RAF Marham track day
Discussion
CHARITY TRACK DAY WEEKEND
With the success and good attendance at the last Charity Track Day at RAF Marham on 22/23 April, which was well supported by forum members, MG Mark has given plenty of notice to get cars ready that RAF Marham will be holding another one on 2/3 September 2006. The last couple have been much enjoyed by those who went, and as they are able to keep costs to a minimum, the funds raised from the entrance fee will go pretty much entirely to the Appeals and Charities supported by RAF Marham, which are the RAF Benevolent Fund, the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Association (combat stress) and, locally to the East Anglian Children's Hospice at Quiddenham.
The track uses a combination of the airfield's main runway and taxiways, which for the benefit of new members and those who couldn't make it before, results in a track that is around 4 miles long of wide, smooth tarmac and concrete with bags of safe run offs - as a whole, the shape is roughly triangular, but with the width of the runway and taxiway there is ample scope to create everything from sweeping curves to chicanes and there are plenty of curvy bits to add to the challenge.
It will run to the same sort of timings as before, from around midday to 4pm on the Saturday with four 30-minute sessions, and from 10 am to 4pm on the Sunday, with six 30-minute sessions. All being well, they will probably look to combine later sessions to run longer, open pit lane sessions. As before, all the necessary facilities, such as toilets, catering, drinks, marshalling and medical cover to support the event will be on hand, and the gliding club will be operating for air experience flights.
You will need a helmet, normal seat belts as a minimum, and a fire extinguisher which will need to be secured in the car (that doesn't mean a plumbed in system). Race suits are not needed, but preferably natural fibre clothing with full sleeves and legs. Cars must be road legal with a current MOT or, if a race vehicle, licensed for a current MSA series. Sharing a car is OK (i.e. alternating drivers between sessions) and drivers are allowed to carry passengers, but they must also comply with regard to helmet, clothing etc. The entry fee is per car entered, not per driver but all drivers and passengers will need to sign a disclaimer. Spectating is not a possibility unless the individual is coming to assist someone who is driving - the reason for this is quite simple - the event insurance premiums and Health & Safety requirements go through the roof astronomically otherwise, so by restricting it to participants and assistants, it makes the event manageable, safer, more relaxed and enjoyable and importantly keeps the cost down to you.
As those who have been before know, the atmosphere and event is relaxed, enjoyable and relatively safe. So, for those who wish to gather to exercise their steeds, classic or modern, in the way that was intended when they were built, this will be available again for the incredibly good value of £40 on the Saturday and £60 for the Sunday. No money is needed yet, but what MG Mark and I really need to know now before we commit time/effort again is quite simply how many Pistonheads would be sufficiently interested to go beyond the "great idea" response and actually participate? Please post your responses as part of this thread, but please keep the posts on topic and relatively brief at this stage. Naturally, either MG Mark or I will answer questions on this thread.
The usual personal and vehicle details (full name, address, date and place of birth, vehicle type and registration number) will be needed to access RAF Marham which can be passed to either me or MG Mark.
With the success and good attendance at the last Charity Track Day at RAF Marham on 22/23 April, which was well supported by forum members, MG Mark has given plenty of notice to get cars ready that RAF Marham will be holding another one on 2/3 September 2006. The last couple have been much enjoyed by those who went, and as they are able to keep costs to a minimum, the funds raised from the entrance fee will go pretty much entirely to the Appeals and Charities supported by RAF Marham, which are the RAF Benevolent Fund, the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Association (combat stress) and, locally to the East Anglian Children's Hospice at Quiddenham.
The track uses a combination of the airfield's main runway and taxiways, which for the benefit of new members and those who couldn't make it before, results in a track that is around 4 miles long of wide, smooth tarmac and concrete with bags of safe run offs - as a whole, the shape is roughly triangular, but with the width of the runway and taxiway there is ample scope to create everything from sweeping curves to chicanes and there are plenty of curvy bits to add to the challenge.
