Knockhill Single Seater experience

[chillies]

Hi,

I did the Single Seater Super Trial at Knockhill on Saturday and it was excellent. You get four laps in a Seat Cupra with an instructer as passenger, then they show you how to do it properly for another four. Two further sessions of seven laps in the sinlge seater after that. If you get the chance then have a go, I recommend it. My morning was with Joe Tanner, a previous Formula Ford champion. His advice on Knockhill lines was worth the money alone.

In essence, and for those who are new to the game and are planning a track day, the advice on Knockhill is this,

The circuit is the wrong way around! Originally the circuit ran counter clockwise and the kerbs remain as they were originally designed. For that reason, the entry and apex kerbs are to be avoided. Use ALL of the exit kerbs though, but not the grass (obviously). For the apex kerbs, use the white lines as your aiming point. The first corner is the fastest in Scotland (for a circuit) and, like all but the hairpin, are blind. You can go much faster than you think it is possible through there but bear in mind you need to stay in the middle of the downhill section to give yourself a chance to stay left for the sharp right hander that follows.

Neat and tidy through the following right then stay LEFT before the chicane. Again this is blind but straightline it, aiming for the green matting to the left of the kerb on entry then hold on! For the right hander next, the usual rules apply; avoid the kerb, late as you like before turn in and aim to use all the kerb on exit.

The hairpin is my favourite. Keep left all the way down the back straight and aim to start braking at the dip prior to the hairpin itself.

All the kerb please on the exit and then start to aim for the traffic lights on the overhead gantry on the start/finish straight and when just past the those lights, BRAKE!

This advice on and description of the circuit is not intended to be definitive or for those experienced track goers. Just thought it is worth giving you the benefit of the some (but not all) of the excellent instruction I was given on Saturday.

In summary, take it easy to start with (your last lap should be you fastest). Be corteous to the other drivers; stay behind slower drivers until they move RIGHT to let you past, they will most probably appreciate following you, if they can, to see why you are faster.

Oh, and keep all the wheels pointing downwards!

My neck and arms still ache now.

Cheers.

[alicrozier]

Glad you enjoyed it!

I did it recently as part of a hospitality day but as a more experienced track driver I found it pretty frustrating (I actually enjoyed the karting more). The tuition I had was fairly good (but nothing new for me) apart from the advice to change down earlier before Duffus...I refused to do this explaining it would overrev the engine??? I then got in with the instructor and guess what...he overreved both times going into Duffus.
(Note, don't buy one of these Cupras 2nd hand!)

Single seaters were dissapointing, limited to around half throttle (the Cupra was quicker over a lap). They can be drifted in the wet though.

One of our group still managed to take the nosecone off one at Clark so I can see how they have to limit power etc. Just don't expect a 'proper' single seater experience...

[spunky-mon]

i done this a while ago and really enjoyed it. infact i got another experience for my birthday and im doing it again on the 17th of aug. single seaters and then for an extra £50 i get to do the legends experience aswell. should be fun.

for another £99 (i think) i can get someone else on to so anybody wanting it a bit cheaper give me a shout and i will give you the relevant info.

i just hope i dont crash like last time well spin off.

[k13job]

alicrozier said:

Single seaters were dissapointing, limited to around half throttle (the Cupra was quicker over a lap). They can be drifted in the wet though.

One of our group still managed to take the nosecone off one at Clark so I can see how they have to limit power etc. Just don't expect a 'proper' single seater experience...

I've had a good look at these cars, the "wings" are fake, just what appear to be planks of wood and only there to try make them look like race cars! Given the option I would go for the Legends (especialy the "unlimited" package.)

[sstein]

k13job said:

alicrozier said:

Single seaters were dissapointing, limited to around half throttle (the Cupra was quicker over a lap). They can be drifted in the wet though.

One of our group still managed to take the nosecone off one at Clark so I can see how they have to limit power etc. Just don't expect a 'proper' single seater experience...

I've had a good look at these cars, the "wings" are fake, just what appear to be planks of wood and only there to try make them look like race cars! Given the option I would go for the Legends (especialy the "unlimited" package.)

I've done the single seater experience, it was quite fun but the gearbox was a nightmare!

-

Stuart

[Broomsticklady]

sstein said:

I've done the single seater experience, it was quite fun but the gearbox was a nightmare!

Stuart

Is it a knackered Hewland a la "Give me a gear - any gear - just any forward gear and I promise not to change out of it"? I thought they were Formula First or whatever's the up to date version of them with a 'normal' gearbox?

[k13job]

Broomsticklady said:

sstein said:

I've done the single seater experience, it was quite fun but the gearbox was a nightmare!

Stuart

Is it a knackered Hewland a la "Give me a gear - any gear - just any forward gear and I promise not to change out of it"? I thought they were Formula First or whatever's the up to date version of them with a 'normal' gearbox?

The "new" cars are bike engined, probably converted from the formula firsts,on the website they claim to have new paddle shift technology, I suspect that is where the problems were?

