Discussion
Did my first track day in the cerb today!! WOW!! What a car!!! My mate had a stop watch and was timming most of the day!!! The only thing quicker than me was a race preped caterham! well pleased! The car didnt miss a beat! I dint think the cerb would handle that well round the track but it really surprised me.
Julian!!(TCS) I need more power!!!Any new mods yet?
mike
Julian!!(TCS) I need more power!!!Any new mods yet?
mike
Sounds good to me. Try to avoid timing yourself... its not acceptable behaviour on trackdays and IMHO people who chase times eventually crash, just ask the sprinting lot who do it every weekend... yep, we have too. 
I'll have to get the Cerb out on track soon, only ever driven it in anger at Harewood hillclimb, which is about as wide as the cerbera on a half turn of opposite lock.
I'll have to get the Cerb out on track soon, only ever driven it in anger at Harewood hillclimb, which is about as wide as the cerbera on a half turn of opposite lock.
FANTASTIC! Great that you're using the Cerb' the way it should be, i.e. on track. 
Second the comment on timing on a track day. Just don't do it, the organisers will take a very dim view if you're caught doing so and you'll get kicked out, as has been said you'll get too tied up with beating your time rather than learning the track, and no the two are not always linked.
If you want to 'beat the clock' get yourself signed up to next years TVRCC Speed Championship, friendly people and great fun, here's my car still in livery after the weekend. I was 'racing' at the Lotus test track @ Hethel on Sunday and bl**dy good fun it was too.
Whatever you do - enjoy!
Tim
Second the comment on timing on a track day. Just don't do it, the organisers will take a very dim view if you're caught doing so and you'll get kicked out, as has been said you'll get too tied up with beating your time rather than learning the track, and no the two are not always linked.
If you want to 'beat the clock' get yourself signed up to next years TVRCC Speed Championship, friendly people and great fun, here's my car still in livery after the weekend. I was 'racing' at the Lotus test track @ Hethel on Sunday and bl**dy good fun it was too.
Whatever you do - enjoy!
Tim
Edited by TT Tim on Wednesday 9th August 14:38
BCA said:
Sounds good to me. Try to avoid timing yourself... its not acceptable behaviour on trackdays and IMHO people who chase times eventually crash, just ask the sprinting lot who do it every weekend... yep, we have too.
I'll have to get the Cerb out on track soon, only ever driven it in anger at Harewood hillclimb, which is about as wide as the cerbera on a half turn of opposite lock.
I'll have to get the Cerb out on track soon, only ever driven it in anger at Harewood hillclimb, which is about as wide as the cerbera on a half turn of opposite lock.
Bizzare, sitting in a racecar, on the racetrack, not allowed to race. This is why I live 1 mile from brands and never use it anymore.
If you aren't racing the clock, and you dare not race others on the track, can one politely ask whats the point of being there. A question I asked myself the last time I was on a racetrack. IMHO the only trackday racing worth attending that doesn't seem to have this bannanas PC police element there is a bike day. Now that is real enjoyment.
Cyclone1 said:
Hi Tim,
What is involved in the Speed Championship?
Jules.
What is involved in the Speed Championship?
Jules.
It's a 20 round Sprint/Hillclimb championship run by the TVRCC by Steve Cox.
Here's a few words pulled from the Championship documentation:
Many TVRs offer such huge performance that it would be highly irresponsible to use their full potential on the road. There are several alternatives open to us, the most popular ones being Track Days, Speed Competitions and of course Racing. Track days offer a safe environment to learn the limits of the car – and your own limits as a driver. If you haven't been on a track day before you may find the prospect of hurtling round a track with a bunch of would-be racing drivers an alarming prospect. In fact these events are very safe and well organised with instructors available, and there's no reason why anyone with basic driving skills shouldn't come along and enjoy him or herself. A large proportion of TVR speed competitors and racers started out on track days before the racing bug took hold. As TVRCC members we're fortunate to have the opportunity to drive on some of the best circuits in the country for far less than the commercial track day companies charge. If you don't take advantage of this, you really are missing out. So keep an eye out for track day announcements in Sprint and make sure you get your applications in early.
The important thing to remember about track days is that they are non-competitive. There are strict safety guidelines and the emphasis is on driving within your own limits and being courteous to other drivers at all times. Racing and aggressive driving is simply not tolerated. Having got to grips with the car at track days it is understandable that some drivers will want an opportunity to drive at ten tenths to find out just how fast they can go. This is where Speed Competitions come in.
What are Speed Competitions?
Speed competitions are a friendly and low-cost form of motorsport organised by and for motoring enthusiasts. Not to be confused with autotests (three-point turns against the clock), trials (getting stuck in a muddy field) or 12-car rallies (getting lost on public roads), Speed Competitions are high-speed events on well prepared circuits where the performance of your road-going TVR can be exploited to the full. Competitors drive individually around a course of about a mile, against the clock. Courses vary from a lap of a racing circuit such as Goodwood, a course laid out at a disused airfield, to more specialised hillclimb venues which are more like your favorite twisty country lane, often complete with rather solid bits of scenery to catch the unwary. The hillclimb venues are generally seen as more challenging but can be more rewarding too.
At Speed Events there are classes for all sorts of cars, from your Mum's shopping car to V8 powered single seaters that look as if they may once have graced an F1 grid. In the TVR camp we regularly see a wide range of cars from Vixens through to Tuscans. Most TVRs can compete in absolutely standard condition, with no special preparation required.
There are various prizes at each event, but the main reason to come along is that it gives you a chance to drive as fast as you dare without any worry about traffic jams, speed limits, flashing blue lights or some other idiot pushing you off the road. The number of TVRs competing has increased substantially in recent years and TVR is now one of the best represented marques. It really is very easy to join in and new competitors are always welcome.
Thanks to Steve Cox for the above.
Tim
Julian64 said:
If you aren't racing the clock, and you dare not race others on the track, can one politely ask whats the point of being there. A question I asked myself the last time I was on a racetrack. IMHO the only trackday racing worth attending that doesn't seem to have this bannanas PC police element there is a bike day. Now that is real enjoyment.
I enjoy track days to find the limits of the car and my talent/skill! To know what I have to build/improve on.
Getting a corner 'right' feels great, as does hooning it around the track with likeminded people.
It also vents my desire for speed in a safe environment rather than on a public road.
Tim
PS: This isn't a dig at you Julian, just expressing why I do track days.
Edited by TT Tim on Wednesday 9th August 15:36
Unlike Tim, I prefer trackdays to do corners wrong.
Im probably interested in getting corners right, smooth and quick for about half a lap... then I tend to either trail brake in and try to keep it sliding out or go slow in and come out slow but sideways. More fun!!
Equally, im too much of a wuss for sprinting. If you're always chasing a time, you're always pushing harder, which means you'll eventually overstep the mark and possibly damage your car. Which for a road car that you depend on, is quite a frightening prospect for me, though my Dad really enjoys it - which is fair enough. I prefer racing in the wheel to wheel sense, where you've already accepted your car will get damaged, run a racecar that doesnt need to be tidy aesthetically/ inside, bring a trailer - and properly go for it.
Im probably interested in getting corners right, smooth and quick for about half a lap... then I tend to either trail brake in and try to keep it sliding out or go slow in and come out slow but sideways. More fun!!
Equally, im too much of a wuss for sprinting. If you're always chasing a time, you're always pushing harder, which means you'll eventually overstep the mark and possibly damage your car. Which for a road car that you depend on, is quite a frightening prospect for me, though my Dad really enjoys it - which is fair enough. I prefer racing in the wheel to wheel sense, where you've already accepted your car will get damaged, run a racecar that doesnt need to be tidy aesthetically/ inside, bring a trailer - and properly go for it.
Hi Jules,
Do as Tim says and come along to a sprint early next year. We are often getting 3 cerbs out at an event and up to 25 TVR's (me excepted cos mines keeps on bloody breaking) so it would be graet to have another playmate.
The guys and gals are really friendly and you will find everyone very generous with both their time and advice. The older hands really support the newcomers and there is an excellent chat group that is used to run the TVRCC sprint championship.
To give you a feel for the level of camaraderie and support when my engine broke at the Abingdon sprint in June within 10 minutes I had 2 offers from fellow competitors to double drive their cars for the rest of the day.
Then at the end of the day TT Tim's wife even drove his cerb home so that Tim could trailer my car to my home. What more can I say.
Just come along. There is only one problem however. Once you have done one event you will be hooked and it may well take over you life!
cheers
Jes
Do as Tim says and come along to a sprint early next year. We are often getting 3 cerbs out at an event and up to 25 TVR's (me excepted cos mines keeps on bloody breaking) so it would be graet to have another playmate.
The guys and gals are really friendly and you will find everyone very generous with both their time and advice. The older hands really support the newcomers and there is an excellent chat group that is used to run the TVRCC sprint championship.
To give you a feel for the level of camaraderie and support when my engine broke at the Abingdon sprint in June within 10 minutes I had 2 offers from fellow competitors to double drive their cars for the rest of the day.
Then at the end of the day TT Tim's wife even drove his cerb home so that Tim could trailer my car to my home. What more can I say.
Just come along. There is only one problem however. Once you have done one event you will be hooked and it may well take over you life!
cheers
Jes
jesfirth said:
Once you have done one event you will be hooked and it may well take over you life!
Ain't that the bl**dy truth!
Just bought a 3m x 6m ez-up so I can have shelter/shade in the paddock while I'm fixing/tweaking the Cerb' between runs.
Addictive sprinting? Never!
Tim
PS: Jez you got that jalope of yours fixed yet? Are we seeing you at Goodwood?
