BAT trackday at Silverstone, Thursday 21st of Aug
Discussion
Edit: Just realised it was the 21st, doh!
Just got back from the BAT trackday at Silverstone today. Had a great time and the weather held out, there were some really threatening looking clouds towards the end but they proved benign. I have had mixed experiences at Silverstone with both previous trackdays operated by the circuit themselves. The last one was disappointing, a large number of cars and a huge range of experiences. This lead to crazy situations with beginners not checking their mirrors for laps on end and stacks of cars building up behind them due to the operators zero strike policy on overtakes.
Thankfully today was different, even with a serious mechanical fault it was my most enjoyable visit to Silverstone. Loads of space, everyone was keeping an eye on their mirrors and I I saw one flag the whole day. I also don't think I have shared the track with so much exotica before. It was quite something to see a Mclaren P1 blast past me in a massive heat haze doing warp speed through Abbey, shortly followed by a pair of BAC Monos.
I would like to say a big thanks to Johnny and the BAT mechanics for helping me out. Towards the end of the morning the brakes started to feel a little soft on my 130i, checking them over in the pits I found dripping brake fluid. It turned out that not only had one of the rear calliper banjo bolts become finger tight, but the Goodridge brake line was leaking at the crimped section. Things did not look good with the wheel off and a growing pool of break fluid under the car. The BAT mechanics tried to assemble a replacement hose but they didn't have the BMW specific connector needed.
I borrowed the BAT truck and drove round Silverstone's industrial estate until I was directed to http://www.earls.co.uk/ The guy at the counter built a custom brake line for me in 10 minutes for £15! The BAT mechanics fitted it over lunch and I was back lapping for the rest of the afternoon. I can't thank Earl's and the BAT crew enough, without them I would have had no more track time and wouldn't have been able to drive home.
Just got back from the BAT trackday at Silverstone today. Had a great time and the weather held out, there were some really threatening looking clouds towards the end but they proved benign. I have had mixed experiences at Silverstone with both previous trackdays operated by the circuit themselves. The last one was disappointing, a large number of cars and a huge range of experiences. This lead to crazy situations with beginners not checking their mirrors for laps on end and stacks of cars building up behind them due to the operators zero strike policy on overtakes.
Thankfully today was different, even with a serious mechanical fault it was my most enjoyable visit to Silverstone. Loads of space, everyone was keeping an eye on their mirrors and I I saw one flag the whole day. I also don't think I have shared the track with so much exotica before. It was quite something to see a Mclaren P1 blast past me in a massive heat haze doing warp speed through Abbey, shortly followed by a pair of BAC Monos.
I would like to say a big thanks to Johnny and the BAT mechanics for helping me out. Towards the end of the morning the brakes started to feel a little soft on my 130i, checking them over in the pits I found dripping brake fluid. It turned out that not only had one of the rear calliper banjo bolts become finger tight, but the Goodridge brake line was leaking at the crimped section. Things did not look good with the wheel off and a growing pool of break fluid under the car. The BAT mechanics tried to assemble a replacement hose but they didn't have the BMW specific connector needed.
I borrowed the BAT truck and drove round Silverstone's industrial estate until I was directed to http://www.earls.co.uk/ The guy at the counter built a custom brake line for me in 10 minutes for £15! The BAT mechanics fitted it over lunch and I was back lapping for the rest of the afternoon. I can't thank Earl's and the BAT crew enough, without them I would have had no more track time and wouldn't have been able to drive home.
Edited by IronFire on Thursday 21st August 20:08
Edited by IronFire on Thursday 21st August 21:14
Yep, great day!
My first time at Silverstone in my little black Striker kit car, the BAT mechanics had to bleed my brakes as first thing they were going right down to the floor and I don't like doing that sort of thing myself (read can't)!
Great service, I don't think I've been to a track day with on site mechanics before!
Once I'd learnt the track a bit it was a lot of fun, and some really nice cars to look at too, P1 MR B didn't pass me on track unfortunately but watching down the pit straight it was so much faster than anything else there.
I think the only red flag was caused by my friend in his white BMW when the engine went pop on the final corner so apologies on his behalf for time wasted.
Driving standards were better than most days I've been on, although a Ferrari was reluctant to let me past for almost a whole lap at one point despite being much slower in the corners then not slowing down on the straights.
I noticed your car by the BAT desk, an impressive amount of circuit stickers you have on it!
My first time at Silverstone in my little black Striker kit car, the BAT mechanics had to bleed my brakes as first thing they were going right down to the floor and I don't like doing that sort of thing myself (read can't)!
Great service, I don't think I've been to a track day with on site mechanics before!
Once I'd learnt the track a bit it was a lot of fun, and some really nice cars to look at too, P1 MR B didn't pass me on track unfortunately but watching down the pit straight it was so much faster than anything else there.
I think the only red flag was caused by my friend in his white BMW when the engine went pop on the final corner so apologies on his behalf for time wasted.
Driving standards were better than most days I've been on, although a Ferrari was reluctant to let me past for almost a whole lap at one point despite being much slower in the corners then not slowing down on the straights.
I noticed your car by the BAT desk, an impressive amount of circuit stickers you have on it!
Timbuk2 said:
Did you know the driver or just sweet talk him?!
I know the driver - I dont think he is the type to be sweet talked but he does run a business of doing passenger laps in his P1 and I believe some of his other cars so you can book. PM me if you want details.I actually hired his Ferrari 458 GTCC race car and so he threw in some laps in the P1.
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