RE: An idiot's guide to driving the 'ring
Discussion
This vid of an R500 vs GT2 is one of my favourite vids of committed driving around the 'Ring. Not the tidiest maybe but a hoot and the R500 is managing a 7:36 lap. Interesting to see the differing strengths and weaknesses of the two cars.
And wet and cold in an R500 is just damned tricky. But pretty. Look at the leaves. They're so pretty. Can the 'Ring be that bad with such pretty leaves?
My deep regret is that in 9 years of Caterham ownership I never did the 'Ring. To be rectified one day but quite a trek now I live in Vancouver.
And wet and cold in an R500 is just damned tricky. But pretty. Look at the leaves. They're so pretty. Can the 'Ring be that bad with such pretty leaves?
My deep regret is that in 9 years of Caterham ownership I never did the 'Ring. To be rectified one day but quite a trek now I live in Vancouver.
ItsJustARide said:
And wet and cold in an R500 is just damned tricky. But pretty. Look at the leaves. They're so pretty. Can the 'Ring be that bad with such pretty leaves?
Well he is obviously just a rubbish driver 
. Granted he spins it but from the old start/ finish line to the mini karussel I am 1min15sec faster than him in a car with less power that weighs 3 times as much and is an automatic in really hard rain with traffic and roadworks 
Whole post meant in jest (though the times are true), respect to the man for even going out in an R500 in those conditions. I have no idea why bikers even try it when it is that slippery.
RB Will said:
Well he is obviously just a rubbish driver . Granted he spins it but from the old start/ finish line to the mini karussel I am 1min15sec faster than him in a car with less power that weighs 3 times as much and is an automatic in really hard rain with traffic and roadworks
Whole post meant in jest (though the times are true), respect to the man for even going out in an R500 in those conditions. I have no idea why bikers even try it when it is that slippery.
To test their leathers ? . Granted he spins it but from the old start/ finish line to the mini karussel I am 1min15sec faster than him in a car with less power that weighs 3 times as much and is an automatic in really hard rain with traffic and roadworks Whole post meant in jest (though the times are true), respect to the man for even going out in an R500 in those conditions. I have no idea why bikers even try it when it is that slippery.
iguana said:
thewheelman said:
Erm 7:30 is Ferrari 458 territory, as for a 170bhp MK2 Golf doing 8:21, I'd pay to see that video as that's quicker than the average Exige around there.
Fair enough, you want to paypal or post a cheque?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y8KZpxMLJ8&hd=...
RB Will said:
thewheelman said:
Erm 7:30 is Ferrari 458 territory, as for a 170bhp MK2 Golf doing 8:21, I'd pay to see that video as that's quicker than the average Exige around there.
You are still thinking full lap you nit. 7.30BTG would be about 7.50 full lap which is achievable. I can fully believe a Golf Suitable prepped will do an 8.21BTG
Here is a video of a Suzuki Swift with about 150bhp and heavier than a stripped Golf doing a BTG of about 8.17
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D76t5XyIYAs
I have only driven it approx 45 laps. I would recommend those thinking of game research actually wait, and consider driving it first, for several laps, slowly, then use the gt4/5 to build on for the next visit, this is because the perpectives are all wrong in game and you have no fear do you, or sense of camber or elevation, micro climate, traffic etc, including double decker buses! You may know where a corner is coming up but your learning curve will be steeper than expected probably. Driving it first, you will relate to the section better in game.
My last visit was in a 968 Sport and was nothing fantastic at about 9-9:15 btg with lower traffic, the first ever was a modified Rover Mini Cooper at about 10:40 btg, that was interesting! I also took a Integra type R dc2 which I lost at the end of swallowstail at the left before the mini carousel, rolling back into the gravel, luckily not collecting the three bikes behind me, carried on for many laps ok though. Completely broadside at 90 odd, these things happen. Even in the 968 it was a little loose at the 2nd right after the carousel.
Very easy to run into some unexpected changes in driving style or levels of commitment due to other traffic which you MUST respect, but many don't. Just lifting off or small inputs in the wrong place can change a lot.
The locals aren't great supporters of the british, you often hear comments when the track gets closed, more often due to bikes.
I remember coming round and out of the long right onto the foxhole, pretty committed, to meet a tourist double decker bus, and a couple of elderly ladies in a vw polo having a mooch up Ex Muhle, what a place!
Someone else posted not to drive like you are racing the other cars you come across, which is good advice I think. Another likened it to the TT, well there is no comparison to the two locations really, but one thing to take from the TT, is during a race 4 or 5 bikes will be on the same part of the road together, during a race, but they are not racing each other are they in terms of position. They are only racing the clock, and the guy behind could be in the lead, so any new drivers maybe consider the importance of just focusing on your drive with care for the others, and you will more likely come home without incident.
I'd like to go back, but haven't for a few years, too much going on.
I know most of you here are probably seasoned visitors, but I'm posting for those that aren't.
Just a thought.... try and spectate from as many different spots as you can on closed days etc, and if playing the gt4/5 games, try driving it backwards too.
The closed training days do exactly that.
Check your car after every lap, and let it cool down, check everything, check steering wheel alignment on the way back after the gantry, check for new oil leaks in particular, and clean anything that looks like it could be collecting or causing drips. Brake fade here is a reality too, so make sure your fluids are changed before you go, and the brakes are in excellent condition and suitable for extreme use. You may have to release pressure from your tyres, maybe 4-8psi for example, ask other drivers, you will see many tyre guages out, so take one with you, and a pump to correct them. Don't take chances if your car has a fault and you have laps left on your ticket, sell them to a mate or another driver don't push you luck and risk a failure in this place. Read the noticeboard by the ticket office, take the emergency number, and take heed of the costs warnings.
Isn't the other name for it green hell?
haha the more I think about it, it is infectious.
Take care anyway
Just my2p
My last visit was in a 968 Sport and was nothing fantastic at about 9-9:15 btg with lower traffic, the first ever was a modified Rover Mini Cooper at about 10:40 btg, that was interesting! I also took a Integra type R dc2 which I lost at the end of swallowstail at the left before the mini carousel, rolling back into the gravel, luckily not collecting the three bikes behind me, carried on for many laps ok though. Completely broadside at 90 odd, these things happen. Even in the 968 it was a little loose at the 2nd right after the carousel.
Very easy to run into some unexpected changes in driving style or levels of commitment due to other traffic which you MUST respect, but many don't. Just lifting off or small inputs in the wrong place can change a lot.
The locals aren't great supporters of the british, you often hear comments when the track gets closed, more often due to bikes.
I remember coming round and out of the long right onto the foxhole, pretty committed, to meet a tourist double decker bus, and a couple of elderly ladies in a vw polo having a mooch up Ex Muhle, what a place!
Someone else posted not to drive like you are racing the other cars you come across, which is good advice I think. Another likened it to the TT, well there is no comparison to the two locations really, but one thing to take from the TT, is during a race 4 or 5 bikes will be on the same part of the road together, during a race, but they are not racing each other are they in terms of position. They are only racing the clock, and the guy behind could be in the lead, so any new drivers maybe consider the importance of just focusing on your drive with care for the others, and you will more likely come home without incident.
I'd like to go back, but haven't for a few years, too much going on.
I know most of you here are probably seasoned visitors, but I'm posting for those that aren't.
Just a thought.... try and spectate from as many different spots as you can on closed days etc, and if playing the gt4/5 games, try driving it backwards too.
The closed training days do exactly that.
Check your car after every lap, and let it cool down, check everything, check steering wheel alignment on the way back after the gantry, check for new oil leaks in particular, and clean anything that looks like it could be collecting or causing drips. Brake fade here is a reality too, so make sure your fluids are changed before you go, and the brakes are in excellent condition and suitable for extreme use. You may have to release pressure from your tyres, maybe 4-8psi for example, ask other drivers, you will see many tyre guages out, so take one with you, and a pump to correct them. Don't take chances if your car has a fault and you have laps left on your ticket, sell them to a mate or another driver don't push you luck and risk a failure in this place. Read the noticeboard by the ticket office, take the emergency number, and take heed of the costs warnings.
Isn't the other name for it green hell?
haha the more I think about it, it is infectious.
Take care anyway
Just my2p
ItsJustARide said:
This vid of an R500 vs GT2 is one of my favourite vids of committed driving around the 'Ring. Not the tidiest maybe but a hoot and the R500 is managing a 7:36 lap. Interesting to see the differing strengths and weaknesses of the two cars.
Brilliant video that, the R500 looks like a right handful! 
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