Discussion
Hello chaps,
Didn't want to resurrect an ancient thread - has anyone been to Crail recently? More specifically the strip?
A few mates have decided to go up for the Ford? weekend on the 14th and asked if I want to tag along for a few runs. I've never been before nor have I ever taken my car to the strip, so not overly sure what to expect.
My car is financed through an HP agreeement which I assume is a big no-no for this kind of useage, however I've been assured it's relatively safe with large runoff areas and an 'OK' surface. I'd imagine a lot of the stuff there is also financed as is the way these days, and I'm also fully aware my insurance wont cover me.
May come across as a silly question to those on here who are familiar with Crail, but is this a bit risky? Car is a 17 plate M140i, completely standard. I used to own a modified Mini Cooper S which I had on track at knockhill on one occasion - but that car was free of finance.
Long story short:
Is Crail safe enough that I can run my car a few times without worrying?
Should also add that said mates are in:
Modified Audi S3
Modified Focus ST
Hence aren't remotely concerned.
Didn't want to resurrect an ancient thread - has anyone been to Crail recently? More specifically the strip?
A few mates have decided to go up for the Ford? weekend on the 14th and asked if I want to tag along for a few runs. I've never been before nor have I ever taken my car to the strip, so not overly sure what to expect.
My car is financed through an HP agreeement which I assume is a big no-no for this kind of useage, however I've been assured it's relatively safe with large runoff areas and an 'OK' surface. I'd imagine a lot of the stuff there is also financed as is the way these days, and I'm also fully aware my insurance wont cover me.
May come across as a silly question to those on here who are familiar with Crail, but is this a bit risky? Car is a 17 plate M140i, completely standard. I used to own a modified Mini Cooper S which I had on track at knockhill on one occasion - but that car was free of finance.
Long story short:
Is Crail safe enough that I can run my car a few times without worrying?
Should also add that said mates are in:
Modified Audi S3
Modified Focus ST
Hence aren't remotely concerned.
DavieW said:
Can't help with the track but I've heard the police will be carrying out speed checks both going to and coming from the venue so ca'canny. 
Heard that's a regular occurrence on race weekends, will keep an eye out. 
Driver101 said:
I'm sure nearly everyone can drive safely for 13 seconds in a straight line. Incidents are very rare.
Loads of cars there will be financed. Many will also be modified.
Was thinking that myself. Was just looking for reassurance as I've never been and had heard elsewhere the surface can be a bit sketchy in places. Cheers!Loads of cars there will be financed. Many will also be modified.
DavieW said:
Can't help with the track but I've heard the police will be carrying out speed checks both going to and coming from the venue so ca'canny.
As a regular to Crail (not raceway) be on your guard. Through the village is a 20 and on racedays a pig presence is almost a given. Enjoy your day though :-)
I've been going to Crail for years in both bikes and cars and whilst not the smoothest surface it is fine for the performance of 99% of the cars and bikes that attend. You wouldn't want to take a proper drag car there though as run off isn't the longest. A 13 second car shouldn't have any trouble so long as it has been well maintained. Check out the Crail 1/4 mile times to see what similar models to yours can do. A lot of cars are getting faster year on year, but that's what its all about.
Pete
Pete
Another regular here & hosted a track day down there last year too. The surface isn't amazing but not as bad as folk make it out to be, you'll be fine for the strip.
The x40i are all auto as well so you shouldn't be snapping driveshafts etc! One thing I'll say is if you're still getting used to full bore launches in a RWD car is that if you have the traction control off, there's several factors that could cause you to lose grip, I had my old MK2 MX5 spin up when shifting in to third gear a number of years back, turned out fluids had been spilled further down the track which, sods law, was just where I had to change gear, that was interesting
Go down, have fun, eat some crap burgers and chips. Don't be surprised if it's -2 and you still get sunburn. If you pull up beside a crap looking corsa, it's a 50-50 whether it's going to be horrendously slow, or if it has a turbo the size of the lunar lander on it!
The x40i are all auto as well so you shouldn't be snapping driveshafts etc! One thing I'll say is if you're still getting used to full bore launches in a RWD car is that if you have the traction control off, there's several factors that could cause you to lose grip, I had my old MK2 MX5 spin up when shifting in to third gear a number of years back, turned out fluids had been spilled further down the track which, sods law, was just where I had to change gear, that was interesting
Go down, have fun, eat some crap burgers and chips. Don't be surprised if it's -2 and you still get sunburn. If you pull up beside a crap looking corsa, it's a 50-50 whether it's going to be horrendously slow, or if it has a turbo the size of the lunar lander on it!
Was down latterly last year where they had a circuit set up rather than the drag strip.
Not the best surface but fine enough for a bit of a mess around. Keep it pointed in a straight line and you'll be fine!
Biggest hazard I encountered all day was a deer running out in front of my brothers car!
Not the best surface but fine enough for a bit of a mess around. Keep it pointed in a straight line and you'll be fine!
Biggest hazard I encountered all day was a deer running out in front of my brothers car!
Used to be a Crail regular many years ago and joined the 13sec club in a Cavalier... so despite people saying the times were accurate, I treated it like a dyno - less about the figures and more about settling a few grudge matches. Haven't been in years but echo what's been said, camera van presence is high on all routes, the wind is brutal, the on site facilities are worse and unless your other half is a forum groupie, she'll probably hate it!
Cheers lads!
Appreciate all the reponses - put my mind at ease.
