Donnington Park, National Circuit, advice please.

Donnington Park, National Circuit, advice please.

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Jonleeper

Original Poster:

664 posts

228 months

Saturday 21st February 2015
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Really as per the title!

I have a trackday next weekend at Donnington on the National Circuit and I've never been there before. I was wondering if there was any PH wisdom that I could take on board before I get there.

Many thanks,

Jon

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,230 posts

234 months

Saturday 21st February 2015
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It's Donington, to help with the SatNav routing biggrin

mozzerS

121 posts

204 months

Saturday 21st February 2015
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There's a circuit guide at Lotus on Track - http://www.lotus-on-track.com/circuit_guide/doning...
I usually search for some in-car videos from similar cars to watch before I go somewhere new
And get some tuition early on the day

shim

2,050 posts

207 months

Saturday 21st February 2015
quotequote all
Right right left right left right right right/left gas

Jonleeper

Original Poster:

664 posts

228 months

Saturday 21st February 2015
quotequote all
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
It's Donington, to help with the SatNav routing biggrin
That might help, thanks. silly

Jonleeper

Original Poster:

664 posts

228 months

Saturday 21st February 2015
quotequote all
mozzerS said:
There's a circuit guide at Lotus on Track - http://www.lotus-on-track.com/circuit_guide/doning...
I usually search for some in-car videos from similar cars to watch before I go somewhere new
And get some tuition early on the day
Great guide, thanks.

Jon

spyderman8

1,748 posts

155 months

Saturday 21st February 2015
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Fabulous track. Just remember Craner Curves can bite - especially in the wet - and there are gravel traps to head for!

Zyp

14,673 posts

188 months

Sunday 22nd February 2015
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spyderman8 said:
Fabulous track. Just remember Craner Curves can bite - especially in the wet - and there are gravel traps to head for!
Judging by the gravel in the paddocks yesterday, one or two cars seemed to have paid a visit hehe

graeme4130

3,823 posts

180 months

Monday 23rd February 2015
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Donny gets seriously slippery when it's wet
I was told that it was because it's directly under the take off area from the airport, and the fumes from the jets leave a residue on the surface that becomes like ice when wet - how much truth there is in that rumour, I don't know, but having driven the track in the wet and dry I can tell you it's like ice when damp

If it helps, from what I've seen, most of the accidents are into the pit wall, so pay extra care on the exit of that corner

graeme4130

3,823 posts

180 months

Monday 23rd February 2015
quotequote all
Donny gets seriously slippery when it's wet
I was told that it was because it's directly under the take off area from the airport, and the fumes from the jets leave a residue on the surface that becomes like ice when wet - how much truth there is in that rumour, I don't know, but having driven the track in the wet and dry I can tell you it's like ice when damp

If it helps, from what I've seen, most of the accidents are into the pit wall, so pay extra care on the exit of that corner

spyderman8

1,748 posts

155 months

Monday 23rd February 2015
quotequote all
graeme4130 said:
Donny gets seriously slippery when it's wet
I was told that it was because it's directly under the take off area from the airport...
I did qualifying on slicks in the wet at Donington last season. It was... entertaining.

pikeyboy

2,349 posts

213 months

Monday 23rd February 2015
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graeme4130 said:
Donny gets seriously slippery when it's wet
I was told that it was because it's directly under the take off area from the airport, and the fumes from the jets leave a residue on the surface that becomes like ice when wet - how much truth there is in that rumour, I don't know, but having driven the track in the wet and dry I can tell you it's like ice when damp

If it helps, from what I've seen, most of the accidents are into the pit wall, so pay extra care on the exit of that corner
Yep common mistake is to exit goddards wide, get on the grass, go sideways and then spin across the track into the pit wall.

It's a very technical circuit and the exit of one corner is the entry to another so stringing a quick lap together takes practice. Very rewarding when you get it right though.

craners are great and you can carry some serious speed through them which you need to carry through the old hair pin and up the hill.

shim

2,050 posts

207 months

Monday 23rd February 2015
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ive lost it at Starkeys in the wet just on the little kink left frown

McSam

6,753 posts

174 months

Monday 23rd February 2015
quotequote all
boy said:
graeme4130 said:
If it helps, from what I've seen, most of the accidents are into the pit wall, so pay extra care on the exit of that corner
Yep common mistake is to exit goddards wide, get on the grass, go sideways and then spin across the track into the pit wall.
It actually seems almost impossible to lose it there and not go into the pit wall! Definitely somewhere to treat with respect in the wet.

spadriver

1,488 posts

170 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
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Surprised theres been no mention of the dip after Hollywood.On your sighting lap have a look at the track going down into Craner.The dip is obvious, lift off in this section will unsettle the car with a possible spin (you can always rejoin just before the old bridge;) )
Donington was one of my favorite circuits in the UK and driven many very enjoyable races there.Its a great circuit thats not too difficult to learn.Redgate, late and very wide entry works quite well, if its at all damp, stay off the kerbs and enjoy it.

Sohlman

590 posts

253 months

Wednesday 25th February 2015
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Entry from pits is into the braking zone for the first corner so some caution here is wise.

Craners are brilliant and the old hairpin requires a good stomping on the brakes if you have got the craners right.

Its a circuit that favours cornering speed rather than power. I find I can get into a really good flow once I and the car has warned up.

Just bring some clean indies for when your bravery allows you to take those craners full on. It's flat in my e30 325i and feels very light over the brow.

boxsey

3,574 posts

209 months

Wednesday 25th February 2015
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shim said:
Right right left right left right right right/left gas
Excellent! Can you add braking point please? biggrin

upsidedownmark

2,120 posts

134 months

Wednesday 25th February 2015
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boxsey said:
shim said:
Right right left right left right right right/left gas
Excellent! Can you add braking point please? biggrin
Brake, right, right, left, brake(less than you believe sane), right, left, left, gentle dab, right, dab, right, brake hard, right, left, repeat wink

Craners are pretty much flat in the wet in mine (mx5 tho..), easy flat in the dry. The old 'hairpin' isn't, is more of a kink, Coppice is my bette-noir - over the crest, unsighted.

Oh, and it's slick as you like in the wet, but so are most circuits I've been to. It's not the planes, that's an old wives tale. I did find a river on the exit to hollywood once, that woke me up..

jonnyleroux

1,511 posts

259 months

Wednesday 25th February 2015
quotequote all
graeme4130 said:
If it helps, from what I've seen, most of the accidents are into the pit wall, so pay extra care on the exit of that corner
Since they moved goddards/roberts back 100 yards or so i don't think we've had a single car in the pit wall on a BaT day (30+ events per year for the last 3 years). it's certainly 90% less likely than it was before the changed the final chicane, i'd say.

Jonny
ETA
Sorry, but sigs not allowed.

Edited by Big Al. on Friday 15th May 22:25

Alex

9,975 posts

283 months

Wednesday 25th February 2015
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Just remember that Craner Curves is flat-out in most cars.




whistle