RAF Marham Track Day - It's Back - 26/27 Sep 15

RAF Marham Track Day - It's Back - 26/27 Sep 15

Author
Discussion

MrMattLaw

5 posts

174 months

Sunday 27th September 2015
quotequote all
We got front and rear footage from the orange MNR so when I get chance I will get a video made of the day.

B'stard Child

28,423 posts

247 months

Sunday 27th September 2015
quotequote all
Too orangy for crows



Yeah not my normal track day weapon - OK not a weapon - but that's what happens when you run out of talent



Aceeeeeed



Stopped someone drawing lashes on them

Good company



Wears it's sticker with pride (long story but in brief don't lay a challenge down for Mrs Gewy)



Stickers = bhp



Duct tape is your friend



His friend too



Oh and even the poo brown Mx5



Part two to follow


Konan

1,840 posts

147 months

Monday 28th September 2015
quotequote all
Spottedlaurel said:
Konan said:
Really enjoyed the day. Very fast circuit, and so wide in places that I'm not entirely sure I ever found a correct line.

I didn't ever think I'd be touching the speed limiter (it's relatively high for the car, so I never have bothered adjusting it).
I got half a lap or so of video footage of you, when you passed me in my Lexus in the afternoon session. What was your limiter set at? The straight was the only place I seemed to get anywhere near catching up with you.
There's a speed limiter that reduces the wastegate duty cycle in order to lower the boost. It starts to reduce at 137mph and hits maximum reduction at 147mph. I haven't yet found out how much the minimum and maximum reductions are.

I only did two or three flat out runs on the straight. For the most part, I had a foot-based limiter holding me at 120mph for the sake of fuel consumption and being a little mindful of the large quantity of tape that I repaired the CV boot with at lunchtime wink

I'll keep an eye out for the video - I do hope you had Radio 4 on in there wink

rtv

229 posts

170 months

Monday 28th September 2015
quotequote all
Well, where do I even begin to start writing up about the weekends activities…

I’ll start at 0645 on the main gate. After not enough sleep my thoughts of “Why the hell am I up so damn early!” were soon dispatched when the first drivers started arriving! One of the perks of being on the gate is that I got the first opportunity to look at the contenders for the weekend, and of course chat to a bunch of like minded folk as the enter the Station. Marham always seems to attract an eclectic mixture of cars, from the purely track orientated cars, to exotica, to daily drivers (or your other half’s daily driver Ian!), to bangernomics specials.

Due to restrictions on where we can and can’t drive on the Airfield, we had to change the layout of the track this year. It was the first time we’ve run this circuit, so your feedback is always appreciated guys! We do try to provide something for everyone, some challenging corners and complexes and a decent straight for the big power boys to stretch the legs of their cars in a way you can’t on the Queen’s highways!

One of my favourite parts of the weekend is eating burgers, but another is walking down the paddock whilst all the cars are lined up waiting for the sighting lap. To hear, see, feel and smell the cars all waiting to go out is a very satisfying moment, and it lets all of the team know that all the hard work that has gone in to put on an event and prepare for it, was all worth while! Also I was checking wristbands or something… And just like that the track was opened and it was business as usual!

It’s always good to see some of our regulars returning, an event here would not be the same if the granger brothers weren’t in attendance, or if Chris Brown wasn’t threading his 2 tone golf through corners with effortless precision! Anthony brought his newly wrapped Chimera back, having come to our last event (and his first track day!) 2 ½ years ago and getting firmly bitten by the bug! It’s incredible to see how much you driving has improved since your first outing, I think the 30+ track days you’ve done in those 2 ½ years might have something to do with that! It was just a shame that the rad on the Chim sprung a leak on Sunday morning so you couldn’t have more fun!

Highlight from the weekend are too many to list, but here’s a few of mine.

Hearing the twin T25 turbos of Tim’s Lotus Carlton spooling up as he gunned the throttle when exiting the hairpin was a seminal moment, only to be accompanied from the bark from the exhaust as he powered off down the hockey stick!