Edited by TT Tim on Wednesday 9th August 18:49
No age limit, cars can be anything from standard road cars to Tuscan Racers.
I'm my first season, so I'm still very much on the learning curve.
Look at this thread from earlier in the year, it should answer a lot of your questions:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=6&h=&t=233016
Hope to see you out next season.
Tim
I'm my first season, so I'm still very much on the learning curve.
Look at this thread from earlier in the year, it should answer a lot of your questions:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=6&h=&t=233016
Hope to see you out next season.
Tim
Pleased you enjoyed your trackday
as for more power .. it gets expensive after the stage you've got to .. all the other mods just add a few hp for teh guys who must have the big numbers .. but to make a sizeable jump to your car you're looking at rebuild to larger capacity and porting work, or forced induction.
But chassis is the best way to increase performance on track .. get some sticky tyres and proper track biased suspension set up, that will take seconds of a lap time
let me know if you want to pursue a more track orientated bias
as for more power .. it gets expensive after the stage you've got to .. all the other mods just add a few hp for teh guys who must have the big numbers .. but to make a sizeable jump to your car you're looking at rebuild to larger capacity and porting work, or forced induction.
But chassis is the best way to increase performance on track .. get some sticky tyres and proper track biased suspension set up, that will take seconds of a lap time
let me know if you want to pursue a more track orientated bias
TT Tim said:
Cyclone1 said:
Tim, Jes,
Thanks for the advice and encouragement.
I think I'll pop along to one of the local events.
Jules.
Thanks for the advice and encouragement.
I think I'll pop along to one of the local events.
Jules.
The next even near you will be Harewood Hill Climb on 27th August.
Might see you there.
Tim
It will be a busy paddock on the 27th. Look forward to meeting you all there.
(I'll be along in our Saga Lout - entry confirmed)
Hi tim,
i wont be sprinting at goodwood i am afraid. the brand new oil,water, power steering pump shaft that was fitted last friday snapped on saturday literally 1 mile after I picked the car up after the engine rebuild.(excatly as happened at Abingdon)- so thats why i didnt make it to hethel. the car is all jacked up and the engine will be taken back out (3rd time in 2 months now) to try and find what went wrong. So its all a bit of a nightmare at present. its ridiculous when you think that my first engine was fine for 67,000 miles and yet these new shafts just seem to break all the time. Anyway i am sure they will fix it but i do not seem to be doing very well this season. something to do with missing 13 events!
i will be coming down to goodwood probably for the afternoon and to socialise in the evening for the BBQ
see you there
jes
i wont be sprinting at goodwood i am afraid. the brand new oil,water, power steering pump shaft that was fitted last friday snapped on saturday literally 1 mile after I picked the car up after the engine rebuild.(excatly as happened at Abingdon)- so thats why i didnt make it to hethel. the car is all jacked up and the engine will be taken back out (3rd time in 2 months now) to try and find what went wrong. So its all a bit of a nightmare at present. its ridiculous when you think that my first engine was fine for 67,000 miles and yet these new shafts just seem to break all the time. Anyway i am sure they will fix it but i do not seem to be doing very well this season. something to do with missing 13 events!
i will be coming down to goodwood probably for the afternoon and to socialise in the evening for the BBQ
see you there
jes
jesfirth said:
Hi tim,
i wont be sprinting at goodwood i am afraid. the brand new oil,water, power steering pump shaft that was fitted last friday snapped on saturday literally 1 mile after I picked the car up after the engine rebuild.(excatly as happened at Abingdon)- so thats why i didnt make it to hethel. the car is all jacked up and the engine will be taken back out (3rd time in 2 months now) to try and find what went wrong. So its all a bit of a nightmare at present. its ridiculous when you think that my first engine was fine for 67,000 miles and yet these new shafts just seem to break all the time. Anyway i am sure they will fix it but i do not seem to be doing very well this season. something to do with missing 13 events!
i will be coming down to goodwood probably for the afternoon and to socialise in the evening for the BBQ
see you there
jes
i wont be sprinting at goodwood i am afraid. the brand new oil,water, power steering pump shaft that was fitted last friday snapped on saturday literally 1 mile after I picked the car up after the engine rebuild.(excatly as happened at Abingdon)- so thats why i didnt make it to hethel. the car is all jacked up and the engine will be taken back out (3rd time in 2 months now) to try and find what went wrong. So its all a bit of a nightmare at present. its ridiculous when you think that my first engine was fine for 67,000 miles and yet these new shafts just seem to break all the time. Anyway i am sure they will fix it but i do not seem to be doing very well this season. something to do with missing 13 events!
i will be coming down to goodwood probably for the afternoon and to socialise in the evening for the BBQ
see you there
jes
Bl**dy hell Jes, were you very bad in a previous life? Sorry to hear of your troubles.;( Look forward to seeing you at the BBQ for a chat, burger and beer.
Tim
Gassing Station | Cerbera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff