Rockingham 4th Sept
Discussion
If it's anything like the day I did there yesterday it'll only be you and the marshalls on the track! There were only about 12 cars booked in so as you can imagine it was pretty quiet most of the time. Most of them were race teams too so there were only about 4 or 5 of us civilians. Good in a way not dealing with traffic but actually I think it's a bit more fun when you have other cars around to compare yourself to.
The one and only time I went to Rockingham it was packed all day. Not a single clear lap and the marshals didn't seem to care about a seemingly race prep'd Clio trying to steam down the inside of me past the turn-in point, wheels locked, needing me to back out of it to avoid a collision. They also didn't seem to care about my standard MX-5 being stuck behind some RAF track day NA MX-5 driven by a guy in full nomex that didn't want to let me pass, despite being feet from his bumper through the corners after a few laps of being stuck behind.
When someone was behind me in this train of two, I'd make a gap and let them through, and he'd then let them through, but when I easily caught back up, he'd keep his foot pinned on the straights.
And then there were the group of rich young Chinese lads in BMWs and Porsches that seem to think trying to overtake just before the big banked corner was fine, and that no I didn't want to turn in to the corner there, I'm obviously on the racing line prior to entry just to let you through. Rarely if ever got to really attack that banked corner in the MX-5 for people going up the inside through the corner. Only got to do it in the RX-7. The marshals seemed fine with that too.
When someone was behind me in this train of two, I'd make a gap and let them through, and he'd then let them through, but when I easily caught back up, he'd keep his foot pinned on the straights.
And then there were the group of rich young Chinese lads in BMWs and Porsches that seem to think trying to overtake just before the big banked corner was fine, and that no I didn't want to turn in to the corner there, I'm obviously on the racing line prior to entry just to let you through. Rarely if ever got to really attack that banked corner in the MX-5 for people going up the inside through the corner. Only got to do it in the RX-7. The marshals seemed fine with that too.
Edited by routari on Friday 5th August 13:55
routari said:
The one and only time I went to Rockingham it was packed all day. Not a single clear lap and the marshals didn't seem to care about a seemingly race prep'd Clio trying to steam down the inside of me past the turn-in point, wheels locked, needing me to back out of it to avoid a collision. They also didn't seem to care about my standard MX-5 being stuck behind some RAF track day NA MX-5 driven by a guy in full nomex that didn't want to let me pass, despite being feet from his bumper through the corners after a few laps of being stuck behind.
When someone was behind me in this train of two, I'd make a gap and let them through, and he'd then let them through, but when I easily caught back up, he'd keep his foot pinned on the straights.
And then there were the group of rich young Chinese lads in BMWs and Porsches that seem to think trying to overtake just before the big banked corner was fine, and that no I didn't want to turn in to the corner there, I'm obviously on the racing line prior to entry just to let you through. Rarely if ever got to really attack that banked corner in the MX-5 for people going up the inside through the corner. Only got to do it in the RX-7. The marshals seemed fine with that too.
I think I've encountered that same group at Bedford funnily enough, selection of cars involving atoms and a GTR I seem to recall and driving like absolute tWhen someone was behind me in this train of two, I'd make a gap and let them through, and he'd then let them through, but when I easily caught back up, he'd keep his foot pinned on the straights.
And then there were the group of rich young Chinese lads in BMWs and Porsches that seem to think trying to overtake just before the big banked corner was fine, and that no I didn't want to turn in to the corner there, I'm obviously on the racing line prior to entry just to let you through. Rarely if ever got to really attack that banked corner in the MX-5 for people going up the inside through the corner. Only got to do it in the RX-7. The marshals seemed fine with that too.
Edited by routari on Friday 5th August 13:55
ts. Everyone was very good yesterday really and not a single red flag that I saw.T0MMY said:
I think I've encountered that same group at Bedford funnily enough, selection of cars involving atoms and a GTR I seem to recall and driving like absolute tts. Everyone was very good yesterday really and not a single red flag that I saw.
Must just be pot luck then! Been to Bedford 3 times over the last 7 years, which isn't a lot, but in those times I've seen plenty of blue flags waved, a sign held up telling people to make some space or disperse or whatever, and the same guy black flagged a couple of times for not letting people through, before being made to go out with an instructor to be able to continue his day.ts. Everyone was very good yesterday really and not a single red flag that I saw.Each time I've been to any track day there have been a people a bit less considerate than you'd hope, but generally the marshals tend to spot it and at least have a word, even if that has little effect. But at my Rockingham day I didn't see anyone get called in at all, and there was some shocking driving going on at times. Really didn't enjoy the day at all and it has put me off going back to be honest. But maybe it was just bad luck or one of those days.
routari said:
They also didn't seem to care about my standard MX-5 being stuck behind some RAF track day NA MX-5 driven by a guy in full nomex that didn't want to let me pass, despite being feet from his bumper through the corners after a few laps of being stuck behind.
Classic "single marque" red mist from you as much as him TBH. You could have peeled off in to the pitlane and rejoined so you weren't stuck behind him, and then have a word with the organisers at the end of your stint.That's what I do now. It was the first time I'd encountered it as I'm usually in an RX-7. The previous track days I've always gone with a good friend that goes in an MX-5, and after a morning of frustration on our first ever one, he said in the afternoon he just took a slow drive through the pits to slot back into a new gap. I remembered that a few laps into following this guy and did the same. A few minutes later I was enjoying it again so didn't bother to bring it up.
The only reason I mention it is because in my limited experience at somewhere like Bedford, the guy would have had a blueflag or a 'Spread Out' sign flashed at us both. But I'm hardly a track day regular, so maybe I've just luckily had good days at one place/TDO and a rare unlucky one at another place/TDO.
But you're probably right about the red mist thing. MX-5 friend said the worst day he did—that I couldn't attend—was an MX-5 only day at Mallory Park, where nobody would even think to get out of the way unless you attempted an almost dangerous lunge at them.
The only reason I mention it is because in my limited experience at somewhere like Bedford, the guy would have had a blueflag or a 'Spread Out' sign flashed at us both. But I'm hardly a track day regular, so maybe I've just luckily had good days at one place/TDO and a rare unlucky one at another place/TDO.
But you're probably right about the red mist thing. MX-5 friend said the worst day he did—that I couldn't attend—was an MX-5 only day at Mallory Park, where nobody would even think to get out of the way unless you attempted an almost dangerous lunge at them.
routari said:
That banked corner is mega. Took a lot of laps to build up the courage to take it fast. One over correction or late recovery from oversteer and you're in the wall!
Yep back in march took all morning for its to dry up and get enough grip in my tyres to be able to take it flat in my turbo exocet.routari said:
That banked corner is mega. Took a lot of laps to build up the courage to take it fast. One over correction or late recovery from oversteer and you're in the wall!
I hated the whole banked bit. My BEC is all fart and no st over 100mph so I was only going round it at 110 or so, foot flat to the floor, at which speed it's not really a corner, just an annoyingly long straight.I've put a few vids up from the day but as there was almost no one there I doubt many people will want to watch them!
Here's a lap from before Ballast, my girlfriend, arrived:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g41VW4xTmM
Edited by T0MMY on Monday 8th August 18:27
T0MMY said:
Which layout are you doing by the way? I might try and book on if the weather looks good. Quite enjoyed the track, first time I'd done it in a car but done lots of bike days there.
National Circuit it looks likeAlthough car is behaving strangely under full boost, having it looked at tonight hopefully, if no simple fix i might need to cancel, so maybe you could buy my place? Will let you know ASAP
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