Big moment at Bedford

[Billy83]

I went to bedford this evening for the open pit lane trackday. Brilliant day overall and lots of very nice people in some very nice cars. Anyway we were on the south east circuit (if anyone knows it) and on one of the fast left hand bends i had a huge spin. Was probably travelling at 70-80 mph, hit the apex and started feeding on the throttle. Back starts to come out (quickly) so i back down a bit and then WACK straight round the other way before i've got the slightest inkling what the hell is going on. Spin round about twice then proceed to skid backwards towards the sinister looking wall. Finally come to a halt about 2 inches from the wall and still cannot believe my luck (although all 4 cups have serious flat spots and for want of a better word are f**ked!) The point of this story is to ask does anyone else find the cups to be just that little bit twitchy and find there's a serious lack of progression so far as oversteer is concerned. The break away happens extremely fast, without much warning and at very high speed. On my set of michelin ps2s everything is, granted, happening at a slower pace, yet i personally think there's more enjoyment to be had out of them simply because the mistakes, if made, are less severely punished!

Just wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences with the cups?
I'm not doubting that they are a brilliant tyre if its outright pace you want, but in my humble opinion there's more fun to be had out of a less focused tyre where the breakaway isn't so quick and unforgiving...

Any thoughts?

Also my front left wheel was making a banging noise over bumps all the way home and the steering column is a bit 'creaky'. Any ideas what this might be?

[Billy83]

DSC was and always is off the moment i step out on track. I've got standard suspension but with as much camber on the front as i can have and the rear set up to compliment this. Agree with the fact that the car may not have been set up completely correctly and am now definately tempted by the idea of the kw suspension. All 4 tires have huge flat spots on now and i think that'll be the last time i buy cups! Considering buying some cheap, quite hard tires to use on track because i'd be happy to have less grip... ie more (controllable) sideways moments!!!

[Billy83]

Was good to meet you cossykiller! That fiesta was quite a car! so much fun for so little money and as you said it gave a few elises a fright (until the straights!) Have to say i found it hilarious that around every left hander the engine would practically cut out coz of petrol starvation meaning all the 'exotica' could escape from your clutches! Let me know if you post that video anywhere, i'd love to see it!

D.no mate for the track i'm just gonna go for something like a ps2 which is maybe a bit cheaper and harder (so it lasts a bit longer) the csl will still be comfortably quicker than a lot of things but i'll be able to smoke the tires up 1) without worrying about careering into the barrier (as i'll be going much slower!) and 2) without worrying too much about my bank balance!
Those p zero the hero tires sound pretty cool but i'm sure they'll cost a bomb plus the name is pretty naff tho isn't it, i reckon it might be a joke!

Also just wanted to say i managed to break the front left anti-roll bar bush and thats why there was a clunking sound. BMW have been very nice and are fixing a whole new anti roll bar and checking the rears too. Must say tho i'm feeling slightly guilty coz the rear bushes, if screwed too, were replaced only 3 months ago!!!

[Billy83]

I know! Have to say i feel very very lucky that the only thing screwed was the tires and i'm sure cossykiller would 2nd that! Thanks for everyone's advice think i'm just gonna stay with the ps2s for track and road, they have just the right amount of grip i want, not too much, not too little

[Billy83]

Trackcar it was a very hot day and i have to say i had been pounding around the track quite a lot so what you're saying is very possibly the case. Never happened to me like that before, back always seems to breakaway progressively, hence why i blamed it on the tires! Is this something which will have caused long term damage, and is it something which can be remedied by some higher quality dampers (ie the ones you get with the KW stage 3 setup?)
Thanks for the info tho, have to say i've never heard of this and i'm still at a bit of a loss to explain what happened (it all happened so fast and it has never happened before)

[Billy83]

cossy mate that car could've been me!!!!
Another thing i reckon contributed is that the back of the car as it slid out would've been on the more coarse concrete and i reckon this could;ve meant that the back slowed faster than it would've done normally... or maybe i'm just a rubbish driver

[Billy83]

S3am said:

Billy83 said:

maybe i'm just a rubbish driver

Don't laugh... I think you might be onto something there.

Edited by S3am on Sunday 17th June 22:11