Hmmmmmm....... Learning Experience
Discussion
I completed my first track day over the Christmas break, at Mallory Park. I've put this in the Tuscan section because its more to do with the car than the track day.
Before I went I had no idea that I was going to learn something that could save my life. I am not totally daft, I know that all that power in the wet could spell disaster so I was very careful, I only accelerated in a straight line, I was cautious in the corners until I felt comfortable with the levels of grip, I gave myself plenty of time to break and I thought I would be fine. I was wrong!!!
During my first tuition session I managed to leave the track whilst traveling in a straight line, decelerating from 100+MPH, TWICE! Luckily the car slowed as it slid sideways and no harm was done, although the instructor said he honestly couldn't believe my luck.
So what I want to share with you, although I am sure many of you are aware, is changing down the 'box at speed and being a little to enthusiastic with the clutch will lock the rear wheels and you will go off!
It was the consensus of the instructors during lunch that this is one of the habits of most TVRs, especially the Tuscan. Too much speed, the revs die when you depress the clutch, bring the clutch up again in a lower gear and the 'box asks the wheels to bring it back up to speed. The wheels have a go but its wet, no traction so they lock and you slide. There are few cars that do this, Caterhams and the McLaren F1 do apparently.
So I just wanted to share this in case it could be of use to anyone else. The secret to prevent this is Heel and Toe braking which I intend to learn. This was demonstrated to me later that day when I was a passenger with a guy in a Tuscan S who went round the track in about half the time I did!!
The guys at RMA (the organisers), were excellent and I am going to go for further days, probably at Bedford as its got huge run offs!!
Before I went I had no idea that I was going to learn something that could save my life. I am not totally daft, I know that all that power in the wet could spell disaster so I was very careful, I only accelerated in a straight line, I was cautious in the corners until I felt comfortable with the levels of grip, I gave myself plenty of time to break and I thought I would be fine. I was wrong!!!
During my first tuition session I managed to leave the track whilst traveling in a straight line, decelerating from 100+MPH, TWICE! Luckily the car slowed as it slid sideways and no harm was done, although the instructor said he honestly couldn't believe my luck.
So what I want to share with you, although I am sure many of you are aware, is changing down the 'box at speed and being a little to enthusiastic with the clutch will lock the rear wheels and you will go off!
It was the consensus of the instructors during lunch that this is one of the habits of most TVRs, especially the Tuscan. Too much speed, the revs die when you depress the clutch, bring the clutch up again in a lower gear and the 'box asks the wheels to bring it back up to speed. The wheels have a go but its wet, no traction so they lock and you slide. There are few cars that do this, Caterhams and the McLaren F1 do apparently.
So I just wanted to share this in case it could be of use to anyone else. The secret to prevent this is Heel and Toe braking which I intend to learn. This was demonstrated to me later that day when I was a passenger with a guy in a Tuscan S who went round the track in about half the time I did!!
The guys at RMA (the organisers), were excellent and I am going to go for further days, probably at Bedford as its got huge run offs!!
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