It will run to the same sort of timings as before, from around midday to 4pm on the Saturday with four 30-minute sessions, and from 10 am to 4pm on the Sunday, with six 30-minute sessions. All being well, they will probably look to combine later sessions to run longer, open pit lane sessions. As before, all the necessary facilities, such as toilets, catering, drinks, marshalling and medical cover to support the event will be on hand, and the gliding club will be operating for air experience flights.
You will need a helmet, normal seat belts as a minimum, and a fire extinguisher which will need to be secured in the car (that doesn't mean a plumbed in system). Race suits are not needed, but preferably natural fibre clothing with full sleeves and legs. Cars must be road legal with a current MOT or, if a race vehicle, licensed for a current MSA series. Sharing a car is OK (i.e. alternating drivers between sessions) and drivers are allowed to carry passengers, but they must also comply with regard to helmet, clothing etc. The entry fee is per car entered, not per driver but all drivers and passengers will need to sign a disclaimer. Spectating is not a possibility unless the individual is coming to assist someone who is driving - the reason for this is quite simple - the event insurance premiums and Health & Safety requirements go through the roof astronomically otherwise, so by restricting it to participants and assistants, it makes the event manageable, safer, more relaxed and enjoyable and importantly keeps the cost down to you.
As those who have been before know, the atmosphere and event is relaxed, enjoyable and relatively safe. So, for those who wish to gather to exercise their steeds, classic or modern, in the way that was intended when they were built, this will be available again for the incredibly good value of £40 on the Saturday and £60 for the Sunday. No money is needed yet, but what MG Mark and I really need to know now before we commit time/effort again is quite simply how many Pistonheads would be sufficiently interested to go beyond the "great idea" response and actually participate? Please post your responses as part of this thread, but please keep the posts on topic and relatively brief at this stage. Naturally, either MG Mark or I will answer questions on this thread.
The usual personal and vehicle details (full name, address, date and place of birth, vehicle type and registration number) will be needed to access RAF Marham which can be passed to either me or MG Mark.
Edited by gtr-gaz on Sunday 2nd July 22:19
Naughty Magpie said:
Is it half bikes, half cars on the Saturday again?
Hiya - most likely to be alternating sessions on the Saturday, 4 sessions piece - the difficulty of not giving the bikes the opportunity is that I have a load of bikers at Marham - as they work there, it is a bit tricky to say "sorry boys, but you can't play unless you have a car"! That said, if we don't get sufficient numbers of bikes, then it will be cars only, as I won't run sessions for a handful.
MG Mark
Following from the review of the last one in April and as I'm co-ordinating the Autobahnstormers participation - there will be some "Large Saloons" attending on the Sunday. I doubt there will be too many tho and the level of car control should have improved somewhat as several attendees last time were doing their first track day and advice was given in no uncertain terms as to the std of driving required......
I'll be there in a Monza 24V and hopefully I'll manage to keep the thing together engine wise this time - had an oil cooler thermostat failure in April that resulted in over hot thin oil not providing quite the required level of protection and I welded some big ends in the second session - it knocked a bit and got AA'd home!!!
I'll be there in a Monza 24V and hopefully I'll manage to keep the thing together engine wise this time - had an oil cooler thermostat failure in April that resulted in over hot thin oil not providing quite the required level of protection and I welded some big ends in the second session - it knocked a bit and got AA'd home!!!
B'stard Child said:
Following from the review of the last one in April and as I'm co-ordinating the Autobahnstormers participation - there will be some "Large Saloons" attending on the Sunday. I doubt there will be too many tho and the level of car control should have improved somewhat as several attendees last time were doing their first track day and advice was given in no uncertain terms as to the std of driving required......
I'll be there in a Monza 24V and hopefully I'll manage to keep the thing together engine wise this time - had an oil cooler thermostat failure in April that resulted in over hot thin oil not providing quite the required level of protection and I welded some big ends in the second session - it knocked a bit and got AA'd home!!!
I'll be there in a Monza 24V and hopefully I'll manage to keep the thing together engine wise this time - had an oil cooler thermostat failure in April that resulted in over hot thin oil not providing quite the required level of protection and I welded some big ends in the second session - it knocked a bit and got AA'd home!!!
Be good to see you chaps there again - the commitment and entertainment value you brought was brilliant (particularly the white Senator!). My briefings are generally well known for leaving little latitude for interpretation! I remember your problem with the Monza, glad to hear it is now fixed. All the best for now,
MG Mark
MG Mark said:
Be good to see you chaps there again - the commitment and entertainment value you brought was brilliant (particularly the white Senator!).
Craig was driving the white senator - yeah he had a hell of a day. He was one of the people I went out with to give some "general" advice and I think it helped. I was trying to make sure he kept his tail out moments to times when he wasn't gonna interfere with anyone else
MG Mark said:
My briefings are generally well known for leaving little latitude for interpretation!
Briefings are fine - and the relaxed atmosphere of the whole day means a very enjoyable experience for all.
If you are a track day virgin I can think of no better place to pop your proverbial cherry than RAF Marham
MG Mark said:
I remember your problem with the Monza, glad to hear it is now fixed. All the best for now,
MG Mark
MG Mark
Well it got me to the Le Mans Classic and back - Autosolo on Sunday - so it seems to be more reliable!!!
gtr-gaz said:
It will run to the same sort of timings as before, from around midday to 4pm on the Saturday with four 30-minute sessions, and from 10 am to 4pm on the Sunday, with six 30-minute sessions. All being well, they will probably look to combine later sessions to run longer, open pit lane sessions.
Is the Saturday tracktime, the four 30 minute sessions, divided between cars and bikes, so if we turn up in a car, we only get an hours tracktime or is that 2 hours tracktime for cars, 2 hours for bikes. As I'm writing this I feel stoopid, but just wanted to check (& keep the thread going!)
gtr-gaz said:
You will need a helmet, normal seat belts as a minimum, and a fire extinguisher which will need to be secured in the car (that doesn't mean a plumbed in system). Race suits are not needed, but preferably natural fibre clothing with full sleeves and legs.
Are there any other requirements for bikes?
Edited by Naughty Magpie on Thursday 10th August 09:52
Hi guys,
I'm taking this over from MGMark and organising the event in Sept.
A quick reply to Magpie, you will also need full leathers and you are correct about the session times.
For anyone who has yet to send in their details could you please send them direct to me via pm on here. Please send all the details mentioned in the initial post plus your email address (info packs are sent to all drivers via email).
As a last-minute incentive for late-comers there will be a rare opportunity to compare your machines to that of a few supercars. While I stress that racing is forbidden on this weekend, we do have a mile-long straight to 'compare' other aspects of your vehicles.
Examples of attendees include Lamborghini Gallardos, Murcielagos, Diablos and a Ford GT.
Hopefully this might wet a few peoples' appetites and get a few more drivers down. Please note that only cars that are participating can come along and that spectators are not allowed for insurance reasons (passengers in participating cars are ok as long as their full details are submitted along with the drivers)
Many thanks and I look forward to seeing you there.
Keith
I'm taking this over from MGMark and organising the event in Sept.
A quick reply to Magpie, you will also need full leathers and you are correct about the session times.
For anyone who has yet to send in their details could you please send them direct to me via pm on here. Please send all the details mentioned in the initial post plus your email address (info packs are sent to all drivers via email).
As a last-minute incentive for late-comers there will be a rare opportunity to compare your machines to that of a few supercars. While I stress that racing is forbidden on this weekend, we do have a mile-long straight to 'compare' other aspects of your vehicles.
Examples of attendees include Lamborghini Gallardos, Murcielagos, Diablos and a Ford GT.
Hopefully this might wet a few peoples' appetites and get a few more drivers down. Please note that only cars that are participating can come along and that spectators are not allowed for insurance reasons (passengers in participating cars are ok as long as their full details are submitted along with the drivers)
Many thanks and I look forward to seeing you there.
Keith
Edited by NSXKeith on Thursday 10th August 17:33
Edited by NSXKeith on Thursday 10th August 17:33
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