Single seater, Aerial atom or Caterham
Discussion
Hi all
Some thoughts/advice needed please....
I am keen to do a track day experience in the next few weeks, using a car prepped/owned by the organiser (e.g. Jonathan Palmer etc.)
Cars of interest: Single seater, Aerial atom or Caterham.
Any thoughts on some good, well priced schools/providers within an hour from London that people have had a good experience from - JP comes to mind, what about the Silverstone single seater experience, any feedback?
Some thoughts/advice needed please....
I am keen to do a track day experience in the next few weeks, using a car prepped/owned by the organiser (e.g. Jonathan Palmer etc.)
Cars of interest: Single seater, Aerial atom or Caterham.
Any thoughts on some good, well priced schools/providers within an hour from London that people have had a good experience from - JP comes to mind, what about the Silverstone single seater experience, any feedback?
When I drove them, the palmersports single seaters were formula palmer audi chassis with 'detuned' aero, and jag v6 engines. They're a bit more 'road' than race, somewhat more torquey / less peaky. However they do properly shift, and are fully flappy paddle 'race' gearboxed. There is a rev limit, but not what I suspect you're thinking - its appropriate to the engine, rather than to limit the power. Trust me they positively encourage you to give it beans. If you can I'd do the half day - 'prototype', atom, single seater and some filler fluff (karts) the two seater is epic, and if you can do it first you'll learn a lot for the single seater.
I believe the chassis is now ex F3000, and the engine the same.
Realistically anything you drive will have minimal/token aero. In order to get proper aero you need to run a low ride height with the wings close to the ground. The average punter will knock those off / break them, so they don't, plus most folks don't have the resources to notice / utilise the aero anyway.
2nd edit - palmersport atoms are 'modified' with the addition of flappy paddle box. Mainly I suspect because it stops the ham fisted from buzzing the engine. There's enough going on you're likely to be thankful for it rather than feel its a detriment.
Can't comment on silverstone cars - no personal experience. Usually there's a ton of folks jumping on these threads saying 'palmersport'.
I believe the chassis is now ex F3000, and the engine the same.
Realistically anything you drive will have minimal/token aero. In order to get proper aero you need to run a low ride height with the wings close to the ground. The average punter will knock those off / break them, so they don't, plus most folks don't have the resources to notice / utilise the aero anyway.
2nd edit - palmersport atoms are 'modified' with the addition of flappy paddle box. Mainly I suspect because it stops the ham fisted from buzzing the engine. There's enough going on you're likely to be thankful for it rather than feel its a detriment.
Can't comment on silverstone cars - no personal experience. Usually there's a ton of folks jumping on these threads saying 'palmersport'.
Edited by upsidedownmark on Wednesday 2nd September 09:29
This is great. Many thanks.
I think Palmer Sport half day as you say, with the Atom, single seater and karts is the way to go : )
I think Palmer Sport half day as you say, with the Atom, single seater and karts is the way to go : )
upsidedownmark said:
When I drove them, the palmersports single seaters were formula palmer audi chassis with 'detuned' aero, and jag v6 engines. They're a bit more 'road' than race, somewhat more torquey / less peaky. However they do properly shift, and are fully flappy paddle 'race' gearboxed. There is a rev limit, but not what I suspect you're thinking - its appropriate to the engine, rather than to limit the power. Trust me they positively encourage you to give it beans. If you can I'd do the half day - 'prototype', atom, single seater and some filler fluff (karts) the two seater is epic, and if you can do it first you'll learn a lot for the single seater.
I believe the chassis is now ex F3000, and the engine the same.
Realistically anything you drive will have minimal/token aero. In order to get proper aero you need to run a low ride height with the wings close to the ground. The average punter will knock those off / break them, so they don't, plus most folks don't have the resources to notice / utilise the aero anyway.
2nd edit - palmersport atoms are 'modified' with the addition of flappy paddle box. Mainly I suspect because it stops the ham fisted from buzzing the engine. There's enough going on you're likely to be thankful for it rather than feel its a detriment.
Can't comment on silverstone cars - no personal experience. Usually there's a ton of folks jumping on these threads saying 'palmersport'.
I believe the chassis is now ex F3000, and the engine the same.
Realistically anything you drive will have minimal/token aero. In order to get proper aero you need to run a low ride height with the wings close to the ground. The average punter will knock those off / break them, so they don't, plus most folks don't have the resources to notice / utilise the aero anyway.
2nd edit - palmersport atoms are 'modified' with the addition of flappy paddle box. Mainly I suspect because it stops the ham fisted from buzzing the engine. There's enough going on you're likely to be thankful for it rather than feel its a detriment.
Can't comment on silverstone cars - no personal experience. Usually there's a ton of folks jumping on these threads saying 'palmersport'.
Edited by upsidedownmark on Wednesday 2nd September 09:29
I cant speak for the FPA day other than it looks like great fun.
Me and a mate shared a race prepped caterham C400 2 weeks ago at brands hatch indy, it belongs to Boss Racing. This car actually races at the weekends in Colin's capable hands, and they hire it out in the week. We had a full day (on track from 9-5) and I wasnt particularly counting, but reckon we each got around 120 laps. It was AMAZING, 220 bhp ford duratec, approx 500kilos, sequential box etc, the only 2 cars that were quicker were mega power radicals in the hands of pros.
Andy
Me and a mate shared a race prepped caterham C400 2 weeks ago at brands hatch indy, it belongs to Boss Racing. This car actually races at the weekends in Colin's capable hands, and they hire it out in the week. We had a full day (on track from 9-5) and I wasnt particularly counting, but reckon we each got around 120 laps. It was AMAZING, 220 bhp ford duratec, approx 500kilos, sequential box etc, the only 2 cars that were quicker were mega power radicals in the hands of pros.
Andy
Hi Andy, fantastic. What was the cost for a day hire of this C400 ? I will have a look into this hire : )
andyhaase1 said:
I cant speak for the FPA day other than it looks like great fun.
Me and a mate shared a race prepped caterham C400 2 weeks ago at brands hatch indy, it belongs to Boss Racing. This car actually races at the weekends in Colin's capable hands, and they hire it out in the week. We had a full day (on track from 9-5) and I wasnt particularly counting, but reckon we each got around 120 laps. It was AMAZING, 220 bhp ford duratec, approx 500kilos, sequential box etc, the only 2 cars that were quicker were mega power radicals in the hands of pros.
Andy
Me and a mate shared a race prepped caterham C400 2 weeks ago at brands hatch indy, it belongs to Boss Racing. This car actually races at the weekends in Colin's capable hands, and they hire it out in the week. We had a full day (on track from 9-5) and I wasnt particularly counting, but reckon we each got around 120 laps. It was AMAZING, 220 bhp ford duratec, approx 500kilos, sequential box etc, the only 2 cars that were quicker were mega power radicals in the hands of pros.
Andy
jenzo said:
Re the cost,I think the caterham hire cost £795, brands hatch Indy was £245, then there was pit lane garage hire and extra driver cost.
In the end we paid £620 each for absolutely everything, although we stopped in a hotel the night before cos it's a 4 hour drive for us. That included all fuel, unlimited refreshments, ( thanks Michelle) lunch in the cafe, and video footage on a memory stick from a go-pro. We were doing approx 25-30 laps sessions, coming in, swapping drivers for another 25-30 laps then coming in to allow refuelling, checking fluids, wheelnuts, tyre pressures etc.
The caterham performed perfectly, no major hairy moments although the tyres were getting a little hot after 25 laps, but I was amazed there was still plenty of life in them at the end of the day. I suppose that's due to the low weight.
I've done a few other trackdays in my daily drivers but always had in the back of my mind, that I needed to be able to drive it home! So I used to drive accordingly at 80%, but with the caterham Colin actually encouraged us to drive it hard. I'd never used a sequential box before but within 2-3 laps it becomes natural, tho it is a bit noisy. On the go-pro footage all you can hear is gearbox noise, but inside the helmet it's ok.
There's a £1000 insurance XS in the event of any damage too.
Palmer is great. Anyone going on Sept 10th eve???
tracktimesolutions@gmail.com run Radicals at Silverstone. They'll take you out first and gauge whether you'll damage it or not, but if you ok they'll let you continue alone. Used them once, intend to use again.
BaT is good.
Most experience events are a disappointment.
Single seaters at Thruxton are choked at 4k so you hit the limiter all the way round the back of the circuit.
tracktimesolutions@gmail.com run Radicals at Silverstone. They'll take you out first and gauge whether you'll damage it or not, but if you ok they'll let you continue alone. Used them once, intend to use again.
BaT is good.
Most experience events are a disappointment.
Single seaters at Thruxton are choked at 4k so you hit the limiter all the way round the back of the circuit.
http://www.swracecarhire.com has a really good R400, R300 and Radical. Chap is super friendly and will come out with you to get the most from the car and track if you want. Brings refreshments as well.
I've done the single seater experience at Silverstone.
Firstly its the Stowe circuit so not the full silverstone. That said, it's a great little circuit for the cars. You do 20mins behind a safety car (Clio) and then you have 20mins of 'free drive'. Pace car was infuriatingly slow but the free time was great (the cars are Rev limited though and you will top them out on the back straight).
The biggest criticism would be other drivers. Overtaking only on the two straights and so many people not checking mirrors/not moving over for blue flags. I think the group that is on at the same time as you could really make or break the experience.
Overall a great day out though not in the same league as say a day at brands in a race peppered caterham!!
Firstly its the Stowe circuit so not the full silverstone. That said, it's a great little circuit for the cars. You do 20mins behind a safety car (Clio) and then you have 20mins of 'free drive'. Pace car was infuriatingly slow but the free time was great (the cars are Rev limited though and you will top them out on the back straight).
The biggest criticism would be other drivers. Overtaking only on the two straights and so many people not checking mirrors/not moving over for blue flags. I think the group that is on at the same time as you could really make or break the experience.
Overall a great day out though not in the same league as say a day at brands in a race peppered caterham!!
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