Another track day at Marham!!!
Discussion
Charity Track Day Weekend
RAF Marham would like to invite you to a charity track day weekend on 14th and 15th April 2007.
The track uses a combination of the airfield's main runway and taxiways resulting in a track that is around 4 miles long consisting of wide, smooth tarmac and concrete with lots of safe run offs – There will be approx 1 mile of the main runway in use with many sweeping curves and chicanes along the taxiways.
It will run from around 9am to 4pm on both days, split into 30-minute sessions. All the necessary facilities, such as toilets, catering, drinks, marshalling, medical and fire cover to support the event will be on hand, and RAF Marham’s gliding club will be operating for air experience flights.
You will need a helmet, normal seat belts as a minimum, and a fire extinguisher that 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.
Note there are no noise restrictions as RAF Marham operates far noisier fast-jets through the week! Sharing a car is OK (i.e. alternating drivers between sessions) and drivers are allowed to carry one passenger, but they must also comply with regard to helmet, clothing etc and be over 16 years of age. 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.
It is important to note that the track does attract stones and if you drive directly behind the car in front along the main straights your car could be subject to stone chips. If you’re worried about this it is advisable to fit bonnet protection or drive with this in mind throughout the event.
The atmosphere and event is relaxed, enjoyable and safe. Price is £60 per day or £100 for the weekend with every penny going to charity. We are expecting a high number of participants so it is advisable to get your name down early. Once we have all attendees’ details, payment information will be posted and we ask that prior payment is made to speed up the overall process.
PLEASE NOTE: RAF Marham is a front line operational air base and as such, any operational commitments on the 14th or 15th April would lead to the Track day being cancelled. This is however quite unlikely but prior notice will be given and any money paid up front would be fully reimbursed.
Important
For security reasons, every person entering the Base including all passengers must be security vetted in advance. To this end the organiser requires the following details from drivers and passengers by 16 Mar 07 to allow time for the security team to check everyone. The details required are listed below and it must be stressed that they will be held in the strictest of confidence:
Name
Address
Tel No.
Date of Birth
Place of Birth
Passport No. (if possible)
Car make and model (of towing vehicle if your car is trailored)
Car registration
NOTE Anyone arriving on the day that have not submitted their details will not be allowed entry to the Station. Anyone submitting details after 16 Mar will not be guaranteed a place.
Please can you send me the above details.
Don't forget all the money raised goes to some very worthwhile charities!
I will try and answer any questions you may have. If I can't, (Sir) MG Mark will be able to!
RAF Marham would like to invite you to a charity track day weekend on 14th and 15th April 2007.
The track uses a combination of the airfield's main runway and taxiways resulting in a track that is around 4 miles long consisting of wide, smooth tarmac and concrete with lots of safe run offs – There will be approx 1 mile of the main runway in use with many sweeping curves and chicanes along the taxiways.
It will run from around 9am to 4pm on both days, split into 30-minute sessions. All the necessary facilities, such as toilets, catering, drinks, marshalling, medical and fire cover to support the event will be on hand, and RAF Marham’s gliding club will be operating for air experience flights.
You will need a helmet, normal seat belts as a minimum, and a fire extinguisher that 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.
Note there are no noise restrictions as RAF Marham operates far noisier fast-jets through the week! Sharing a car is OK (i.e. alternating drivers between sessions) and drivers are allowed to carry one passenger, but they must also comply with regard to helmet, clothing etc and be over 16 years of age. 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.
It is important to note that the track does attract stones and if you drive directly behind the car in front along the main straights your car could be subject to stone chips. If you’re worried about this it is advisable to fit bonnet protection or drive with this in mind throughout the event.
The atmosphere and event is relaxed, enjoyable and safe. Price is £60 per day or £100 for the weekend with every penny going to charity. We are expecting a high number of participants so it is advisable to get your name down early. Once we have all attendees’ details, payment information will be posted and we ask that prior payment is made to speed up the overall process.
PLEASE NOTE: RAF Marham is a front line operational air base and as such, any operational commitments on the 14th or 15th April would lead to the Track day being cancelled. This is however quite unlikely but prior notice will be given and any money paid up front would be fully reimbursed.
Important
For security reasons, every person entering the Base including all passengers must be security vetted in advance. To this end the organiser requires the following details from drivers and passengers by 16 Mar 07 to allow time for the security team to check everyone. The details required are listed below and it must be stressed that they will be held in the strictest of confidence:
Name
Address
Tel No.
Date of Birth
Place of Birth
Passport No. (if possible)
Car make and model (of towing vehicle if your car is trailored)
Car registration
NOTE Anyone arriving on the day that have not submitted their details will not be allowed entry to the Station. Anyone submitting details after 16 Mar will not be guaranteed a place.
Please can you send me the above details.
Don't forget all the money raised goes to some very worthwhile charities!
I will try and answer any questions you may have. If I can't, (Sir) MG Mark will be able to!
In view of the poor participation of "the organ donors" there was some suggestion at the last one of not bothering with them?
I am assuming
Bikes and Cars Saturday
Cars only Sunday
But if it is "Cars only" both days there will be several from the ABS group who may consider attending both days
I will be attending with the other overweight and slow four door saloons in my sloth like pre-historic 22 year opel
Oviously I'll try and keep out of everybodys way
I am assuming
Bikes and Cars Saturday
Cars only Sunday
But if it is "Cars only" both days there will be several from the ABS group who may consider attending both days
I will be attending with the other overweight and slow four door saloons in my sloth like pre-historic 22 year opel
Oviously I'll try and keep out of everybodys way
Can I make a suggestion that 'drifting' is discouraged? There's a reason that track days and drift days aren't one and the same. I was nearly taken out twice following a sub-standard 'drifter' and the number of times the safety car was forced out after an unsuccessful drift had rearranged the cones was crazy.
I realise that I'm just one person out of hundreds that take part, and we all get our kicks in different ways, but I really don't think the two mix well. Perhaps there is another area of the base that could be used? Or perhaps, if there is enough demand, it would be worth running the odd 'drift' session (just before lunch, giving plenty of time to repair the course)?
I realise that I'm just one person out of hundreds that take part, and we all get our kicks in different ways, but I really don't think the two mix well. Perhaps there is another area of the base that could be used? Or perhaps, if there is enough demand, it would be worth running the odd 'drift' session (just before lunch, giving plenty of time to repair the course)?
Gruffy said:
Can I make a suggestion that 'drifting' is discouraged?
I agree. Getting it a bit sideways by mistake occasionally is one thing, but to deliberately go out there and try and drift around every corner, should not be tolerated at a track day.
If they want to try drifting they should give Rockingham a go
www.pistonheads.tv/clip398
Edited by gtr-gaz on Sunday 14th January 10:17
Gruffy said:
Can I make a suggestion that 'drifting' is discouraged? There's a reason that track days and drift days aren't one and the same. I was nearly taken out twice following a sub-standard 'drifter' and the number of times the safety car was forced out after an unsuccessful drift had rearranged the cones was crazy.
I realise that I'm just one person out of hundreds that take part, and we all get our kicks in different ways, but I really don't think the two mix well. Perhaps there is another area of the base that could be used? Or perhaps, if there is enough demand, it would be worth running the odd 'drift' session (just before lunch, giving plenty of time to repair the course)?
I realise that I'm just one person out of hundreds that take part, and we all get our kicks in different ways, but I really don't think the two mix well. Perhaps there is another area of the base that could be used? Or perhaps, if there is enough demand, it would be worth running the odd 'drift' session (just before lunch, giving plenty of time to repair the course)?
Nice idea
I wonder is here isn't an area of the track that could be used for this activty
I think Honington successfully did this
I agree that people doing out and out drifting around every corner is not on. i was a a track day at RAF Honnington recently, and there was an incident of a guy driving like this, it eventually led to a 3 car crash.
However I’m not of the school of thought that goes for a ‘Ban’ my advice would be stay at the back of the pack and look in your mirrors before you enter into any drifting activities.
There where certain bends on the Marham track day last year that I found it difficult not to get the back end out in the VX, on of which was the bend before the big long back straight. I did over do it a couple of times, but I made sure there was no one in my mirrors before I went into the bend.
I enjoy this style of driving, I hope you all don’t consider a little bit of oversteer as drifting, I’m sure there is a fine line between the two, but I’m 100% sure I’m on the right side of it. Please tell me if you think I am not as I would hate to be classed as “sub-standard drifter”
Any comments welcome. (flame suit on! I was in a silver VX220 Turbo)
However I’m not of the school of thought that goes for a ‘Ban’ my advice would be stay at the back of the pack and look in your mirrors before you enter into any drifting activities.
There where certain bends on the Marham track day last year that I found it difficult not to get the back end out in the VX, on of which was the bend before the big long back straight. I did over do it a couple of times, but I made sure there was no one in my mirrors before I went into the bend.
I enjoy this style of driving, I hope you all don’t consider a little bit of oversteer as drifting, I’m sure there is a fine line between the two, but I’m 100% sure I’m on the right side of it. Please tell me if you think I am not as I would hate to be classed as “sub-standard drifter”
Any comments welcome. (flame suit on! I was in a silver VX220 Turbo)
Hi guys,
A big thanks to Gaz for looking after this for me and apologies for not clearing this up.
A slight change to last year's event - there will be no bikes this time and it will run for the whole day on Saturday. The event in Sept attracted the registration of just 12 bikes and only 5 of those turned up. Most Bike particpants come from RAF Marham Bike Club and most of them said the track is not what they want. So for the few bikers, apologies - but I'm not running 30 min sessions for 5 bikes when there's 60 cars in the pits.
As for the drifting I thank you for the feedback. I will not put an outright ban on it but I will brief accordingly to ensure that it is only done when there is no one close by and dangerous driving, like that done without drifting, will result in a black flag.