Had the tracking done and wheels rebalanced yesterday just to be on the safe side. I've launched the car a few times in sports plus to get a feel for it - will probably keep traction on for a few runs to get used to the surface. Hopefully won't be embarrassed by any big turbo corsas...
Will keep an eye out for the coppers as well.
Appreciate all the reponses - put my mind at ease.
Had the tracking done and wheels rebalanced yesterday just to be on the safe side. I've launched the car a few times in sports plus to get a feel for it - will probably keep traction on for a few runs to get used to the surface. Hopefully won't be embarrassed by any big turbo corsas...
Will keep an eye out for the coppers as well.
Hammy98 said:
Cheers lads!
Appreciate all the reponses - put my mind at ease.
Had the tracking done and wheels rebalanced yesterday just to be on the safe side. I've launched the car a few times in sports plus to get a feel for it - will probably keep traction on for a few runs to get used to the surface. Hopefully won't be embarrassed by any big turbo corsas...
Will keep an eye out for the coppers as well.
That's a bit overkill on a new car going down the strip at Crail. It isn't that stressful of a run on your car.Appreciate all the reponses - put my mind at ease.
Had the tracking done and wheels rebalanced yesterday just to be on the safe side. I've launched the car a few times in sports plus to get a feel for it - will probably keep traction on for a few runs to get used to the surface. Hopefully won't be embarrassed by any big turbo corsas...
Will keep an eye out for the coppers as well.
Your car should get into the 12 second barrier and be travelling around 110-112mph.
Launch control is useless on these cars. Best to just brake boost.
There isn't many Corsa turbos left on the go. There is a few modern Fiesta ST that will beat you if you don't make a good start. The Ford day used to be popular so it might see some older modified cars.
I ran a few passes at Crail when my Monaro was quite new. No worries, as the Aussies say 
An old orange Ford Consul auto with a Chevy iron small block ran a challenge match and passed me just before the line, his Ford was trailered there!
Quickest car of the day was a tatty old stripped out maroon Corsa. V large turbo with exhaust forward of the front wheel. Headlight removed to increase air induction. Road legal drag rubber and he drove home!
An old orange Ford Consul auto with a Chevy iron small block ran a challenge match and passed me just before the line, his Ford was trailered there!
Quickest car of the day was a tatty old stripped out maroon Corsa. V large turbo with exhaust forward of the front wheel. Headlight removed to increase air induction. Road legal drag rubber and he drove home!
Edited by bigwheel on Tuesday 9th April 11:11
Driver101 said:
That's a bit overkill on a new car going down the strip at Crail. It isn't that stressful of a run on your car.
Your car should get into the 12 second barrier and be travelling around 110-112mph.
Launch control is useless on these cars. Best to just brake boost.
Should have added that I just had the wheels refurbished and the place hadn't balanced them again - was getting a slight vibration and the tracking hadn't been done in some time either. Your car should get into the 12 second barrier and be travelling around 110-112mph.
Launch control is useless on these cars. Best to just brake boost.
Would be chuffed to get into the 12s, I've tried the launch control on a few occasions and I'm convinced its no faster than doing it manually.
Was a good day on Sunday.
Done my first run with traction on to get a feel for it, then the rest with it off. Getting some heat into the tyres was proving a pain with no LSD, so my launches weren't the strongest.
Best was a 13.040 @ 111.9, my reaction times weren't great either so hoping to break 12s next time.
Cheers lads
Done my first run with traction on to get a feel for it, then the rest with it off. Getting some heat into the tyres was proving a pain with no LSD, so my launches weren't the strongest.
Best was a 13.040 @ 111.9, my reaction times weren't great either so hoping to break 12s next time.
Cheers lads
Hammy98 said:
Was a good day on Sunday.
Done my first run with traction on to get a feel for it, then the rest with it off. Getting some heat into the tyres was proving a pain with no LSD, so my launches weren't the strongest.
Best was a 13.040 @ 111.9, my reaction times weren't great either so hoping to break 12s next time.
Cheers lads
Reaction times don't count towards the times at Crail. Done my first run with traction on to get a feel for it, then the rest with it off. Getting some heat into the tyres was proving a pain with no LSD, so my launches weren't the strongest.
Best was a 13.040 @ 111.9, my reaction times weren't great either so hoping to break 12s next time.
Cheers lads
It is your starts that are costing you. There's a little to be squeezed off there to get into the 12s.
The M140i that was managing 114mph trap speeds will be tuned. Looks like he can't launch.
Driver101 said:
Reaction times don't count towards the times at Crail.
It is your starts that are costing you. There's a little to be squeezed off there to get into the 12s.
The M140i that was managing 114mph trap speeds will be tuned. Looks like he can't launch.
Ah that makes sense then. My launches definitely weren't the best, most cars were level or ahead of me until I got traction in 2nd. Never bothered with launch control as I find it a bit hit or miss on the 140, one day it works the next it doesnt.It is your starts that are costing you. There's a little to be squeezed off there to get into the 12s.
The M140i that was managing 114mph trap speeds will be tuned. Looks like he can't launch.
Cheers!
Driver101 said:
I'm sure nearly everyone can drive safely for 13 seconds in a straight line. Incidents are very rare.
Loads of cars there will be financed. Many will also be modified.
Tried to lauch my Ultima there a few years ago but 2 or 3 seconds in, it lost traction and headed into the wheat field......took weeks to get all the grain out of the various pockets in the car, just my fault with cold tyres. Loads of cars there will be financed. Many will also be modified.
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