Ring Lap Times (wet) (sorry)

[MocMocaMoc]

Right, sorry to ask this but a few year ago I took my VX220 Turbo to the Ring for the first time and managed, with some scary moments, an 11:25 (or thereabouts) in the wet (medium - not soaking but near)

I'd only had a few laps prior, and with my mate in the car. I had brand new tyres and the track was like ice! We'd given up for the day, he'd nodded off so I snuck out for one flyer (I didn't want to risk his life blatting around at breakneck pace - but I was prepared to leave him stuck in Germany should the worst happen)

So, I'm curious how that stacks up?

I know it's a trivial point and it's childish and I shouldn't care. But I'm usually no slouch and I'm terrible for a lap time, so please forgive me for asking.

[DiscoColin]

The only thing impressive about it is that you didn't crash. Your lap count really ought to be in 3 figures before you even dream about caring how long it takes to get around. And by then, most still don't actually care anyway.

Did you expect any other kind of response?

As a general thing - 'ring times (especially in the wet, particularly if inexperienced) are a bit like fight club. The first rule ...

Edited by DiscoColin on Tuesday 11th February 19:28

[MocMocaMoc]

Is exactly the response I expected.

There were several bets going on back home that I'd crash.

But I didn't : )

Like I've said, I know it's stupid and the only reason I know my times was by having GPS running on my phone, in my pocket (no reaching for a stopwatch). I wasn't aiming for any time - it was a journey into the unknown. Was just curious is all.

[tozerman]

11.25 sounds reasonable ish for a wet lap IMHO, I did a 10.15 in the damp a couple of years ago, never timed myself on the full wet track as I was too pre-occupied with not crashing
Every body says never time yourself there but it is really hard not to isn't it ?

Cheers.....Tony..

[SpeedyDave]

11:25 is decent for a tricky car like the VXT. I'd typically be doing something between 11 and 11:30 in the Elise albeit with a lot of time lost to fannying about with skids. Not sure what a 'neat' lap would be, can't seem to get around without succumbing to temptation.

Skids > speed

[JayK12]

That's a decent time for very little experience.

Its easier when its either dry or wet, its when there are damp / greasy patches when it looks dry and catches you out. There is a noticeable "wet" line when you follow the regulars.

I managed a wet/damp lap in a BMW 320d fully laden 4 people too in under 12.

Have you done a dry lap yet? What time?

[MocMocaMoc]

Cheers guys.

The track ranged for soaking to dry! Once traffic increased a dry line was forming in the braking zones but, as you say, very tricky finding the grip. We never found a dry lap.

I plan a return trip but the VX is long gone - I'll most likely be in a 106 Gti. I did say at the time that i'd not be happy to take another 'expeneive' car there. Much rather one I could knack and not lose too much sleep over. Armco bills aside... Ha.

I'd time myself running down the stairs. No way on Earth i'm visiting the Nurburgring and not finding out where I am ; )

[JayK12]

Sounds good, interested as i have had a few VX220s and a VXT previously but never taken them around the ring. Took a 1.6 Civic Type R in standard form and was going under 9 mins BGT.

Get on trackdays there, you dont need to worry about big armco bills then.

I dont know why people moan about timing, drive to your ability and not to the clock and your fine, i timed every single lap i did there, even my first. Never drove to the clock nor did i see it until my brother pressed stop and showed me.

Edited by JayK12 on Thursday 13th February 16:47

[DiscoColin]

MocMocaMoc said:

Is exactly the response I expected.

Happy to oblige

JayK12 said:

Get on trackdays there, you dont need to worry about big armco bills then.

Incorrect - you will still be billed for barrier damage on a TD. It is the third party liability exposure that makes it much more sensible for UK drivers to stick to track days. There are many threads, so I will not rehash here.

JayK12 said:

I dont know why people moan about timing, drive to your ability and not to the clock and your fine...

Which is okay in theory, but in practice an alarming proportion of accidents there happen to cars with running clocks. That is why it is rather more acceptable to check time from a data logger in the PK after a days lapping than to post a target on the internet for someone with considerably less common sense that you or I.

[MocMocaMoc]

DiscoColin said:

MocMocaMoc said:

Is exactly the response I expected.

Happy to oblige

JayK12 said:

Get on trackdays there, you dont need to worry about big armco bills then.

Incorrect - you will still be billed for barrier damage on a TD. It is the third party liability exposure that makes it much more sensible for UK drivers to stick to track days. There are many threads, so I will not rehash here.

JayK12 said:

I dont know why people moan about timing, drive to your ability and not to the clock and your fine...

Which is okay in theory, but in practice an alarming proportion of accidents there happen to cars with running clocks. That is why it is rather more acceptable to check time from a data logger in the PK after a days lapping than to post a target on the internet for someone with considerably less common sense that you or I.

As I said, I had no time in mind.

My mate told me he'd give me a fiver if I tried for some Steven Bellsoft time? Dunno who he was. Drove a Porsche, IIRC? He was there years ago so must have been in some knacky old Porker LOL

[terenceb]

Stephan Bellof's time was only 5 minutes faster,so dont worry about your lap times just yet.lol
Clarkson/TG have a lot to answer for!One thing often said is "I want to beat JCs time of ten minutes" even he had quite a bit of tuition before his "attempt".