Javelin Track Day (or should i say "Caterham Test Day") 18th
Discussion
Hi Everyone
On Tuesday I went to Thruxton to attend the Javelin track day, for the record I am not a track novice and have done many many sessions at many tracks (first time at Thruxton though!) and also the first time with Javelin...
Has anyone else experienced it when they have basically sold the entire track day allocation to the Caterham Academy for them to use as a test day before the official race at the weekend? There must have been at least 15-20 Caterham Academy cars their who were using the day as a full on test session and making it a real pain for anyone else, for example not waiting for the car in front to yield before over taking, overtaking mid corner, overtaking under braking, etc etc. (Not everyone I would add, but the majority)
Dont get me wrong, I know the organisers have to get the numbers up to make the figures work, but this was pretty ridiculous and blatantly obvious what the day was being used for.... the garages were all full of the timing equipment, laptops for telemetry, huge tvs for playing back the laps etc etc etc...
Is this the typical Javelin experience? I dont get why they are not honest and tell you this when booking, as i would not have bothered because as you can imagine in a salon car being constantly swarmed by the Caterham Academy drivers is not a good day...
On Tuesday I went to Thruxton to attend the Javelin track day, for the record I am not a track novice and have done many many sessions at many tracks (first time at Thruxton though!) and also the first time with Javelin...
Has anyone else experienced it when they have basically sold the entire track day allocation to the Caterham Academy for them to use as a test day before the official race at the weekend? There must have been at least 15-20 Caterham Academy cars their who were using the day as a full on test session and making it a real pain for anyone else, for example not waiting for the car in front to yield before over taking, overtaking mid corner, overtaking under braking, etc etc. (Not everyone I would add, but the majority)
Dont get me wrong, I know the organisers have to get the numbers up to make the figures work, but this was pretty ridiculous and blatantly obvious what the day was being used for.... the garages were all full of the timing equipment, laptops for telemetry, huge tvs for playing back the laps etc etc etc...
Is this the typical Javelin experience? I dont get why they are not honest and tell you this when booking, as i would not have bothered because as you can imagine in a salon car being constantly swarmed by the Caterham Academy drivers is not a good day...
i've been with javelin a handful of times and not experienced this so i'd say very not typical.i personally dont have issues with timing or garage kit etc but if the day was sold as a general day (not as a testing day, which i beleive is explicitly stated at booking time - i could be wrong), with the usual briefing rules of passing by consent, and not in corners etc then i'd say thats over the line.
gcpeters said:
Hi Everyone
On Tuesday I went to Thruxton to attend the Javelin track day, for the record I am not a track novice and have done many many sessions at many tracks (first time at Thruxton though!) and also the first time with Javelin...
Has anyone else experienced it when they have basically sold the entire track day allocation to the Caterham Academy for them to use as a test day before the official race at the weekend? There must have been at least 15-20 Caterham Academy cars their who were using the day as a full on test session and making it a real pain for anyone else, for example not waiting for the car in front to yield before over taking, overtaking mid corner, overtaking under braking, etc etc. (Not everyone I would add, but the majority)
Dont get me wrong, I know the organisers have to get the numbers up to make the figures work, but this was pretty ridiculous and blatantly obvious what the day was being used for.... the garages were all full of the timing equipment, laptops for telemetry, huge tvs for playing back the laps etc etc etc...
Is this the typical Javelin experience? I dont get why they are not honest and tell you this when booking, as i would not have bothered because as you can imagine in a salon car being constantly swarmed by the Caterham Academy drivers is not a good day...
It's not just Javelin. The last time I was at Thruxton the Caterham Academy had booked a good number of slots. At other track days there have been half a dozen Clios from an entry level series and cars testing for Time Attack (I've done 8 since lockdown).On Tuesday I went to Thruxton to attend the Javelin track day, for the record I am not a track novice and have done many many sessions at many tracks (first time at Thruxton though!) and also the first time with Javelin...
Has anyone else experienced it when they have basically sold the entire track day allocation to the Caterham Academy for them to use as a test day before the official race at the weekend? There must have been at least 15-20 Caterham Academy cars their who were using the day as a full on test session and making it a real pain for anyone else, for example not waiting for the car in front to yield before over taking, overtaking mid corner, overtaking under braking, etc etc. (Not everyone I would add, but the majority)
Dont get me wrong, I know the organisers have to get the numbers up to make the figures work, but this was pretty ridiculous and blatantly obvious what the day was being used for.... the garages were all full of the timing equipment, laptops for telemetry, huge tvs for playing back the laps etc etc etc...
Is this the typical Javelin experience? I dont get why they are not honest and tell you this when booking, as i would not have bothered because as you can imagine in a salon car being constantly swarmed by the Caterham Academy drivers is not a good day...
In all honesty this is how 2020 is looking across the board as teams don't want to pay for test days and TDOs want the guarantee of filled slots / profit. As cool as it is to share a track with race cars, having half the people are there to just enjoy the day and the other half to set lap times, something will eventually happen to highlight the issue. I hate seeing my left mirror clear coming into a right hand corner (and thinking i'm good for continuing my line) only to look at my right mirror and see a slicks shod Clio or Caterham sat on my 4 o'clock looking for a slingshot. Giving a trackdayer 6 inches in a corner isn't enough to avoid contact if the trackdayer doesn't do what you want him / her to do.
I'm trying to avoid a rant but I would like to see more limitations on what cars can run on track days and what cars can run on test days. As a trackdayer I'd not book a test day because I know I'd be on there with people that are there to improve their times. Getting in their way would be a negative for all parties. The same should be said for track days. Racers should respect the trackdayers position and allow them to just enjoy the laps at their own pace. As soon as you start throwing race cars / drivers into a track day they effectively do the same thing as a trackdayer attending a test day.
But that's ok, because "race car yo!"
I was also at that track day, and yes there were a lot of Caterhams, there's a race weekend there and very little time available to test at Thruxton in a normal year, let alone the year of the 'rona'.
I understand that if you were passed inappropriately then you'd be upset, and I don't doubt that it happened (wouldn't have been me though, I just sit behind and get annoyed that you're super slow round the corners then out drag me on the straights because I only have 125bhp).
Did you report it to the organisers?
Did you go and speak to the drivers in question?
Why didn't you just go faster?
What you have done is anonymously take to social media to try and shame a bunch of people you've never had the decency to speak to because you're butt hurt that your Civic Type R got s
t on by a 125bhp car!
I understand that if you were passed inappropriately then you'd be upset, and I don't doubt that it happened (wouldn't have been me though, I just sit behind and get annoyed that you're super slow round the corners then out drag me on the straights because I only have 125bhp).
Did you report it to the organisers?
Did you go and speak to the drivers in question?
Why didn't you just go faster?
What you have done is anonymously take to social media to try and shame a bunch of people you've never had the decency to speak to because you're butt hurt that your Civic Type R got s
t on by a 125bhp car! I wasn't at this day, but Thruxton in particular can be difficult to get track time on in a normal year, let alone this one. They don't have many days, so when one does become available, particularly right before a race weekend, it will book up. Javellein are not known for keeping numbers low, so that will exaggerate the issue. The majority of Thruxton is also a flat out sweeping corner which clouds the whole overtake on straights thing.
Most track days at the moment from any of the organisers have a number of race cars on them. This isn't people 'not wanting to spend on a test day' but a reflection of the compressed calendars this year. All the usual pre season testing was cancelled and people are now trying to get any circuit time available all while crammed alongside a compressed set of race weekends. This is why pretty much all track time this side of October is sold out.
Race cars and normal cars can coexist on a track day happily provided people give each other space. That applies to race cars not dive bombing on corner entry, but also standard cars getting out of the way and backing off a bit on the straight to let people past. A Caterham in particular doesn't have a lot of grunt, so straight line heroes can cause a lot of tension on both sides.
Most track days at the moment from any of the organisers have a number of race cars on them. This isn't people 'not wanting to spend on a test day' but a reflection of the compressed calendars this year. All the usual pre season testing was cancelled and people are now trying to get any circuit time available all while crammed alongside a compressed set of race weekends. This is why pretty much all track time this side of October is sold out.
Race cars and normal cars can coexist on a track day happily provided people give each other space. That applies to race cars not dive bombing on corner entry, but also standard cars getting out of the way and backing off a bit on the straight to let people past. A Caterham in particular doesn't have a lot of grunt, so straight line heroes can cause a lot of tension on both sides.
Boggo said:
I was also at that track day, and yes there were a lot of Caterhams, there's a race weekend there and very little time available to test at Thruxton in a normal year, let alone the year of the 'rona'.
I understand that if you were passed inappropriately then you'd be upset, and I don't doubt that it happened (wouldn't have been me though, I just sit behind and get annoyed that you're super slow round the corners then out drag me on the straights because I only have 125bhp).
Did you report it to the organisers?
Did you go and speak to the drivers in question?
Why didn't you just go faster?
What you have done is anonymously take to social media to try and shame a bunch of people you've never had the decency to speak to because you're butt hurt that your Civic Type R got st on by a 125bhp car!
Find myself agreeing with a lot of the general points your making - but I don’t think you’ve made them particularly well with some of your assumptions there. I understand that if you were passed inappropriately then you'd be upset, and I don't doubt that it happened (wouldn't have been me though, I just sit behind and get annoyed that you're super slow round the corners then out drag me on the straights because I only have 125bhp).
Did you report it to the organisers?
Did you go and speak to the drivers in question?
Why didn't you just go faster?
What you have done is anonymously take to social media to try and shame a bunch of people you've never had the decency to speak to because you're butt hurt that your Civic Type R got s
t on by a 125bhp car! As for the subject in hand - bottom line is that the rules are set out in the briefing and should be adhered to by all be that the track day folks or the racers. If they aren’t being adhered to or applied fairly - that’s something to raise with staff at the time.
Was at Cadwell a few weeks ago and had the same. Strangely , the upcoming weekend was a race weekend !!!!
All the T&C's state no timing etc etc but they all have v boxes and video data logging which gets furiously analysed on the laptop back in the pits. It does make a mockery of it but what do you expect at a race circuit. The standard of driving was fine but the staff are blinkered if they think it's not going on.
I think it's the price you pay for a cheap trackday. I doubt RMA has the same issues !!
All the T&C's state no timing etc etc but they all have v boxes and video data logging which gets furiously analysed on the laptop back in the pits. It does make a mockery of it but what do you expect at a race circuit. The standard of driving was fine but the staff are blinkered if they think it's not going on.
I think it's the price you pay for a cheap trackday. I doubt RMA has the same issues !!
I've used Javelin a handful of times but only once at a 'proper' circuit. It was a cold December morning at Donington but I had a much more positive time with their attitude towards race cars.
In the garage next to me was a Ginetta Junior team who were obviously there to test. Stood on the pit wall watching what was going on their car went out and a chap in team gear wandered over to the pit wall with a clipboard and stopwatch. About a minute later one of the Javelin staff walked over to him and told him to dissappear into the garage as this wasn't a test day and if he saw him there again they would be sent home. It was the only garage at lunchtime with both doors down so obviously going through data but I was impressed they had twigged what was happening and had done something about it.
Unfortunately it's just what seems to happen at proper circuits and with what's happened this year will probably be more common as there won't be the test days available.
In the garage next to me was a Ginetta Junior team who were obviously there to test. Stood on the pit wall watching what was going on their car went out and a chap in team gear wandered over to the pit wall with a clipboard and stopwatch. About a minute later one of the Javelin staff walked over to him and told him to dissappear into the garage as this wasn't a test day and if he saw him there again they would be sent home. It was the only garage at lunchtime with both doors down so obviously going through data but I was impressed they had twigged what was happening and had done something about it.
Unfortunately it's just what seems to happen at proper circuits and with what's happened this year will probably be more common as there won't be the test days available.
In a condensed calendar such as this it is hardly surprising that it turned into a bit of a test day.
I was there on Tuesday, (Yes in a Caterham...) there were quite a few ratty BMWs and even a 'race' C1 too - I'd understand the 'butt hurt' when this went past you tbf.
Thruxton doesn't have a 'straight' and overtaking was allowed on either side. Whilst it may be annoying - you have to understand to use your mirrors and cede - to anyone faster - not just race cars.
There was a lovely orange Exige - was clearly using his mirrors and was no trouble all day - there was a silver merc <something> driving no sort of line at all - nipping past was the best option.
I make no apologies for using the big hole other people are punching in the air for me either - Caterhams have the aero of a brick.
(That said a couple of the red flags were caused by Caterhams coming together.......but at least they hit each other.....)
I was there on Tuesday, (Yes in a Caterham...) there were quite a few ratty BMWs and even a 'race' C1 too - I'd understand the 'butt hurt' when this went past you tbf.
Thruxton doesn't have a 'straight' and overtaking was allowed on either side. Whilst it may be annoying - you have to understand to use your mirrors and cede - to anyone faster - not just race cars.
There was a lovely orange Exige - was clearly using his mirrors and was no trouble all day - there was a silver merc <something> driving no sort of line at all - nipping past was the best option.
I make no apologies for using the big hole other people are punching in the air for me either - Caterhams have the aero of a brick.
(That said a couple of the red flags were caused by Caterhams coming together.......but at least they hit each other.....)
Boggo said:
I was also at that track day, and yes there were a lot of Caterhams, there's a race weekend there and very little time available to test at Thruxton in a normal year, let alone the year of the 'rona'.
I understand that if you were passed inappropriately then you'd be upset, and I don't doubt that it happened (wouldn't have been me though, I just sit behind and get annoyed that you're super slow round the corners then out drag me on the straights because I only have 125bhp).
Did you report it to the organisers?
Did you go and speak to the drivers in question?
Why didn't you just go faster?
What you have done is anonymously take to social media to try and shame a bunch of people you've never had the decency to speak to because you're butt hurt that your Civic Type R got st on by a 125bhp car!
I think your getting the wrong end of the stick here, I have no problem with a lower power car being way quicker through the corners and carrying as much speed as possible. Luckily I understand the principles of power to weight, handling etc etc I understand that if you were passed inappropriately then you'd be upset, and I don't doubt that it happened (wouldn't have been me though, I just sit behind and get annoyed that you're super slow round the corners then out drag me on the straights because I only have 125bhp).
Did you report it to the organisers?
Did you go and speak to the drivers in question?
Why didn't you just go faster?
What you have done is anonymously take to social media to try and shame a bunch of people you've never had the decency to speak to because you're butt hurt that your Civic Type R got s
t on by a 125bhp car! 
For your direct questions..
1) Yes, twice and then finally when they watched the footage they realised the challenges that was happening on the circuit and apparently asked the offenders to leave (this was way into the afternoon)
2) No, because its pretty hard to identify the specific Caterham in question . e.g. there were numerous the same colour etc..
3) handling limits, and mine
I am not trying to shame you, what I am asking is if this is the usual attendance at Javelins day, and if it is they should give other people a heads up so they can make a choice to attend or not... and for the record I wasn't in the civic type R..
justleanitupabit said:
In a condensed calendar such as this it is hardly surprising that it turned into a bit of a test day.
I was there on Tuesday, (Yes in a Caterham...) there were quite a few ratty BMWs and even a 'race' C1 too - I'd understand the 'butt hurt' when this went past you tbf.
Thruxton doesn't have a 'straight' and overtaking was allowed on either side. Whilst it may be annoying - you have to understand to use your mirrors and cede - to anyone faster - not just race cars.
There was a lovely orange Exige - was clearly using his mirrors and was no trouble all day - there was a silver merc <something> driving no sort of line at all - nipping past was the best option.
I make no apologies for using the big hole other people are punching in the air for me either - Caterhams have the aero of a brick.
(That said a couple of the red flags were caused by Caterhams coming together.......but at least they hit each other.....)
The C1 was entertaining that's for sure, and it never passed me - so no butt hurting there I was there on Tuesday, (Yes in a Caterham...) there were quite a few ratty BMWs and even a 'race' C1 too - I'd understand the 'butt hurt' when this went past you tbf.
Thruxton doesn't have a 'straight' and overtaking was allowed on either side. Whilst it may be annoying - you have to understand to use your mirrors and cede - to anyone faster - not just race cars.
There was a lovely orange Exige - was clearly using his mirrors and was no trouble all day - there was a silver merc <something> driving no sort of line at all - nipping past was the best option.
I make no apologies for using the big hole other people are punching in the air for me either - Caterhams have the aero of a brick.
(That said a couple of the red flags were caused by Caterhams coming together.......but at least they hit each other.....)
, as I said i am not a novice so i was using my mirrors a lot and ceding but when you getting lunged from both sides with their brakes locking up going past you going into the complex is does get slightly frustrating gcpeters said:
Boggo said:
I was also at that track day, and yes there were a lot of Caterhams, there's a race weekend there and very little time available to test at Thruxton in a normal year, let alone the year of the 'rona'.
I understand that if you were passed inappropriately then you'd be upset, and I don't doubt that it happened (wouldn't have been me though, I just sit behind and get annoyed that you're super slow round the corners then out drag me on the straights because I only have 125bhp).
Did you report it to the organisers?
Did you go and speak to the drivers in question?
Why didn't you just go faster?
What you have done is anonymously take to social media to try and shame a bunch of people you've never had the decency to speak to because you're butt hurt that your Civic Type R got st on by a 125bhp car!
I think your getting the wrong end of the stick here, I have no problem with a lower power car being way quicker through the corners and carrying as much speed as possible. Luckily I understand the principles of power to weight, handling etc etc I understand that if you were passed inappropriately then you'd be upset, and I don't doubt that it happened (wouldn't have been me though, I just sit behind and get annoyed that you're super slow round the corners then out drag me on the straights because I only have 125bhp).
Did you report it to the organisers?
Did you go and speak to the drivers in question?
Why didn't you just go faster?
What you have done is anonymously take to social media to try and shame a bunch of people you've never had the decency to speak to because you're butt hurt that your Civic Type R got s
t on by a 125bhp car! For your direct questions..
1) Yes, twice and then finally when they watched the footage they realised the challenges that was happening on the circuit and apparently asked the offenders to leave (this was way into the afternoon)
2) No, because its pretty hard to identify the specific Caterham in question . e.g. there were numerous the same colour etc..
3) handling limits, and mine
I am not trying to shame you, what I am asking is if this is the usual attendance at Javelins day, and if it is they should give other people a heads up so they can make a choice to attend or not... and for the record I wasn't in the civic type R..
It’s not just caterhams. These days I just don’t book a track day when there’s a race meet the following day. It’s not the specific cars, it’s the attitude and arrogance of some of the “racing” drivers.
If you’re chasing lap time and setup on a track day which means you are dive bombing other cars into corners then I’m sorry but you’re a bellend.
Just because you’ve chucked a few grand into some grassroots racing series doesn’t make you any more important (or, come to that, skilled) than anyone else who’s paid to use the track that day.
If you’re chasing lap time and setup on a track day which means you are dive bombing other cars into corners then I’m sorry but you’re a bellend.
Just because you’ve chucked a few grand into some grassroots racing series doesn’t make you any more important (or, come to that, skilled) than anyone else who’s paid to use the track that day.
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