2010 fun event

[Peter Empson]

Just an idle thought, but I've been wondering if the 944/68 massive would be up for a different kind of meet next year? It'd have to be track focused of course, the question is who would be interested in attending and what should we do?

A few years ago some of us went on the Prescott hill climb course which was great fun, so something similar might be an option.

The other, much more ambitious but less formal one I can't get out of my head is hiring an airfield, there are a few in this area which would be suitable. How we choose to use it would be entirely up to us, we could have a slalom course, side by side drag runs, vmax, you name it! I suspect we might even be able to let some of the noisy cars out to play...

So what does everyone think? Is this a completely mad idea? Will I regret this post???

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Yes on all counts

Mike

 

[PSH]

airfield sounds like fun Pete.. always wanted to do some timed runs , 0-60 , 0-100 , max speed type of thing


Pete

 

[bennyboy]

Sounds good Peter, and keep it 924/28/44/68 only I reckon, maybe even not '28? Big empty airfield, plenty of tarmac and space, a couple of G-box type things, and a hog roast in the infield![]

 

[Diver944]

....and a local bodyshop to respray all the pebble blasted panels afterwards []

Sorry to be a wet blanket but I've done two airfield days and each time it resulted in the sills having to be repainted (once on the S2, once on the Turbo). You guys with your freshly gorgeous paintwork should avoid airfields at all costs.

Purely IMHO to try and save you money and heartbreak []

 

[Peter Empson]

Stone chips are a worry, I'll have to have a close look at this if it gets any further. I did get an email from one of the track day orgnisers saying they'd sorted the problem at one of their events (think it was held in Oxfordshire somewhere) so I guess I'd need to find a runway in good condition.

It's unlikely that there will be any close following at such an event but as you say sills are a concern. If we were just using a small area I'm sure a road sweeper could be hired to clear anything that's already there, but I'm not sure how readily these surfaces break up during the course of the day. Of course it could be an evil plan to get the bodyshop that did my car even more work []

I suspect it'll be the whole H&S/insurance thing that will really scupper this idea, but till then I'll remain hopeful.

I'm all for it being 924/44/68 only, but when I get a grip on the costs I'll then have an idea of how many cars we'd need to make it viable (quite a few I suspect, unless the price per car is high).

 

[Alexw]

yes on all counts again. I'd be hesitant about hiring an airfield, everyone one I've seen (its many, my Dad is a pilot) tend to have well looked after runways but truly appalling taxiways, especially around the edges with cracking tarmac and grass growing through. the above mention of stone chips is definitely true - it'd bits of old tarmac being thrown up. It doesn't matter to the aircraft as they only use the centre of the taxiway and at pretty sedate speeds []

 

[Peter Empson]

I was thinking of just using the main runway section, I think it'd be a major hassle to try to do much in the way of a proper circuit, we'd just need a bit of space to do a few runs safely.

Saying that the temporary circuit they used to have at Brooklands (before it was developed into the ghastly Mercedes World) was excellent, Auto Italia used it regularly and it was great for spectating as there was ample room for the odd bit of showboating and enough space that it was very safe. I drove it and despite just being laid out with a few tyres it was fun that was well worth a few pounds.

The airfield tracks I've been on have always been on maintained (currently used)runways so chipping wasn't an issue, in fact tyre wear on the high grip surface on the shorter runways was more of a concern.

I meant to add the option of somewhere like Curborough in my first post (the 964 guys are doing the same this year), this is probably a bit safer than a hill climb and you're always close to the action too.

 

[graham.webb]

Good idea, but Paul's got a good point about stone chips (I've just had cills done!)...I've driven Prescott and that's great. How about the other sprint/hill climb courses (Shelsley Walsh, Curborough etc)? As far as I've been able to see over the years, these places are clear of gravel and muck, so preferable to a grubby airfield perhaps! Shelsley is awesome: much steeper than it looks!

Is the Oxfordshire venue your thinking of Abingdon? The airfield is now part of Dalton Barracks (Army Logistics) and they do a few motor club events there....might even be used to the gravel question as it used to be used by Williams GP for testing.

 

[PSH]

You could try Dunsfold Airfield ( of Top Gear fame)Guildford As stated any runway will cause chips but the more it's used the better it will be. Dunsfold is used daily , more for cars than aircraft although they do fly in now and then. The runway is used by a number of car specialsits including one( forget name) that trains prospective owners of the SLR McClaren , something about they have to be able to drive it at max speed for insurance so I'm told, you can reach 200mph down the runway so they say...[][]

Add to that the fact that other clubs use it too. I worked there on a film for 3 months and saw a number of clubs blasting up and down the runway.... Ferrari being the one of most interest to me .. I just love the F40.. don't like the rest though..[8D]

btw the SLR's put a protective covering over their lower panels each time they run just in case. It is a great place to go, top gear tests there more or less daily, there's a top rate body shop ( 355) who have some exotic cars in... I remember chatting to the owner when he had in a McClaren FI for a respray, I can't remember the name of the paint chosen but at £1000 per litre it was a damn expensive respray...lol

Oh and most important of all , there's a diner for those all important bacon butties and hot coffee...


Pete

 

[steve 944t]

North Weald could be a good option. www.carlimits.com do regular events there, one of which is their activity day, details on website. Lots of clubs make a block booking - 20 places I believe. I have not been on an activity day as yet, but have done a training day with Andy Walsh (highly recomended), who is a superb instructor.
I don't recall the surface being bad as far as stone-chips, though it is pretty abrasive so tyres take a bit of a pounding. There is a decent restaurant on site too.

 

[Peter Empson]

Cheers Pete, sounds like a good contender. I have to admit I have my eye on a more local venue, this will make it a lot easier for me to recce it and make plans. I'm going to send an email to try to get an idea of the ballpark of prices, just to see if this sort of thing is even viable.

As for catering and so on I was thinking of getting a burger van, unless people wanted to bring their own (not their own burger vans, you know full well what I mean []) or have a barbeque etc.

 

[944Turbo]

Excellent idea, would be up for it.
Tony

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Excellent idea. As long as everyone who attends understands that they are not insured, and there at their own risk, then what's the problem? I guess copying one of the regular trackday company's disclaimers for everyone to sign would be fine, or would any of them be interested in organising it themselves on our behalf? [8|]

 

[Peter Empson]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty
Excellent idea. As long as everyone who attends understands that they are not insured, and there at their own risk, then what's the problem?

Yep, that was my plan, I was thinking of making it a condition of buying the tickets and taking a signature at the briefing as per normal track days. I suspect that this wont cover everything however, so will have to find out what the other responsibilities are.

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty
I guess copying one of the regular trackday company's disclaimers for everyone to sign would be fine, or would any of them be interested in organising it themselves on our behalf? [8|]

Maybe, would certainly make life simpler, but I do like the idea of cutting out their profit margin and making the day more affordable, that way it should be viable with a lot less of us. I definately wouldn't rule it out though.

I have wondered if I can get the organisers from a local car club involved, it could be a great help to get the use of timing equipment, possibly some marshalling, auto test track setup skills and so on. Given they're enthusiasts first and foremost they might be cheaper than a trackday organiser too.

Thanks for all the feedback, it's great to be able to throw around some ideas, please keep them coming []

 

[Peter Empson]

Sorry Graham, I missed your post somehow.

ORIGINAL: graham.webb
Good idea, but Paul's got a good point about stone chips (I've just had cills done!)...I've driven Prescott and that's great. How about the other sprint/hill climb courses (Shelsley Walsh, Curborough etc)? As far as I've been able to see over the years, these places are clear of gravel and muck, so preferable to a grubby airfield perhaps! Shelsley is awesome: much steeper than it looks!

Yes I'd love to do Shelsey too, I suspect we'll only get onto the bigger hill climbs if we do a course and they're normally on a weekday, which I suspect might be a problem.

I know Curborough are very flexible so they are a really good option and should be quite a low hassle option for me, plus they're in a fairly central location (unlike most hill climbs).

ORIGINAL: graham.webb
Is the Oxfordshire venue your thinking of Abingdon? The airfield is now part of Dalton Barracks (Army Logistics) and they do a few motor club events there....might even be used to the gravel question as it used to be used by Williams GP for testing.

I've just had a look through my emails and it was RMA at Odiham (in that well known area of Oxfordshire called Hampshire []). Geography was never my strong point...

I attended an event at Enstone (Oxfordshire) many years back which might be another suitable airfield, The surface was very good there although it wasn't the widest of airfields I've been on. I'll definately look into Abingdon as well if an airfield day is a popular option.

 

[graham.webb]

Forgot about Enstone...home of Renault GP (as I always remind my French friends!), and there's also an outfit up there doing "driving experiences".

Come to think of it we're booked in soon to U Drive (?) at Upper Heyford (now called Heyford Park)...a chance for my 16yr old daughter to mash someone else's gearbox before she learns to drive. They run Ferraris etc (he's ex TWR I believe), so would have a clean-ish airfield track I suppose?

 

[John Sims]

Sounds like a great idea all round.

The GT3 and 964RS guys had a head to head at North Weald - see here - you will notice they were going very fast indeed.

This was a brilliant facility although there were a couple of problems with cars catching bits of metal left by market traders - nothing a walk over the course wouldn't cure though.

 

[zcacogp]

Peter,

You know I have you down as a closet nutter, so are you mad? - Yes!

Great idea. I'd certainly like to hear more about such a scheme. And Mr Smith could readily tout for business if the surface was too gravelly!


Oli.

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp

And Mr Smith could readily tout for business if the surface was too gravelly!

Nope, don't do that I'm afraid