Bedford yesterday (23rd Feb)

[Ellerslie]

Hi. I did my first trackday at Bedford yesterday. Had a great time, can't believe I've left it this long to do one. Was anyone else there? I was in the black 924s.

I was wondering which tracks people would recommend for a novice. I want to build some more confidence before trying anywhere with more immovable objects to crash into but I don't want to keep going back to the same place.

Thanks

[spyderman8]

Silverstone, Snetterton and Donington next. Then Brands. Then Oulton Park. Then you might as well order your GoRacing back from the MSA coz by that time you'll be hooked.

[Ellerslie]

spyderman8 said:

Then you might as well order your GoRacing back from the MSA coz by that time you'll be hooked.

Funnily enough I was thinking about this on my way home yesterday

[paulm3]

I was at Bedford yesterday too in the silver Z3M Coupe. Really enjoyed the day and set up, we'll done Javelin
Was a bit worried about the que to get out as it was huge, but then went down pretty quick and the afternoon there was no ques at all.

Was a good day, was dry, then greasy with snow then dry again..

Bedford is a good place to really push with lots of run off and space to aim for if u do get it a back.

[paulm3]

Vid of an afternoon run with a mini spin, few overtakes etc..

http://youtu.be/Pg55XHp6-7s

Edited by paulm3 on Sunday 24th February 15:35

[Woolfie]

Great vid and you managed to catch me running out of talent in our mini. I pushed too hard on the straight and tried to brake later than normal. Lesson taught. We all loved the day (3 of us share the mini).

[paulm3]

Had much done to the mini?

Never done Bedford before, but really like the track/layout.

I was with my friends (couple of lotus/mx5/mini) and we were all a bit disapointed by some of the driving standards of only one or two cars, everyone else was great, had a great afternoon pounding round with a few other cars at a good rate of knots in a group

[Woolfie]

hi paulm3. Yes there was some strange overtaking going on at hairpin and other corners which doesnt normally happen. But by and large driving standards are very courteous at javelin events.

Was a good day and the afternoon was better as the traffic subsided, which is pretty normal for track days i have found.

The mini is now running at 222bhp, pulley sorted, kw coilovers, intercooler, dave.f airbox, poly bushes, strut bars,16 inch rotas with intermediates. mintex disks, yellow stuff, braided lines. Comp std fluids all round. Quick release steering wheel, corbeau seat....and some more things....

...There is more to do. The car has started its own facebook page from last night www.facebook.com/iamr53 and twitter account @iamr53

obsessed moi?

[paulm3]

Sounds great fun little car.

Sheisz3m lol!!

Will keep an eye out for it this year at other td's we do.

[vanman1936]

Woolfie - what are the yellow stuff pads like? Both wear and performance.

Have a set to put on the CLK55.

[l33 haw]

I was there in my orange Lotus Exige. Iv never been on track in snow/hail before, nor experienced a track go from mega grip to no grip and back to grip again!

Here's a vid of one of my better laps followed by me ballsing things up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvrpMKTTRgU&fea...

[Woolfie]

Yellow stuff has been good and better to the mintex pads we were using before. We are not that heavy on the braking but the pads have been very dependable, and work well in all conditions - but our mini is quite light. I can't remember how much we have got out of this set? I'll check my records and post. We are about to update the brakes to JCW set with Nearly new GP disks, New HEL brake lines, Nearly new Performance Friction pads. Will let you know how we get on. But we have been more than happy wih the yellow stuff. Just was too good a chance to get the JCW set.

vanman1936 said:

Woolfie - what are the yellow stuff pads like? Both wear and performance.

Have a set to put on the CLK55.

[Woolfie]

I feel a bit better now seeing your vid....It was a great day for changeable conditions. You might have seen our black mini in your mirrors for a bit, but you looked proper decent and fast. Great to watch you on the track.

l33 haw said:

I was there in my orange Lotus Exige. Iv never been on track in snow/hail before, nor experienced a track go from mega grip to no grip and back to grip again!

Here's a vid of one of my better laps followed by me ballsing things up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvrpMKTTRgU&fea...

[paulm3]

I've always used yellow stuff on my z3m and old cars, great performance and wear rate, not much dust, and a bit of squeeking when cold. only better ones are triple the price nearly like carbon loraine ones .
I use them with standard discs and air ducting

[vanman1936]

Cheers

Miss my Z3M - great cars, would have one again. How do they fair on the track?

[paulm3]

It goes very well, dispatches of those pesky mx5 rolling chicanes!! once you've sorted the brakes with decent pads and air cooling which is very much needed. And sorted the suspension out it just pounds round all day using as much fuel as a boing 747 prob lol. I prefer it to my old e46 m3 on handling as it is a bit sharper and snappier. It's a coupe btw not hairdresser version lol.

[Ellerslie]

Anyone know the people in the Radical or the tuned 996 turbo? Both went past me like I was in reverse on the big straight. [

[probably chalk]

Ellerslie said:

Anyone know the people in the Radical or the tuned 996 turbo? Both went past me like I was in reverse on the big straight. [

Fantastic photo, fantastic looking car Ellerslie

I'll be there next month in my 968 as part of the big 944 / 968 gathering.

[Ellerslie]

probably chalk said:

Fantastic photo, fantastic looking car Ellerslie

I'll be there next month in my 968 as part of the big 944 / 968 gathering.

Thanks very much. I was planning on attending the tipec 944 day too but it was fully booked by the time I got around to it. Looks like Snetterton in April will be my next outing.

[spyderman8]

So shiny!