Track-sense (Track Academy)

[dubaiguy]

Track-sense ran their first Track Academy to-day at Mallory Park Circuit.

Every now and then we all come across people or businesses that impress us. Track-sense
fits that category with a well managed training course that I found extremely helpful in developing my driving skills.

First impressions are so important - and as soon as I was presented with a good quality ring binder filled with properly
printed briefing sheets, detailing everything we were going to learn, I began to believe this wasn't just another 'make money quick' scheme.

At the outset we were each given a personal timetable for the day. This was well managed by the Track Academy team and strictly adhered to, thus ensuring we covered everything in the time available.

The instructors were very experienced. The lead instructor, Robin Liddel, can not only point to a string of racing successes but also has a natural ability to impart his knowledge in a manner that is easy to understand. When on the track with me he even managed to steer my car from the passenger seat with a couple of fingers just to prove a particular point!

Unfortunately my power steering belt snapped half way through the day and I had to leave to get it fixed but I highly recommend this course to both experienced and novice track-day enthusiasts as you will learn something to your advantage. It will also make you a better, and importantly, safer driver on the road.

Many thanks and congratulations to Stephen Docherty and his team.

Details of the courses can be found at www.track-sense.com

[joust]

An excellent day as Richard says. I thourghly enjoyed it, learnt loads, and by the end of the day was lapping seriously quicker that I ever thought possible.

The only downer was the downpour at the end which left lots of standing water, which the M400 really didn't like, so I called it a day around 4:00pm. However, I was amazed at the speed that I could lap in the damp by the end of the day, and now I know the theory in an easy way to apply to other circuits in the future.

Hope you got back OK Richard, and my thanks to the Track Sense team. I'll certainly be doing the next course!

J

[sdd]

Thanks for the feedback, a lot of work went into the development of the course and I'm glad that it has paid off. We owe some thanks to BookaTrack.com for organising an excellent day that we ran the course alongside.

I have to add that Robin and Simon were particularly impressed with the attitude of everyone on the course, to get the most out of the day you have to be positive and they thought everyone with no exceptions came with the right mindset and all went away smoother, faster and safer drivers than they arrived.

Richard - I'll be in touch next week so that we can sort out catching up on the stuff that you missed. Hope your car is OK.

Dates for future courses will be announced shortly.

Stephen

www.track-sense.com

[chillidog]

Stephen - I just want to echo the other attendees sentiments. I learnt a lot and had had loads of fun. Much better than just turning up for the first time and learning by trial and error!

Let me know when Level 2 is coming up.
--
Richard

[dubaiguy]

OK, purely for the amusement of Robin Liddel in particular.

When Robin was in the passenger seat with me, one of the points he raised about my driving was the fact that I was gripping the steering wheel too tightly.

I listened and learned not to have such a tight grip but as I started to turn into Gerrards at the end of the Kirkby straight ..... I went straight on ....... and had to grip very hard to get the car to turn.

My power steering belt had shredded. If you listen VERY carefully you can hear it go just as I pass under the pedestrian bridge on the pit straight in Part 2.

http://homepage.mac.com/rgdavies2000/.Movies/mallory.mov

[joust]

I forgot you had that cam running Richard!

I trust you didn't catch me going the wrong way on the first lap out did you???

[For those that weren't there, we were sent the UK track day guide sheets for Mallory the week before which I duly looked at. Due to a combination of briefings etc. we missed the "sighting" laps at the start of the day, and it ended up with myself right at the start with Richard right behind me. So - when let out onto the track, I followed the track guide and ended up being red-flagged as apparently, despite the track guide saying you go around the chicane, it transpires only bikes use that! ]

J

[dubaiguy]

No, didn't have the video on at that point ....... and thereafter I couldn't keep up with you anyway.

[sdd]

joust said:

Due to a combination of briefings etc. we missed the "sighting" laps at the start of the day, and it ended up with myself right at the start with Richard right behind me. So - when let out onto the track, I followed the track guide and ended up being red-flagged as apparently, despite the track guide saying you go around the chicane, it transpires only bikes use that! ] J

My fault, that one, foolishly I assumed that the circuit would have coned it off.

We have now altered the structure of the day to incorporate the morning safety briefig into the track-academy welcome and initial briefing so that on future courses you will be out on track for the sighting laps.

Stephen

www.track-sense.com

[joust]

sdd said:

My fault, that one, foolishly I assumed that the circuit would have coned it off.

Not your fault Steve - I can't believe that they wouldn't stick some cones (or that bloddy great big squishy thing) over it!!!

Having been to many other tracks, I did find Mallory at little bit at the, err, "lower end" of slickness. I was suprised that the marshalls didn't use blue flags, particularly as it was a short track and lots of cars with bad rear view vision. So many times I found myself in a procession of 4 or 5 cars for many many laps.

Also the whole getting in/out of the track was a farce. Why they haven't sorted out a clear "in/out" section of track (perhaps on the opposite side of the track) or a tunnel is beyond me.

Finally, the loos were a disgrace!

sdd said:

We have now altered the structure of the day to incorporate the morning safety briefig into the track-academy welcome and initial briefing so that on future courses you will be out on track for the sighting laps.

Sounds a good idea!

J

[sdd]

Unfortunately the 'blue flag' think is a common problem at a lot of days I see and few TDO's use them.

That said I actually agree with Jonny in that they should not be needed as people should be paying attention so perhaps stricter enforcement of the discourteous driving rules are needed.

Stephen

[joust]

sdd said:

Unfortunately the 'blue flag' think is a common problem at a lot of days I see and few TDO's use them.

I can't see why. Clearly the marshall has much more visibility of what's coming down the track. Given track days aren't about racing, I presonally like the fact that there is another set of eyes that can tell me someone wants to get by (the Noble isn't exactly endowed with rear visibility - Caterhams can completely dissapear if they are close enough).

I also like the fact that when I'm concentrating more on technique than speed, other's can get cleanly past me. Just because I am in an M400 doesn't mean that I always will be, or want to be, the fastest thing on the track. As a person in a "fast" track car, I really appreciate being able to promptly let people through that might be in "slower" cars, but are doing different things at the time they come up on me.

In no way does it mean I use the mirrors less, however it enables me to also use my forward vision to help in letting people pass.

sdd said:

That said I actually agree with Jonny in that they should not be needed as people should be paying attention so perhaps stricter enforcement of the discourteous driving rules are needed.Stephen

True - but isn't that a bit like saying you don't need any warning signs on the road.......

Additional information is always welcome, and surely makes things safer??

J
Edited to correct sppeeelling

>> Edited by joust on Monday 28th February 16:02

[14N F]

Hi

Sorry it has taken a while for me to post, but been busy etc.

Anyway, I would like to add my two-penneth about the Track Academy course. It was extremely good and I would highly recommend it to anyone, regardless of experience. I have had tuition from numerous instructors and I have never come away knowing why I was doing certain things, I just did as I was told. Robin and Simon made sure we fully understood all aspects of what we were doing. The briefings from those guys were superb and exactly what I wanted and for the first time, I feel I actually learned something. I'll try and put my learnings into practice next week on another track day.

I'm glad that all the hard work paid off for Stephen and Tracksense, as everything seemed to go very smoothly. It was a fantastic day and it was nice to meet such a friendly bunch. Well done guys!

I also managed to jet-wash Magoo's car (looked particularly agricultural after I lost the back end at the esses at the beginning and went through the grass backwards!) before I got home, but she did comment on the splashes of mud on the soft-top! Some people are never happy...ironic that I didn't want to take the Tuscan S in case I spun it!!

Looking forward to future courses and events.

[dubaiguy]

Hi Ian,

Haha! I did wonder why you took Amanda's car!

Interestingly, the only place on the track where I was getting the back end twitching was the exact same spot you lost it. I was saved, as usual, by my car's AYC system otherwise I would probably have taken to the grass as well.

Which track are you doing this weekend? I was thinking of doing Mallory again on Saturday to try and consolidate what I learned from Robin and Simon.

Richard

>> Edited by dubaiguy on Thursday 3rd March 00:50

[14N F]

Hi Richard

I'm up at Donnington on Friday 11th March 2005, for a Radical track day. 5 of us are using the car over the trackday and I will be using the TVR in between my Radical sessions. I think it may be with another BookaTrack day, but not sure.

I didn't know there was another trackday at Mallory. Who is it with?

Ian

[dubaiguy]

14N F said:

Hi Richard I didn't know there was another trackday at Mallory. Who is it with? Ian

I spoke with Ed Moore and he said there are plenty of places so I'll just turn up for the 08.30 safety briefing.

www.motorsport-events.com/

Rich

[14N F]

Richard

I don't think I will have my car back from Silverstone by then. I need to ring them.

If I do, I may turn up and see you there, but not sure.

Cheers
Ian

[sdd]

Additional course dates are here;

www.track-sense.com/track_academy_dates_and_booking.htm

Our shop will be live in the next couple of days and you'll be able to book on line.

See you on track soon.

Stephen

[martvr]

14N F said:

Hi Richard I'm up at Donnington on Friday 11th March 2005, for a Radical track day. 5 of us are using the car over the trackday and I will be using the TVR in between my Radical sessions. I think it may be with another BookaTrack day, but not sure. I didn't know there was another trackday at Mallory. Who is it with? Ian

See you there Ian, I've also booked extra time on track like you. Believe the day is organised by Tracksport. Spoke to Nigel today and there's 4 of us sharing the Radical at the moment.

Martin

[14N F]

Hi Martin

I think its a good idea to use our own cards in between, so that we keep on top of what has been taught, although I realise that there will be a significant difference. We can still use the lines etc.

See you there. Really looking forward to it.

Only 4 eh? More time in the Radical I would assume, and less wear and tear on the TVR.

Ian