Donington -- Sunday 21st
Discussion
Getting stuck into the day job after a wet trackday at Donington.
Drizzly most of the morning and no dry line at all in the afternoon -- seemed damp and remained greasy all the time.
It was run on an open pitlane format as there was not too many cars attending. Fastest was clearly a Cosworth Escort that went round as if it was a dry track - amazing!
So many stoppages though, mainly for offs into the gravel, as the track needed to be closed to drag them free. A lot of ploughing occured as well across the grass!
2 nastier accidents, one Focus hit the gravel sideways and tipped onto its side with surpisingly little damage. Worst one affected an S reg Civic type R that did hit a concrete barrier very hard -- IMO a write off. All my sympathy goes to the driver.
I managed to stay on the grey stuff despite one or two moments and clocked up 180 miles so that was excellent.
Road manners were good on what was a very mixed line up of cars -- usual problem with some drivers who seem to forget to use the rear view mirror.
Paul (white 968)
Drizzly most of the morning and no dry line at all in the afternoon -- seemed damp and remained greasy all the time.
It was run on an open pitlane format as there was not too many cars attending. Fastest was clearly a Cosworth Escort that went round as if it was a dry track - amazing!
So many stoppages though, mainly for offs into the gravel, as the track needed to be closed to drag them free. A lot of ploughing occured as well across the grass!
2 nastier accidents, one Focus hit the gravel sideways and tipped onto its side with surpisingly little damage. Worst one affected an S reg Civic type R that did hit a concrete barrier very hard -- IMO a write off. All my sympathy goes to the driver.
I managed to stay on the grey stuff despite one or two moments and clocked up 180 miles so that was excellent.
Road manners were good on what was a very mixed line up of cars -- usual problem with some drivers who seem to forget to use the rear view mirror.
Paul (white 968)
Hi ... I was there too with some mates. I remember seeing you white 968 lapping all afternoon! 
We were in the Blue Clio 172 Cup, clocked up close to 200 miles i believe, was a really great day and a first trackday for all of us driving the Cup! Hope none of us fell into your 'some drivers who seem to forget to use the rear view mirror' category
Unfortunatley i managed to spin it on to the grass in the afternoon just after passing Starkeys Bridge, i thought the track had dried more than it actually had ... ooops! Luckily they didn't have to stop the action, and i limped back to the pits.
My mate (who's car it was) also managed to put it in the gravel at Redgate late on in the afternoon ... after which we called it a day!
I passed the focus just after the incident happened, can't believe it was the same focus when i seen it in a garage later on, it looked like he only had a few scratches and a busted rear window ... lucky guy! Poor Integra though
Ouch!
I agree, roads manners were mainly good from what i seen, not that we had any comparision being our first trackday and all. Most seem to be on the ball. However the white MX5 that was out turned into a nutter late on. The guy flew past me and about 3 others sliding his tail all over the place going round McLeans! Crazy! I believe he duely got black flagged and a talking to for that!
>> Edited by FunkyBaj on Monday 22 November 22:47
We were in the Blue Clio 172 Cup, clocked up close to 200 miles i believe, was a really great day and a first trackday for all of us driving the Cup! Hope none of us fell into your 'some drivers who seem to forget to use the rear view mirror' category
Unfortunatley i managed to spin it on to the grass in the afternoon just after passing Starkeys Bridge, i thought the track had dried more than it actually had ... ooops! Luckily they didn't have to stop the action, and i limped back to the pits.
My mate (who's car it was) also managed to put it in the gravel at Redgate late on in the afternoon ... after which we called it a day!
I passed the focus just after the incident happened, can't believe it was the same focus when i seen it in a garage later on, it looked like he only had a few scratches and a busted rear window ... lucky guy! Poor Integra though
Ouch! I agree, roads manners were mainly good from what i seen, not that we had any comparision being our first trackday and all. Most seem to be on the ball. However the white MX5 that was out turned into a nutter late on. The guy flew past me and about 3 others sliding his tail all over the place going round McLeans! Crazy! I believe he duely got black flagged and a talking to for that!
>> Edited by FunkyBaj on Monday 22 November 22:47
Hi, I was there last Sunday, just went to see what trackdays are like before I take the plunge.
I've got to admit to being a bit concerned at the amount of off-track activity.
Nevertheless I'm booked on for this Sunday (28th), I've just bought a Civic Type R & now it's got the recommended 600 breaking-in miles on the clock I thought I better lose my track day virginity.
I was told on the phone that it's gonna be a 3-group format (novice sounded so welcoming) & my aim is to stay on the black stuff & out of everyone elses way & yes I do use my mirrors alot.
Anyone else going on Sunday? & are there any words of wisdom that you'd like to share with yours truly.
Cheers, Stuart.
I've got to admit to being a bit concerned at the amount of off-track activity.
Nevertheless I'm booked on for this Sunday (28th), I've just bought a Civic Type R & now it's got the recommended 600 breaking-in miles on the clock I thought I better lose my track day virginity.
I was told on the phone that it's gonna be a 3-group format (novice sounded so welcoming) & my aim is to stay on the black stuff & out of everyone elses way & yes I do use my mirrors alot.
Anyone else going on Sunday? & are there any words of wisdom that you'd like to share with yours truly.
Cheers, Stuart.
Your a brave man sticking your 600 mile Type-R out into the melee ... only joking!
I was also concerned about the amount of people heading off the black stuff last week ... and even more concerned after it happened to myself!
Your best bet is to hope for dry weather and to take it easy! At the start of the morning theres a few laps in procession of the safety car, my first thought was, "bejesus, this is fast enough thanks" a few laps later however and you'll be throwing it into every corner! Just be aware of traffic on the track, both slower and faster, pay attention to the points made in the morning briefing and you'll be fine!
Have fun
... only joking! I was also concerned about the amount of people heading off the black stuff last week ... and even more concerned after it happened to myself!
Your best bet is to hope for dry weather and to take it easy! At the start of the morning theres a few laps in procession of the safety car, my first thought was, "bejesus, this is fast enough thanks"
a few laps later however and you'll be throwing it into every corner! Just be aware of traffic on the track, both slower and faster, pay attention to the points made in the morning briefing and you'll be fine! Have fun
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