Rockingham Track Day - 11th October 2014
Discussion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tG-OYiaHKk
Here's some video I took in my bone stock Mini Cooper S.
I had a great time although as you'll gather from the video there was a group of rich Chinese kids that turned up that spoilt it a bit. They were driving Bentley's, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, C63 etc but they all appeared to be complete novices. I'm by no means experienced, this was only my second trackday but I was shocked by how poorly they were driving. No awareness of other traffic, no courtesy with people wanting to get past, no concept of racing lines, diving up the inside from nowhere on the entry to corners etc. I think it was typical privileged kids with 'all the gear, no idea'. I know several people complained about them and they were spoken to a few times but nothing changed through the day.
Here's some video I took in my bone stock Mini Cooper S.
I had a great time although as you'll gather from the video there was a group of rich Chinese kids that turned up that spoilt it a bit. They were driving Bentley's, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, C63 etc but they all appeared to be complete novices. I'm by no means experienced, this was only my second trackday but I was shocked by how poorly they were driving. No awareness of other traffic, no courtesy with people wanting to get past, no concept of racing lines, diving up the inside from nowhere on the entry to corners etc. I think it was typical privileged kids with 'all the gear, no idea'. I know several people complained about them and they were spoken to a few times but nothing changed through the day.
I think I've seen and commented on that video already.
Solid and courteous driving.
I was in the red RX-7 in the morning, and one of three drivers of the silver MX-5 in the afternoon.
Morning was mostly incident free luckily. I just struggled with traffic, and the timing of it.
In the MX-5, a white race prep'd Clio tried to dive down the inside of me before the chicane. I saw he'd locked up and was ploughing straight on, so had to keep wide.
A silver Civic dived up the inside of me just as I was turning in to the first hairpin corner. And countless people overtook in the banked T1, right as I was about to turn in and commit to it.
Do people not listen in the briefing or what? Do the marshalls not care unless someone complains?
I used to think Bedford marshalls were over the top, but if this is the alternative, then strict is better.
But by faaaaar the worst was an older chap in an RAF and racing striped Mk2 blue MX-5. In full fireproofs.
He held me up through every single corner, and the entire infield, but never let me pass on the straight.
Complete nomex numpty letting ego get in the way of a non-competive track day.
He let others through that I could keep up with, but only once they got alongside.
And as I said before, PH guy in a blue Mk3 MX-5. Well driven! Fast car that!
Solid and courteous driving.
I was in the red RX-7 in the morning, and one of three drivers of the silver MX-5 in the afternoon.
Morning was mostly incident free luckily. I just struggled with traffic, and the timing of it.
In the MX-5, a white race prep'd Clio tried to dive down the inside of me before the chicane. I saw he'd locked up and was ploughing straight on, so had to keep wide.
A silver Civic dived up the inside of me just as I was turning in to the first hairpin corner. And countless people overtook in the banked T1, right as I was about to turn in and commit to it.
Do people not listen in the briefing or what? Do the marshalls not care unless someone complains?
I used to think Bedford marshalls were over the top, but if this is the alternative, then strict is better.
But by faaaaar the worst was an older chap in an RAF and racing striped Mk2 blue MX-5. In full fireproofs.
He held me up through every single corner, and the entire infield, but never let me pass on the straight.
Complete nomex numpty letting ego get in the way of a non-competive track day.
He let others through that I could keep up with, but only once they got alongside.
And as I said before, PH guy in a blue Mk3 MX-5. Well driven! Fast car that!
routari said:
Do people not listen in the briefing or what? Do the marshalls not care unless someone complains?
I used to think Bedford marshalls were over the top, but if this is the alternative, then strict is better.
Interesting. There's another thread running along side this about Bedford, that sounds like some drivers were similarly inconsiderate. I would say the no overtaking in corners or on the right was not really enforced.I used to think Bedford marshalls were over the top, but if this is the alternative, then strict is better.
z06tim said:
Interesting. There's another thread running along side this about Bedford, that sounds like some drivers were similarly inconsiderate. I would say the no overtaking in corners or on the right was not really enforced.
Perhaps it's just a roll of the dice then. Been to Bedford 4 times and seen a lot of black flagging. Been to Rockingham once and it was full of idiots and not even enough marshalls to keep the expensive fuel open.Small sample size I admit :P
k day'.I've been to Rockingham a couple of times this year and for driver behaviour it was no better or worse than other track days I've to.
The occasional Caterham academy car that is a bit cheeky braking into corners, or someone who won't move over on the straights, but nothing serious enough to talk to the marshalls.
Sounds like you were unlucky. It's still annoying though!
The occasional Caterham academy car that is a bit cheeky braking into corners, or someone who won't move over on the straights, but nothing serious enough to talk to the marshalls.
Sounds like you were unlucky. It's still annoying though!
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