Car Limits at North Weald with F430

[anonymous-user]

I have booked a driver training day with Andy Walsh (Car Limits) in my F430 at North Weald. After reading a few more threads it seems debris on the surface at can result in quite a few stone chips..? Should I be concerned - does anyone have any experience there in a similar car? I'm not concerned about tyre wear, and the odd chip is expected if I'm going to learn to drive the car as it should be driven, but should I be concerned?

[jackal]

No imo
Cars are for ragging and stone chipping to death. Ferrari or otherwise.

Edited by jackal on Saturday 15th November 17:22

[ZX10R NIN]

thecook101 said:

I have booked a driver training day with Andy Walsh (Car Limits) in my F430 at North Weald. After reading a few more threads it seems debris on the surface at can result in quite a few stone chips..? Should I be concerned - does anyone have any experience there in a similar car? I'm not concerned about tyre wear, and the odd chip is expected if I'm going to learn to drive the car as it should be driven, but should I be concerned?

Yes you can get stone chips the same as you can at any track day, what I suggest you do is find a firm that can fit the 3M stone deflection wrap on your car then you don't have to worry.

[anonymous-user]

I've done other tracks and the odd chip is fine - goes with the territory. I was really wondering if North Weald is any worse than others as I've seen a few threads where it's raised as a big issue. If not, great. Thanks.

[Alpinestars]

NW is a pretty rough surface. I'd go the 3M route, otherwise I think you will end up with a bit of road rash.

[Chiefly]

The North Weald surface is terrible and does stone chip the arches etc, I'd definitely cover them up.

[TISPKJ]

We did the GT3 v 964 RS day there a few years back, surface as said is very course.

Of more concern is the crap left from market day, screws, nails, tent pegs, and a pair of pliers, one of the boys ran them over at high speed and they got spat up into the wheel arch and left a perfect impression in the rear wing of said open pliers, we all laughed but the owner of the RS wasn't so amused.

[anonymous-user]

Hmm. The 3M wont protect against that! OK so now I'm having 2nd thoughts on doing that day. I've read so many good things about Andy Walsh but if NW is that bad then maybe I'll leave it. Not sold on the wrap idea either but I'll look into it - just worried about visible lines / orange peel..? Anyone have that?

[Alpinestars]

The 3m wrap is temporary so you shouldn't worry about lines etc. The market is generally to one side of where Andy does his days, so as long as you avoid hooning outside of his area, you should be ok re nails etc.

He's a genius so well worth doing the day. If you're that worried, hire his Elise and drive with total liberty and abandon.

[TISPKJ]

Agreed Andy was superb, and to be fair I think we used all of the areas on that day.

[ViperDave]

Agree the surface is bad, can make grip difficult at times too, As for chips i survived without anything more than a cone scuff under my splitter after inadvertently destroying one at about 80mph.

The big difference i think vs other track days is you are always on your own on the track at car limits, so stones aren't in the air from other vehicles for you to collide with, the only chips you should get are from stones (nails and pliers) thrown up from your tyres. Like i said no stone chips on my viper acr and that was running pilot sport cups, whereas my last (and last ever) visit to bruntingthorpe (Asada day in a different car) saw me leave with a chipped windscreen, pock marked front and a few bonnet chips on my previously perfect paint, all from stones kicked up from other cars.

[disclaimer] of course, no promises [/disclaimer]

[voicey]

Just put some gaffer tape on the arches and anywhere else that you think might be a problem - it wont look good but will protect the paint.

[anonymous-user]

Great information guys - thank you. That's exactly what I was looking for and has made my mind up. Andy Walsh is too good to miss, surface at NW is not the best but you're not following cars so it's just wheel arches etc that are in the firing line, gaffer tape them for the day - genius advice! Booked for 30th November so I'll be sure to let you know how I get on. I have 4-5 mm left on my current Pirellis and am planning on putting on MPSS after the day as I have heard good things about them.

[br d]

I booked one of these last year. On the day I had a proper crisis come up on a site at work, I had to be there to liaise with the client, completely unavoidable. Rang CL at first opportunity, certainly didn't expect my 200 quid back at such short notice but could I reschedule to another day? No, you're booked for today so it's now or nothing.

Cheers all the best. I won't be recommending them any time soon.