Track Tuition in a loud car

Track Tuition in a loud car

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Pugly

Original Poster:

796 posts

177 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
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I've had my Ginetta G20 for just over a year now and managed half a dozen trackdays and would like to get some tuition now I am feeling comfortable in the car - my only issue is, with open ITB's, straight cut gearbox and exhaust 2" from my right leg it is extremely loud inside to the point where I cannot hear even the most terrified of screams from the passenger side evil.

Do the instructors at any of the major UK organisers (Javelin etc.) have intercoms? Or am I resigned to getting tuition in my road car? I am reluctant to splash out on my own intercom setup as it's a fairly substantial outlay that could be spent on more trackdays.

wellground

450 posts

183 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
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There is always sign language. We all know a good sign for "you are not doing very well" LOL

E-bmw

9,104 posts

151 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
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Simple answer, before booking get in touch.

Javelin have up to 3 different instructors that I have seen at days, one of them Tim, who is frequently at Cadwell or Blyton Park certainly has one that he will fit in your helmet.

QBee

20,904 posts

143 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
You can get an intercom for less than a tenner off Fleabay.

You might be advised to get a noise test - most tracks have a noise limit of 105dB A or less. A moderately loud TVR will fail....

Pugly

Original Poster:

796 posts

177 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
quotequote all
wellground said:
There is always sign language. We all know a good sign for "you are not doing very well" LOL
My current victims passengers have that one down to a T already biggrin

E-bmw said:
Simple answer, before booking get in touch.

Javelin have up to 3 different instructors that I have seen at days, one of them Tim, who is frequently at Cadwell or Blyton Park certainly has one that he will fit in your helmet.
Thanks, that's what I'm after - I was just curious if it was the norm or whether I'd have to look out for a specific instructor/operator.

QBee said:
You can get an intercom for less than a tenner off Fleabay.

You might be advised to get a noise test - most tracks have a noise limit of 105dB A or less. A moderately loud TVR will fail....
Interesting, got a link? I was looking at the expensive stage rallying ones but I guess it's not that critical to have crystal clear sound and ultimate reliability when I only really need it for a bit of tuition.

It's been tested at 97, 101 and 103 dB before (nothing like consistency eh!) - outside it's not that loud, just in a tiny enclosed cabin it gets to ear splitting levels at high RPM (I wear earplugs normally).

QBee

20,904 posts

143 months

Thursday 26th May 2016
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Search EBay on helmet intercom and scroll down past the Bluetooth ones. These are linked by old fashioned cables. Only downside is they take about 10 days to arrive from China

timbo999

1,287 posts

254 months

Friday 27th May 2016
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My MSV instructor at Brands had an intercom that worked well enough in my helmet... we were in BAT Caterham so perhaps not as noisy as yours, but noisy enough!

ETA I got the impression from him that intercoms are available to all MSV instructors as required (presumably at all tracks, although the instructor at Snetters didn't use one in my immensely noisy MINI - well it tested at 80db!).

Edited by timbo999 on Friday 27th May 13:07

braddo

10,399 posts

187 months

Friday 27th May 2016
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The bookatrack instructors might all have them(?) because of how often they will be giving tuition in the BaT caterhams. As above, I was given something to put in my helmet when i got tuiation in BaT Cat.

Steve H

5,224 posts

194 months

Friday 27th May 2016
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I instruct for a couple of TDOs and generally prefer not to use intercoms for short sessions. My feeling is that they are less than perfect and having a comment or instruction misunderstood could have some pretty dire consequences. If I'm working with someone over a day then maybe it's an option but even then I don't find it's necessary.

Best method is generally to go out for a few laps and observe then come back in, debrief and go out again. Having the chance to discuss details in the pitlane can get a lot more information and understanding over and when we go back out any hand signals etc that I make will be understood in context. It can be a bit tight on 20 minute sessions but unless we're at somewhere like Bedford then I find it works OK.

Obviously it isn't a good option for total novices that really need talking round but most drivers with noisy cars have worked their way up to them and need trimming and ideas rather than just talking them all the way round.


ETA, the situation may well be different in BaT Caterhams as they will often have novice or at least unfamiliar drivers.

Edited by Steve H on Friday 27th May 18:47