Nordschleife 2023

[ukkid35]

I'm back at the Ring again for another track day

There were issues, obviously, but they were mitigated

But there was also one failure, my Speedo/Odo stopped working, since this is almost certainly due to the sensor failing, those of you who know will now be laughing hysterically

[ukkid35]

Here's a lap from yesterday afternoon

It's quite overcast as you can see, and started raining afterwards, however the track had dried out again within an hour

Fortunately the car kept cool as a result, which was good because I still don't have a starter motor heat shield

Edited by ukkid35 on Saturday 6th May 07:31

[DCerebrate]

Nice one, very smooth😀
Are you sharing your time? While the Ring is a very attractive prospect, I don’t think I would ever have enough time / resources to learn it properly.

[ukkid35]

DCerebrate said:

Nice one, very smooth??
Are you sharing your time? While the Ring is a very attractive prospect, I don’t think I would ever have enough time / resources to learn it properly.

By chance I ended up behind Darren, the TDO in the white Merc

My tyres were cold so I took it easy for the first few corners, but during the rest of the lap I was on it as I was determined to keep up

There was virtually no traffic, although I had to give way once approaching Breidscheid, and the track was clear so I have no real excuses, that is probably the best I can do

You can always brake later, and probably get back on the throttle earlier, but you reduce the margin of error to something I would find both uncomfortable and unaffordable

Not just because something would go wrong, but also because your consumables get eaten up very quickly

I could do with some more coaching, because I find the feedback so overwhelming that I can only take in so much

For instance last year I said to Roy Hastings that I wanted to get Hohe Acht right, and with his help I reckon I have now nailed it

In that video I did an 8:30, not too bad in a 25 year old car

[Hawkeye1922]

Looks awesome. Would be great to know your track setup, particularly suspension, tyres and any aero

P

[ukkid35]

Hawkeye1922 said:

Looks awesome. Would be great to know your track setup, particularly suspension, tyres and any aero

P

I used to have Protechs on each corner, as that was all I could afford, but just over a year ago I fitted Nitrons with uprated springs and custom valving done by Meteor Motorsport as per Gruffalo's recommendation

They have transformed the road-holding, but not taken as much off my lap times as I'd hoped

I had my Hydratrak rebuilt recently, and that has enabled me to be on the power much earlier than before

I use YellowStuff pads as they seem to suit my driving style, and are reasonably priced

I've been using AD08R for several years now, as I find them to be very predictable and a good road/track compromise, however AD08R are no longer available, and the AD08RS (which I've put on my Smart Roadster) are not as soft

The engine has been mapped by Joolz, and has short induction (mainly because I couldn't afford new purple pipes)

[DuncanM]

It's very cool what you do Paul, great pace, without wrecking your consumables every track session.

[ukkid35]

DuncanM said:

It's very cool what you do Paul, great pace, without wrecking your consumables every track session.

Thank you

[ukkid35]

Here's another video in case anyone is still interested

This time I'm chasing Nige in his infamous Golf, which I think now has north of 500bhp

I'm 2 seconds behind at the Bridge, but fallen back to 6 seconds behind at the Gantry

It was my last lap out of three track days, with a lad who's uncle asked if I could give him a PAX ride

[mk1fan]

ukkid35 said:

I've been using AD08R for several years now, as I find them to be very predictable and a good road/track compromise, however AD08R are no longer available, and the AD08RS (which I've put on my Smart Roadster) are not as soft

The replacement AD09 appears to be a step forward from the AD08 in the various 'best trackday tyre comparrison' vids on youtube.

[ukkid35]

They do look interesting, but although 255/40/17 are available, 235/40/17 are not

[RUSSELLM]

I'm out there myself on 31st July and 1st August. Alas, the Cerbera's not going to make it, so the daily diesel BMW is in for some punishment

[ukkid35]

Didn't get on the track days, totally oversubscribed with a long reserve list

So did some TF in the end

[Mr Cerbera]

RUSSELLM said:

I'm out there myself on 31st July and 1st August. Alas, the Cerbera's not going to make it, so the daily diesel BMW is in for some punishment

Gutted to have just read this now, Russ.

Our door is always open and it would have been great to catch up and have a good old natter as two of "The Olde Gang".

[ukkid35]

Track day dates for 2024 are now out

Hope some of you might be tempted to join me next year