Today's Autocar Drift School
Discussion
Me and Ace-T attended today's Autocar drift school, as did a couple of other PH'ers (
Plotloss and Trackdemon).
I was very hard, tiring and huge amounts of fun. Getting a car sideways and keeping it controlled is bloody hard work if you've never done it before!
The weather at Silverstone was fantastic. A wet track would have been better, but after yesterday's deluge (there was a guy building a boat in the paddock and pairs of animals loitering about), a nice sunny day was very welcome, and doubly so as we were all in Caterhams!
The cars were set up especially for drifing: soft, grippy tires on the front and hard on the rear, so get things sideways was pretty easy. Keeping it there was another thing altogether
My only criticism would be to say the people:car ratio was a bit high and we didn't get enough time out on the circuits - just when you thought you were getting a handle on things you had to come back in
Still, considering how battered I now feel maybe that was a good thing... 
The date was good too, as it coincided with a Ferrari Owner's Club trackday - so plenty of automotive porn to drool over at lunchtime (highlights of which were an Enzo and a Aston Martin DB7 Zagato).
The chaps from Autocar and the Caterham motorsport crew put on a really good event.
Even though I was completely useless, it was well worth attending for what it taught me about car control, my own abilities (or lack thereof) and for the sheer big fat grin factor 
I think another go will be on the books in the not too distant future...
Plotloss and Trackdemon). I was very hard, tiring and huge amounts of fun. Getting a car sideways and keeping it controlled is bloody hard work if you've never done it before!
The weather at Silverstone was fantastic. A wet track would have been better, but after yesterday's deluge (there was a guy building a boat in the paddock and pairs of animals loitering about), a nice sunny day was very welcome, and doubly so as we were all in Caterhams!
The cars were set up especially for drifing: soft, grippy tires on the front and hard on the rear, so get things sideways was pretty easy. Keeping it there was another thing altogether
My only criticism would be to say the people:car ratio was a bit high and we didn't get enough time out on the circuits - just when you thought you were getting a handle on things you had to come back in
Still, considering how battered I now feel maybe that was a good thing... The date was good too, as it coincided with a Ferrari Owner's Club trackday - so plenty of automotive porn to drool over at lunchtime (highlights of which were an Enzo and a Aston Martin DB7 Zagato).
The chaps from Autocar and the Caterham motorsport crew put on a really good event.
Even though I was completely useless, it was well worth attending for what it taught me about car control, my own abilities (or lack thereof) and for the sheer big fat grin factor I think another go will be on the books in the not too distant future...
Yes, 'twas a jolly good fun day out. As always I didn't realise who were PH'ers and singularly failed to say hello to any of you. Sorry!
Only gripe for me was I'd have liked a little more time in the car, but then again wouldn't we all! Anyway a great day out and to cap it all I managed to slide my way to the winners podium(having been joint 2nd going into the final round), apparently my prize is to pilot one of the BMW M3 press cars in the Sideways challenge later this year 
Cool!
Only gripe for me was I'd have liked a little more time in the car, but then again wouldn't we all! Anyway a great day out and to cap it all I managed to slide my way to the winners podium
(having been joint 2nd going into the final round), apparently my prize is to pilot one of the BMW M3 press cars in the Sideways challenge later this year Cool!Glad you enjoyed yourselves - we certainly did. I agree - we need to provide a bit more time in the cars which would probably mean less people and slightly higher costs (not much more though) but don't forget - drifting in a Caterham is physically exhausting so you probably won't want a massive amount more.
Congrats Trackdemon - it was bloody close in the final round and yes, your prize is to take part in the Sideways Challenge proper when we run it later in the year.
Congrats Trackdemon - it was bloody close in the final round and yes, your prize is to take part in the Sideways Challenge proper when we run it later in the year.
trackdemon said:
I do wonder if you purposely scheduled it same day as the FOC trackday? Certainly gave us some cool stuff to look at at lunchtime
>> Edited by trackdemon on Tuesday 20th April 12:40
Complete coincidence. I'd briefly considered bringing the F40 myself, but settled on the Focus ST170 instead.
thought the DB7 Zagato was a complete munter though
Just reading Geoff's post on the www.easytrack.co.uk forum... seems he won 1st prize in the 'most entertaining' section (read 'all over the place' I guess!)
Sorry to have missed it - sounds like fun - although the last time I spent an hour doing sideways in the M3 I got though a set of back tyres in as much time as it takes to say "Cash or credit card sir?"
Sorry to have missed it - sounds like fun - although the last time I spent an hour doing sideways in the M3 I got though a set of back tyres in as much time as it takes to say "Cash or credit card sir?"
cptsideways said:
We need pictures........
Unfortunately we forgot to get batteries for both the cameras we took
but got some video of me Judas and Plotloss. I will leave it up to you chaps to judge how well (or otherwise) we did when I post it. Well done Trackdemon - didn't realise it was you mate!
I was third 'most entertaining driver'
but felt that at the end I had improved dramatically from the start of the day where I drove like a wuss! 
I really enjoyed myself and as Judas has mentioned more time in the cars would be good. Problem is that you want to keep going so you can get better - very addictive! Thanks to everyone involved - it was a great day.
Ace-T
iguana said:
The tickets sold out within a couple of hours of being available on the website! They are planning to run more events so keep your eyes peeled.
Whos website judas?
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