Watching the Mini boys dancing through a complex in a conga line, whilst all the time jostling for the right exit line!

Learning that The leaky Scooby CV boot has been repaired and not ruined his day was a massive result!

Learning that Will had just managed to repair his MNR Vortex just in time to drive home, was a disappointment and a result at the same time though!

The supercharged Civic Type R, accelerating to a new V-Max (according to GPS) that made for a happy driver!

Chatting to the 2 lads from Leeds that had brought the mighty Capri down for the day, and learning that said Capri had not lost any fluid throughout the entire day! Glad you got your shades back too!

As always, watching people helping strangers fix their cars makes me realise what the event is all about. I’ve never seen another trackday with a pitlane that has the same vibe as we do here.

The banter we have on the radios is mostly not repeatable here, but according to Foz’s missus is far better than eastenders…..

Learning that the Mini had a rabbit strike, and the only damage was a bent number plate! I expect to see a rabbit outline painted on the drivers door when you return next time, like we paint bombs on the side of out Aircraft!

Watching Stu Granger try a bit of grass track rallying in the Holden, only at about 120 mph….. You did bloody well to get her back onto the tarmac mate!

Eating too much Thai green curry with a 99 chaser…

Watching the F360 get it slightly wrong in a complex and be faced with those age old 2 choices, brake and hope for the best, or power and hope for the best, he chose power!

I’ll add more as my weary brain tries to process all the information from the weekend…

As usual, there were many comments I heard in the pits, or over the radio, here are a few quotes….

“I was going down the straight at 130 and that Ultima came past me like I was stood still!”

“Tamoras were rumoured to lose their roofs at 150, I was only doing 145, I think I’m going to have to write a letter of complaint!”

“Who the hell is driving that Red Nova???!?!”

“I had to take the supercharger off because it wasn’t running right…”

“Can you get one of the Tornados out so we can have a race?”

And in what seemed like the blink of an eye, it was all over. Silence fell on the Airfield, the pitlane was empty and not a cone in sight........


On behalf of all of the team here at RAF Marham, I thank you all for coming at such short notice and making the event possible. Thanks to all the drivers that took the staff out on pax rides too, there were some very happy people! Also thanks to Sundays drivers for cheering me right up after ‘that rugby match’ on Saturday night!

I did try to get around and chat to everyone to say thanks for coming, if I missed you, I'll thank you next time!

I have a few pics that I’ll put up once I get them off the camera.

We hope to return in the spring, watch this space!

I’m going to lie down in a quiet room and sleep for at least a week!

rtv out.




Edited by rtv on Monday 28th September 10:06

rtv

229 posts

170 months

Monday 28th September 2015
quotequote all
I'd just like to take a moment to remember the brave cones that gave their lives in support of the event over the weekend. RIP boys.

2woody

919 posts

211 months

Monday 28th September 2015
quotequote all
QBee said:
For me the pick of the day was managing to stay on the tail of Stuart in the Holden for several laps. We were well on it, and my passenger seemed to like my efforts in the late braking department. Thanks for trusting me, mate. yikes That Holden rear end looked awfully large and solid from where I was sitting.
you're going to have to introduce me to the man who taught you to drive - I should shake his hand !

Seriously, it was one of those things that you can really only do at Marham - trusting those around you who you know can drive to get quite close to. The TVR has indeed got some legs, I'd guessed you were pretty "on-it", but I hadn't quite got to the stage where I'd have spun a couple of cone-bases your way.

Its quite amazing how similar the performance can be, even though I'm guessing I might be working a bit harder than you behind the wheel. I must have a few more horsepower as the Holden weighs a full 750Kg more than the TVR.

here's to next time.....

p200msd

232 posts

166 months

Monday 28th September 2015
quotequote all
rtv said:
I'd just like to take a moment to remember the brave cones that gave their lives in support of the event over the weekend. RIP boys.
This is preferable over anything else and we still have all the runway lights, so it's all good! Plus it was half a dozen less to put away!!

Like you say Rob, it was all over too quickly and the airfield falling silent was a sad moment!! Roll on April time (roughly)!!!!

2woody

919 posts

211 months

Monday 28th September 2015
quotequote all
back home, car unpacked, sleep chased down, but the smile far from fading.....

Thank you all at Marham so much for pulling out all of the stops once more. I'll say it again, it really is the best date on the entire calendar. I'm so glad we were able to spread a little bit of our own joy around in entertaining you all and providing passenger rides aplenty. It really does turn out that the Holden is the car everyone's desperately keen to get in to.

I didn't keep a count, but I must have taken 20 or more different people out on passenger rides over the weekend - all of whom were highly appreciative. Sometimes in the paddock, there were queues of two or three people wanting to get in.

I didn't also count, but I must have done at least 150 laps over the weekend, certainly judging by the 270 litres of fuel that I'd used. In case you're wondering, at "speed" I get 8.4 MPG. so that's just about 500 miles on the track and yet the car didn't miss a beat all weekend. I even left on the front tyres I arrived on.

As a complete contrast I managed 36 MPG for the trip home

Its so good to meet up with old friends, too - especially ones who you know you can trust to drive well around you

thanks again.

p.s. do you want your runway marker back ? I didn't lift off you know !

rtv

229 posts

170 months

Monday 28th September 2015
quotequote all
2woody said:
p.s. do you want your runway marker back ? I didn't lift off you know !
As I said mate Stu, there are 2 possible choices, brakes or power. I know you'd chose the latter every time.........

B'stard Child

28,423 posts

247 months

Monday 28th September 2015
quotequote all
rtv said:
Marham always seems to attract an eclectic mixture of cars, from the purely track orientated cars, to exotica, to daily drivers (or your other half’s daily driver Ian!), to bangernomics specials.
Mine also fell into the bangernomics camp too ;-) Don't tell her I said that!! She's been on at me to get the paintwork sorted and I've put it off - now I can!!!

rtv said:
It was the first time we’ve run this circuit, so your feedback is always appreciated guys! We do try to provide something for everyone, some challenging corners and complexes and a decent straight for the big power boys to stretch the legs of their cars in a way you can’t on the Queen’s highways!
Feedback - track direction change at midday was brilliant - I know morning and afternoon versions will both have their fans but I was very much in the afternoon fan camp - much more flowing and less mickey mouse the cones (tailwind down the longest straight helped - solo it was 145 mph and then hard on the anchors - two up it was 140 mph lift early and brake earlier.

What really did impress me was the lack of tyre degredation - some much better than previous - OK not the same car but I honestly didn't expect my tyres (well worn slicks) 3mm at best!! to last longer than half a day - not a drop of canvas showing and still some dimples left!!! (OK the Merc doesn't have 350 kgs of pig iron up front like the Monza but it's still a heavy car)

rtv said:
“Who the hell is driving that Red Nova???!?!”
Always going to be the $64M question......

rtv said:
We hope to return in the spring, watch this space!
Would be great to see it back on a regular basis - I know this event wasn't as well attended as previous but from little acorns and all that - I remember the first one and I don't think there was more than 60 cars each day.

rtv said:
I’m going to lie down in a quiet room and sleep for at least a week!
You and the whole team have earned one

mrB10

165 posts

198 months

Monday 28th September 2015
quotequote all
"we had to change the layout of the track this year. It was the first time we’ve run this circuit, so your feedback is always appreciated guys!"

I thought it was spot on, I for one will vote to not go back to the original layout. Loved the bends, the straights and the mickey mouse chicane, all of it was enjoyable and did make me work which gave me a massive buzz, mainly as it suited my style of driving and the Caterhams ability to just get in and have a go.

Oh and hopefully the popping of the exhaust on mine on overun etc wasn't too alarming, I did see the odd marshal look up when I lifted off.

and on B'stard childs comment, this is something that really surprised me "What really did impress me was the lack of tyre degradation - some much better than previous" well my tyres were in very good shape this time, a 100% more so than years before and I was trying, promise!