[alicrozier]

When I did it they were bike engined, lever operated though.
I actually got on well with the g/box, no clutch needed on the upshifts and easy to heel and toe down...


I agree about the aero, would probably be faster without the nosecone...
Legend option probably better as mentioned.

Edited by alicrozier on Tuesday 10th July 06:51

[Corpulent Tosser]

chillies

Don't know who told you the circiut originally ran counter clockwise but it is not true, I took part in the first ever practice day and race there and both were clockwise, I have completed counter clockwise but that was always a novelty.

I haven't driven the circuit since the first corner was changed, it is supposed to be loads faster than it was. Sounds like you had a great day and took in loads of information from the instructors.

CT

[tuscan_thunder]

gears - on the single seaters it was just a bike box with pull back for next gear.

In the dry I just kept the thing flat oot in 6th the whole time. Didn't lift til the hairpin when I used 4th.

It stotts off the limiter though and, when I came through the chicane, it suffered fuel starvation.....which wasn't fun when it needed to be kept under drive. I think 'tankslapper' is the bike world term...

[cj_eds]

Broomsticklady said:

sstein said:

I've done the single seater experience, it was quite fun but the gearbox was a nightmare!

Stuart

Is it a knackered Hewland a la "Give me a gear - any gear - just any forward gear and I promise not to change out of it"? I thought they were Formula First or whatever's the up to date version of them with a 'normal' gearbox?

Thats how I remembered the gears working, but my track day there was 5-10 years ago! Seem to remember pulling out the pits, wiggling the gear lever around thinking "there must be one here somewhere".

Isn't the circuit used backwards (CCW) for the tarmac rally stages?

[TWJPToyota]

Many years ago they ran a hillclimb from between Clark and the chicane to the finish line in the opposite direction and at that time they had a licence to run the circuit backwards but I don't think they actually raced the circuit in the reverse direction as it was to dangerous. It was'nt really dangerous but you know what these racing chaps are like. Compared to Doune pre barrier days it was a stroll in the park. (see profile.)

[alicrozier]

I always thought the wee road up to the top of the actual 'knock'hill would be make an interesting hillclimb course...

[sstein]

Broomsticklady said:

sstein said:

I've done the single seater experience, it was quite fun but the gearbox was a nightmare!

Stuart

Is it a knackered Hewland a la "Give me a gear - any gear - just any forward gear and I promise not to change out of it"? I thought they were Formula First or whatever's the up to date version of them with a 'normal' gearbox?

That was it exactly, although this was a few years ago. I got into a gear, no idea which and just left it there!

-
Stuart

[TWJPToyota]

Ali Crozier said at 13:20
I always thought the wee road up to the top of the actual 'knock'hill would be make an interesting hillclimb course...

Absolutely the only problem, with the weather at KH the cars would never find the finish line in the fog.
Trevor

[chillies]

sstein said:

k13job said:

alicrozier said:

Single seaters were dissapointing, limited to around half throttle (the Cupra was quicker over a lap). They can be drifted in the wet though.

One of our group still managed to take the nosecone off one at Clark so I can see how they have to limit power etc. Just don't expect a 'proper' single seater experience...

I've had a good look at these cars, the "wings" are fake, just what appear to be planks of wood and only there to try make them look like race cars! Given the option I would go for the Legends (especialy the "unlimited" package.)

I've done the single seater experience, it was quite fun but the gearbox was a nightmare!

-

Stuart

Gearbox was tricky, clutch seemed to optional. Best tip was, when changing up, keep your finger on the button for an up change and ease slightly off the throttle. Seemed to work for me on the way down to the hairpin but not on the main straight!

[Terzo123]

Ive got the Ferrari experience booked for sometime in August. It seems quite alot of cash for what you are actually getting.

Has anybody tried it, and was it upto much?

[spunky-mon]

Terzo123 said:

Ive got the Ferrari experience booked for sometime in August. It seems quite alot of cash for what you are actually getting.

Has anybody tried it, and was it upto much?

when i was down last time there was a guy in the ferrari, i past him a couple times. its a left hooker and there is someone in the whole time with you. i didnt really think that he was going very fast or really giving it some on the straights. it could have been he was nervous or the man saying dont bother. would you let someone in one and say go for it round a track?

[sstein]

spunky-mon said:

Terzo123 said:

Ive got the Ferrari experience booked for sometime in August. It seems quite alot of cash for what you are actually getting.

Has anybody tried it, and was it upto much?

when i was down last time there was a guy in the ferrari, i past him a couple times. its a left hooker and there is someone in the whole time with you. i didnt really think that he was going very fast or really giving it some on the straights. it could have been he was nervous or the man saying dont bother. would you let someone in one and say go for it round a track?

I've heard you are restricted to the revs you can use, so you are never really going to get to cane that engine! Which isn't suprising, must cost a fortune if it goes pop!

-

Stuart

Edited by sstein on Wednesday 11th July 19:51

[Terzo123]

There are companies down south that seem to offer similar for alot less.

It should still be a good experience though

Not every day you get to drive a ferrari round a race track.