Bedford GT Monday 13th April - Javelin

Bedford GT Monday 13th April - Javelin

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McSam

Original Poster:

6,753 posts

174 months

Wednesday 8th April 2015
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Well, it's about time I brought my E36 out of hibernation smile

This will be my second track day at Bedford, did 1st November last year with Javelin and really enjoyed it. Interested to see how this new West layout drives, and hope the sun stays with us! Anyone else booked on? According to the website there are still some spaces at £159.

I'll be in this - come over and say hello if you're there!


Ryvita

712 posts

209 months

Friday 10th April 2015
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I've been looking at this one for weeks thinking about doing it. Not done Bedford before and want to get some track time in the new car, find out what it's like a bit closer to the limit. Had been unable to persuade any friends to go though. Will update if I end up making it!

McSam

Original Poster:

6,753 posts

174 months

Saturday 11th April 2015
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Go for it, you know you want to! Great track to learn a new car biggrin

Happyjap

382 posts

108 months

Saturday 11th April 2015
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McSam said:
Well, it's about time I brought my E36 out of hibernation smile

This will be my second track day at Bedford, did 1st November last year with Javelin and really enjoyed it. Interested to see how this new West layout drives, and hope the sun stays with us! Anyone else booked on? According to the website there are still some spaces at £159.

I'll be in this - come over and say hello if you're there!

Oh my God if this was sold in Japan it would go for a huge amount of money I can't ell you this much!

McSam

Original Poster:

6,753 posts

174 months

Tuesday 14th April 2015
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Well, that was a really enjoyable day! The weather was pretty perfect and with only one brief stoppage in the morning, we managed plenty of track time.

I was really chuffed to have the car recognised from the PHTV article that went up a couple of weeks ago biggrin and special thanks to Bill for an awesome ride in his Atom - want one more every time I experience it - and to the gents whose names I didn't get for a run in a Z4MC. Friendly faces all round, which always adds to the day!

Here's a clip of my quickest lap. I didn't have any issues with traffic throughout the day, so could push the car quite nicely!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETFdF7xXnjU

Viren

14 posts

122 months

Thursday 16th April 2015
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McSam said:
Well, that was a really enjoyable day! The weather was pretty perfect and with only one brief stoppage in the morning, we managed plenty of track time.

I was really chuffed to have the car recognised from the PHTV article that went up a couple of weeks ago biggrin and special thanks to Bill for an awesome ride in his Atom - want one more every time I experience it - and to the gents whose names I didn't get for a run in a Z4MC. Friendly faces all round, which always adds to the day!

Here's a clip of my quickest lap. I didn't have any issues with traffic throughout the day, so could push the car quite nicely!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETFdF7xXnjU
Really want to do a track day - would be my first, would Bedford be a good shout for a first trackday?

Humour

297 posts

150 months

Thursday 16th April 2015
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Good stuff Sam. Shame we are out of sync. with our cars on getting a day organised to go out in force smile Hopefully next time smile

@Viren, Bedford is a very good track for a track day virgin as it's mostly flat with sufficient amount of run off throughout the lap, so the risk of car damage if you get it wrong is pretty small, plus it's a pretty easy layout. However, it is a fairly fast track in some areas, so your car should be in a good enough mechanical condition to take abuse there, which should be your primary concern.

The only other thing is, because it's a fast track in certain areas, having cars/drivers pootling along non the wiser as to what's coming can be frustrating and is a bit of bad etiquette, so the secondary concern as a newbie is to keep awareness up and keep looking in your mirrors so not to get in the way of faster cars/drivers. You'll be amazed how ignorant drivers can quickly ruin your day wink

If you like driving, do it, you wouldn't regret it if the car doesn't break down wink

Humour

McSam

Original Poster:

6,753 posts

174 months

Friday 17th April 2015
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Hey Humour - we do seem to be a bit disorganised on that front! My next planned date is Mallory on 12th June if you fancy that smile

Viren, Bedford is easily at the top of my list for first-timers. It's no coincidence that I've gone there both times I've shared the car with novice drivers, it's an excellent track for learning the craft. The GT layout is plenty long enough that there's variety and a lot to keep experienced drivers busy, but as Humour says, it's flat, well-sighted and it's almost impossible to find a barrier or wall to hit so a great place to build your confidence.

The circuit was designed entirely for running the Palmersport event, a corporate driving experience day, so it's intended as a minimum risk environment. There's never been any racing there, so no gravel traps, grandstands or tight walls either. You can see from my video above that there's always space to go into if you overcook it.

OK, there is one gravel trap, which a Mini did manage to beach itself in on Monday but it's just there to save you in case of brake failure into a hairpin!

Viren

14 posts

122 months

Friday 17th April 2015
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Cheers guys, definitely giving this one a go this year, rears on the z4m are about 4-5mm so should be about the right time as I could change them straight after!

Also hoping to get to the ring later this year!