meant my tyres didnt seem to wear at all during the day.
I have to admit to looking at you car before the off and thinking 'I wonder how many times I will see that pass me today!
Mine is completely standard apart from the After Market Baby Seat in the Back!
It was a great day, I was worried about the wet on the drive up as it was raining heavily, but that didn't affect the track too much once a dry line appeared. I suppose that the slight dampness meant my tyres didnt seem to wear at all during the day.
I have to admit to looking at you car before the off and thinking 'I wonder how many times I will see that pass me today!
I thought you might have had an aftermarket exhaust, it sounded brilliant going up the straight and looked very quick!
The track was really slippy at first but was good once the dry line formed. I guess you will be back on track next year?
I have only owned the car for a few weeks, was disappointed with the brakes and tyres. I knew before going that the tyres were rubbish but the brakes only lasted 4-5 laps before fade was coming! I have ordered new tyres and a hi-spec brake kit, should be more fun next time!
If you could email the pictures that would be great, my email ad is in my profile.
Bit off topic but I used to see an 05 plate E55 amg quite often in Bruntsfield, not you're car by any chance?
The track was really slippy at first but was good once the dry line formed. I guess you will be back on track next year?
I have only owned the car for a few weeks, was disappointed with the brakes and tyres. I knew before going that the tyres were rubbish but the brakes only lasted 4-5 laps before fade was coming! I have ordered new tyres and a hi-spec brake kit, should be more fun next time!
If you could email the pictures that would be great, my email ad is in my profile.
Bit off topic but I used to see an 05 plate E55 amg quite often in Bruntsfield, not you're car by any chance?
I have only had the car 3 or 4 weeks, so it could be the same one.
The exhaust is stock as far as I am aware, but 5.5 supercharged V8 show sound meaty at full beans!
I didn't have much brake fade, just messages all over the dash saying hot brakes!
My first couple of laps I did feel the lack of grip, the dry line was definitely the one to be on. Once I got some confidence I had a ball.
I will mail the pictures now.
The exhaust is stock as far as I am aware, but 5.5 supercharged V8 show sound meaty at full beans!
I didn't have much brake fade, just messages all over the dash saying hot brakes!
My first couple of laps I did feel the lack of grip, the dry line was definitely the one to be on. Once I got some confidence I had a ball.
I will mail the pictures now.
Edited by E55 Max on Thursday 3rd December 16:50
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff