Stuff about TD's, power, and general observations
Discussion
So, beastie and I did our first track day on Saturday 
This was both a success and a failure 
Firstly, I have to say, the assembled TVR fraternity were the bestest and nicest people you could possibly meet. Ever. I could rant on about them, but suffice it to say these are some of the most genuine people you will ever meet
There were Chims, Griffs, Tams, a Cerb, and as I was leaving, a Tuscan... we waived but I don't know who it was???? Hope you had a great afternoon
Whilst this was my first TD, I did feck about a lot in Karts when I was younger, so not my first experience of going quickly on a circuit (yes I did keep this quiet )
Although only limited time on track (my brakes were fooked), I learnt some extremely valuable lessons.. As someone once said to me many years ago, experience isn't what you've done, it's what you've learnt from what you've done....
So, here's some of my thoughts and observations (for those who might be interested)...
Getting round a track quickly isn't about how much bhp you have, big bhp is great down the straights, but getting round quickly is all about the corners.
Leaving everything behind down the straight is great, but when they're all up your arse round the next corner it's a right pisser. And embarrassing
Having brakes that don't work will ruin your day. It's also not fair on others on track. And it's potentially dangerous. It's not that they didn't slow the car up, it's just that the judder was making the steering wheel difficult to hold on to and blurring my vision
The Chim can be very quick through corners.. I was gobsmacked by the grip that I had, I put this down to the suspension set up and recent geo... well balanced, even on road tyres, the grip levels after a few laps became predictable, and you could feel loss of traction in plenty of time to make adjustments, be it throttle or steering correction
I was getting quicker and quicker through the corners, but having to brake earlier each lap due to the braking issues....
Given everything set up correctly and no issues, I think only the very expensive and track modified cars would be faster than a Tiv. And they'd need a good driver too
Taking the car on track is a massive high... You cannot fully explore the delights of a TVR on the road... I found out more about beasties abilities, my own limitations, and our combined fun factor in three hours on track more than I had in the previous three years we have adventured out on the road
Sometimes you see cars advertised which say 'never been tracked'. I now don't see this as a good reason to prefer this over one that has...
So, the power thing...
My view on this has also changed.... I'd been thinking of SC or turbo, but, on track, this would propel you down the straights quicker... but won't make you go round the corners any quicker.. I have also come to the conclusion that massive amounts of power (in excess of 350bhp/torque) are wasted on the road... Yes it's nice to have a fezza up your harris and leave it standing, but how often does such an opportunity arise?? We've also got a 70mph speed limit here.. which means you just might change into third and then have to lift off.... And again, it's only straight line... It's easy if you have lots of dosh to have lots of power... Like the tee shirt says, anyone can drive a fast car, but only some can drive a car fast....
Despite my OCD with power, the TD has made me realise, for me at least, going quicker is all about getting suspension, tyres, geo, etc, absolutely right, and working on driver skills... not more bhp...
Of course I always knew this, but the pursuit of more power is an addictive thing....
So, no FI for me
Hope I haven't bored you...
Chilli
This was both a success and a failure Firstly, I have to say, the assembled TVR fraternity were the bestest and nicest people you could possibly meet. Ever. I could rant on about them, but suffice it to say these are some of the most genuine people you will ever meet
There were Chims, Griffs, Tams, a Cerb, and as I was leaving, a Tuscan... we waived but I don't know who it was???? Hope you had a great afternoon
Whilst this was my first TD, I did feck about a lot in Karts when I was younger, so not my first experience of going quickly on a circuit (yes I did keep this quiet
)Although only limited time on track (my brakes were fooked), I learnt some extremely valuable lessons.. As someone once said to me many years ago, experience isn't what you've done, it's what you've learnt from what you've done....
So, here's some of my thoughts and observations (for those who might be interested)...
Getting round a track quickly isn't about how much bhp you have, big bhp is great down the straights, but getting round quickly is all about the corners.
Leaving everything behind down the straight is great, but when they're all up your arse round the next corner it's a right pisser. And embarrassing
Having brakes that don't work will ruin your day. It's also not fair on others on track. And it's potentially dangerous. It's not that they didn't slow the car up, it's just that the judder was making the steering wheel difficult to hold on to and blurring my vision
The Chim can be very quick through corners.. I was gobsmacked by the grip that I had, I put this down to the suspension set up and recent geo... well balanced, even on road tyres, the grip levels after a few laps became predictable, and you could feel loss of traction in plenty of time to make adjustments, be it throttle or steering correction
I was getting quicker and quicker through the corners, but having to brake earlier each lap due to the braking issues....
Given everything set up correctly and no issues, I think only the very expensive and track modified cars would be faster than a Tiv. And they'd need a good driver too
Taking the car on track is a massive high... You cannot fully explore the delights of a TVR on the road... I found out more about beasties abilities, my own limitations, and our combined fun factor in three hours on track more than I had in the previous three years we have adventured out on the road
Sometimes you see cars advertised which say 'never been tracked'. I now don't see this as a good reason to prefer this over one that has...
So, the power thing...
My view on this has also changed.... I'd been thinking of SC or turbo, but, on track, this would propel you down the straights quicker... but won't make you go round the corners any quicker.. I have also come to the conclusion that massive amounts of power (in excess of 350bhp/torque) are wasted on the road... Yes it's nice to have a fezza up your harris and leave it standing, but how often does such an opportunity arise?? We've also got a 70mph speed limit here.. which means you just might change into third and then have to lift off.... And again, it's only straight line... It's easy if you have lots of dosh to have lots of power... Like the tee shirt says, anyone can drive a fast car, but only some can drive a car fast....
Despite my OCD with power, the TD has made me realise, for me at least, going quicker is all about getting suspension, tyres, geo, etc, absolutely right, and working on driver skills... not more bhp...
Of course I always knew this, but the pursuit of more power is an addictive thing....
So, no FI for me
Hope I haven't bored you...
Chilli
I agree with you, I've always preferred the technical tracks so power is not an issue for me. I did a bit of silverstone a few years ago in a few old fords and it can get annoying when things are getting the legs on you down the straight, stick to circuits that suit your car and you'll never really want for more 
Chilliman said:
a lot and then he said
Despite my OCD with power, the TD has made me realise, for me at least, going quicker is all about getting suspension, tyres, geo, etc, absolutely right, and working on driver skills... not
So, no FI
Chilli
+1 from me. Track day tyres are a must for me and I need to learn how to drive the thing!Despite my OCD with power, the TD has made me realise, for me at least, going quicker is all about getting suspension, tyres, geo, etc, absolutely right, and working on driver skills... not
So, no FI
Chilli
Fancy joining up for some lessons Chilli? As long as you drop the girly Tvr "darlings" thing
roseytvr said:
Chilliman said:
a lot and then he said
Despite my OCD with power, the TD has made me realise, for me at least, going quicker is all about getting suspension, tyres, geo, etc, absolutely right, and working on driver skills... not
So, no FI
Chilli
+1 from me. Track day tyres are a must for me and I need to learn how to drive the thing!Despite my OCD with power, the TD has made me realise, for me at least, going quicker is all about getting suspension, tyres, geo, etc, absolutely right, and working on driver skills... not
So, no FI
Chilli
Fancy joining up for some lessons Chilli? As long as you drop the girly Tvr "darlings" thing
Work commitments will take me through till back end of January, so Feb on will be good
Top of my shopping list is a proper seat
Peter really highlighted this in an earlier thread, the standard Chim/Griff seat is great for touring, but means you're using the steering wheel to hang onto in the corners rather than using it for steering the car.. It's probably the cheapest performance mod you can make to the car....I'd definitely put this before sticky tyres, which would only exacerbate the lack of control you have with a slidey seat
SILICONEKID343HP said:
If you want to float around with ease buy a Lotus Elise, they are phenomenal ,ask Peter. !
Daz, you need a good fecking slap. Lotus Elise my arse. 'float around with ease' ???? I saw a few of these 'phenomenal' cars in my rear view mirror on Saturday 
ETA: I did test drive a Noble 3R earlier in the year
. Now that was something I would call phenomenal.. Edited by Chilliman on Monday 18th November 20:24
Great post Chilli, first track day for me to and I agree with your observations. BHP is all well and good for Chimp willy waving but it is driver skill, brakes and suspension that will pay dividends on the track.
Before you rush out an buy a new seat Chilli have a look at one of these:
http://www.cg-lock.co.uk/cg-lock/
I would be up for some for some lessons as well, let me know if you plan to organise some next year.
Before you rush out an buy a new seat Chilli have a look at one of these:
http://www.cg-lock.co.uk/cg-lock/
I would be up for some for some lessons as well, let me know if you plan to organise some next year.
I would like an opinion from those who know as to whether a set of four point harnesses, properly tightened, would remove most of the need to change my standard seats? I really like them, also.....
Harnesses are around the £100-150 mark. Seats five times as much. Don't argue with my pricing, it's indicative, not definitive.
Great post Chilli. I found myself agreeing with every crafted, well considered word. Being on track with nine other TVRs and a fair collection of other good machinery pointed out to me that I don't need to go any faster on the straights, I need to improve my braking and cornering skills. Going faster would give me no extra pleasure. So I will spend my supercharger money on more track days.
I am eyeing up Bedford on Saturday 21st December, £99.......
Harnesses are around the £100-150 mark. Seats five times as much. Don't argue with my pricing, it's indicative, not definitive.
Great post Chilli. I found myself agreeing with every crafted, well considered word. Being on track with nine other TVRs and a fair collection of other good machinery pointed out to me that I don't need to go any faster on the straights, I need to improve my braking and cornering skills. Going faster would give me no extra pleasure. So I will spend my supercharger money on more track days.
I am eyeing up Bedford on Saturday 21st December, £99.......
slippery said:
I think a roll bar might be a consideration if lots of track days are on the agenda, but it would put a bit of a downer on the aesthetics.
I haven't come close to rolling in about 20 off track incidents, but I have installed one all the same.I suggest you come along to a TD on a dry day, drive within your and the car's capabilities ( you will know, ask Chilli and Matt) and see if the bug bites. If it does, check out other people's roll bars before buying. Mine isn't FIA compliant, but it clamps onto the chassis, so could be removed later.
You will really need a roll bar to fit harnesses. Lower seats with better bum2car sensitivity are essential IMHO (I can cope with minimally padded carbon fibre shells for fun). Changing seats is only a 10min job so 2 sets are better than a single compromised set IMO.
Bigger brakes stupidly overcapable of braking traction (as frequently pointed out by the poorly endowed owners) do have the benefit that you actually have control over the braking at speed rather than a simple on/off switch that may or may not work..... Brakes will make as much (probably more IMHO) improvement as power to real times at less cost.
When you've done everything else.... power gets to the top of the list once again eventually...
Bigger brakes stupidly overcapable of braking traction (as frequently pointed out by the poorly endowed owners) do have the benefit that you actually have control over the braking at speed rather than a simple on/off switch that may or may not work..... Brakes will make as much (probably more IMHO) improvement as power to real times at less cost.
When you've done everything else.... power gets to the top of the list once again eventually...
Chilliman said:
Top of my shopping list is a proper seat Peter really highlighted this in an earlier thread, the standard Chim/Griff seat is great for touring, but means you're using the steering wheel to hang onto in the corners rather than using it for steering the car.. It's probably the cheapest performance mod you can make to the car....
I wish you guys had mentioned seats on Saturday, you could have tried mine - I have Tuscan seats in mine and find them fine for general use. I take the cushion out on track days and sit on the webbing. This lowers me down into the seat and significantly increases the support. No sliding around and a harness would obviously enhance the support and they are still relatively comfortable as well Peter really highlighted this in an earlier thread, the standard Chim/Griff seat is great for touring, but means you're using the steering wheel to hang onto in the corners rather than using it for steering the car.. It's probably the cheapest performance mod you can make to the car....Chilliman said:
Daz, you need a good fecking slap. Lotus Elise my arse. 'float around with ease' ???? I saw a few of these 'phenomenal' cars in my rear view mirror on Saturday
ETA: I did test drive a Noble 3R earlier in the year. Now that was something I would call phenomenal..
Well you can get one with the 280hp Audi Turbo engine ,its a very popular conversion . The handling is "phenomenal" go and drive one ,makes the Chimaera feel like a cattle cart .ETA: I did test drive a Noble 3R earlier in the year
. Now that was something I would call phenomenal.. Edited by Chilliman on Monday 18th November 20:24
Edited by SILICONEKID343HP on Monday 18th November 22:20
SILICONEKID343HP said:
Well you can get one with the 280hp Audi Turbo engine ,its a very popular conversion . The handling is "phenomenal" go and drive one ,makes the Chimaera feel like a cattle cart .
I've no doubt it would post a fast lap time, but I think I'd miss the V8 thunder. The feel good factor of monstering through the gears up those long straights is off the scale! 
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