Exploring the limits

[3Dee]

One of the problems I suggest many of us have in the first year or so of ownership of our pocket rockets, is to know the limits of grip vs power, and that can constrain our enjoyment, especially on track days.

Yes I know that some circuits are wide with run-off areas etc, but if you are like me, I really don't want to get it wrong and end up flailing around throwing great gobs of gravel everywhere....and then there are the other cars on the track with the very real possibility of causing someone else considerable grief due to your own mistakes. I applaud those who are experienced race car drivers, but for Joe average, getting to know the nature of your beast is, I believe paramount for safety and ultimate pleasure.

And so (sorry - I hate people that start with those too words), I would dearly love to find somewhere (not a circuit) that is open, wide and good tarmac, maybe with cones, where I can go silly for a couple of hours to explore those limits and get to know what is a safe entry or exit speed with my particular setup without worrying about knobbling my car or anyone else's for that matter.

Surely there are place you can go for this? I am sure it would be popular?

Any ideas?

[3Dee]

Seems that Silverstone autocross is a hidden secret, well nothing of worth goggling it anyway.. and what I do find is rather over the top for what I was envisaging...

Blyton Park is indeed only for non-road cars....

The very reason for the thread is that there seems very scant offerings in this area, so either someone knows of a venue that doesn't advertise, or maybe there is an 'informal' opportunity somewhere...

All it needs is a large airfield apron or similar with a reasonably fast circuit set out in cones with wide run-offs for those brown-trouser moments!

...shame really, as I could see such a option being quite popular I would have thought?

[3Dee]

Storer said:

Large car park late at night???

Unfortunately Paul, this is an offence that you can be done for now... 30 years ago, probably not!

Storer said:

And so....Paul

See, even you you are doing it now... catching, isn't it!
Don't you just love those being interviewed on telly or the radio, saying that before each answer? Usually is some devious company or official PR person trying to wriggle out of giving a direct answer to a question! ...not that you are, of course

Storer said:

What about talking to some of the track day companies to see if they know of anywhere and would be willing to offer/organise this.
Would probably be a bit expensive as you would only want one car running at a time.
Paul

I must admit, I am now wondering about the possibility of finding an appropriate venue and co-organiser who would look at setting up a day like this... open to a limited number of cars (say up to 8), where each does say 3 circuits on their own (or with tuition - debrief from an experienced instructor), followed by the next etc in the morning, then the afternoon could be all about unofficial timed trials (if the driver wants to). Could be a really fun day out, especially if they were all Ultimas!

Something like this could be fleshed out?

[3Dee]

UltimaCH said:

Good idea....Heathrow perhaps...?Just kidding!

That sounds intriguing! However I do wonder how your roof would come out when that Airbus undercarriage plants itself on your bonce!

[3Dee]

Bit far for me TBH.

Tuition is always a good thing, and I have had a fair bit (always room for more however) over the years. What I really would like to find is that place where I can find the limits of my car where, as I have mentioned before, there is little or no traffic, and it is safe to get it really, really wrong!

[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?

[3Dee]

Both Brunters and Blyton sound like worth looking at then.

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

[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!