TVR track day at Brands Hatch.
Discussion
What a fantastic day,
Firstly thanks to the Club and the organizers.
Though the day started out on the wrong foot for me, allow me to elaborate.
The first session (warm up lap), well the second lap to be precise I span out.
It was only later when back in the pits I was informed that the car I was following (silver 350) had forgotten to close his petrol cap. Weather my spin was down to the gas on the track I don’t know. What I do know is that it went without any warning. Not too much of a problem dipped the clutch as I was lined up for the run off. And got out of the oncoming cars way.
Hmm this spinning thing must be catching. Had the instructor on board ran into the first corner after the back straight, (forgive me for not remembering the correct name), tried to force the car to hug the inside line, rather the the required drift towards the outer edge of the track. Yeah you guessed it another spin. A bad one at that. Also a fluffed gear, I was in fifth, and when I needed the power to drive through the bend it was sadly lacking.
Believe me looking out of your driver’s side window and seeing six or seven cars cresting the hill is not something I wish to repeat. Again I managed to dip the clutch at the appropriate moment, sending me backwards into the gravel trap, clearing the track.
This was not a stop I was going to able to drive away from, no damage (forgoing my pride of course) just dug in pretty deep. So deep infarct the instructor was unable to open his door, I will convince myself that the door button malfunctioned if you don’t mind.
Any how I was relieved of my armband at this point, and told to report to the headmaster’s office.
After a brief interlude and a severe thrashing with some split bamboo in a darkened room it was decided I would be allowed to continue the track day, as of the understanding that any more “horse play” and that would be the end of it.
Honestly, I felt as if I had let myself down.
No one wants to end up in the gravel, and I have to admit it was my own fault.
Too much too soon. This was a stark reminder of the difference between circuits and airfield track days.
Luckily this short intermission was the perfect time for a bit of reflection, as I removed my wheels and dug the gravel from my disks I realised a more orthodox approach was needed.
The next four sessions passed without incident, and no I did not granny it about for the rest of the day. What I did do was adopt a more measured approach. Slowly, but not too slowly you understand. It was such a better method, I am fairly new to this lark (not that you wouldn’t have noticed) but found a more measured approach far more successful than the banzi balls and all job.
I have a pile of pictures, will sort something out tomorrow.
Just to reiterate thanks to everyone I met today, TVR track days are so friendly, every one is more than willing to share knowledge, tools, anything and that is what it is about for me the camaraderie, not forgetting the driving of course.
Oh yeah, good to see Tim and Paul, also anybody else that I met today, thanks for a splendid day.
Cheers Nick.
PS Derrick Smith from Sprint wants me to provide an article covering the upgrades and my thoughts about them for next year’s mag, more than happy to be of service.
Nick.
Oh yeah the driver of the day for me was the chap inthe white Grantura, he managed to hang onto a Sagarig for the whole session what a man.
Also loudest car of the day blue Cerb, good knows what mine sounded like from outside though I certainly got a few good coments.
Lastly car I would of most liked to have a go in, well the 360 looked good. It was a fine sight to hustle around the track with that.
The GT3 was a serious peice of kit, though the Ariel attom looked like the best fun for me. Quess it's the closest to a bike.
Anyhow some pics, some not so good ones to start with then some better ones.
I forgot , thanks to the instructor for sticking up for me regards the spin.
Firstly thanks to the Club and the organizers.
Though the day started out on the wrong foot for me, allow me to elaborate.
The first session (warm up lap), well the second lap to be precise I span out.
It was only later when back in the pits I was informed that the car I was following (silver 350) had forgotten to close his petrol cap. Weather my spin was down to the gas on the track I don’t know. What I do know is that it went without any warning. Not too much of a problem dipped the clutch as I was lined up for the run off. And got out of the oncoming cars way.
Hmm this spinning thing must be catching. Had the instructor on board ran into the first corner after the back straight, (forgive me for not remembering the correct name), tried to force the car to hug the inside line, rather the the required drift towards the outer edge of the track. Yeah you guessed it another spin. A bad one at that. Also a fluffed gear, I was in fifth, and when I needed the power to drive through the bend it was sadly lacking.
Believe me looking out of your driver’s side window and seeing six or seven cars cresting the hill is not something I wish to repeat. Again I managed to dip the clutch at the appropriate moment, sending me backwards into the gravel trap, clearing the track.
This was not a stop I was going to able to drive away from, no damage (forgoing my pride of course) just dug in pretty deep. So deep infarct the instructor was unable to open his door, I will convince myself that the door button malfunctioned if you don’t mind.
Any how I was relieved of my armband at this point, and told to report to the headmaster’s office.
After a brief interlude and a severe thrashing with some split bamboo in a darkened room it was decided I would be allowed to continue the track day, as of the understanding that any more “horse play” and that would be the end of it.
