Bedford 3rd April
Discussion
drjhill said:
Don't follow me
I hear it is very difficult to hit anything solid if you overcook it at Bedford, hence my choice for this years shakedown run after a long painful winter
How can I follow you ? i will be in front of you all the time I hear it is very difficult to hit anything solid if you overcook it at Bedford, hence my choice for this years shakedown run after a long painful winter
Joke aside, I wouldnt push the car or myself to the limit. I just want to have fun in a safe environment.
i did my first trackday at bedford today, and booked an instructer.
it was well worth booking the instructer and he showed me exactly what to do, and it really helped me to get quicker throughout the day.
bedford is very long and will take you a long time to learn the track, it took me most of the day, but once you have learnt it, it is a very fun circuit.
and i was hitting just over 110 down the main straight in my E46 328CI.
it was well worth booking the instructer and he showed me exactly what to do, and it really helped me to get quicker throughout the day.
bedford is very long and will take you a long time to learn the track, it took me most of the day, but once you have learnt it, it is a very fun circuit.
and i was hitting just over 110 down the main straight in my E46 328CI.
I'll be there in my Silver MX5 to test out my new WiM springs that are getting fitted tomorrow 
I have been on the track before and its great. Its quite greasy on certain corners in the damp... turn 1 by the pits is a classic.
My friend also in a MR2 will also be there on his first day on track.
I have been on the track before and its great. Its quite greasy on certain corners in the damp... turn 1 by the pits is a classic.My friend also in a MR2 will also be there on his first day on track.
J-Tuner said:
I'll be there in my Silver MX5 to test out my new WiM springs that are getting fitted tomorrow I have been on the track before and its great. Its quite greasy on certain corners in the damp... turn 1 by the pits is a classic.
My friend also in a MR2 will also be there on his first day on track.
Hey, come and say hi, i will be in a black R8. I have been on the track before and its great. Its quite greasy on certain corners in the damp... turn 1 by the pits is a classic.My friend also in a MR2 will also be there on his first day on track.
Will do!
I think you will be getting a shade more than a ton down that back straight!
Watch out for a mobile chicane (me). Bedford isn't the best track for the little MX5 - Still great fun though.
I must be getting up to around 90ish on that.. you might wanna be a bit careful down there around others - as thats one of the few places where there is absolutely no runoff down the right hand side. Literally 2 foot then armco.
I found that in the morning when its cold and damp it will be relatively slow, but the afternoon will dry out (hopefully) and thats when the speeds start to get serious. Peoples driving gets more 'ambitious' also!
The only other thing i can think of thats a good tip (and this is in general) is to not stay on track right till the last minute. The last hour or so things do start to get a bit 'edgy' out there. People are tired, overconfident and desperate to get as many fast laps in as they can...
I think you will be getting a shade more than a ton down that back straight!
Watch out for a mobile chicane (me). Bedford isn't the best track for the little MX5 - Still great fun though.I must be getting up to around 90ish on that.. you might wanna be a bit careful down there around others - as thats one of the few places where there is absolutely no runoff down the right hand side. Literally 2 foot then armco.
I found that in the morning when its cold and damp it will be relatively slow, but the afternoon will dry out (hopefully) and thats when the speeds start to get serious. Peoples driving gets more 'ambitious' also!
The only other thing i can think of thats a good tip (and this is in general) is to not stay on track right till the last minute. The last hour or so things do start to get a bit 'edgy' out there. People are tired, overconfident and desperate to get as many fast laps in as they can...
J-Tuner said:
Will do!
I think you will be getting a shade more than a ton down that back straight! Watch out for a mobile chicane (me). Bedford isn't the best track for the little MX5 - Still great fun though.
I must be getting up to around 90ish on that.. you might wanna be a bit careful down there around others - as thats one of the few places where there is absolutely no runoff down the right hand side. Literally 2 foot then armco.
I found that in the morning when its cold and damp it will be relatively slow, but the afternoon will dry out (hopefully) and thats when the speeds start to get serious. Peoples driving gets more 'ambitious' also!
The only other thing i can think of thats a good tip (and this is in general) is to not stay on track right till the last minute. The last hour or so things do start to get a bit 'edgy' out there. People are tired, overconfident and desperate to get as many fast laps in as they can...
Thats great advice. thank you J. Is there any need to get insurance ? also in case of an accident whats the liability we have ?I think you will be getting a shade more than a ton down that back straight!
Watch out for a mobile chicane (me). Bedford isn't the best track for the little MX5 - Still great fun though.I must be getting up to around 90ish on that.. you might wanna be a bit careful down there around others - as thats one of the few places where there is absolutely no runoff down the right hand side. Literally 2 foot then armco.
I found that in the morning when its cold and damp it will be relatively slow, but the afternoon will dry out (hopefully) and thats when the speeds start to get serious. Peoples driving gets more 'ambitious' also!
The only other thing i can think of thats a good tip (and this is in general) is to not stay on track right till the last minute. The last hour or so things do start to get a bit 'edgy' out there. People are tired, overconfident and desperate to get as many fast laps in as they can...
I personally dont take insurance.. since the car is of minimal value anyway (compared to yours anyway). From the limited reading i have done unless there is some kind of super cover most only cover 3rd party danage and not your own car. I stand to be corrected however !
Personal Liability - on track its the owner assumes responsibility of their own car. If you bend your car on your own into some armco - tough luck. Might incurr track costs if you trash the armco etc.. If you rub paint with another car - you sort your own car out and the other driver usually should take it as a 'track incident' and put it down to experience and fix their own car. Thats not to say that they wont try and come after you in the pits if they feel you were up their backside or doing something untoward on the track - so thats not an excuse to get overly close to other cars. Its a track day and not a race after all
For something like your car i think some kind of cover that covers your own damage would be of interest
Personal Liability - on track its the owner assumes responsibility of their own car. If you bend your car on your own into some armco - tough luck. Might incurr track costs if you trash the armco etc.. If you rub paint with another car - you sort your own car out and the other driver usually should take it as a 'track incident' and put it down to experience and fix their own car. Thats not to say that they wont try and come after you in the pits if they feel you were up their backside or doing something untoward on the track - so thats not an excuse to get overly close to other cars. Its a track day and not a race after all
For something like your car i think some kind of cover that covers your own damage would be of interest
Edited by J-Tuner on Tuesday 30th March 10:07
i would get insurance on the R8, unless you can afford to comftably right that amount of cash of.
although the chances of any accident at bedford is very small, you are only really going to cause damage if you have an accident with another car, and if you keep your distance from the car in front, and let any faster ones through, you would be very unlucky to have any contact with other drivers.
try morris, they seem good, although i would assume expensive for a R8.
you have no liability to over drivers, if you crash into them, its there problem to get it fixed.
and no track insurance policies include 3rd party.
hope this helps.
although the chances of any accident at bedford is very small, you are only really going to cause damage if you have an accident with another car, and if you keep your distance from the car in front, and let any faster ones through, you would be very unlucky to have any contact with other drivers.
try morris, they seem good, although i would assume expensive for a R8.
you have no liability to over drivers, if you crash into them, its there problem to get it fixed.
and no track insurance policies include 3rd party.
hope this helps.
I will be there on Saturday in another mx5, (a couple of friends going in other mx5s too) mine is the one with strange headlights. I have done Bedford a few times great fun, but taking some friends who will have a turn at driving too who have never done track driving so might be worth giving me plenty of space as its forecast to be wet.
quantum30 said:
i checked the insurance. not bad , just under £300 but with an excess of £5000 . So decided it doesnt worth taking it. I am not a competitive racer, i will be there just for the fun so please stay away from me
Wow that is a lot of wedge I use to insure with footman James,track day was £70 per day, first £5000 I pay! Now I have 4 track days included in insurance.Edited by swampy56 on Wednesday 31st March 09:33
Edited by swampy56 on Wednesday 31st March 14:32
mikey P 500 said:
I will be there on Saturday in another mx5, (a couple of friends going in other mx5s too) mine is the one with strange headlights. I have done Bedford a few times great fun, but taking some friends who will have a turn at driving too who have never done track driving so might be worth giving me plenty of space as its forecast to be wet.
This is good news Usually i am the only '5 out on track so will be good to see some more out there! If i get an opportunity i will come and say hello. I'll be there in the Silver Mk1 Steve
PS - I secretly am not bothered about it being wet. Its more fun
Edited by J-Tuner on Wednesday 31st March 13:21
quantum30 said:
Any advice for a first timer please ?
I booked an instructor as well.
Also just out of curiosity what was the top speed you guys reached on the straight ?
Yes, have fun, it's safe very very little to hit. Good idea to have an instructor 1st time out.I booked an instructor as well.
Also just out of curiosity what was the top speed you guys reached on the straight ?
Edited by quantum30 on Monday 29th March 14:22
Top speed on the straight was an indicated 155....so probably between 145 & 150.
Add me to the list going on the 3rd: old, battered blue E36 M3.
I did get a quote for insurance, the quote is £75, excess is the first £500.
Odd clause in the policy that says they don't cover damage caused by contact with the road surface - so if I roll it, spin it and hit the armco, dig a wheel into the grass and bend it/rip it off, it's not covered I presume. Odd. I'm guessing it only covers me getting walloped by another car?
And as the day starts at 7.50am, there's *no* way I'll last until the afternoon! I need some tyres and brakes to get me home
I did get a quote for insurance, the quote is £75, excess is the first £500.
Odd clause in the policy that says they don't cover damage caused by contact with the road surface - so if I roll it, spin it and hit the armco, dig a wheel into the grass and bend it/rip it off, it's not covered I presume. Odd. I'm guessing it only covers me getting walloped by another car?
And as the day starts at 7.50am, there's *no* way I'll last until the afternoon! I need some tyres and brakes to get me home
I will be there as well, hoped to get 911 MOT and tune done but running out of time. Might have to risk the posh car (Black Masser 3200), all of which will please my mate who is coming as ballast. Look forward to seeing you all there, don't have PH sticker, so do we have a funny handshake or similar?
How about a packet/tin of birds custard powder?
How about a packet/tin of birds custard powder?
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