Brands Hatch Arrive & Drive Track Day 21/12/08

[declasm]

Thought I'd start a thread where anyone who was at Brands Hatch today can post pictures and comments.

I was in the 11:30am session around the Indy circuit - so very short quick laps. This was my first track day in my own car, a silver '92 Mazda RX-7, so I was nervous and adrenalined up!
I was in a group with an intimidating classic corvette and some track spec cooper S's at the front of the pack at the start. during the first couple of laps I was trying to come to terms with the decreased number of useful senses when wearing a helmet and the onslaught to the ones that were working. I got a bit confident too soon and on the second lap whilst trying to out-brake minis at surtees I lost grip on my cold tyres and spun off into the grass. After that I backed off and built up my confidence slowly. I think something similar happened to a blue 205 behind me during the latter half of the session as he spun off braking for Druid's I think. Also there was a beautiful E30 320is (very rare!) that had a big off and re-shaped a load of his drivers-side body panels - I felt really bad for him - we all had to come in to the pits while they sorted him out

Overall it was a fantastic morning with lots of interesting proper fast cars mixed in with enthusiasts. I was really happy with the way my RX-7 cornered really flat and gripped and gripped for nearly all of the time I needed it too! Next time I'll know not to go like a 'bull out of a gate' from the start but I learned so much about my car and that on the road I probably only get to use about 10% of it's potential - on the track I probably reached 7/10 but I was enough for me today!

pictures linked below
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=191916&i...

[fridaypassion]

Thats my mind made up then. Never EVER attend one of these days lol

[declasm]

fridaypassion said:

Thats my mind made up then. Never EVER attend one of these days lol

I guess everyone has to start somewhere and that's what these 'Arrive & Drive' sessions are for as far as I can work out. I'm not going to pretend that I was born a driving God and I learnt a lot in a well-marshalled and managed session about the limits of my ability and the cars - moreso than I could ever pick up from reading an internet forum.

[2kwik]

I was there today as a total novice (well ok, did the 'ring earlier this year but that is not a track day)and found the day well organised, well scripted and a very enjoyable. First time out I found alarming how many cars past me on the first lap or two and I was quite pleased that the red mist stayed away. I just wanted to get round, not damage my or anyone elses car and get quicker through the session. All accomplished. I dare say that it is a somewhat possible risky business mixing total novices with clearly experienced BH trackers but I don't think the ones who went off did so due to the lack of attention of either side of that mix. Unless someone knows different?
I'll definitely be going again.

[AlexB]

Was there in my Chimaera this afternoon (2pm and 3pm slots). Probably one of the slower car and driver combos on the track today as it was my first track day in the TVR....I enjoyed it and felt like I was much faster in the second session - thought they dealt with the multi-group format pretty well...
Alex

[Rich H]

I was there in the first few sessions of the day. The standard of driving was generally pretty good, with no incidents in the sessions I participated in. The organisation of the day & marshalling couldn't be faulted. Combined with semi-decent weather made it a good start to a Sunday

[changingman]

I was there today doing the 12oc 2oc and 3oc in the blue chim 450 with the white viper stripes, this was the first day I've done that wasnt a novice day and it was a bit daunting at first, some serious cars there. Once I got into the swing of it it was OK, a few people who wouldnt give when blue flagged, did a bit of grass tracking at the start of the start finish straight at one time but kept it together. All in all a good day and looking forward to doing an open pit lane day at the end of Jan.

[Easy Life]

I was there too! On track (for the first time at Brands Hatch) at 12pm & 3pm in my purple/carbon Evo 8.

Though the standard of driving was very mixed, it turned out to be an excellently organised event.

Apart from the odd Ultima or Clio Cup car getting in my way, the marshalls were fantastic and had the blue flags waving for me each time I caught slower cars ahead.

Top day!

[shithotfast]

Good fun except waited all day for our session at 3pm, my sons TVR wouldn't start, and when I went on- every corner my engine misfired... and then we got towed off. Turns out one of the ignition coil leads was loose..... every time i turned a corner it came away from the connection, on the straight it fell back in place....so sorry for getting in the way on every corner !..... frustrating and embarrassing. But a great day, weather was great, first time there for us. Well organised.

[boxsey]

declasm said:

fridaypassion said:

Thats my mind made up then. Never EVER attend one of these days lol

I guess everyone has to start somewhere and that's what these 'Arrive & Drive' sessions are for as far as I can work out. I'm not going to pretend that I was born a driving God and I learnt a lot in a well-marshalled and managed session about the limits of my ability and the cars - moreso than I could ever pick up from reading an internet forum.

I think fridaypassion was probably referring to your description of trying to 'out-brake' a mini. The normal rules for trackdays are to pass with consent on a straight, not by out-braking them into a corner.