Honestly, I felt as if I had let myself down.
No one wants to end up in the gravel, and I have to admit it was my own fault.
Too much too soon. This was a stark reminder of the difference between circuits and airfield track days.
Luckily this short intermission was the perfect time for a bit of reflection, as I removed my wheels and dug the gravel from my disks I realised a more orthodox approach was needed.
The next four sessions passed without incident, and no I did not granny it about for the rest of the day. What I did do was adopt a more measured approach. Slowly, but not too slowly you understand. It was such a better method, I am fairly new to this lark (not that you wouldn’t have noticed) but found a more measured approach far more successful than the banzi balls and all job.
I have a pile of pictures, will sort something out tomorrow.
Just to reiterate thanks to everyone I met today, TVR track days are so friendly, every one is more than willing to share knowledge, tools, anything and that is what it is about for me the camaraderie, not forgetting the driving of course.
Oh yeah, good to see Tim and Paul, also anybody else that I met today, thanks for a splendid day.
Cheers Nick.
PS Derrick Smith from Sprint wants me to provide an article covering the upgrades and my thoughts about them for next year’s mag, more than happy to be of service.
Nick.
Oh yeah the driver of the day for me was the chap inthe white Grantura, he managed to hang onto a Sagarig for the whole session what a man.
Also loudest car of the day blue Cerb, good knows what mine sounded like from outside though I certainly got a few good coments.
Lastly car I would of most liked to have a go in, well the 360 looked good. It was a fine sight to hustle around the track with that.
The GT3 was a serious peice of kit, though the Ariel attom looked like the best fun for me. Quess it's the closest to a bike.
Anyhow some pics, some not so good ones to start with then some better ones.
I forgot , thanks to the instructor for sticking up for me regards the spin.
Edited by Nickccc on Tuesday 25th July 01:01
Lucky man.
Spin off in your warm up/first session out and it's usually game over. Petrol isn't usually slippery but does leave a smear over your helmet in an open saeter. To spin it on your next trip out and park it in the kity litter means the session is red flagged and everyone loses a lot of time whilst your car is recovered. You were very lucky to be allowed to continue.
That's usually why they stop peoples sessions after that. They cost so much money that noone want's there time ruined by lots of red flags.
Still - how did the car behave. How were the temperatures and your brakes. Would you change anything about the car for your next session?
The pictures look great by the way. Did you buy the CD/DVD from the trackside photographers?
Spin off in your warm up/first session out and it's usually game over. Petrol isn't usually slippery but does leave a smear over your helmet in an open saeter. To spin it on your next trip out and park it in the kity litter means the session is red flagged and everyone loses a lot of time whilst your car is recovered. You were very lucky to be allowed to continue.
That's usually why they stop peoples sessions after that. They cost so much money that noone want's there time ruined by lots of red flags.
Still - how did the car behave. How were the temperatures and your brakes. Would you change anything about the car for your next session?
The pictures look great by the way. Did you buy the CD/DVD from the trackside photographers?
Nice write up Nick. 
Had my first spin on the Rob Gravett skills day. Of course I'd just invited a chap I didn't know out for a ride in the car 30 seconds before I span. 
I was fortunate as there was just acres of tarmac to slide on. As you say, it's not so forgiving on a race track, so I hope the gravel trap didn't do too much harm to your paint work.
Steve.
Had my first spin on the Rob Gravett skills day. Of course I'd just invited a chap I didn't know out for a ride in the car 30 seconds before I span. I was fortunate as there was just acres of tarmac to slide on. As you say, it's not so forgiving on a race track, so I hope the gravel trap didn't do too much harm to your paint work. Steve.
Edited by Steve_T on Tuesday 25th July 10:19
ps how did the car stack up in the heat, eg brakes, oil pressure, water temps and tyres?
Excelent, no problems at all, oil pressure stayed strong all day.
Water only upto 90ish, (I have the Trackcar settings for the fans), makes a big difference.
Brakes, fine no fade, though the sessions where only 20 mins each even though they seemed shorter.
Tyres, My tyres have done a lot of miles. They have a lot of tread left, but they are not as grippy as they once were. I am going for Toyo 888's next. After the day the surface had started to marble a bit.
The compression at the bottom of the hill had tyre smoke pooring from a couple of cars, the Cerb was fine no touching down at all.
All in all performed realy well, and certainly was more than capable mixing it with all sorts of cars.
Nick.
I was a fantastic day.. Some of the first sessions were a bit like driving on the motorway, but in fareness there were some 34 newbies to track days so it all takes a bit of time to get used to. Quite a few cars fell off but no major damage as far as I'm aware and atfer the communal bollocking post lunch things got quite a bit better. People looking in their mirrors and moving out of the way of faster cars, some even indicating to the right so you knew they had seen you and it was not just a fluke that they got out of the way. Marshalls blue flagging was spot on....all great.
Even better was the last session of the day when the track was much less busy and I could get some laps in without having to queue to overtake, Brands is such a thrill to drive. It would be great if TVRCC could organise a full track next time.
Thank you to everyone.
PS the car (Red Tuscan 2 Convertable) performed flawlessly.
Even better was the last session of the day when the track was much less busy and I could get some laps in without having to queue to overtake, Brands is such a thrill to drive. It would be great if TVRCC could organise a full track next time.
Thank you to everyone.
PS the car (Red Tuscan 2 Convertable) performed flawlessly.
Edited by leerdam23 on Tuesday 25th July 10:59
Nice one Nick! 
Nice write up. Don’t worry about the spins – it was your first day on a “proper” track in one of the most powerful cars there. OK, spinning is never a good thing to do but looking on the bright side, by getting them out of the way early on you will have learnt pretty quickly where the limits were! 
Watch out when you get those R888’s! They won’t stop the spins but they will happen a lot faster!
Nice write up. Don’t worry about the spins – it was your first day on a “proper” track in one of the most powerful cars there. OK, spinning is never a good thing to do but looking on the bright side, by getting them out of the way early on you will have learnt pretty quickly where the limits were! Watch out when you get those R888’s! They won’t stop the spins but they will happen a lot faster!
Nickccc said:
Also loudest car of the day blue Cerb, good knows what mine sounded like from outside though I certainly got a few good coments.
That might have been me 
Didn't bother with the silencers as we'd measured it at 115dB static (1m back, 45 degrees and 3/4 revs) with them on, so I thought I'd see what would happen - had the silencers and cats ready in the pits in case I got a telling off! Thankfully no-one was bothered
Nickccc said:
Yes the official chaps.
Was it trackphoto.net? They've not got the pictures up online as yet though...
anyway. 
hehe!! I remember that gravel trap, Your not the only Cerb to end up in it
I had the instructor in with me too. And had to go and report myself to the tower.
The guy digging mine out was cursing the Cerb for having its tow hook so far under the front, we had to do alot of digging just to get to it. He did find it funny tho.
Tripps said:
Nickccc said:
Also loudest car of the day blue Cerb, good knows what mine sounded like from outside though I certainly got a few good coments.
That might have been me Didn't bother with the silencers as we'd measured it at 115dB static (1m back, 45 degrees and 3/4 revs) with them on, so I thought I'd see what would happen - had the silencers and cats ready in the pits in case I got a telling off! Thankfully no-one was bothered
Sorry Tripps, I was not yours. I remember your one as I lapped you twice in one session, you must have been experiencing problems of some sort, what was wrong with it?
Nick.
Hi Craig/ Mark.
Nickccc said:
I remember your one as I lapped you twice in one session, you must have been experiencing problems of some sort, what was wrong with it?
Didn't have a good day of it, felt like the car was trying to kill me on the second sighting lap, the tail was not stable and wanted to go wide at any oppurtunity (when not anywhere near being pushed), had it looked at and we (well The Gazman) played with the settings and adjusted them to track settings and it behaved a little better once after I'd dropped the tyre pressures, but it still wasn't behaving nicely and certainly nowhere near enough to give me any confidence in it's behavior - so some further investigation is required... Alas, my backup car wasn't available, so I decided to soldier on rather than go home and drove like Miss Daisy for the day
Well, until my front brakes started playing up that is (pads low) so I decided to give up and have a ride with Lake instead. But on a positive note the recent changes to cure the understeer I was getting on turn-in at Snetterton are working, pre-apex the car and I are very happy
Edited by Tripps on Thursday 27th July 08:56
Good to see so many people had a good day - & pleased to see you all in our manor after so many years away from Brands Hatch.
Tripps had problems with his shocks, a little tweek here & there & he was able to go a little quicker but he was really having problems earlier in the day.
I was impressed with the speed of the red Tuscan2 - hope I didnt get in your way
Great write up Nick - I really think your car was the best looking car on the day, & if its any help you wernt the only one to spin - I lost it late in the day on Druids
With luck we can make this an annual event, after three years of nagging the club I dont intend to let it be a one off.
All the best
Nick
RO - SE London & NW Kent TVRCC
Tripps had problems with his shocks, a little tweek here & there & he was able to go a little quicker but he was really having problems earlier in the day.
I was impressed with the speed of the red Tuscan2 - hope I didnt get in your way
Great write up Nick - I really think your car was the best looking car on the day, & if its any help you wernt the only one to spin - I lost it late in the day on Druids
With luck we can make this an annual event, after three years of nagging the club I dont intend to let it be a one off.
All the best
Nick
RO - SE London & NW Kent TVRCC
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