Hot Marques Monday 26th

[Thevet]

Weather's looking good, anybody else going. I know there's been a lot of flak for these evenings but this is the first this year for me, so will be interesting to see how it pans out.

[tonto1]

What kind of "Flak"??

[Thevet]

Flak for a poorly organised and marshalled event, where cars are to have a nominal value over £10k, used to have to be road legal, and were to be driven in a fashion that didn't annoy the other drivers, be they faster or slower. Last night was far too crowded, had a lot of drivers who were new to trackdays, including one of my friend's sons in my car, although I hope I kept him out of others way as much as possible. The night left a lot to be desired in terms of feedback from the marshalls to drivers. The only blue flag I heard about was for the second fastest car to give way to the fastest [by a long way], some drivers must have completely forgotten the instruction to allow faster cars to pass on the left by moving to the right, many drivers were all over the track when they should have held a steady line, leaving you wondering if it was safe to pass or not. The standard of driving on the way to the track was awful, with one of the white integras and a blue M3 [except it wasn't really!!] both overtaking up the hill towards the track, where the road has an overtaking lane, with all their wheels over the double white line heading into a blind right hander. Got an apology from one but missed the integra driver. Such incredible stupidity can only damage the cause of Knockhill.
Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be going to a HM again, probably no-one will miss me, as I'm obviously getting too old for such hijinks.

[haggle]

i know of others who got tired off all this and have since run their own nights during the week with far fewer cars on track, seems to make people much happier and cut down on the pratting around, i remember my first track day at bedford a few years back very well organized and i never felt less than comfortable and for a nov didnt do badly held my line etc.

[VetteG]

I looked forward to trying one of the 'Hot Marques' events so went ot one a couple of months ago for a recce. I was not impressed, too many cars some very badly driven, no responible marshalling of the driving, and some very dubious 'Hot Marque' cars. I used to compete and saw track days as a way of having fun without the formality of competition sadly not to be. There is no way I am going to put my P&J out there with a collection of assholes whose own ego's and selfishness spoil it for others. Its just a pity that Knockhill only sees the cash register in this, very short term thinking. Their reputation is so bad that my classic insurers are refusing track day insurance at Knockhill, something they actively encourage at other tracks.

G

[tonto1]

Reading the comments above. I can't help but agree, never saw a blue flag once last night and there where many occasions when one was required. No feedback from the marshals or KH staff on driving. To be honest was even worse at the last one I was at as there was a large contingent of the Evo/Scooby chav/ned mob (no offence to genuine enthusiasts of these marques), who where constantly driving right up my arse in the pissing rain without even the though to put their lights on.

Think KH really need to get their finger out on this one as the standards of their own track days is slipping badly.

PS. If you think the HM days are bad, go spectate at the "Hot Sundays", which is basically banger racing for neds in Nova's/Corsa's/Saxo's/Pug's etc.

[AMD87]

haggle said:

i know of others who got tired off all this and have since run their own nights during the week with far fewer cars on track, seems to make people much happier and cut down on the pratting around,

you really think that?

heres a couple of videos from one on wednesday night,makes HM look like a calm sunday afternoon drive and there was less than 20 cars there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT4G-YNGLo0 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZq-3k-_KRw 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_-KfKkt_l0 

you cant leave just yet tim! youve only just got it running right.


missed this hm as i was down in newark at the weekend,first one in 2 years.

Edited by AMD87 on Tuesday 27th May 16:06

[haggle]

AMD87 said:

haggle said:

i know of others who got tired off all this and have since run their own nights during the week with far fewer cars on track, seems to make people much happier and cut down on the pratting around,

you really think that?

heres a couple of videos from one on wednesday night,makes HM look like a calm sunday afternoon drive and there was less than 20 cars there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT4G-YNGLo0 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZq-3k-_KRw 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_-KfKkt_l0 

you cant leave just yet tim! youve only just got it running right.


missed this hm as i was down in newark at the weekend,first one in 2 years.

Edited by AMD87 on Tuesday 27th May 16:06

well yes our last new mini Scotland one only had 12 cars on track and because most folk all know each other.

[AMD87]

haggle said:

well yes our last new mini Scotland one only had 12 cars on track and because most folk all know each other.

yeah the more established ones (sidc,trackscotland,car club ones) seem to be good because people know each other and show more respect to each other.

[haggle]

its why i think single marque days are generally true i can only speak of the minis but theres never been any pratting or dangerous driving so to speak, i did Bedford in a friends modded cooper s and even with the 270+ it was putting out it was outclassed buy so many normal track cars,

imo theres a real split in the market on track days. those who enjoy the occasional track outing, those who have 'normal ish' road cars and think their in BTCC and those who have fast cars and cant driven them ..... i say this as my main memory from Bedford was dodge the spinning porsche, yes i know theres plenty with fast and modded who can drive and are considerate, but the power gap from small cars is too much for most track days imo.

[tonto1]

AMD87 said:

haggle said:

i know of others who got tired off all this and have since run their own nights during the week with far fewer cars on track, seems to make people much happier and cut down on the pratting around,

you really think that?

heres a couple of videos from one on wednesday night,makes HM look like a calm sunday afternoon drive and there was less than 20 cars there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT4G-YNGLo0 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZq-3k-_KRw 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_-KfKkt_l0 

you cant leave just yet tim! youve only just got it running right.


missed this hm as i was down in newark at the weekend,first one in 2 years.

Edited by AMD87 on Tuesday 27th May 16:06

Who organised this night??

BTW. The wee AX in the video is awesome!!

Edited by tonto1 on Tuesday 27th May 17:28

[AMD87]

tonto1 said:

Who organised this night??

BTW. The wee AX in the video is awesome!!

Edited by tonto1 on Tuesday 27th May 17:28

apprently by ian donaldson the guy with the orange SL although he didnt turn up.

the ax was too bloody quick although it was in the slower evos gutted my recorder stopped working because a couple of laps later,charlie shaw in the focus and the greersport evo were with us so it was the 4 of us going flat out

[Thevet]

main gripes are too many cars, too wide an ability gap, those who span and so were out of control should have been reminded of the public nature of this sort of event, those who refused lap after lap to allow passing should have been asked to observe the briefing instructions or leave if fail to comply. What's the point in telling drivers how to behave if you don't back it up. I've been black flagged in years gone by for driving better than some of the performances last night. It's how you learn.