[Mike Hawthorn]

It seemed like a good event to me. To be fare I was driving a Crystal Topaz TVR Cerbera. So if I got in the way of anyone I'm sorry it was my first time on track. I did two afternoon sessions and I had a great time. I don't remember anyone upsetting me so I'm guessing it was well run. Once again if I annoyed anyone, sorry I'll get it right next time.
Mike

[changingman]

[quote]I think fridaypassion was probably referring to your description of trying to 'out-brake' a mini. The normal rules for trackdays are to pass with consent on a straight, not by out-braking them into a corner.
[/quote]

Probably best directed at the mini driver then who after being blue flagged made it difficult for him to pass

[hugh_]

Mike Hawthorn said:

It seemed like a good event to me. To be fare I was driving a Crystal Topaz TVR Cerbera. So if I got in the way of anyone I'm sorry it was my first time on track. I did two afternoon sessions and I had a great time. I don't remember anyone upsetting me so I'm guessing it was well run. Once again if I annoyed anyone, sorry I'll get it right next time.
Mike

I was eye your Cerbera up behind the pits, stunning car!
I was meant to be in the kit car, but it isnt finished yet so turned up in the tin top. Well organised, and a comprehensive briefing, only really spoilt by my silly trip computer telling me I had no miles of fuel left so I came in early, only to find that I could only put 40l in (55l tank) when I filled up just outside the gate, Doh!

[boxsey]

changingman said:

boxsey said:

I think fridaypassion was probably referring to your description of trying to 'out-brake' a mini. The normal rules for trackdays are to pass with consent on a straight, not by out-braking them into a corner.

Probably best directed at the mini driver then who after being blue flagged made it difficult for him to pass

The OP didn't mention in his post that the mini driver was not playing by the rules (especially not taking notice of blue flags) hence, he made it sound like he was the one being reckless and therefore portrayed himself in a bad light. Sounds like from the other posts in this thread that the day was well run and the normal briefings given but as usual there was at least one that didn't think the rules applied to them

Edited by boxsey on Monday 22 December 15:11

[Ojc]

I was there as well, went out on the 12.00 and 13.30 sessions, was in the Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition.

Done a few trackdays before and the 'Ring, but never Brands. I must say that Brands is quite a difficult course to absolutely nail your lines, you think you have a perfect line then again find that there is actually a quicker line if you do something slightly different.

Enjoyed it, apart from the people in the Renault Modus and the Polo on the 13.30 session holding everyone up.

[changingman]

boxsey said:

changingman said:

boxsey said:

I think fridaypassion was probably referring to your description of trying to 'out-brake' a mini. The normal rules for trackdays are to pass with consent on a straight, not by out-braking them into a corner.

Probably best directed at the mini driver then who after being blue flagged made it difficult for him to pass

The OP didn't mention in his post that the mini driver was not playing by the rules (especially not taking notice of blue flags) hence, he made it sound like he was the one being reckless and therefore portrayed himself in a bad light. Sounds like from the other posts in this thread that the day was well run and the normal briefings given but as usual there was at least one that didn't think the rules applied to them

He didnt make himself sound reckless at all or portray himself in a bad light.

Edited by boxsey on Monday 22 December 15:11

[Mike Hawthorn]

Ojc said:

I was there as well, went out on the 12.00 and 13.30 sessions, was in the Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition.

Done a few trackdays before and the 'Ring, but never Brands. I must say that Brands is quite a difficult course to absolutely nail your lines, you think you have a perfect line then again find that there is actually a quicker line if you do something slightly different.

Enjoyed it, apart from the people in the Renault Modus and the Polo on the 13.30 session holding everyone up.

I was talking to a chap who said he was part of the photographic staff. Probably not a good thing to quote him word for word on this forum but I understand the Modus driver has put in an official complaint to the organisers because "The cars were going far to fast". I'm covering myself by saying allegedly! If true what were your expectations of a Track Day? I might be new to this but I kinda guessed some cars would be going over 50mph. The words Brands Hatch and Track Day seemed to be a clue. “silly me”

[Ojc]

The woman driving it looked old, like VERY old. 80 easily.

[AlexB]

The Modus driver (I can't believe that there were two of them!) said at the end of the safety briefing that she didn't want to go very fast, she just wanted to drive round....I think they were trying to send her out with an instructor to minimise problems, but not sure if they managed to get that organised in time. I guess that there isn't much the organisers can do if someone pays for track time, but doesn't want to go very fast.
Alex
PS I know I was not terribly quick, but hopefully I got out of people's way pretty rapidly (sorry if I held anyone up for too long!)

[boxsey]

changingman said:

He didnt make himself sound reckless at all or portray himself in a bad light.

declasm said:

I got a bit confident too soon and on the second lap whilst trying to out-brake minis at surtees I lost grip on my cold tyres and spun off into the grass.

We clearly have different opinions when we read the above quote. Without explaining the circumstances which lead to the above and not knowing the OP, I drew a different conclusion when I read that.