Hullavington in a Panda?

[Allaloneatron]

I might have to get rid of the little Panda 100hp before too long (second baby coming) but I really want to do a track day with it before it goes. Hullavington is fairly close to me and looks pretty cheap for a track day.

However I'm worried I will just be too slow in it. I know every one says you can do a track day in any car you want and its just about having fun but I don’t want to piss anyone off and get in the way. Anyone here been to Hullavington and had to deal with slower cars? It looks both high speed and tight and twisty.

[AshVX220]

I was at Brands in December and some chap turned up in a Fiat Punto, seemed pretty standard to me and didn't piss anyone off that I could see. Just be aware you're probably the slowest guy out there and ensure you give everyone space to overtake on the straights and be careful when coming back onto the line for the corners.

Just make sure your situational awareness is there really and you should be fine.

[Dan Friel]

Your Panda will be fine. Even at a fast track, you won't get in the way if you're careful. This is my 100HP at Combe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=259RnMMZG0Q

[chris7676]

wouldn't it roll ?

[upsidedownmark]

Actually, if you've any talent behind the wheel, you'll be surprised. 'Slow' cars are often surprisingly quick in the corners, and vice versa! You'll be passed down the straights, but so what?

Unless you have to specifically indicate cars by, don't drive the whole course looking in the mirrors; be predictable and let the passing cars go, rather than trying to jump off line mid corner or apologise for being on the track. Just stay to the side of the straights etc. In my experience the rule is usually that once you're on the brakes, it's your corner, and people shouldn't go shoving it down the inside - you ought not to have to worry about turning in on passing cars. That said, worth keeping your wits about you as there's usually one idiot..

[Allaloneatron]

Thanks guys. I might as well give it a try then as it sounds like I should be ok.

Great Vid Dan. Was it much slower with 2 in there?

[Dan Friel]

Allaloneatron said:

Thanks guys. I might as well give it a try then as it sounds like I should be ok.

Great Vid Dan. Was it much slower with 2 in there?

Made a big difference! Take someone slim.

Had a day in the wet and the car was excellent - it ran rings round plenty of other more expensive / powerful kit and definitely didn't get in the way. On a tighter circuit it should be great fun..

[Terzo204]

I drove Hullavington last year and I was impressed with the layout. A good mix of corners.

Give it a try - there is plenty of overtaking opportunities for the quicker cars but you may find that there is quite a mix of cars on these MSE days. Being a cheaper track day there are plenty of normal, road going cars. Last time I went there wasn't a radical in sight!

(BTW - any opportunity to post the vid!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y0NFG825F8)

Mike

[kazman]

If you get a really wet day then i find that to be a great leveller. Plus when it rained at Hullavington on one of my visits, there were only 3 cars out on circuit most of the time.

So my advice - book a track day any time except the last two weeks in August!

[drakart]

I've taken a battered Mini City E (39bhp when new) on a day at Bedford on the GT circuit. As has been mentioned above, you will be suprised how slow people actually are. A number of people on the day asked what bhp the vtec conversion had... Their faces when I lifted the crappy bonnet and exposed a 998cc with head gasket failure was a picture! It's not about the car, it's about the driver.

If you happen to be a slow driver in a slow car, then just watch your mirrors, do as instructed in the briefing and it will be fine.

[RB Will]

You will be fine there in the Panda, straights are wide and long so anyone who wants to can easily get past.
One thing to note though since you are looking to get rid of it soon. Me and my mates all ended up with shagged tyres after a day there in the wet, so maybe, especially if dry budget for a pair of fronts afterwards. The surface is very abrasive.
Also if you feel you are getting in the way then you can just keep doing the separate handling/arse about course for the rest of the day

[Dan Friel]

Excellent day in the Panda at Brands today.. Pretty wet and slippery, very entertaining.

http://youtu.be/XrUTUdxlW5Y

[Allaloneatron]

Dan Friel said:

Excellent day in the Panda at Brands today.. Pretty wet and slippery, very entertaining.

http://youtu.be/XrUTUdxlW5Y

I just posted on one of your Wiscombe vids without realising it was you. Nice run!

Are you going this year?

[Dan Friel]

Allaloneatron said:

Dan Friel said:

Excellent day in the Panda at Brands today.. Pretty wet and slippery, very entertaining.

http://youtu.be/XrUTUdxlW5Y

I just posted on one of your Wiscombe vids without realising it was you. Nice run!

Are you going this year?

Yes, hopefully. Perhaps do a couple at Wiscombe (in April and then September), and something at Castle Combe or Gurston maybe. Wiscombe is an excellent venue and the Panda wasn't too bad there.

[Allaloneatron]

I want to catch a few days worth there this year so I will keep an eye out for you. I didn't think 1st gear would be needed even round the sharp bits but watching your vids it seems to work well for you.

[Dan Friel]

Allaloneatron said:

I want to catch a few days worth there this year so I will keep an eye out for you. I didn't think 1st gear would be needed even round the sharp bits but watching your vids it seems to work well for you.

Wiscombe is great for spectators, it's a good day out.. was a bit surprised by the need for first gear but copied everyone else and it works! Just need to find another half second and fingers crossed for better weather this year.

Thoroughly recommend a bit of track time in the panda.

[Terzo204]

Just booked the 17th of MAy at Hullavington.

Hope you see you all there

Mike