Edited by mrB10 on Monday 28th September 11:56

rtv

229 posts

170 months

Monday 28th September 2015
quotequote all
I've just looked through some of my pics, and think I've got a couple of good ones, Including one of the Nova on two wheels.. I have no idea what happened to your rim Rob... Annoyingly (entirely my fault) I'd neglected to charge my camera or bring spare batteries, so when I came to use it on Sunday it let me down.

Once they're resized to sensible levels tonight I'll get some up on here.

QBee

20,987 posts

145 months

Monday 28th September 2015
quotequote all
2woody said:
QBee said:
For me the pick of the day was managing to stay on the tail of Stuart in the Holden for several laps. We were well on it, and my passenger seemed to like my efforts in the late braking department. Thanks for trusting me, mate. yikes That Holden rear end looked awfully large and solid from where I was sitting.
you're going to have to introduce me to the man who taught you to drive - I should shake his hand !

Seriously, it was one of those things that you can really only do at Marham - trusting those around you who you know can drive to get quite close to. The TVR has indeed got some legs, I'd guessed you were pretty "on-it", but I hadn't quite got to the stage where I'd have spun a couple of cone-bases your way.

Its quite amazing how similar the performance can be, even though I'm guessing I might be working a bit harder than you behind the wheel. I must have a few more horsepower as the Holden weighs a full 750Kg more than the TVR.

here's to next time.....
I have had a bit of tuition at circuits - say 3-4 sessions - but basically I have just got myself into harmony with the car, which is far more fit for purpose these days, and have done about 30 track days since I first met you.
I have also upgraded from 4 litres in 2012 to 5 litres now, from standard Bilsteins to adjustable Racing Reds (Nitrons to anyone else out there), 220 bhp to 300 bhp, with 330 ft lbs of torque, and the car only weighs 1100 kg. Plus a set of (pretty worn) Toyo R888s this time, though shortly after I had been following you my front left tyre was totally "Marhammed", right down to the cords, and was down to about 25% grip. Made for some hysterically funny and very long right handers, with liberal use of right foot to bring the tail round and actually make it around the corner. Three years ago I would have spun if I had tried that, these days I just control the slide.

Sad to say, I probably won't be coming to Marham to drive again, but may well come to watch. The grit and stones do too much damage to the car each time, and it's not fair on what is a 16 year old classic British sports car. Once again this year my front end paint is shot, or rather the matt Plastidip, which has survived all on-road stone chipping for the last 12 months, is shot. Also my radiator has been shot-blasted down to the bright copper and was punctured by stones at the end of Saturday, so as I write it is being re-cored. And my windscreen is peppered with tiny stone chips which make visibility difficult when driving into the sun, so it is new windscreen time as well.

It's a shame, because it is a unique track event. One of these days i will get myself a front wheel drive track slag, something similar to Chris Brown's Golf or a Clio 172, for around £1500 ready prepared, and do wet track days and Marham in it and not worry about risk and damage.

Thanks again to the team for fantastic organisation and good humour - you are a credit to the RAF, guys. And thanks to my passengers (I think I only went out once without one) for the big grins and putting up with my, at times, wild driving.....though I am not in Rob's league where "wild" is concerned. Each passenger had one 145mph run down the main straight, which isn't bad for a car with the roof off, but the rear section up (which must have acted like a giant air brake).

2woody

919 posts

211 months

Monday 28th September 2015
quotequote all
QBee said:
Sad to say, I probably won't be coming to Marham to drive again, but may well come to watch.
Absolutely not - you'll be coming as a second driver with me

QBee

20,987 posts

145 months

Monday 28th September 2015
quotequote all
2woody said:
QBee said:
Sad to say, I probably won't be coming to Marham to drive again, but may well come to watch.
Absolutely not - you'll be coming as a second driver with me
Bless you for that kind thought. thumbup

B'stard Child

28,423 posts

247 months

Monday 28th September 2015
quotequote all
Part two (Only pit shots - if I'd run out of tyres I'd have asked if I could take some track side pictures....)

Quite nippy on track - just over 100 bhp apparently - possibly a bit tippy?



Seems I'm catching up with bright coloured wheels



Ahead on keeping air inside the rubber tho



Not one word about H**d G**kets - Good little car on track sprightly out of the corners and no slouch down the straights either



Was so pleased it got out after brake issues (the stopping ones not the loony anti car lot)



He got his monies worth out of the pads removed



I often wondered if these would be any good on track (wasn't bad just needs to get into the Marham groove - be nice all the time)



I'm gonna build one of these one day - well similar - should have done it years ago but I'm a Monza adict



Guess which car these came off



Nice banded steels and work in progress in a good way



Just needs caps or centre trims



B'stard Child

28,423 posts

247 months

Monday 28th September 2015
quotequote all
Part three

All wrapped up?



Where we're going we don't need roofs!!!



Snap - only greener - Well possible incontinence issues?



Cooling off



Nothing much left to fall off/undress (not my words) - it seems the Clio contingent have been Saxo'd



Strut brace tick
Silicone Hoses tick
Cold air feed - that would be a good addition



Snap (well except the silicone hose)



Sticker bombing the interior - excellent.....



No J engine in this - I guess a few problems on a new build are to be expected - lots of quality stuff



The future is bright the future is Orange Lemon Lime biggrin



Orange/grey/orange/grey/orange/grey Golf (Split personality!!!!)



I do love a good six (Klingon cloaking device fitted - no matter how many times you checked your mirrors it still surprised you with an appearance)



Initially I thought welded diff but no - just bloody tight



Angry Silent Wasp (Bike engined but unhappy sounded fruity when it did run)



Crazy contours on that bonnet - no-one to ask what was underneath - fill me in someone?



One for the carpy number plate thread (although I don't mind it much as long as it's an R500 wink)






Edited by B'stard Child on Monday 28th September 18:42

rtv

229 posts

170 months

Monday 28th September 2015
quotequote all
Great pics Ian. I think the red tiger was sporting a heavily tuned and modified S2000 engine. It had only just come out of the workshop so this was it's shakedown. Lovely chap called Paul owns it, got a business down at Hethal, no, not that business....

Sadly the white one dropped a valve, believe it was running a ZXR 1400 engine.

And the last pic is hammerite....

Edited by rtv on Monday 28th September 19:04

B'stard Child

28,423 posts

247 months

Monday 28th September 2015
quotequote all
Part Four

Don't take offence with my comments - they are meant to be light hearted - normally when I take a picture I have a comment in my head as I take the shot - and believe it or not most I remember when it comes to posting them up

If I didn't take a picture it's normally cos I couldn't thing of anything to say!!!

Back at it - first one of these I've ever seen - assumes Blown rather than N/A



I was thinking Marham Cone scuff but Tim put me right blaming his co-driver biggrin
(No'7 in the racing drivers list of excuses)



Tim - mate - it's not an LC it doesn't have to rest with it's gob open wink



I did however take a picture of the good side as an apology



M-R-D (Sold well in France apparently)



Another old friend (was it this one collecting rabbits)



Effective repairs (no attempt to turn the image round as it was just resting waiting for vertical take off)



Why is it so frisky at the back - You thing those lamps are light?



Not the obvious Blue and Yella



The rules are tape your lights -------- OK I can go with that - Who doesn't like pop up lights anyway



Insert suitable Knob gag in here - anyone??



(I do hope he has a short shifter fitted or that's gonna be a hell of a throw - dashboard to parcel shelf)

Save the best till last - the Mighty V6 V8 Omega Holden - I'm starting a petition "Bring back the EVO" at least I could catch that



For stickers - don't change the track again next time guys (well just a little is OK)



And the competition winner - who guessed a Puma could shed tyres like that



I'm done

rtv

229 posts

170 months

Monday 28th September 2015
quotequote all
More great pics, little bit of a pointless post this one as I want it to scroll to page 16 so I can add more pics and this page doesn't take an age to load.....