Do you mention to Marshals/Organisers when bellends are out?
Discussion
Was at a track day last week Brands Hatch. There were 3 people there whom obviously had money but couldn't drive on a track.
Do you bother mentioning to TDO about the bellends out on track or do you simply just brush it off.
for example -
R35 GTR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMBmQUQosuU
& again the GTR just pulling into the pits without any indication. Really pissed me off. His mate in a CTR came off too.
Do you bother mentioning to TDO about the bellends out on track or do you simply just brush it off.
for example -
R35 GTR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMBmQUQosuU
& again the GTR just pulling into the pits without any indication. Really pissed me off. His mate in a CTR came off too.
Yes - I do. But aside from a complete lack of talent, I didn't see anything wrong with the GTR's behaviour in that vid.
It's a track day, not a test day - folks are there for various reasons, and will have various skill levels. It looks like you're fairly serious, perhaps time to do the license and go for a test day or two. Failing that, back off, have a cooling lap and make yourself some space. For the un-initiated, it's a lot to take in, and they may not have the situational awareness - even more reason to give them space.
I have on one occasion felt the need to have a word with the staff - someone who kept throwing in maniac late braking overtakes, to the point of sailing up the inside of the car in front with everything locked and going off across their nose. Honestly I'd have more issue with you than the GTR (but maybe that's the camera) - sorry.
I'll also note that I've not driven brands, nor am I keen to - it looks susceptible to getting crowded and hence frustrating, and lacking in places to naturally get past someone.
It's a track day, not a test day - folks are there for various reasons, and will have various skill levels. It looks like you're fairly serious, perhaps time to do the license and go for a test day or two. Failing that, back off, have a cooling lap and make yourself some space. For the un-initiated, it's a lot to take in, and they may not have the situational awareness - even more reason to give them space.
I have on one occasion felt the need to have a word with the staff - someone who kept throwing in maniac late braking overtakes, to the point of sailing up the inside of the car in front with everything locked and going off across their nose. Honestly I'd have more issue with you than the GTR (but maybe that's the camera) - sorry.
I'll also note that I've not driven brands, nor am I keen to - it looks susceptible to getting crowded and hence frustrating, and lacking in places to naturally get past someone.
Not had the need to yet, but if someone is going to be a danger to others then yes I would. If it's a lack of talent then maybe a quick word from the organisers might make their day more enjoyable too as well as everyone safer.
I do most of my days in the week and out of season, so don't often get many problems. Closest I've been to reporting is being outbraked by a 16v Golf down the hill after the gooseneck at Cadwell after he caught me very quickly through the preceding righthanders; but he did it well with plenty of room so I left it to the marshals to decide.
I do most of my days in the week and out of season, so don't often get many problems. Closest I've been to reporting is being outbraked by a 16v Golf down the hill after the gooseneck at Cadwell after he caught me very quickly through the preceding righthanders; but he did it well with plenty of room so I left it to the marshals to decide.
Brands can be frustrating as easy to get held up on a track day there by the people who are slow on the interesting bits but quick enough to drop you on the straight then hold you up again. But then again its only a track day, he is having his fun, give yourself some room if you are getting fed up with the slow lap time but quick down the straight types.
TrackMegane said:
Do you bother mentioning to TDO about the bellends out on track or do you simply just brush it off.
Only if they do something that I think is dangerous, otherwise they have paid for the right to drive badly and I just have to deal with it... I might complain if they were seriously holding entirely too many people up for too long, but TDOs like BookaTrack usually black flag them before I run out of patience anyway...If people do stupid things or really irritating things I report them. Last time was a muppet in a supra who after holding me up for about 3 laps pulled over to let me past but didn't lift off enough for my little 1.8 normally aspirated MR2 to get past, I got level with him, rather than ease more and let me go he just stopped indicating and swerved back on line forcing me to hit the anchors and swerve out of his way.
I'd probably just come in at that point it's just frustrating being behind someone like that. Not sure he deserved reporting but he really was an atrocious driver. I think it's a credit to the car that it didn't spit him off the track with all the mid corner braking he did. Also did he not learn any part of the line during the familiarisation laps? Quite an achievement!
Watching him drive, I suspect he`d never been on the circuit before. Brake light flare at the kink on the main straight suggests he`s being cautious and sensible IMO.
He obviously doesn`t know the track and is only driving what he can see, rather than throwing it into a corner and possibly binning it.
I suspect his eyes were on stalks and he had no idea you were behind
.
After another lap or 2, yeah, I can see why you`d get frustrated, but I found Brands were very good with the Blue flags when I drove there. Did he move over and let you past, did you drop back and enjoy your laps or continue to hound him ??
I think `Bellend` is a bit OTT when criticizing the driving of that Novice.
He obviously doesn`t know the track and is only driving what he can see, rather than throwing it into a corner and possibly binning it.
I suspect his eyes were on stalks and he had no idea you were behind
. After another lap or 2, yeah, I can see why you`d get frustrated, but I found Brands were very good with the Blue flags when I drove there. Did he move over and let you past, did you drop back and enjoy your laps or continue to hound him ??
I think `Bellend` is a bit OTT when criticizing the driving of that Novice.
Herman Toothrot said:
Last time was a muppet in a supra who after holding me up for about 3 laps pulled over to let me past but didn't lift off enough for my little 1.8 normally aspirated MR2 to get past, I got level with him, rather than ease more and let me go he just stopped indicating and swerved back on line forcing me to hit the anchors and swerve out of his way.
Being in a low power car, that REALLY frustrates me too.No matter how often TDO`s mention it in the briefing, someone in a several hundred HP `lifting off` isn`t always enough for me to get past, I need a significant lift to give me an chance on the straight.
Wh00sher said:
Watching him drive, I suspect he`d never been on the circuit before. Brake light flare at the kink on the main straight suggests he`s being cautious and sensible IMO.
He obviously doesn`t know the track and is only driving what he can see, rather than throwing it into a corner and possibly binning it.
I suspect his eyes were on stalks and he had no idea you were behind.
After another lap or 2, yeah, I can see why you`d get frustrated, but I found Brands were very good with the Blue flags when I drove there. Did he move over and let you past, did you drop back and enjoy your laps or continue to hound him ??
I think `Bellend` is a bit OTT when criticizing the driving of that Novice.
Nope didnt move over, i came in after a couple of laps as i was getting annoyed. I know its a track day and people have differing experience but when they are like it all day, just gets annoying as its such a small track it don't take long to catch up to others and when there control is utter shocking, just makes the day a bit blehHe obviously doesn`t know the track and is only driving what he can see, rather than throwing it into a corner and possibly binning it.
I suspect his eyes were on stalks and he had no idea you were behind
. After another lap or 2, yeah, I can see why you`d get frustrated, but I found Brands were very good with the Blue flags when I drove there. Did he move over and let you past, did you drop back and enjoy your laps or continue to hound him ??
I think `Bellend` is a bit OTT when criticizing the driving of that Novice.
Wh00sher said:
Watching him drive, I suspect he`d never been on the circuit before. Brake light flare at the kink on the main straight suggests he`s being cautious and sensible IMO.
He obviously doesn`t know the track and is only driving what he can see, rather than throwing it into a corner and possibly binning it.
I suspect his eyes were on stalks and he had no idea you were behind.
Precisely. There's also a huge disadvantage to taking properly quick cars for your first few track outings - the limits are so far beyond what you conceive to be possible, you never get close to them without taking some big brave pills - which is hard when you could buy a house with the investment. Better to take something more mundane, and some instruction.He obviously doesn`t know the track and is only driving what he can see, rather than throwing it into a corner and possibly binning it.
I suspect his eyes were on stalks and he had no idea you were behind
. Yep, it's really frustrating; but it's the downside of trackdays that aren't grouped/sessioned.
There are only two defences I've come up with, and both involve backing off: 1) Find some space behind you 2) Make some space and take a run through the next corner. Time it so you're carrying full speed through the apex while they're d*cking around and just slingshot past them on the way out, hopefully somewhere where the ensuing straight isn't long enough for them to fly past again - but watch out for erratic positioning and unexpected behaviour
3) Is go in get a coffee and wait until they're in to go out again
TrackMegane said:
Hadnt done brands before so was one to tick off that has been done. Its only a mapped R26 megane
I did it last year, first time. Enjoyed it, but it was cold and wet. I`m sure it`s better in the dry.I have mentioned drivers to the TDO when they simply won`t move over, or move over and don`t lift.
99% of the time, they either don`t realise they are holding you up, or think they are lifting and you don`t want to pass. I`ve found once they`ve had it pointed out that the queue of cars behind isn`t people admiring their lines, but that they actually want to get past, that they are much more helpful in future.
I remember my first few times on track. Everything seemed to be happening at once, I needed all my concentration to keep it on the track, looking in the mirror was something I didn`t do often enough.
I did my first track day and found that due to my understanding of how limited my skills were I was always looking in mirrors and letting people pass. I think some people drive fast on roads and thinks that can be translated to uber track driving and it doesnt really happen. Plus there are some cars that you 'think' will perform to a certain level e.g. you see an Audi A4 and you think 'ok its got X bhp, Y grip' and then it ends up it has twice the BHP and four times the grip - i genuinely found that at my Knockhill trackday.
But yes a friendly word if you are experienced really does help and I know I sought alot of pov's about how to act. But in saying that some people never want to be told to do something differently
But yes a friendly word if you are experienced really does help and I know I sought alot of pov's about how to act. But in saying that some people never want to be told to do something differently
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