Wet Weather - sideways only - Day
Discussion
A group of us at VW today were discussing what a great grin could be had by exploring our cars wet weather handling characteristics - - with the safety of some wide open space - possibly accompanied by some tuition on hand. Emphasis on reasonable (ie <£100) cost and a sensible distance from London. Target mid/end Nov.
So . . . indications desired of interest, suggestions for venues (eg join an airfield day) and ideas for tuition . . .
I mean what else does one do when the weather's like this?
Tim
So . . . indications desired of interest, suggestions for venues (eg join an airfield day) and ideas for tuition . . .
I mean what else does one do when the weather's like this?
Tim
A group of us at VW today were discussing what a great grin could be had by exploring our cars wet weather handling characteristics - - with the safety of some wide open space - possibly accompanied by some tuition on hand. Emphasis on reasonable (ie <£100) cost and a sensible distance from London. Target mid/end Nov.
So . . . indications desired of interest, suggestions for venues (eg join an airfield day) and ideas for tuition . . .
I mean what else does one do when the weather's like this?
Tim
Good idea Tim! Could be up for that
Steve
PS:-Venues--1)Longcross,Chertsey.2) Brooklands
>> Edited by sb930turbo on Sunday 20th October 18:57
You know I am up for this. I still reckon an airfield day in the heart of winter (for a good chance of rain 
) with either Bookatrack or Easytrack (or any trackday organiser really, but these two tend to be the most reasonable) will be a good base to start with.
I have a friend who is a racing driver, and does the instruction for the Silverstone Supercar Days who would probably come along and provide some instruction for all if he is free (i'll have to check on this tho).
-andy-
) with either Bookatrack or Easytrack (or any trackday organiser really, but these two tend to be the most reasonable) will be a good base to start with. I have a friend who is a racing driver, and does the instruction for the Silverstone Supercar Days who would probably come along and provide some instruction for all if he is free (i'll have to check on this tho).
-andy-
A group of us at VW today were discussing what a great grin could be had by exploring our cars wet weather handling characteristics - - with the safety of some wide open space - possibly accompanied by some tuition on hand. Emphasis on reasonable (ie <£100) cost and a sensible distance from London. Target mid/end Nov.
So . . . indications desired of interest, suggestions for venues (eg join an airfield day) and ideas for tuition . . .
I mean what else does one do when the weather's like this?
Tim
I saw you test this on the A4/A30 turn off as I was right behind you and let off the gas "just in case"
A big "SOD U" to the lady in the MX5 later on who had problems choosing lanes so tried to T-bone me . . . crap, crap driver.
- can't have you lifting in the future
gazzab said: Dunsfold is about 0.5 mile from me. No idea you could race around there in cars. Is that where they were doing the tests for Top Gear?
Yup. British Aerospace used to do Harrier final assembly, engine testing and test flights there (used to work there).They've still got all the hangars and stuff, and either sold or leased the land I guess.
There must be a way of hiring the facility.
Is there any of you guys that live on the doorstep who could go and make enquiries at Dunsfold to try and find out who to speak to re the use of the airfield?
Steve
Failing the above I'll take a trip across and sus it out.Is it Just an empty site now or is it in use?
>> Edited by sb930turbo on Monday 21st October 14:21
Steve
Failing the above I'll take a trip across and sus it out.Is it Just an empty site now or is it in use?
>> Edited by sb930turbo on Monday 21st October 14:21
Are there not a number of rather dull regulations covering these events? E.g. As an organiser do you not need public liability insurance as a minimum?
Say a venue is found and punters cough up £30 each to do their thing in the wet. A few people turn up to watch too. Unfortunately, an out of control car hits three spectators.... who sue the car driver and the event organisers.
I've been to some fantastically organised track days and some appalling ones. Some organised by professional companies, others by amateurs from car clubs. I've been to a couple of airfields and several tracks.
The worst, by a long way, was one of the airfield days organised by the Group B Car Club. Two of us were nearly taken out at high speed by a marshall, in his Audi rally car, breaking the rules of the day by attempting an overtake under braking, on the wrong side, and losing it big time. He should have known better - we missed out on seeing him black flagged and sent home, but had the satisfaction of seeing him recover his car from the far side of the airfield with a blown engine.
Even though its not a track day that is proposed, you need marshalls, flags, etc.. If its an airfield then you may need a load of cones to mark out a track of some sort to maintain order. You may need everyone to attend with a broom and spend the first hour clearing the surface of stones.
Even the runway run at Duxford needed marshalling. And even on that there were some incidents - spinnners at the end of the runway and a couple of near misses. We all had to sign an indemnity and get wristbands for that one.
Its a great idea - but I think it becomes tricky when it becomes formally organised, which it will need to be if only to get ££'s off the attendees so a venue can be booked.
Its worth looking into more, or contacting the Association of Track Day Organisers :www.atdo.co.uk/
Say a venue is found and punters cough up £30 each to do their thing in the wet. A few people turn up to watch too. Unfortunately, an out of control car hits three spectators.... who sue the car driver and the event organisers.
I've been to some fantastically organised track days and some appalling ones. Some organised by professional companies, others by amateurs from car clubs. I've been to a couple of airfields and several tracks.
The worst, by a long way, was one of the airfield days organised by the Group B Car Club. Two of us were nearly taken out at high speed by a marshall, in his Audi rally car, breaking the rules of the day by attempting an overtake under braking, on the wrong side, and losing it big time. He should have known better - we missed out on seeing him black flagged and sent home, but had the satisfaction of seeing him recover his car from the far side of the airfield with a blown engine.
Even though its not a track day that is proposed, you need marshalls, flags, etc.. If its an airfield then you may need a load of cones to mark out a track of some sort to maintain order. You may need everyone to attend with a broom and spend the first hour clearing the surface of stones.
Even the runway run at Duxford needed marshalling. And even on that there were some incidents - spinnners at the end of the runway and a couple of near misses. We all had to sign an indemnity and get wristbands for that one.
Its a great idea - but I think it becomes tricky when it becomes formally organised, which it will need to be if only to get ££'s off the attendees so a venue can be booked.
Its worth looking into more, or contacting the Association of Track Day Organisers :www.atdo.co.uk/
Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff