CASTLE COOMBE - ANY TIPS?
Discussion
+1 to entering Quarry. It is a great track for a GT3 but it is Quarry that will get you if you try too hard (it is the most crashed corner on UK circuits). Lift before rise into Quarry ( you could be doing 125 -130+ here) and let car settle after rise before braking. Other corner to watch is into back straight along pit wall. Fine when dry but there is a hidden bump on the apex that can unsettle the rear in the wet - and the pit wall is unforgiving if you don't catch the back end first time!
Wonderful circuit, very quick and when pushing on you realise you've got nowhere to go. Should you overcook it going into camp (and you aren't a driving god), let the car go to the infield rather than counter steer into the pit wall!
Very bumpy in places, tower and bobbies are good fun for a bit of 4 wheel drifting - one of my favourite circuits
Very bumpy in places, tower and bobbies are good fun for a bit of 4 wheel drifting - one of my favourite circuits
Here is a lap in my Elise, it was taken during qualification when I raced there last year.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xnAgmecj_0
As others have mentioned, a dangerous circuit, make sure you brake before Quarry, I've tried braking after and ended up in the tyre wall.
The key to a quick lap is to straighten out the chicane's so that you can get on the power early on the exit.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xnAgmecj_0
As others have mentioned, a dangerous circuit, make sure you brake before Quarry, I've tried braking after and ended up in the tyre wall.
The key to a quick lap is to straighten out the chicane's so that you can get on the power early on the exit.
Edited by ken993 on Saturday 22 June 17:40
When I pay to watch racing at Castle Coombe the biggest crowd is always at Quarry. As others have said its where the most action happens.
Don't stay too late as we go cyling there on Tues and Thurs evenings - and for some reason we go round anti-clockwise. I would hate to see a GT3 going the other way. £3 for as many laps as you want, and no noise restrictions
Don't stay too late as we go cyling there on Tues and Thurs evenings - and for some reason we go round anti-clockwise. I would hate to see a GT3 going the other way. £3 for as many laps as you want, and no noise restrictions
BertBert said:
ken993 said:
make sure you brake before Quarry, I've tried braking after and ended up in the tyre wall.
Do you mean Avon Rise? You are unlikely not to want to brake before Quarry!
Just what I was thinking.Boxster S Race 1 last year (damp, qualified 3rd):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF5sv149gL4
Boxster S Race 2 last year (p1ssing down, qualified 4th):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjahZ6GeKx4
And in 2010 I got pole for, and won, both race in my 964.
Here's part 3 (there used to be a time limit on videos):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdRXQ_an9tU
The other parts and the previous race should be on my Youtube channel somewhere.
Hope they help.
It's a great track and the next one we're racing at - got to wait till August bank holiday Monday though
Nano2nd said:
Fantastic link. I have ridden at Castle Coombe once on a Honda SP2 as a freebie ..... not many laps mind. I can't remember (on a bike at least) that the entry into Quarry was that bad. Difference between bike and car I suppose.
Something strongly to remember if I ever do it in the 993.
Nano2nd said:
Ha ha after watching that I might take the wifes mini instead:-)))Hi Dave. The thing about Combe is it is a very bumpy circuit. So very good at unsettling 911's. So unless you are very good at balancing the car don't try just go steady. Folly after the start finish line is flat if you are brave. Don't try it. A big lift is safe. Brake after the bump at Avon rise before Quarry. It is a late apex.
Through the chicane and into old Paddock. Again bumpy. Go steady as a lot of track day heros go off in field and hit the marshalls post.
Tower again a late apex, very little run off. Back round to Camp again a late apex and onto the start finish straight. A great circuit once you get the hang of it.
Personally I love it. My first race victory their a very long time ago and I've always gone well there. The two chicanes have spoilt it a little bit but they had to do something to reduce the corner speed into old paddock and camp. From memory that was after three big accidents in one weekend. A 993 or two ended up in the pit entry road on its roof. Drivers ok. An F40 hit the bank and caught fire. Pete was OK. One of the Tuscans had a big off, lost a wheel and killed a spectator.
Through the chicane and into old Paddock. Again bumpy. Go steady as a lot of track day heros go off in field and hit the marshalls post.
Tower again a late apex, very little run off. Back round to Camp again a late apex and onto the start finish straight. A great circuit once you get the hang of it.
Personally I love it. My first race victory their a very long time ago and I've always gone well there. The two chicanes have spoilt it a little bit but they had to do something to reduce the corner speed into old paddock and camp. From memory that was after three big accidents in one weekend. A 993 or two ended up in the pit entry road on its roof. Drivers ok. An F40 hit the bank and caught fire. Pete was OK. One of the Tuscans had a big off, lost a wheel and killed a spectator.
Thanks everyone for your advice. Steady Eddie it is to start then as our name of game is having fun and returning all parts of car in one piece! I shall post a few pics next week after Glastonbury (hopefully my 'bodywork' will be in far worse shape after Glastonbury than Castle Coombe!:-)
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff