Your year on track - Car - events - highs and lows
Discussion
Would be interesting to know what others have been upto...
For me
CAR - Renaultsport megane 275 Cup-S
EVENTS - 2 x Donnighton
2 x Brans
1 x Caldwell
1 x spa
(All Td’s)
HIGHS - sharing 5 laps on track at Cadwell with a brace of modified Clio 182’s all nose to tail swapping the lead, those boys could really shift...
& being fully sideways going through radillion in the wet and not collecting anything
LOWS - none for me, the megane has been faultless, it’s been a great year...
For me
CAR - Renaultsport megane 275 Cup-S
EVENTS - 2 x Donnighton
2 x Brans
1 x Caldwell
1 x spa
(All Td’s)
HIGHS - sharing 5 laps on track at Cadwell with a brace of modified Clio 182’s all nose to tail swapping the lead, those boys could really shift...
& being fully sideways going through radillion in the wet and not collecting anything
LOWS - none for me, the megane has been faultless, it’s been a great year...
Edited by Itsallicanafford on Thursday 20th December 19:01
Highs:
Sharing a mates car for an endurance championship; 5 wins, 4 lap records and the overall championship win without any contact.
Doing a three hour race solo in 25 degree heat, probably high 40s in the car (won).
Racing at Spa.
Lows:
Doing a three hour race solo in 25 degree heat, probably high 40s in the car (very hot).
The aforementioned mate driving my car when it snapped a rod and fired it through the block.
Rockingham closing.
Sharing a mates car for an endurance championship; 5 wins, 4 lap records and the overall championship win without any contact.
Doing a three hour race solo in 25 degree heat, probably high 40s in the car (won).
Racing at Spa.
Lows:
Doing a three hour race solo in 25 degree heat, probably high 40s in the car (very hot).
The aforementioned mate driving my car when it snapped a rod and fired it through the block.
Rockingham closing.
Very much highs and lows for me this year,
Started off on a high bringing the Cerbera out of semi retirement and back into GT Cup
Put her on pole and was leading my class in the first meeting at Donington when on lap 9 we suffered total brake failure.....
So the rebuild started and is still ongoing.
Then we managed to finish ahead of some very nice modern machinery at brand in an English Vs Italian race in my MK1 Escort. Beating the Ferrari F430’s and a very well known Escort Cosworth WRC.
Then after a whole year in the making I finished my Landrover Bowler track car project! Took her to Brands for its first ever track day and she was perfect and much quicker than I could have hoped for! A few changes are being made but what great fun! I worried it would be a rolling road block but turned out to be one of the quicker cars on track, amazing!
A great way to finish the year and the re-chassis/cage/build of the Cerbera is nearly done. Roll on 2019
Mike
Started off on a high bringing the Cerbera out of semi retirement and back into GT Cup
Put her on pole and was leading my class in the first meeting at Donington when on lap 9 we suffered total brake failure.....
So the rebuild started and is still ongoing.
Then we managed to finish ahead of some very nice modern machinery at brand in an English Vs Italian race in my MK1 Escort. Beating the Ferrari F430’s and a very well known Escort Cosworth WRC.
Then after a whole year in the making I finished my Landrover Bowler track car project! Took her to Brands for its first ever track day and she was perfect and much quicker than I could have hoped for! A few changes are being made but what great fun! I worried it would be a rolling road block but turned out to be one of the quicker cars on track, amazing!
A great way to finish the year and the re-chassis/cage/build of the Cerbera is nearly done. Roll on 2019
Mike
Got my 924 turbo out in the wild, so after a calm year(s) it looks promising to get out on track again next year.
The high:
Flew ower with some mates to your island and had a great time with london rally school. Although its not exactly on a race track it was still a great event, and learnt lots of stuff to become faster on the slippery stuff(Escort mk2 and impreza).
The high:
Flew ower with some mates to your island and had a great time with london rally school. Although its not exactly on a race track it was still a great event, and learnt lots of stuff to become faster on the slippery stuff(Escort mk2 and impreza).
7 tds this year, bedford, donington x2, oulton, snetterton, cadwell, spa.
Highlight definitely spa, first time there, amazing track, true bucket list item ticked. Car (bmw z4 3.0i) performed great in changeable conditions, managed 300 miles that day!. Other than that both trips to donington were mega too.
Low point was a cancelled trackday at silverstone due to heavy snowfall the night before (you know which one) tho in fairness exchanged it for mid summer oulton park, so not all bad. Also, brake problems... corroded lines, overheating, cracked discs, fortunately no big incidents, but steady improvements mean things should be a lot better next year!
Highlight definitely spa, first time there, amazing track, true bucket list item ticked. Car (bmw z4 3.0i) performed great in changeable conditions, managed 300 miles that day!. Other than that both trips to donington were mega too.
Low point was a cancelled trackday at silverstone due to heavy snowfall the night before (you know which one) tho in fairness exchanged it for mid summer oulton park, so not all bad. Also, brake problems... corroded lines, overheating, cracked discs, fortunately no big incidents, but steady improvements mean things should be a lot better next year!
Just two rounds - five races - in a 924 in the BRSCC Porsches but because of numbers finished 4th in the championship - and got a P3 in qual at the last round.
Shared the drive of a Cayman GT4 in Britcar Endurance Championship and between us we finished 6th overall and 3rd in Class.
Dabbled in the 750MC Toyota MR2 Championship and got nowhere!
Shared the drive of a Cayman GT4 in Britcar Endurance Championship and between us we finished 6th overall and 3rd in Class.
Dabbled in the 750MC Toyota MR2 Championship and got nowhere!
88racing said:
Just two rounds - five races - in a 924 in the BRSCC Porsches but because of numbers finished 4th in the championship - and got a P3 in qual at the last round.
Shared the drive of a Cayman GT4 in Britcar Endurance Championship and between us we finished 6th overall and 3rd in Class.
Dabbled in the 750MC Toyota MR2 Championship and got nowhere!
It must be expensive competing in some many championships in one year! Shared the drive of a Cayman GT4 in Britcar Endurance Championship and between us we finished 6th overall and 3rd in Class.
Dabbled in the 750MC Toyota MR2 Championship and got nowhere!
Steve H said:
Highs:
Sharing a mates car for an endurance championship; 5 wins, 4 lap records and the overall championship win without any contact.
Doing a three hour race solo in 25 degree heat, probably high 40s in the car (won).
Racing at Spa.
Lows:
Doing a three hour race solo in 25 degree heat, probably high 40s in the car (very hot).
The aforementioned mate driving my car when it snapped a rod and fired it through the block.
Rockingham closing.
Highs:Sharing a mates car for an endurance championship; 5 wins, 4 lap records and the overall championship win without any contact.
Doing a three hour race solo in 25 degree heat, probably high 40s in the car (won).
Racing at Spa.
Lows:
Doing a three hour race solo in 25 degree heat, probably high 40s in the car (very hot).
The aforementioned mate driving my car when it snapped a rod and fired it through the block.
Rockingham closing.
Sharing my car with a mate for an endurance championship; 5 wins, 4 lap records and the overall championship win without any contact.
Racing at Spa.
Lows:
Being forced to spectate rather than race in the 3 hour endurance race at Rockingham due to a foot injury.
Driving my mates car when it snapped a rod and fired it through the block.
Car to car contact with a lapped car at the Birkett which was only supposed to be an end of season fun race.
One of the many Highs
The Low. My mis-shift broke pressure plate, bolts smashed into the gearbox on day 1 of a 2 day Nurburgring trackday
.
Overall, a brilliant year, 2 days at Spa, 5 days on the Nurburgring, Croft, Donington, Cadwell, Thruxton, Blyton and Rockingham. I`d prefer not to have the odd failure but it isn`t unexpected when pushing a car so far beyond standard.
