Castle Combe Test Day - 1st May
Discussion
Simon T said:
Thanks Simon, I'll certainly have a look but Andy is right, I'm just looking for somebody to show me their routine and give me some guidance on things I should and shouldn't do. I'm sure there'll be plenty of people there willing but just thought I'd see if there was a friendly PHer going 
Well here it is ready to go on the day, it was lovely and wet which made me a bit apprehensive but I figure that I have to get out there sometime so why not then!
It was towards the end of the session and things were quiet so I figured I might just squeeze in 1 or 2 laps and out I went. I took it really easy, not too much throttle or brake and treated it as a sighting lap. Managed 2 laps and came in.
2nd session I steadily built up some speed and my confidence improved. Kept out of the way of the various Formula Fords as I didn't really want to be ruining their laps.
3rd session involved me really being able to open her up, properly giving it the beans along the straights, using the full rev range. Wow, the car was screaming and sounded wonderful I was nearly keeping pace with some Formula Ford guys and that's where it went wrong. I spun coming out of Tower... Fortunately into the inside of the circuit! Just collected grass and beached the car on a mound trying to drive back on track. Lucky boy!
4th and final session was really just a final drive to make sure I didn't lose confidence after coming off. I didn't want that to be my last drive of the day.
Great day out... However many people seems remarkably surprised that I was on my own and some commented about the 'baptism of fire' that I was experiencing!
One chap commented that given:
But the point was, I took it easy, I was sensible about what I was doing and avoided trouble. I wasn't there to set laptimes, I was there to make sure my car was bolted together, ran well and to understand what I need to do to make it run better.
Successful day all in all... And the spin was good because I've now experience my first off in that car!
It was towards the end of the session and things were quiet so I figured I might just squeeze in 1 or 2 laps and out I went. I took it really easy, not too much throttle or brake and treated it as a sighting lap. Managed 2 laps and came in.
2nd session I steadily built up some speed and my confidence improved. Kept out of the way of the various Formula Fords as I didn't really want to be ruining their laps.
3rd session involved me really being able to open her up, properly giving it the beans along the straights, using the full rev range. Wow, the car was screaming and sounded wonderful I was nearly keeping pace with some Formula Ford guys and that's where it went wrong. I spun coming out of Tower... Fortunately into the inside of the circuit! Just collected grass and beached the car on a mound trying to drive back on track. Lucky boy!
4th and final session was really just a final drive to make sure I didn't lose confidence after coming off. I didn't want that to be my last drive of the day.
Great day out... However many people seems remarkably surprised that I was on my own and some commented about the 'baptism of fire' that I was experiencing!
One chap commented that given:
- it's Castle Combe
- in the wet
- with a greasy track
- first time in the car
- having never driven a slicks and wings car
- motorbike engine
- sequential gearbox
- old tyres
But the point was, I took it easy, I was sensible about what I was doing and avoided trouble. I wasn't there to set laptimes, I was there to make sure my car was bolted together, ran well and to understand what I need to do to make it run better.
Successful day all in all... And the spin was good because I've now experience my first off in that car!
Credit where credit's due, Castle Combe in the wet is pretty scary in anything, let along a car you've never drive previously and with no prior experience of slicks and wings.
I had a spin in the wet there last year coming out of Camp and I've probably driven more laps of Combe than any other circuit and in a wide variety of cars.
What are you plans for events this year?
I had a spin in the wet there last year coming out of Camp and I've probably driven more laps of Combe than any other circuit and in a wide variety of cars.
What are you plans for events this year?
I'm guessing you are from the West country and if so, I expect our paths will cross as I also compete in sprints in the ASWMC championship.
I had 8 years in bike-engined single seaters so if I can offer any advice I would be only too happy to oblige. I currently compete in the unlimited production car class in an Evo 6 RS.
I had 8 years in bike-engined single seaters so if I can offer any advice I would be only too happy to oblige. I currently compete in the unlimited production car class in an Evo 6 RS.
Trev450 said:
I'm guessing you are from the West country and if so, I expect our paths will cross as I also compete in sprints in the ASWMC championship.
I had 8 years in bike-engined single seaters so if I can offer any advice I would be only too happy to oblige. I currently compete in the unlimited production car class in an Evo 6 RS.
I'm sure we will! I had 8 years in bike-engined single seaters so if I can offer any advice I would be only too happy to oblige. I currently compete in the unlimited production car class in an Evo 6 RS.
I'm at Llandow on Saturday... taking it easy! And thanks for the offer, I'm sure I'll be in contact at some point!MagicalTrevor said:
Trev450 said:
I'm guessing you are from the West country and if so, I expect our paths will cross as I also compete in sprints in the ASWMC championship.
I had 8 years in bike-engined single seaters so if I can offer any advice I would be only too happy to oblige. I currently compete in the unlimited production car class in an Evo 6 RS.
I'm sure we will! I had 8 years in bike-engined single seaters so if I can offer any advice I would be only too happy to oblige. I currently compete in the unlimited production car class in an Evo 6 RS.
I'm at Llandow on Saturday... taking it easy! And thanks for the offer, I'm sure I'll be in contact at some point!Gassing Station | UK Club Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff