Discussion
First ever track day?
Just relax, build up speed as you go. It's a social event, not a competition so don't worry about what others are doing, aside from checking your mirrors and moving over if necessary.
Combe can bite but provided you build up speed and drive smoothly you'll be fine and will get a lot of enjoyment out of it.
Just relax, build up speed as you go. It's a social event, not a competition so don't worry about what others are doing, aside from checking your mirrors and moving over if necessary.
Combe can bite but provided you build up speed and drive smoothly you'll be fine and will get a lot of enjoyment out of it.
Sorry Kevin, is not my first ever, just first at Castle - thanks for the response. I'm certainly looking forward to it.
One other thing, how stringent is the static noise test? I know it's no more than 100dB @ 45 degrees 0.5m from the rear at 3/4 max revs - do you think mine will pass (quiksliver single exit with decat) - I'm thinking I might have to dip below the 3/4max revs and hope they don't realise? I don't find it that loud in all honesty.
One other thing, how stringent is the static noise test? I know it's no more than 100dB @ 45 degrees 0.5m from the rear at 3/4 max revs - do you think mine will pass (quiksliver single exit with decat) - I'm thinking I might have to dip below the 3/4max revs and hope they don't realise? I don't find it that loud in all honesty.
Who are you going with ie; who is organising the day?
My tips are enjoy yourself, watch out for Avon rise just before Quarry corner, brake as late as possible. between the first chicane and the long right hander i found a short shift to 4th was better than holding in 3rd, managed to knock a few seconds off. yes it is a bit bumpy but nothing like the roads leading to Castle Combe!!
Have fun and i think you will be fine on the noise test aswell.
My tips are enjoy yourself, watch out for Avon rise just before Quarry corner, brake as late as possible. between the first chicane and the long right hander i found a short shift to 4th was better than holding in 3rd, managed to knock a few seconds off. yes it is a bit bumpy but nothing like the roads leading to Castle Combe!!
Have fun and i think you will be fine on the noise test aswell.
Thanks for your responses - I shall let you know how I get on. Looking at the track layout, I think the left hand side of the tyres will take a bit of punishment!
It's a corporate day with a few of us going down there, variety of cars - 911s (some GT3s), tuned Minis, M3s, Elises, Caterhams, even a Brabus Smart Coupe so should be interesting! I'm hoping the organisation will be good.
It's a corporate day with a few of us going down there, variety of cars - 911s (some GT3s), tuned Minis, M3s, Elises, Caterhams, even a Brabus Smart Coupe so should be interesting! I'm hoping the organisation will be good.
RichQuy said:
classiccooper said:
Tower can be a bit funny too, it has an off camber. Turn in quite late, the apex comes to you, go out with an instructor (or me) & he'll show you what I mean.
Do I take it from that you are an instructor at CC or just a frequent attendee?!Won a day at the race school also, wouldn't have gone but thought it rude not to, 93% & driver of the day award.
Competed in sprints there also.
Edited by classiccooper on Wednesday 26th September 11:16
classiccooper said:
RichQuy said:
classiccooper said:
Tower can be a bit funny too, it has an off camber. Turn in quite late, the apex comes to you, go out with an instructor (or me) & he'll show you what I mean.
Do I take it from that you are an instructor at CC or just a frequent attendee?!
Just a brief summary of Friday just gone...
Managed to get through the soundtest, car measured exactly 100dB @ "around" 4.5k revs...
Started off a very wet morning, sodden track and rain still falling. Initial 2 laps were behind a 'pace' car and even then proved very tricky, especially round Camp Corner and The Esses...
In my session(s) there was an F430 Spider, 612 Scaglietti, 996 GT3RS, Caterham, 997GT3 and one or two others.
I was sandwiched between the two Ferraris on the procession laps, and when the pace car went in to the pits the 430 nailed it out of Camp Corner, I followed suit and hate to admit it but ended up facing the opposite way!!! Not a good start and took me completely by surprise - was very wary once I rejoined. Finished that session and spoke with the chap in the F430 - he had 'Wet' setting with full traction control, and even then was a handful.
Progressively got better as the day and track dried out, it looks an easy(ish) track on paper but is very different when out there - some adverse camber corners which needed respect. By the fourth session I was much smoother and each lap felt better. By the end of it the 612 was left at the wayside (unsurprisingly) and F430 had to waive me past as just couldn't get the same flow out of Quarry and through The Esses despite being on 'Race' setting for that session.
Only car (and driver) that had me licked was the GT3RS - that is one amazing car. Shear power in the straights was quite a sight given my humble k-series' output.
All in all, was an excellent day and track. I was pleased to come away unscathed given the weather and would certainly go back...I can imagine it's one of those tracks that needs quite a bit of time to perfect it.
Managed to get through the soundtest, car measured exactly 100dB @ "around" 4.5k revs...
Started off a very wet morning, sodden track and rain still falling. Initial 2 laps were behind a 'pace' car and even then proved very tricky, especially round Camp Corner and The Esses...
In my session(s) there was an F430 Spider, 612 Scaglietti, 996 GT3RS, Caterham, 997GT3 and one or two others.
I was sandwiched between the two Ferraris on the procession laps, and when the pace car went in to the pits the 430 nailed it out of Camp Corner, I followed suit and hate to admit it but ended up facing the opposite way!!! Not a good start and took me completely by surprise - was very wary once I rejoined. Finished that session and spoke with the chap in the F430 - he had 'Wet' setting with full traction control, and even then was a handful.
Progressively got better as the day and track dried out, it looks an easy(ish) track on paper but is very different when out there - some adverse camber corners which needed respect. By the fourth session I was much smoother and each lap felt better. By the end of it the 612 was left at the wayside (unsurprisingly) and F430 had to waive me past as just couldn't get the same flow out of Quarry and through The Esses despite being on 'Race' setting for that session.
Only car (and driver) that had me licked was the GT3RS - that is one amazing car. Shear power in the straights was quite a sight given my humble k-series' output.
All in all, was an excellent day and track. I was pleased to come away unscathed given the weather and would certainly go back...I can imagine it's one of those tracks that needs quite a bit of time to perfect it.
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