People always remember the failures but forget the days where I have absolutely zero issues. To be fair, at times I forget them too
The Low. My mis-shift broke pressure plate, bolts smashed into the gearbox on day 1 of a 2 day Nurburgring trackday
.Overall, a brilliant year, 2 days at Spa, 5 days on the Nurburgring, Croft, Donington, Cadwell, Thruxton, Blyton and Rockingham. I`d prefer not to have the odd failure but it isn`t unexpected when pushing a car so far beyond standard.
People always remember the failures but forget the days where I have absolutely zero issues. To be fair, at times I forget them too
My first full season of racing this year in the Caterham graduates.
Highlights:
- First ever podium finish. Crossing the finish line and punching the air, Standing on the step at Oulton Park, Spraying the champagne, being interviewed with my parents watching was a memorable moment.
- First ever pole position and double podium with a 2nd and 3rd place at Anglesey
- First time at Spa... what a track! Racing over 50 other Caterhams and slipstreaming down the Kemmel.. a bucket list moment for sure.
- Finishing 4th in the championship and picking up an award for driving standards at the end of the season
It’s been a great year on track. Can’t wait for 2019 (but the bank account is enjoying the breathing space...)
Highlights:
- First ever podium finish. Crossing the finish line and punching the air, Standing on the step at Oulton Park, Spraying the champagne, being interviewed with my parents watching was a memorable moment.
- First ever pole position and double podium with a 2nd and 3rd place at Anglesey
- First time at Spa... what a track! Racing over 50 other Caterhams and slipstreaming down the Kemmel.. a bucket list moment for sure.
- Finishing 4th in the championship and picking up an award for driving standards at the end of the season
It’s been a great year on track. Can’t wait for 2019 (but the bank account is enjoying the breathing space...)
Edited by Vimes on Wednesday 26th December 12:50
Ignoring a couple of supercar experiences, I did my first track day in Jan in my 308 GTi. Had an hours tuition to start the day at a damp Oulton Park and then spent the rest of the day on the track.
A few months later I went to Donington and to be honest felt out of my depth until some more tuition showed me the lines. Another day at Donington in the summer was my highlight. I really felt like I had got to grips with my car and the track, and was flying round, but then came the low...
My cheap brake pads had lasted just 1,000 road miles and the morning session before they were down to the metal, taking out the discs. Fancy Alcon brakes are a selling point of my car - but they are not cheap to replace
Lesson learned and I'll be doing a couple more track days this year. Bedford is booked for Feb.
A few months later I went to Donington and to be honest felt out of my depth until some more tuition showed me the lines. Another day at Donington in the summer was my highlight. I really felt like I had got to grips with my car and the track, and was flying round, but then came the low...
My cheap brake pads had lasted just 1,000 road miles and the morning session before they were down to the metal, taking out the discs. Fancy Alcon brakes are a selling point of my car - but they are not cheap to replace
Lesson learned and I'll be doing a couple more track days this year. Bedford is booked for Feb.
18 months or so since my first trackday in my Chim 400.
2x Castle Combe
3x Abingdon
1x Thruxton
Highs:
Finding out that with the right spring rate, 300mm front discs and Federal tyres, the 25-year old TVR can hold its own against some very serious machinery. Scalps including Cayman GT4, R8 V10, C63 AMG, 911 GT3, Elises, Exiges and various Caterfields- driver ability notwithstanding but all of which were being driven hard (if not well!)
The best trackday ever this December at Abingdon which started in monsoon conditions and gradually dried out over the course of the day and was surprisingly grippy by the afternoon. My tyres were pretty well used and the morning consisted of being sideways absolutely everywhere and wheelspin all the way through 3rd, getting overtaken by everything and having the time of my life. By the afternoon I was one of the faster cars and had a superb session chasing down everything.
The car being solid as granite and taking the abuse like a champ. Handling is right where I wanted it, perfectly balanced if not blessed with an abundance of grip.
Blagging a passenger ride in a beautiful 60s Vixen GT car, driven superbly. Felt like I was in the Goodwood Revival, great experience.
Giving a passenger ride to a young lad who'd turned up at Combe to take some photos, he nearly exploded with excitement when I started the engine and was in a total giggling fit by the end.
High/low: My first spin! On the aforementioned soggy day at Abingdon, had just corrected a cheeky slide and got a bit overzealous with my right foot before the car had completely settled. A nice 270 degree pirouette, I got a 6/10 from the marshals- must try harder.
Lows: A leaky clutch slave cylinder causing transmission woes for a couple of days in the Summer. Took me far too long to diagnose and properly sort, so towards the end of a couple of trackdays I was trying to bang through gears with the clutch not fully disengaged which wasn't too pretty. In hindsight I was lucky not to have damaged the gearbox, tough as old boots these Rover bits.
Ran out of fuel at Combe- whoops! Gauge is next to useless as soon as you start driving vigorously, and I got my maths a bit wrong which left me coasting into the pits. Had enough momentum to make it though, so no harm done.
Looking forward to more
2x Castle Combe
3x Abingdon
1x Thruxton
Highs:
Finding out that with the right spring rate, 300mm front discs and Federal tyres, the 25-year old TVR can hold its own against some very serious machinery. Scalps including Cayman GT4, R8 V10, C63 AMG, 911 GT3, Elises, Exiges and various Caterfields- driver ability notwithstanding but all of which were being driven hard (if not well!)
The best trackday ever this December at Abingdon which started in monsoon conditions and gradually dried out over the course of the day and was surprisingly grippy by the afternoon. My tyres were pretty well used and the morning consisted of being sideways absolutely everywhere and wheelspin all the way through 3rd, getting overtaken by everything and having the time of my life. By the afternoon I was one of the faster cars and had a superb session chasing down everything.
The car being solid as granite and taking the abuse like a champ. Handling is right where I wanted it, perfectly balanced if not blessed with an abundance of grip.
Blagging a passenger ride in a beautiful 60s Vixen GT car, driven superbly. Felt like I was in the Goodwood Revival, great experience.
Giving a passenger ride to a young lad who'd turned up at Combe to take some photos, he nearly exploded with excitement when I started the engine and was in a total giggling fit by the end.
High/low: My first spin! On the aforementioned soggy day at Abingdon, had just corrected a cheeky slide and got a bit overzealous with my right foot before the car had completely settled. A nice 270 degree pirouette, I got a 6/10 from the marshals- must try harder.
Lows: A leaky clutch slave cylinder causing transmission woes for a couple of days in the Summer. Took me far too long to diagnose and properly sort, so towards the end of a couple of trackdays I was trying to bang through gears with the clutch not fully disengaged which wasn't too pretty. In hindsight I was lucky not to have damaged the gearbox, tough as old boots these Rover bits.
Ran out of fuel at Combe- whoops! Gauge is next to useless as soon as you start driving vigorously, and I got my maths a bit wrong which left me coasting into the pits. Had enough momentum to make it though, so no harm done.
Looking forward to more
Have had loads of fun in the GP this year. Have also spent alot on it too :|
Tracks visited -
CT-16520 by Daniel Air, on Flickr
flitzfoto.de_2018-09-17-1082 by Daniel Air, on Flickr
My highlight was placing third during a Time Attack competition at the 'Ring
MVIMG_20180918_171154 by Daniel Air, on Flickr
I cant say I've experienced any lows yet.... Bring on 2019!
Tracks visited -
- LLandow x 2
- Silverstone and
CT-16520 by Daniel Air, on Flickr- Nordschleife
flitzfoto.de_2018-09-17-1082 by Daniel Air, on FlickrMy highlight was placing third during a Time Attack competition at the 'Ring
MVIMG_20180918_171154 by Daniel Air, on FlickrI cant say I've experienced any lows yet.... Bring on 2019!
First year running the old GT3 on track, managed
1x Brands GP
1x Snetterton
1x Anglesey
Then also did a soaking Spa double header in the old mans 997 GT3.
All highs really, already booked the Spa double header in October and will get some more booked after some chassis work on the car.
1x Brands GP
1x Snetterton
1x Anglesey
Then also did a soaking Spa double header in the old mans 997 GT3.
All highs really, already booked the Spa double header in October and will get some more booked after some chassis work on the car.
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