Novice Track Day @ Brands - Sunday 13th Jan
Discussion
What a thoroughly enjoyable day.......I think.
Lou was brill in the morning session and the car behaving itself perfectly. The muggins here asks to have ago after lunch and three laps in - BANG!! Or more precisly PUFF!! and out the back of the Porsche was a plume of white smoke and no power. Happened going down Graham Hill and got her onto the grass as soon as I could, but unfortunately most of the oil decided to leave the quick way out and the was a quite a bit of Marshal/cement action for a few mins. Sorry guys. I didn't see any spins on Graham Hill bend so I hope my mishap only lost a few mins on the red.
Great pic of the smoke being sent next week.
Pete
Lou was brill in the morning session and the car behaving itself perfectly. The muggins here asks to have ago after lunch and three laps in - BANG!! Or more precisly PUFF!! and out the back of the Porsche was a plume of white smoke and no power. Happened going down Graham Hill and got her onto the grass as soon as I could, but unfortunately most of the oil decided to leave the quick way out and the was a quite a bit of Marshal/cement action for a few mins. Sorry guys. I didn't see any spins on Graham Hill bend so I hope my mishap only lost a few mins on the red.
Great pic of the smoke being sent next week.
Pete
i came down to this to watch a mate, in his m6, looked like a good day out there, i was gutted i wasn't out there.
i saw the porsche blow up, that was one hell of a cloud of smoke, i hope it's not too bad.
i've got to book up a trackday soon, i've been told silverstone is the best, anyone been?
i saw the porsche blow up, that was one hell of a cloud of smoke, i hope it's not too bad.
i've got to book up a trackday soon, i've been told silverstone is the best, anyone been?
joel.b said:
i came down to this to watch a mate, in his m6, looked like a good day out there, i was gutted i wasn't out there.
i saw the porsche blow up, that was one hell of a cloud of smoke, i hope it's not too bad.
i've got to book up a trackday soon, i've been told silverstone is the best, anyone been?
Silverstone is a longer track, and let's be honest, Brands is a short track and the guys were clumped a bit. i saw the porsche blow up, that was one hell of a cloud of smoke, i hope it's not too bad.
i've got to book up a trackday soon, i've been told silverstone is the best, anyone been?
Silverstone gives a nive mix of long straight, good complexes and history. You'll love it!
Is this yer man? He wan't hanging around!!
DavidCane said:
So, would you recommend a Novice MSV track day then? How many cars were on track and how many instructors were there? I'm doing a carlimits day this week, but will want to do a novice track day next.
DC
Yeah I would. Thorough, professional briefing. Good marshalling, slick timing.DC
One of three 20 min sessions per hour is enough for novices giving 'em time to soak it in and discuss. Bonus was thay opened it up in the afternoon to Open Pitlane.
There were alot of instructors running around who had been booked in back-to-back sessions. But they should have cought up for debrief later.
Just got to look out for w@nkers in old school Pork, blowing the things up in front of ya!
Sean Edwards said:
P, you muppet. Whats the damage?
I haven't had the guts to clamber underneath yet. Terminal in any language though. You obviously weren't driving it hard enough to break it.....properly!!!
He-he!!
Great shot of a red arrows-like display to follow.
Edited by LuckyP on Sunday 13th January 20:08
MAN, what a day! Pete finally convinced me to get my car ready and out to a "real" trackday to see what I could do. BIG THANKS BRO! 
I've got to say though, it was tough to be enjoying myself so much, when he had that misfortune. Feel awful about it, and hope it's only something minor (did you get it up on a jack yet LuckyP?)
WOW! I never knew turns could be so fun! This is definitely what these cars were made for (although I'll keep dragging too), and now I see what you guys were talking about! I'M HOOKED!!!
Still a little mist/drizzle in the morning, and the track started out wet, but without any real standing water. Got out on the track with an instructor named Wil for my very first laps, and I've got to tell you he was HORRIFIED! LOL! Braking too late, braking too soft, not hitting my apexes, getting on the power too early, not shifting correctly, etc etc. He told me where to brake, taught me the theory, and guided me gently through some turns I made a mess of. He was a great teacher though, and I took it all in - we spent 20min on track. I had the most powerful car out there by a longshot (I had poor Wil hanging on a few times entering the front straight at WOT), but was having trouble getting past a few cars because my technique sucked. Afterwards, I used what I had learned, and little-by-little improved.
In the afternoon session the track dried up, and the sun came out, and after many laps I got him back in my car and we went out again. This time for 40min, and the difference from the morning session was staggering. He was absolutely thrilled that I picked it up! Most of my turns were spot-on, and I was getting used to the brakes and modulating my accelerator. Still had trouble selecting the correct gear as I have a tendancy to lift off the brake while slowing/shifting and getting ready for the turn (my heel-toe is garbage), but I'm getting there. Had no trouble getting past anyone in the afternoon (not racing of course), and we had a lot of fun during my session! It was a REAL workout though, and by the end I was grunting and huffing and puffing a bit. Concentrating and getting turns right while on the edge is tiring stuff - I'm wiped out!
My biggest hairy moments came coming up into Druids, where I had a tendancy to brake VERY late. On one of my last laps I made a real hash of it and ABS/PSM went crazy trying to slow me down. Other than that, even coming out of turns, I had to REALLY push it to even get a little squirelly (except for coming onto the front straight where I almost got sideways a couple times getting on WOT too early in the wet).
Got it up to appx 150 on the front straight when I got my entry right, and let me tell you, coming down Paddock Hill when you hit the turns right and carrying some speed is like a rollercoaster! Gut-wrenching unbelievable!
BEST MOMENT: Going out in the afternoon session with Wil driving a little instructor-car Megane. Holy crap, I almost pissed myself. The things he did with that car defy any explanation I can give. Completely at the edge the whole time, and using ALL of the track. Unreal.
(close second: getting my rollercoaster turn into Paddock just right, and getting Clearways/Clarke just right so I could build up crazy speed into mid-5th gear down the front)
WORST MOMENT: Pete blowing up.
Car was just perfect the whole day. I was however noticing a strange smell after each session. Kinda like clutch, kinda like oil - both were fine. Had no idea what it was until Pete told me - brakes. LOL, no wonder I didn't know - I've never used them like that before, and the pedal was starting to get a little soft towards the end of the day. Good thing I got Pagids to put on next week! Only other thing was my gas mileage. Uhhhh, 8mpg!
Apologies for the ramble, but my adreneline is still going. Gotta go work on my trailbraking and get out there again SOON (Pete, Bedford in Feb!!!!!!!)! Now onto the pics.
Garage:
On track:
Crushing my lines
:
The carnage that is Petes 964
:
Thanks again to Pete and STEVO for getting on my arse to do this - what a great experience!
I've got to say though, it was tough to be enjoying myself so much, when he had that misfortune. Feel awful about it, and hope it's only something minor (did you get it up on a jack yet LuckyP?)
WOW! I never knew turns could be so fun! This is definitely what these cars were made for (although I'll keep dragging too), and now I see what you guys were talking about! I'M HOOKED!!!
Still a little mist/drizzle in the morning, and the track started out wet, but without any real standing water. Got out on the track with an instructor named Wil for my very first laps, and I've got to tell you he was HORRIFIED! LOL! Braking too late, braking too soft, not hitting my apexes, getting on the power too early, not shifting correctly, etc etc. He told me where to brake, taught me the theory, and guided me gently through some turns I made a mess of. He was a great teacher though, and I took it all in - we spent 20min on track. I had the most powerful car out there by a longshot (I had poor Wil hanging on a few times entering the front straight at WOT), but was having trouble getting past a few cars because my technique sucked. Afterwards, I used what I had learned, and little-by-little improved.
In the afternoon session the track dried up, and the sun came out, and after many laps I got him back in my car and we went out again. This time for 40min, and the difference from the morning session was staggering. He was absolutely thrilled that I picked it up! Most of my turns were spot-on, and I was getting used to the brakes and modulating my accelerator. Still had trouble selecting the correct gear as I have a tendancy to lift off the brake while slowing/shifting and getting ready for the turn (my heel-toe is garbage), but I'm getting there. Had no trouble getting past anyone in the afternoon (not racing of course), and we had a lot of fun during my session! It was a REAL workout though, and by the end I was grunting and huffing and puffing a bit. Concentrating and getting turns right while on the edge is tiring stuff - I'm wiped out!
My biggest hairy moments came coming up into Druids, where I had a tendancy to brake VERY late. On one of my last laps I made a real hash of it and ABS/PSM went crazy trying to slow me down. Other than that, even coming out of turns, I had to REALLY push it to even get a little squirelly (except for coming onto the front straight where I almost got sideways a couple times getting on WOT too early in the wet).
Got it up to appx 150 on the front straight when I got my entry right, and let me tell you, coming down Paddock Hill when you hit the turns right and carrying some speed is like a rollercoaster! Gut-wrenching unbelievable!
BEST MOMENT: Going out in the afternoon session with Wil driving a little instructor-car Megane. Holy crap, I almost pissed myself. The things he did with that car defy any explanation I can give. Completely at the edge the whole time, and using ALL of the track. Unreal.
(close second: getting my rollercoaster turn into Paddock just right, and getting Clearways/Clarke just right so I could build up crazy speed into mid-5th gear down the front)
WORST MOMENT: Pete blowing up.
Car was just perfect the whole day. I was however noticing a strange smell after each session. Kinda like clutch, kinda like oil - both were fine. Had no idea what it was until Pete told me - brakes. LOL, no wonder I didn't know - I've never used them like that before, and the pedal was starting to get a little soft towards the end of the day. Good thing I got Pagids to put on next week! Only other thing was my gas mileage. Uhhhh, 8mpg!
Apologies for the ramble, but my adreneline is still going. Gotta go work on my trailbraking and get out there again SOON (Pete, Bedford in Feb!!!!!!!)! Now onto the pics.
Garage:
On track:
Crushing my lines
:The carnage that is Petes 964
:Thanks again to Pete and STEVO for getting on my arse to do this - what a great experience!
Edited by BLKROKT on Sunday 13th January 20:44
YO BLKROKT!!! 
Top post you crazy dude! It's post's like that that get the trackdays filled to the brim - leave it out my man.
Totally thrilled that you enjoyed yourself and hopefully have caught the bug bad. Looks like it!
Wil was stoked with your improvement. Nice one.
Just had the car up on the jacks. Not good. Pics in a mo.
All totally worth it to see you gettin in there bro!
Lucky out.
Top post you crazy dude! It's post's like that that get the trackdays filled to the brim - leave it out my man.Totally thrilled that you enjoyed yourself and hopefully have caught the bug bad. Looks like it!
Wil was stoked with your improvement. Nice one.
Just had the car up on the jacks. Not good. Pics in a mo.
All totally worth it to see you gettin in there bro!
Lucky out.
LuckyP - Let's do it man! Any news on your oil pipe? BTW, looks like Hangar Straight is a little over a 1/2 mile. I should see 170+ mate 
joel.b - Thanks! I passed noise by telling the guy that 3/4 of my redline was 3000rpm. A few mods, somewhere in the 600hp neighborhood. Wish I could have heard it for myself! What were you there in? Tons of fun eh? 
joel.b - Thanks! I passed noise by telling the guy that 3/4 of my redline was 3000rpm.
A few mods, somewhere in the 600hp neighborhood. Wish I could have heard it for myself! What were you there in? Tons of fun eh? A good day in general. A bit of a cock up in the morning with the silly 20 min sessions. Ok as long as no-one spun off and stopped the session and you didn't have two drivers in one car. As it was wet and full of novice drivers many spun off and stopped the session. Afternoon much better after they backed down to protests and made it an open pit lane. I saw the Porsche blow up in front of me and the Aston sounded great down the main straight. You can hear it on the following video link where it is trying to out run a Smart car that was stuck to its tail for many laps. 16MB download.
http://195.149.46.91/Aston_V8_&_Smart_Car.AVI
http://195.149.46.91/Aston_V8_&_Smart_Car.AVI
Edited by micropaq on Tuesday 15th January 00:01
Edited by micropaq on Tuesday 15th January 00:02
Edited by micropaq on Tuesday 15th January 00:03
Edited by micropaq on Tuesday 15th January 00:04
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