Cheers guys and if there's anymore questions please post on here as I'm on the forum regularly.
Keith
PS. Here's a few pics from last year:
A big thanks to Gaz for looking after this for me and apologies for not clearing this up.
A slight change to last year's event - there will be no bikes this time and it will run for the whole day on Saturday. The event in Sept attracted the registration of just 12 bikes and only 5 of those turned up. Most Bike particpants come from RAF Marham Bike Club and most of them said the track is not what they want. So for the few bikers, apologies - but I'm not running 30 min sessions for 5 bikes when there's 60 cars in the pits.
As for the drifting I thank you for the feedback. I will not put an outright ban on it but I will brief accordingly to ensure that it is only done when there is no one close by and dangerous driving, like that done without drifting, will result in a black flag.
Cheers guys and if there's anymore questions please post on here as I'm on the forum regularly.
Keith
PS. Here's a few pics from last year:
Edited by NSXKeith on Sunday 14th January 18:10
I know the bend you mean and I had the back slipping out every time too. That's track driving and, as you rightly say, quite different to deliberately and violently provoking a slide which is beyond your ability to control and dangerous with following traffic. It's that behaviour that caused the near-misses I'm talking about and it was the same car both times, driven with far more reckless enthusiasm than skill and complete ignorance/disregard to anybody in the vicinity. It was spotted many other times throughout the day too, pointing in the wrong direction surrounded by cones and followed by a long safety car period to reset the course.
I don't think anybody is trying to be the fun police and as long as it doesn't impact other people's 'track' day then a bit of unbridled hooliganism is all good in my opinion. If those of a drift persuasion were to all appreciate that it's dangerous to do so in the company of other cars and be vigilant about checking their mirrors before unleashing the rear end then there ceases to be an issue.
Personally, I do think though that anybody continuously pirouetting off into the cones should be calmed down by the marshalls (as you would expect on any other track day). They're clearly an incident waiting to happen.
I don't think anybody is trying to be the fun police and as long as it doesn't impact other people's 'track' day then a bit of unbridled hooliganism is all good in my opinion. If those of a drift persuasion were to all appreciate that it's dangerous to do so in the company of other cars and be vigilant about checking their mirrors before unleashing the rear end then there ceases to be an issue.
Personally, I do think though that anybody continuously pirouetting off into the cones should be calmed down by the marshalls (as you would expect on any other track day). They're clearly an incident waiting to happen.
Edited by Gruffy on Sunday 14th January 20:38
Gruffy said:
I don't think anybody is trying to be the fun police and as long as it doesn't impact other people's 'track' day then a bit of unbridled hooliganism is all good in my opinion. If those of a drift persuasion were to all appreciate that it's dangerous to do so in the company of other cars and be vigilant about checking their mirrors before unleashing the rear end then there ceases to be an issue.
Personally, I do think though that anybody continuously pirouetting off into the cones should be calmed down by the marshalls (as you would expect on any other track day). They're clearly an incident waiting to happen.
Edited by Gruffy on Sunday 14th January 20:38
Totalt agree. I think the key here is consideration for other users. Then everyone is a winner.
Scott
I think one other thing could be usefull and that is a clear signage on the rear of any participant that is planning on using the corners to drift.
We only have one person in the ABS group who hasn't realised that the fastest way thro a corner is not sideways.
I'll get a large white vinyl sign made up for the back of his car to label him as a "drifter"
I thought last year on the Sunday when the ABS group attended that he was adhering to the instructions to keep out of peoples way and have one eye on the mirrors - looks like he wasn't being as courteous as he should have been.
Please note - the ABS group have only attended on Sundays and the Green "look a like" Lotus Carlton that was "drifting" on the Saturday on one of the weekends was not a member of the ABS
We only have one person in the ABS group who hasn't realised that the fastest way thro a corner is not sideways.
I'll get a large white vinyl sign made up for the back of his car to label him as a "drifter"
I thought last year on the Sunday when the ABS group attended that he was adhering to the instructions to keep out of peoples way and have one eye on the mirrors - looks like he wasn't being as courteous as he should have been.
Please note - the ABS group have only attended on Sundays and the Green "look a like" Lotus Carlton that was "drifting" on the Saturday on one of the weekends was not a member of the ABS
scottieb said:
There where certain bends on the Marham track day last year that I found it difficult not to get the back end out in the VX, on of which was the bend before the big long back straight. I did over do it a couple of times, but I made sure there was no one in my mirrors before I went into the bend.
Any comments welcome. (flame suit on! I was in a silver VX220 Turbo)
Any comments welcome. (flame suit on! I was in a silver VX220 Turbo)
I have to admit that one caught me out too nearly every lap as can be seen and heard in a couple of in car videos I did
www.zippyvideos.com/88131264359363
www.zippyvideos.com/94613362659368
Gassing Station | East Anglia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff