RAF Marham Trackday 18/19 August 2012
Discussion
Ah, the red peril returns to our tarmac! Good times!
Just taken registration offline. That's it for this event folks. Added a weather report too, it's looking rather warm! See you all over the weekend gents, I'll be the one making sure you're on the list on the gate! Sweets gladly recieved.....
We can't wait!
Just taken registration offline. That's it for this event folks. Added a weather report too, it's looking rather warm! See you all over the weekend gents, I'll be the one making sure you're on the list on the gate! Sweets gladly recieved.....
We can't wait!
dom187 said:
robg2 said:
Come and find me (red Nova), my brother (black Holden) or David (silver 924) and we'll look after you if you're unsure.
Thanks guys, I will be the guy who looks lost with a black RX7.One word of warning - Robg2 - that red nova - don't follow his lines into the corners until you have several days at marham under your belt and understand exactly what he does with the car ;-)
Stuart and David follow them any time and you'll be fine
Gutted to miss Marham for the first time since it started but it clashes with another event that I help at so I'll be runing up prescott hill - last ever outing for the Monza before most of it gets fragged
Hope you all have a great day
Edited by B'stard Child on Friday 17th August 00:22
Yes, an excellent day today. Thanks to all who lay this on for us to enjoy!
The reverse track was interesting, as noted above it's a shame we didn't have a little more time on it but hopefully it will be repeated next year.
I managed 115 miles on the track, and despite a few curious noises it happily got me home on the same tyres and even with the same fuel in that I'd started the day. Not bad for something that I bought last year for £250...
The reverse track was interesting, as noted above it's a shame we didn't have a little more time on it but hopefully it will be repeated next year.
I managed 115 miles on the track, and despite a few curious noises it happily got me home on the same tyres and even with the same fuel in that I'd started the day. Not bad for something that I bought last year for £250...
Edited by Spottedlaurel on Sunday 19th August 20:12
Thanks again to George and all his crew for a great day. Hope I suitably scared a few of your younger volunteers with fast rides in the morning in my TVR. Big TVR grins all around.
My thanks also to Stuart and David, Stuart for driving my car and approving, and David driving me round in his Porsche and showing me some very different lines. You guys both helped me improve out of all recognition and actually make a reasonable fist of getting around the circuits in decent style.
My thanks also to Stuart and David, Stuart for driving my car and approving, and David driving me round in his Porsche and showing me some very different lines. You guys both helped me improve out of all recognition and actually make a reasonable fist of getting around the circuits in decent style.
Quietlybonkers said:
Thanks again to George and all his crew for a great day. Hope I suitably scared a few of your younger volunteers with fast rides in the morning in my TVR. Big TVR grins all around.
My thanks also to Stuart and David, Stuart for driving my car and approving, and David driving me round in his Porsche and showing me some very different lines. You guys both helped me improve out of all recognition and actually make a reasonable fist of getting around the circuits in decent style.
You're very welcome. I'd like to echo your thanks to George and the team. A great weekend. The reverse track was, as mentioned by others, both faster and smoother. For that reason I still prefer the more technical original, but maybe that's just me...My thanks also to Stuart and David, Stuart for driving my car and approving, and David driving me round in his Porsche and showing me some very different lines. You guys both helped me improve out of all recognition and actually make a reasonable fist of getting around the circuits in decent style.
Where to begin!
Firstly on behalf of myself, George and all the other staff, thank you to all the drivers and passengers that came to our event this weekend. It was our pleasure to host you all once more after a two year break! I'm glad to read your feedback, we very much welcome it, good or bad, it's the only way we know if anything needs improvement!
A couple of persone notes,
firstly thanks to Chris Brown for the massive bag of sweets you left with me a the gate, they were greatly appriciated by all the staff!
Stuart, thnaks for letting George and Keith take the helm of your 375 bhp (at the wheels gents!) beast, they both had grins like cheshire cats afterwards!
Quietlybonkers, watching how you started out on the Saturday morning and then comparing it to how you were Sunday afternoon was very impressive, you certainly seemed to find your groove and get more and more out of the TVR with every lap, very well done!
Dom, I hope the front splitter isn't too hard to reattach mate, the RX7 did sound rather fruity I must say!
Spottedlaurel, it was nice to meet you and watch the mighty camry rocking round the track!
It was without doubt a great weekend, we are hoping that once the world knows we are back, our events will continue with the same level of success next year.
To you all, our heartfelt thanks, you have all contributed towards the £5000+ we raised for charity over the weekend.
There are photos and videos a'plenty, and once I've had a chance to catch my breath and sort through them, I'll put some up on the site and a few here.
Highlights of the weekend for me, so many to chose from! Here's 2 or 3.
Stuart decided he was going to put the Holden on the dyno on Saturday lunch time.
rtv "What sort of power are you expecting mate?"
SG "I'd be happy with 275-280 at the wheels."
Dan does his thing with the dyno
Dan "Yeah it's made 375 at the wheels"
SG "It made what?!?! You're kidding me???"
Seeing the ear to ear grin on your face was priceless Stuart!
Going out in Andy's E60 M5 on the Sunday, he saw 184 on the main runway and the rate that car puts on speed is something else. Also, his exhaust soounds almost (but not quite!) as good as your homemade one Stuart!
And finally, just watching a bunch of like minded folk enjoying themselves, meeting old friends and making new ones was a pleasure to watch.
Only downside from me was the poor chap with the Saab (can't remember your name fella, sorry!) who's big end let go on the last lap he was going to do! Hope you get it fixed soon mate.
We will return in the Spring, now I'm going to try and get some sleep and hope my sunburn fades.....
Rob Swanson
Firstly on behalf of myself, George and all the other staff, thank you to all the drivers and passengers that came to our event this weekend. It was our pleasure to host you all once more after a two year break! I'm glad to read your feedback, we very much welcome it, good or bad, it's the only way we know if anything needs improvement!
A couple of persone notes,
firstly thanks to Chris Brown for the massive bag of sweets you left with me a the gate, they were greatly appriciated by all the staff!
Stuart, thnaks for letting George and Keith take the helm of your 375 bhp (at the wheels gents!) beast, they both had grins like cheshire cats afterwards!
Quietlybonkers, watching how you started out on the Saturday morning and then comparing it to how you were Sunday afternoon was very impressive, you certainly seemed to find your groove and get more and more out of the TVR with every lap, very well done!
Dom, I hope the front splitter isn't too hard to reattach mate, the RX7 did sound rather fruity I must say!
Spottedlaurel, it was nice to meet you and watch the mighty camry rocking round the track!
It was without doubt a great weekend, we are hoping that once the world knows we are back, our events will continue with the same level of success next year.
To you all, our heartfelt thanks, you have all contributed towards the £5000+ we raised for charity over the weekend.
There are photos and videos a'plenty, and once I've had a chance to catch my breath and sort through them, I'll put some up on the site and a few here.
Highlights of the weekend for me, so many to chose from! Here's 2 or 3.
Stuart decided he was going to put the Holden on the dyno on Saturday lunch time.
rtv "What sort of power are you expecting mate?"
SG "I'd be happy with 275-280 at the wheels."
Dan does his thing with the dyno
Dan "Yeah it's made 375 at the wheels"
SG "It made what?!?! You're kidding me???"
Seeing the ear to ear grin on your face was priceless Stuart!
Going out in Andy's E60 M5 on the Sunday, he saw 184 on the main runway and the rate that car puts on speed is something else. Also, his exhaust soounds almost (but not quite!) as good as your homemade one Stuart!
And finally, just watching a bunch of like minded folk enjoying themselves, meeting old friends and making new ones was a pleasure to watch.
Only downside from me was the poor chap with the Saab (can't remember your name fella, sorry!) who's big end let go on the last lap he was going to do! Hope you get it fixed soon mate.
We will return in the Spring, now I'm going to try and get some sleep and hope my sunburn fades.....
Rob Swanson
Edited by rtv on Monday 20th August 08:52
Re-reading, I haven't thanked Stuart enough for all his help, intelligent thought (I know, it doesn't go with the hairstyle
), showing me the lines and braking points in the mighty beast, and putting up with me constantly wittering (sorry RAF chaps I know, that's a rival base) on at him all weekend. Along with the base crew, you really made the difference to my weekend Stuart. Hope I see you again before too long. 
), showing me the lines and braking points in the mighty beast, and putting up with me constantly wittering (sorry RAF chaps I know, that's a rival base) on at him all weekend. Along with the base crew, you really made the difference to my weekend Stuart. Hope I see you again before too long. Aw, shucks 
Actually, it's rather nice to be able to spread the joy a little, be it by coaching drivers or taking willing passengers around - or even letting the organising team have a go. Sorry about your holiday George.
I'd like to add my heartfelt thanks to the organising team - I think everyone was glad to be back on track again after an enforced break. We do all appreciate the effort that you put in. Not only in organising this event, but during your day-to-day jobs, too - keeping us safe at home and abroad deserves at least as much thanks.
The reverse track was kinda interesting, being much more "traction-limited". It was a good experiment, although after 1000+ laps going the "proper" way round, I'm far off saying that it's better. Well done for having the balls to pursue it, though.
I'm also glad that everyone liked the Holden - other than some minor cooling issues at 150+, it didn't miss a beat all weekend. Even returned 30+ mpg on the way home, too. I have a list of things to do to it over the winter, like better brakes and some handling tweaks and adding silencers (ok, so I'm joking about the silencers). The car will be back next year whilst I've got the Opel Evo off the road.
I should also say thanks for letting me drive the TVR - it truly surprised me how "neat" the handling was - and how difficult it was to get out of line, altough I really wasn't trying that hard in someone elses pride-and-joy.
I understand that there was some potential "argy-bargy" at the end of Sunday. Drivers would do well to remember to leave their emotion at the door when they get in. Red mist has no place behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.
Lastly, for those wishing to improve their car-control skills, I recommend buying a cheap car, installing a roll-cage to make it overweight and equipping it with 63 horsepower. Try chasing Lotus Elises through corners in that!
Actually, it's rather nice to be able to spread the joy a little, be it by coaching drivers or taking willing passengers around - or even letting the organising team have a go. Sorry about your holiday George.
I'd like to add my heartfelt thanks to the organising team - I think everyone was glad to be back on track again after an enforced break. We do all appreciate the effort that you put in. Not only in organising this event, but during your day-to-day jobs, too - keeping us safe at home and abroad deserves at least as much thanks.
The reverse track was kinda interesting, being much more "traction-limited". It was a good experiment, although after 1000+ laps going the "proper" way round, I'm far off saying that it's better. Well done for having the balls to pursue it, though.
I'm also glad that everyone liked the Holden - other than some minor cooling issues at 150+, it didn't miss a beat all weekend. Even returned 30+ mpg on the way home, too. I have a list of things to do to it over the winter, like better brakes and some handling tweaks and adding silencers (ok, so I'm joking about the silencers). The car will be back next year whilst I've got the Opel Evo off the road.
I should also say thanks for letting me drive the TVR - it truly surprised me how "neat" the handling was - and how difficult it was to get out of line, altough I really wasn't trying that hard in someone elses pride-and-joy.
I understand that there was some potential "argy-bargy" at the end of Sunday. Drivers would do well to remember to leave their emotion at the door when they get in. Red mist has no place behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.
Lastly, for those wishing to improve their car-control skills, I recommend buying a cheap car, installing a roll-cage to make it overweight and equipping it with 63 horsepower. Try chasing Lotus Elises through corners in that!
Er, yes - the Nova was condemned by Mr Dyno Man to be very lean at high engine speeds and putting out a whopping great 63bhp at the wheels. I suspect there's something wrong there, although it doesn't really feel much slower than 'normal'. Still, it's had no real attention in the 10 years I've had it except for wheel bearings and trackrod ends. Amongst all the rallies etc, it's done at least 600 laps at Marham now and is feeling a little bit wobbly to be honest.
The track direction change was a real treat - as Woody said, thankyou organisers for having the bravado! Despite what others have said, I actually found it quite tight clockwise - but that shows the difference between cars and driving styles. A couple of corners that are normally fast-in slow-out became slow-in fast-out, and as I tend to enter corners quickly (enabled by the Nova's heavy oversteer under braking) I found less opportunity for a fast entry than normal. That also made the opening cornering exits power-limited for me rather than traction-limited.
I suspect a lot of work went in behind the scenes to find a track layout that would work clockwise and anti-clockwise; I think you've done a good job there and it really did make it two tracks for the price of one.
I'll be back again of course, hopefully with a bit more power and another thirty quid's worth of used slicks. Until then I think of Marham as:
nice setting - good company - fantastic hoon!
The track direction change was a real treat - as Woody said, thankyou organisers for having the bravado! Despite what others have said, I actually found it quite tight clockwise - but that shows the difference between cars and driving styles. A couple of corners that are normally fast-in slow-out became slow-in fast-out, and as I tend to enter corners quickly (enabled by the Nova's heavy oversteer under braking) I found less opportunity for a fast entry than normal. That also made the opening cornering exits power-limited for me rather than traction-limited.
I suspect a lot of work went in behind the scenes to find a track layout that would work clockwise and anti-clockwise; I think you've done a good job there and it really did make it two tracks for the price of one.
I'll be back again of course, hopefully with a bit more power and another thirty quid's worth of used slicks. Until then I think of Marham as:
nice setting - good company - fantastic hoon!
rtv said:
Where to begin!
Dom, I hope the front splitter isn't too hard to reattach mate, the RX7 did sound rather fruity I must say!
6 cable ties later and shes as good as new! Dom, I hope the front splitter isn't too hard to reattach mate, the RX7 did sound rather fruity I must say!
I am looking forward to checking out the pictures/videos once they become available! I hope my Rex made it onto a video, I haven't heard the Rex on full chat outside of the car.
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