How many runs before you get bored?
Discussion
I've just realised I still owe Craig an answer, but I'm debating the cost/benefit of the day in my head, and I'm really not sure.
At the end of the day, this is just "how fast will my car go?", right? So how many times can you do the same thing before you get bored (and before your mechanical-sympathy gene kicks in) and you decide you've had enough?
Also:-
- How many runs are you likely to get?
- How many cars are invited?
Thanks,
Martin.
At the end of the day, this is just "how fast will my car go?", right? So how many times can you do the same thing before you get bored (and before your mechanical-sympathy gene kicks in) and you decide you've had enough?
Also:-
- How many runs are you likely to get?
- How many cars are invited?
Thanks,
Martin.
havoc said:
OK, next question - it's costing about the same as a trackday, yet obviously 'time on tarmac' is going to be a lot less.
Do those who've been before think it's decent VFM?
I would say less than a trackday, I don't know what craig is charging this year but it has always been cheaper than a trakday at Silverstone. Plus the car does not take any where near the hammering you would give it at a trackday, therefore you don't have to figure in new tyres, brake pads, oil change etc....Do those who've been before think it's decent VFM?
VFM is always personal, but the way I would look at it is you get a chance to see how fast your car will go over 1.something miles in a VERY safe environment.
Inverness said:
Plus the car does not take any where near the hammering you would give it at a trackday, therefore you don't have to figure in new tyres, brake pads, oil change etc....
That was exactly what I was going to say. Because it's pretty much a straight line, you wont need a new set of tyres ( say £500 to £1000 ), plus I'd say a normal track day would be equal to around 3000 miles of normal driving ( from a servicing point of view, so say another £300 - £500 ). Your petrol bill will be a bit hefty; I calculated both my last Esprit and Noble do around 3 to 4 mpg on the day. I've been 3 times now; I'd say you can have as many runs as you want to.
As for number of cars, about 35.
I've been a few times now and it's superb VFM.
You have the opportunity to try and max out your car........
You can do this numerous times (dozen or more).......
You will be in the company of a mix of cars - exotica, modified, std, rep boxes and the odd obscure classic, these cars also span a wide array of years.......
You can mix with fellow Piston/Petrolheads and gas about all things automotive......
You get an opportunity to produce and use adrenaline........
You have the opportunity to dine at the finest burger bar in Bruntingthorpe
.
.
.
.
.
All the above is done in a well controlled and safe environment, where clear guidelines are given and good etiquette is followed.
Jules.
You have the opportunity to try and max out your car........
You can do this numerous times (dozen or more).......
You will be in the company of a mix of cars - exotica, modified, std, rep boxes and the odd obscure classic, these cars also span a wide array of years.......
You can mix with fellow Piston/Petrolheads and gas about all things automotive......
You get an opportunity to produce and use adrenaline........
You have the opportunity to dine at the finest burger bar in Bruntingthorpe
.
.
.
.
.
All the above is done in a well controlled and safe environment, where clear guidelines are given and good etiquette is followed.
Jules.
Cyclone1 said:
I've been a few times now and it's superb VFM.
You have the opportunity to try and max out your car........
You can do this numerous times (dozen or more).......
You will be in the company of a mix of cars - exotica, modified, std, rep boxes and the odd obscure classic, these cars also span a wide array of years.......
You can mix with fellow Piston/Petrolheads and gas about all things automotive......
You get an opportunity to produce and use adrenaline........
You have the opportunity to dine at the finest burger bar in Bruntingthorpe
.
.
.
.
.
All the above is done in a well controlled and safe environment, where clear guidelines are given and good etiquette is followed.
Jules.
So it sounds like a Sunday Service, but one where you can do the odd straight-line run (a-la 'Pod for £30), yet you're paying track-day prices for it?!?You have the opportunity to try and max out your car........
You can do this numerous times (dozen or more).......
You will be in the company of a mix of cars - exotica, modified, std, rep boxes and the odd obscure classic, these cars also span a wide array of years.......
You can mix with fellow Piston/Petrolheads and gas about all things automotive......
You get an opportunity to produce and use adrenaline........
You have the opportunity to dine at the finest burger bar in Bruntingthorpe
.
.
.
.
.
All the above is done in a well controlled and safe environment, where clear guidelines are given and good etiquette is followed.
Jules.
I'm sorry guys, I don't mean to be negative, and I'm sure it's a great day, but I guess I'm just not 'getting it' at the moment...at least not for 175 notes...
Its one of the only places I can sensibly run mine so for me VFM is a big yes.
The regulars are a great bunch so its nice to catch up when not running and blag the odd ride. (A good way to hitlist or rule out any potential future purchases;)
Last Vmax I only managed 7 runs and hit a top speed of 114mph..but I had a fantastic day
ETA ... Last time I did the Pod for £30.00 I got 36 seconds running time and the rest was queuing.
Last but one Vmax I used 12 gallons of gas
The regulars are a great bunch so its nice to catch up when not running and blag the odd ride. (A good way to hitlist or rule out any potential future purchases;)
Last Vmax I only managed 7 runs and hit a top speed of 114mph..but I had a fantastic day
ETA ... Last time I did the Pod for £30.00 I got 36 seconds running time and the rest was queuing.
Last but one Vmax I used 12 gallons of gas
Edited by crisisjez on Wednesday 27th January 23:25
havoc said:
So it sounds like a Sunday Service, but one where you can do the odd straight-line run (a-la 'Pod for £30), yet you're paying track-day prices for it?!?
The difference is that at SantaPod you belt it for 1/4 mile, get to say 100mph and slow down. At Vax you run 1 1/4 miles, get to 160/70/80/90+ and then slow down. The difference is doing 100 and doing 160/70/80/90+. 
havoc said:
OK, next question - it's costing about the same as a trackday, yet obviously 'time on tarmac' is going to be a lot less.
Do those who've been before think it's decent VFM?
Its not the same really as a track day. I'd much prefer a track day but the cost for me of a track day will be at least £1k+ per time factoring in wear on all the components and associated costs, new tyres, brakes, oil, brake fluid etc etc. If I was running a caterham and the cost of the trackday was small then.......Do those who've been before think it's decent VFM?
VMax will cost me (hopefully) £175 + a bit of fuel. So say £250.
Vmax is one of the few places the car can begin to get up to the high speeds also, max on track is usually 120 mph or so.
Different events.
crisisjez said:
The regulars are a great bunch so its nice to catch up when not running and blag the odd ride. (A good way to hitlist or rule out any potential future purchases;)
To be honest that's the one 'bonus' that's still got me thinking about it, rather than writing it off as not worth the money...hence this thread.havoc said:
So it sounds like a Sunday Service, but one where you can do the odd straight-line run (a-la 'Pod for £30), yet you're paying track-day prices for it?!?
I'm sorry guys, I don't mean to be negative, and I'm sure it's a great day, but I guess I'm just not 'getting it' at the moment...at least not for 175 notes...
At Santa pod or any drag strip you have to give it full beans from the off, not so good for the clutch, hence why you don't see many lambos (at drag strips). At Vmax you start on the taxiway go down to the very big sweeping bend then give it full beans so putting very little stress on the car.I'm sorry guys, I don't mean to be negative, and I'm sure it's a great day, but I guess I'm just not 'getting it' at the moment...at least not for 175 notes...
But with all things in life it's up to you at the end of the day.
Inverness said:
At Vmax you start on the taxiway go down to the very big sweeping bend then give it full beans so putting very little stress on the car.
Now THIS is what confuses me - you say that VMax puts very little stress on a car when compared to either 'Pod or a track-day. But I'm not sure how that works:-vs drag-strip:-
- Granted there'll be less tranny-wear than at a drag-strip; but
- There'll be more engine-stress than at a drag-strip, as you're using WOT and maximum rpm for a lot longer (~1.5-2 miles vs 1/4-mile); and
- There'll be more brake wear as you're stopping from a much higher terminal speed.
vs track-day:-
- there's only less wear because you're behind the wheel for less time (and £175 is expensive for an airfield track-day). Otherwise the stresses are exactly the same, and arguably you're at WOT for a much longer sustained period than on a track-day.
- at Silverstone etc. there's little risk of pebble-dashing the front of your car with stone-chips!
What am I missing? Other than someone trying to defend his cliquey little event from honest questioning?!?
Snuffy - not sure what you do to your cars on-track, but that's a hell of a bill you're quoting there!
Thanks though to those who've given honest perspectives about the day, rather than a sales pitch or a b
hy comment...it's helped me clarify what it's really about.PS - Jez - why only 114mph?!? And was this Betty or the VXR? I ask because I've hit 115mph (indicated) down the main straight at Donington in my first ITR, and I'd expect that to be a lot slower than either of your steeds.
PPS - Noel - what sort of speeds have you had out of your NSX?
havoc said:
vs drag-strip:-
- Granted there'll be less tranny-wear than at a drag-strip; but
- There'll be more engine-stress than at a drag-strip, as you're using WOT and maximum rpm for a lot longer (~1.5-2 miles vs 1/4-mile); and
- There'll be more brake wear as you're stopping from a much higher terminal speed.
I'd thought about this before, here are my personal thoughts on it:- Granted there'll be less tranny-wear than at a drag-strip; but
- There'll be more engine-stress than at a drag-strip, as you're using WOT and maximum rpm for a lot longer (~1.5-2 miles vs 1/4-mile); and
- There'll be more brake wear as you're stopping from a much higher terminal speed.
Speaking about a 'normal' car like my M3, I'd say the engine is perfectly capable of sustained WOT and highish revs for a mile or so.
Likewise, you might wear the brakes a bit more than normal, but you're not going to damage them as such.
On a drag strip though, the main part is launching the car hard, and as quick as possible gear changes.
Doing this a few times really can hurt the clutch, gearbox, diff, driveshafts etc.
The reason I'd thought about this before is because some guys at work want me want me to go to Santapod with them and do somes runs. I've said no as I really think it's quite harsh on the car. (One person has already damaged a car at the strip)
On the other hand, VMax is something I think my car could do loads of times and I really wouldn't expect anything to break.
Edited by Paul_M3 on Friday 29th January 13:30
havoc said:
or a bhy comment...it's helped me clarify what it's really about.
?
It is a reassuringly expensive event to deter the thy comment...it's helped me clarify what it's really about.?
ts in their slow st boxes..... looks like it is the right formula 
BTW don't mean you are a t
t, just trying to find a suitable word which invokes the censored thingy cos it amuses me Gassing Station | Events & Meetings | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff