Exploring the limits

[Storer]

That was Dom.

Somewhere in Wales I think.



Paul

[3Dee]

rdodger said:

Blyton do track days for road cars. Testing will normally be for race cars only. I'm sure Richard would listen to someone wanting to rent the circuit for half or a full day though.

You know the guy Rog?

Maybe if I could get enough of us interested, we might make sufficient numbers to turn it into 'an Ultima Test Day' and make it affordable?????

What does y'all think?

[barpilot]

I'd be keen to do this before my GTR becomes road legal as it's just around the corner from me. Would be great to get it set up and sorted prior to IVA.

[eliot]

Bedford autodrome? I did a palmersport day there, very open and difficult to crash into anything. Not sure if you can hire it though.

[Storer]

eliot said:

Bedford autodrome? I did a palmersport day there, very open and difficult to crash into anything. Not sure if you can hire it though.

Noise limit at Bedford would be an issue for most at 98db


Paul

[V8Dom]

F.C. said:

cito quod fortis said:

Not exactly what you're after, but I think a good option for you - I believe Blyton Park will rent the circuit for "testing" at around £200 for half a day and I think you get exclusive use. It's a nice little circuit for an Ultima and gives you a good chance to experience the grip, cornering and acceleration, with minimal risk. Andy

Blyton do hire for £185 + vat per half day but only for testing race cars, road registered cars are not allowed

Have you a link.. I need a track to do some set ups..

[barpilot]

V8Dom said:

Have you a link.. I need a track to do some set ups..

Linky

[rdodger]

3Dee said:

You know the guy Rog?

Maybe if I could get enough of us interested, we might make sufficient numbers to turn it into 'an Ultima Test Day' and make it affordable?????

What does y'all think?

I have been to a couple or 3 trackdays there and chatted with him a couple of times. I wouldn't say I know him. Richard is always there running the days and is very interested in putting on specialist days for whatever people want. His pricing seems modest, his small team work very hard to make the days run well and they don't go OTT with stupid rules. I would get in touch and sound him out.

Evo are using the place for a lot of their tests too.

[macgtech]

rdodger said:

I have been to a couple or 3 trackdays there and chatted with him a couple of times. I wouldn't say I know him. Richard is always there running the days and is very interested in putting on specialist days for whatever people want. His pricing seems modest, his small team work very hard to make the days run well and they don't go OTT with stupid rules. I would get in touch and sound him out.

Evo are using the place for a lot of their tests too.

I am sure Richard at Blyton would be more than happy to organise this. We use Blyton a lot and he is always happy to accommodate things out of the mainstream.

[Storer]

I know the idea is to go somewhere without other track users and big run-off areas, but if you have track day insurance (CCI in my case) it will need to be organised by a recognised track day operator.

I notice that Blyton list Javalin as one of their partners and Javalin is approved by CCI, so it may be worth talking to them.


Paul

[V8Dom]

Ult-Jim said:

Perhaps some hooning around on a disused runway like this lucky chap has done in his Ultima is what you need to experience the limit, at top speed, high speed bends and handling in a chicane section.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tSe6tLMOWs

I'm sure he will be along soon to comment

Ult-jim

:0) me comment??...haha

Edited by V8Dom on Monday 25th August 00:02

[tjlees]

Swiss_Toni said:

I recommend Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground.

I've test my Ultima there a number of time and you can rent it by the hour (I sort remember £50 hour but do check).

You'd really have to try really hard to hit anything.

The've got a simple road type circuit and a monster runway.

They surface is a bit bumpy and there are noise restrictions, but you can see where they are ;-)

Noise: 98 db static AND 87.5 db driving

http://www.bruntingthorpe.com

• General Enquiries - 0116 247 8000
• Vehicle Storage - 0116 279 9301
• Automotive Engineering - 0116 279 9304
• Vehicle Testing - 0116 279 9300
• Film & Photo Location Hire - 0116 279 9300
• Events - 0116 279 9300
• Big Thunder Events - 0116 279 9318

Definitely. This how I did my early testing to ensure the car was fit for purpose. I used Don Palmer http://www.donpalmer.co.uk to learn the finer aspects of driving :-). He loves the ultima because it was design by Lee Noble.

Iirc, it was £80+vat, minimum two hours to hire if you are with a tuner or instructor.

If you do come off (and I have!), the run off area is good, however for me, Don setup a mini handling course with lots of Tarmac around

It's worth noting bpg road surface is rough in places, so it likely you are going shave a few mm off the tyres, especially if you like cornering at high speed and boy does the ultima like corners.

[andygtt]

I've used Bruntingthorpe for both testing my Ultima and Noble.... very wide, not that busy, not overly grippy surface and often no traffic at all and importantly for you guys they are not afraid of noisy cars

[3Dee]

Both Brunters and Blyton sound like worth looking at then.

Thanks Guys.. over the next week I will investigate further...

[mt308]

I am very interested in the North Weald offering as posted above.

This link - www.carlimits.com

They offer a 2 car session. Any other Ultimas interested before I book with a random other car?

Mark

Edited by mt308 on Wednesday 27th August 20:31

[200Plus Club]

beware stonechips at brunters. its likely to get you at some point. main runway as opposed to the small tarmac area on the bendy bits. its ok for plodding round and settling in a car for the first time out. blyton is much better surface and doesnt need sweeping, and is ideal when you have your car set up and running well and want a play.

[Storer]

We have a WW2 airfield about 4 miles away which has been used for helicopters mainly recently (currently training Iraqi and Afgan armed forces).

I had a chat with their security to see if the airfield could be used for a few fast runs. They couldn't believe I would want to run a nice car on the runway. They said the surface was still the same as in 1945 but now it had weeds growing through, potholes and lots and lots of stones.

Most old WW2 runways have not been maintained in the last 40 years and the cost of new tarmac would break the owners so they will only continue to deteriorate.

Paul

[3Dee]

I have just emailed Richard regarding an Ultima day!

Lets see if this works out! If it does, I would need to know who is interested to make up numbers....

[3Dee]

Richard @ Blyton has come back and seems enthusiastic about setting up a hooning day at his!!!!! RESULT!


...and he wants to talk it over with me, but I need to know how many of you out there will want to go... otherwise I might have to go offer this to the lunatic Nobs! (Hi Andy! )

A chance to go NUTS, and see what your car can do.. or more to the point, see how it can BITE if you get it wrong.. in a safer environment! Come and PROVE you can control your MONSTER!


Obviously the format and arrangements will need to be finalised, as well as the cost, however it is important to be able to get a good deal to know who might be interested:

So Guys... Who is up for such a day?

I will - 3Dee anyone else? C'MON GUYS! Lets see some action...

Edited by 3Dee on Friday 29th August 09:27

[3Dee]

Not going to bova if no-one else interested!