Aston Martin at Silverstone

[don4l]

Yesterday, I had the good fortune to spend on a track day with AM at the Silverstone GP circuit.

The day started at 8:00am. Briefings, breakfast and tyre changes were all complete by 9:00 when the 20 minute sessions started. For the first three sessions I had an instructor in the car. This was an unexpected bonus. The tuition was superb. For the rest of the day I decided to dispense with the instructor to see if I could do it alone. This turned out very well, as I discovered that I wasn't really getting the "feel" while the instructor was in the car.

Out there alone, it was much easier to feel when the back end was about to lose it. By the end of the day I was able to (??) power slide/drift/skid around brooklands corner with total confidence.

During the day, I had a V12V in the rear view mirror ... and shortly thereafter I had a V12V through the front windscreen .

Last night I watched the video that I took with a windscreen mounted camera and couldn't believe how much I have learned in the last year.

All in all, it was a perfect day, on a fantastic track, with superb tuition and brilliantly organised. I now need some more tuition ... but I want it NOW.


Don
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[:J:]

Oh no, I forgot about it Went last year, had a great time

If you want more training now on a one to one basis, and still through A.M, then book yourself on their PDC.

Track Days and PDC all put together by the same people

[astonluv]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I remain in awe until the Aston Gods of Good Fortune smile upon me!!

[XXXAngelXXX]

track days are cool

[don4l]

:J: said:

Oh no, I forgot about it Went last year, had a great time

If you want more training now on a one to one basis, and still through A.M, then book yourself on their PDC.

Track Days and PDC all put together by the same people

I did the PDC last year, shortly after getting the car. For someone like me, who had no "performance driving" experience, it was an absolute necessity.


Don
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[don4l]

I have uploaded a video of a lap. The quality isn't great (both video and driving).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCKZepjyzzo


Don
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[:J:]

don4l said:

I have uploaded a video of a lap. The quality isn't great (both video and driving).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCKZepjyzzo


Don
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You seemed to hit all your turn in's, apexes and exits, squeezed the power on nice and gently, had nice gentle inputs into the steering and utilised the whole width of the track.

Nothing wrong with that

[don4l]

:J: said:

don4l said:

I have uploaded a video of a lap. The quality isn't great (both video and driving).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCKZepjyzzo


Don
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You seemed to hit all your turn in's, apexes and exits, squeezed the power on nice and gently, had nice gentle inputs into the steering and utilised the whole width of the track.

Nothing wrong with that

Thanks you for the kind words.

It isn't bad, but if you look(and listen) carefully, you will see that I am not accelerating all the way up to the 'brake points'. Also, when I am coming out of the corners I am not going fast enough to need all of the track. The green cone is almost always waaayyyy off to the left. However, I am really pleased that I can even see these faults. 12 months ago I thought that I was a great driver ... and I hadn't a clue.

Next year will be much better... even if I don't have more fun.


Don
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[XXXAngelXXX]

That wasn't bad Don - why kill the tires and brakes for nothing

[don4l]

XXXAngelXXX said:

That wasn't bad Don - why kill the tires and brakes for nothing

I wasn't using my own tyres. They changed the wheels when I arrived in the morning and put mine back on at the end of the day. However, there was a *scary* amount of brake dust on the rims by the afternoon!! The car is booked in for a check up on Monday.

Taking the video was a good idea for two reasons. 1) I can see where improvements can be made. 2) I can re-live the experience (and bore my wife to death!)

Three days on - and I am still buzzing with adrenaline.

Don
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