RMA RAF Odiham Day Cancelled - low standard of driving?

[youngsyr]

I received a circular on Tuesday from RMA Circuit Lines stating that they'd had to cancel their track day at RAF Odiham on the 17 Ocotber due to a recent detioration of driving standards at that track in particular during an event in July.

Does anyone know what caused this or has anyone witnessed the low standard of driving?

[Scott W]

Ahh bugga, I was hoping to get on that day as well. Here's a link to the thread of the last day.

[edb49]

I've not heard anything, and I am (was??) booked on the event. It's missing from their calendar now, so I've dropped them an email.

[terryb]

you'll be getting a refund. Apparently he doesn't like "outsiders"!!!...

[Scott W]

Be interesting to know if it is RMA cancelling it or the airbase. FluffSri, if you're reading this have you heard anything on base about this?

[terryb]

RMA's email suggested it was their own decision.

[edb49]

terryb said:

RMA's email suggested it was their own decision.

If you were a TDO, would you want to suggest otherwise?

[MarlboroCar]

I'd be first in line to defend RMA. They are an excellent TDO who maintain the highest standards. Every event I have ever done with them has been superb. If they have decided not to run again at a particular venue it will be for genuine reasons.

[terryb]

I am a TDO and wouldn't dream of running a track day without a thorough safety briefing - that was RMA's downfall at Odiham - as there was NO safety briefing - I was their April09 and someone had to ask what the overtaking rule was. This day was open uo to non members of RMA who were not aware of the normal RMA way of doing things. When this is the case then a proper safety brief should have been given.

I actually really enjoyed the day, but there could have been a number of nasty incidents due to people not expecting cars coming up the inside to overtake on bends!!!!

[GFWilliams]

terryb said:

I am a TDO and wouldn't dream of running a track day without a thorough safety briefing - that was RMA's downfall at Odiham - as there was NO safety briefing - I was their April09 and someone had to ask what the overtaking rule was. This day was open uo to non members of RMA who were not aware of the normal RMA way of doing things. When this is the case then a proper safety brief should have been given.

I actually really enjoyed the day, but there could have been a number of nasty incidents due to people not expecting cars coming up the inside to overtake on bends!!!!

All very true! I was there on that day too on my first trackday. I was pleased that I had done a few trackdays before as that was the worst briefing ever by Graham.

[youngsyr]

GFWilliams said:

terryb said:

I am a TDO and wouldn't dream of running a track day without a thorough safety briefing - that was RMA's downfall at Odiham - as there was NO safety briefing - I was their April09 and someone had to ask what the overtaking rule was. This day was open uo to non members of RMA who were not aware of the normal RMA way of doing things. When this is the case then a proper safety brief should have been given.

I actually really enjoyed the day, but there could have been a number of nasty incidents due to people not expecting cars coming up the inside to overtake on bends!!!!

All very true! I was there on that day too on my first trackday. I was pleased that I had done a few trackdays before as that was the worst briefing ever by Graham.

It was me who asked about the overtaking rule on the day in April 09 - I knew what it was because I had read the RMA rules, but I wanted everyone else to know what it was too!

[Scott W]

I have to stick up for RMA as they were certainly clear and concise when giving out the rules at the last event (and the previous one I did with them backend of last year).

[GFWilliams]

youngsyr said:

GFWilliams said:

terryb said:

I am a TDO and wouldn't dream of running a track day without a thorough safety briefing - that was RMA's downfall at Odiham - as there was NO safety briefing - I was their April09 and someone had to ask what the overtaking rule was. This day was open uo to non members of RMA who were not aware of the normal RMA way of doing things. When this is the case then a proper safety brief should have been given.

I actually really enjoyed the day, but there could have been a number of nasty incidents due to people not expecting cars coming up the inside to overtake on bends!!!!

All very true! I was there on that day too on my first trackday. I was pleased that I had done a few trackdays before as that was the worst briefing ever by Graham.

It was me who asked about the overtaking rule on the day in April 09 - I knew what it was because I had read the RMA rules, but I wanted everyone else to know what it was too!

It really was a shambles! I never did really understand. I don't think that Graham did either!

[CraigW]

how can anyone do a trackday and not give a safety briefing?

[edb49]

CraigW said:

how can anyone do a trackday and not give a safety briefing?

If I were the TDO, I'd be concerned on the whole liability issue if people get injured and you've not given a briefing.

[CraigW]

yup me too

[youngsyr]

edb49 said:

CraigW said:

how can anyone do a trackday and not give a safety briefing?

If I were the TDO, I'd be concerned on the whole liability issue if people get injured and you've not given a briefing.

Things may well have changed since the trackday at Odiham in April '09 and it was the only RMA day that I've been on, so it may not be a fair reflection of how they run all their days, bit the management of the day did strike me as being very "laid back".

Another issue was the marshalling on the circuit, slower cars in the corners that hooned it on the straights weren't getting blue-flagged and simply carried on regardless, meaning that the faster drivers were forced to either back off for a lap to build up some space between them and the slower driver in front or attempt to overtake them in braking zones/corners - obviously not ideal in either scenario.

All of the above wouldn't be a problem if everyone were used to the rules though, it's just a problem when you come from the "normal" track day rules to the RMA ones.

It is a fantastic circuit though - some great corner complexes plus that ridiculous straight. Ignoring the above issues and tyre wear, it's probably my favourite track out of the few that I've been on (Combe, Brands Indy, Silverstone and Odiham)

[Fluffsri/?]

Im off work at the mo and slightly bored so having a shufty through PH to see whats going on and found this thread.

Raf Odiham is looking into the idea of running our own trackdays the same way as Raf Odiham Motorcycling club does at the mo. Raf Odiham Car Club has recently benn started and we are looking at organising 3 events a year, were starting again so we have to work all the planning out first.

Will keep those interested updated, thanks.

[CraigW]

pls let me know. i'd be interested in discussing a vmax type event.

Regards,

Craig

[T180985]

i was at that track day and have to agree the standard of driving was shocking which really is a shame, was a few numptys in caterhams getting a little too excited and some idiot in a porsche that ploughed into the side of some poor civic driver that was just holding his line. As mentioned there was also a few "fast cars" that had slower drivers so they held up alot of people in the corners then shot off when it came to the straight, i ended a couple of sessions after just 2-3 laps when i realised i was stuck behind a few of these

would be very interested in doing another track day their even if its with another TDO as its only a couple miles from my house and as already said its a great track ( despite the tyre wear lol)