RAF Marham Track Day - 28/29 May 2016
Discussion
First of all mega thanks to everyone who put this on for us, its great to be back at Marham again. The new track layout is far,far superior than the old circuit could've ever hoped to have been. The tight complex is a nice touch, something to keep the big boys honest! This track has everything for every type of car, big thumbs up!
Now,having spent the last few weeks preparing both my Saab 9000 and Natalie's Scooby, even taking last week off work to concentrate on the final things as her car has been sorn'd for nearly a year. Was still working on it fri eve, yes the very night before the big day, till past midnight sorting out a last minute cv boot failure getting around it by trying out one of those stickyboot thingys.
4:15am alarm call and as nearly everything was loaded the night before, was an easy 5:15 departure. A gentle cruise up from kent was in order as Scooby binge drinking starts at 71mph, way below empty motorway saab cruising speeds. Our true wake up call was just before 6 as we both enjoyed the sweet music we made blasting through Dartford tunnel.....Scoobies do sound damn evil ha!
Quick fuel stop at Tesco's a few miles south of Marham and parked up at the airbase soon after 8. Wasn't long before Ylee (George) spotted us and popped over, turns out we parked not far away. Wouldn't of mattered anyway since I think the entire paddock new when the clan fired into action, sounds awesome that thing!
We opted to wait a little for the eager beavers to go out first before we ventured out. But the circuit was red flagged as frequently as you'd expect at that time of day. We managed to get out there soon before 11 taking things steady but building speed slowly as for reasons that will become clear in a few weeks I don't want either car broken. My aim of the day was just to go out there and have a giggle, not hoon as hard as I usually do.
Shortly before lunch we went out again, we planned for Nat to follow me for 2 laps then i'll follow her for laps 3&4 so we can get some half decent footage of each other. Soon after we swapped places I noticed and smelt a lot of tyre smoke and it was coming from her cars nearside rear. Odd I thought as we are on a straight bit right now. Flashed my lights and after a small delay we coasted back in. Jacked it up and found the inside of the tyre had been rubbing on the newly fitted coilovers! Simple fix though, found the nuts holding everything in place had loosened slightly and given a little too much camber.
After lunch the circuit was reversed. We had just sat down for lunch ourselves as cars cued for the sighting laps. I remember saying ''Officially we should be going out with them'' Stuffing my face with cheeseburger. So we left my Saab in the paddock and jumped in the Scooby and joined in the convoy for the not so slow 2 laps....still enjoying our cheesburgers and can of Dr Pepper. Where else in the country can you do this ha!
We waited a little for the track to quieten down before we ventured out. 1st lap was a real attention grabber it is a completely new track and I even got a little lost lol. 2nd lap and as I exited the tight section I looked back and had that sinking feeling when I saw Nats Scooby limping slowly at the edge of the track. Trouble is, this section is now at the beginning of the lap so had to do almost a complete circuit before the pits. I slowed right down too hoping she can catch up, but at 30mph that circuit is the longest and loneliest place to be.
Eventually got back and car up in the air again. Found the the passanger rear driveshaft had popped out of the diff..... Day over!
I jiggled about for a bit under there and managed to slot it back in but no way is this car going back out today. I'm just thinking about getting home without being on the back of an AA truck. Made up a very heath robinson way of holding it in using tried and tested Gaffer tape and cable ties...its only got to last as many of the 131 miles home.
We chose to make a break for it as soon as we've packed our gear up, but with everything going on it was only till we was driving out of the airbase i'd forgotten to say our goodbye's to George and Beverly
ops: ops: ops:
A steady and carefull drive back proved tedious but by some miracle we made it home safe and sound soon after 7pm. Shattered but overwhelmed that not only did we have an epic days adventure and with the drama's of the day our cars made sure they got us back home.
I've some multi-angle,multi-car footage which i'm currently editing together of our filming laps, captured a few cars that I've seen on you tube already incuding the westfield and the Red Elise. I'll post the link when uploaded.
Now,having spent the last few weeks preparing both my Saab 9000 and Natalie's Scooby, even taking last week off work to concentrate on the final things as her car has been sorn'd for nearly a year. Was still working on it fri eve, yes the very night before the big day, till past midnight sorting out a last minute cv boot failure getting around it by trying out one of those stickyboot thingys.
4:15am alarm call and as nearly everything was loaded the night before, was an easy 5:15 departure. A gentle cruise up from kent was in order as Scooby binge drinking starts at 71mph, way below empty motorway saab cruising speeds. Our true wake up call was just before 6 as we both enjoyed the sweet music we made blasting through Dartford tunnel.....Scoobies do sound damn evil ha!
Quick fuel stop at Tesco's a few miles south of Marham and parked up at the airbase soon after 8. Wasn't long before Ylee (George) spotted us and popped over, turns out we parked not far away. Wouldn't of mattered anyway since I think the entire paddock new when the clan fired into action, sounds awesome that thing!
We opted to wait a little for the eager beavers to go out first before we ventured out. But the circuit was red flagged as frequently as you'd expect at that time of day. We managed to get out there soon before 11 taking things steady but building speed slowly as for reasons that will become clear in a few weeks I don't want either car broken. My aim of the day was just to go out there and have a giggle, not hoon as hard as I usually do.
Shortly before lunch we went out again, we planned for Nat to follow me for 2 laps then i'll follow her for laps 3&4 so we can get some half decent footage of each other. Soon after we swapped places I noticed and smelt a lot of tyre smoke and it was coming from her cars nearside rear. Odd I thought as we are on a straight bit right now. Flashed my lights and after a small delay we coasted back in. Jacked it up and found the inside of the tyre had been rubbing on the newly fitted coilovers! Simple fix though, found the nuts holding everything in place had loosened slightly and given a little too much camber.
After lunch the circuit was reversed. We had just sat down for lunch ourselves as cars cued for the sighting laps. I remember saying ''Officially we should be going out with them'' Stuffing my face with cheeseburger. So we left my Saab in the paddock and jumped in the Scooby and joined in the convoy for the not so slow 2 laps....still enjoying our cheesburgers and can of Dr Pepper. Where else in the country can you do this ha!
We waited a little for the track to quieten down before we ventured out. 1st lap was a real attention grabber it is a completely new track and I even got a little lost lol. 2nd lap and as I exited the tight section I looked back and had that sinking feeling when I saw Nats Scooby limping slowly at the edge of the track. Trouble is, this section is now at the beginning of the lap so had to do almost a complete circuit before the pits. I slowed right down too hoping she can catch up, but at 30mph that circuit is the longest and loneliest place to be.
Eventually got back and car up in the air again. Found the the passanger rear driveshaft had popped out of the diff..... Day over!
I jiggled about for a bit under there and managed to slot it back in but no way is this car going back out today. I'm just thinking about getting home without being on the back of an AA truck. Made up a very heath robinson way of holding it in using tried and tested Gaffer tape and cable ties...its only got to last as many of the 131 miles home.
We chose to make a break for it as soon as we've packed our gear up, but with everything going on it was only till we was driving out of the airbase i'd forgotten to say our goodbye's to George and Beverly
ops: ops: ops: A steady and carefull drive back proved tedious but by some miracle we made it home safe and sound soon after 7pm. Shattered but overwhelmed that not only did we have an epic days adventure and with the drama's of the day our cars made sure they got us back home.
I've some multi-angle,multi-car footage which i'm currently editing together of our filming laps, captured a few cars that I've seen on you tube already incuding the westfield and the Red Elise. I'll post the link when uploaded.
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