Silverstone 944 track evening *MK2* August 17th

[stjohnsmythe]

ORIGINAL: Peter Empson

Hi Simon, I'd say it should be absolutely fine for a beginner, I think it's the safest proper circuit in the country (thanks to F1) and Goldtrack don't pack them out so there's plenty of space for everyone and good behaviour all round.

The only downside is it's quite a long and arguably featureless circuit to learn so some instruction would probably help (which is available quite cheaply from the organisers), the up side is it's on almost every computer game and there's loads of videos on youtube to get an idea of which way round you go []

In that case I think I'll go ahead and book!

 

[Peter Empson]

Excellent []

 

[eastendr]

I saw Melindi at Snetterton yesterday and she said that you were organising another one - and this one doesn't clash with the Essex BBQ so I'll be along (and perhaps even Lord Sims of Hockley ? )

 

[Peter Empson]

Nice one Rick [] Would that be in a photographic capacity or can we tempt you to bring the 944S for some hot lappery?

 

[eastendr]

Photographically - definately ...

Track action - if I can get my rear arches rolled (265's rub under load) and belts changed... or borrow a Panzamera [][]

 

[Peter Empson]

Well the arches are simple enough to sort out (I think I've posted this before, but it doesn't stop it being amusing - try it at about 5 mins in) []

 

[edh]

Looks like we're gathering some momentum again [] I think I should try & book provisionally - I hope my car will be back in one piece by then, but you never know....

 

[Diver944]

Just read the other thread and it sounds like you all had a good time.

I am really hoping that I can make the 17th August as LIL's return to the track, should be a fantastic evening []

 

[Peter Empson]

Nice one Paul, I'll add you to the list of possibles then []
Hope you had a good break.

 

[MarkK]

Totally gutted i can't make the 17th[]

 

[A.Wang]

All booked, can't wait! []

 

[Peter Empson]

Excellent!
There's just over 3 weeks to go, any more takers???

Will Lord Sims have some fresh tyres so he can come and join us? []

 

[944Turbo]

ORIGINAL: Peter Empson

Well the arches are simple enough to sort out (I think I've posted this before, but it doesn't stop it being amusing - try it at about 5 mins in) []

Nice work with the spray can as well!

 

[eastendr]

Ok, just checking this thread. Who's doing Silverstone tomorrow evening (Wednesday 29th July) ??

I'm pondering but I'm at PARR in Crawley most of the day so it's a bit of a trek if there's only a small 944 turnout ?

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Im in the area in the van tomorrow so will take a trip down with the camera if anybody is going down.
Mike

 

[edh]

latest report on my car is that there's no other remedial work to be done, so once the head is back on next Saturday I should be able to book for the 17th [] (that's assuming the bill isn't into 4 figures...)

 

[Peter Empson]

I'm going tomorrow, but I think it's just me (unless I've remembered incorrectly). Looks like a good turn out for the August one though (and good to hear your car is on the mend Ed []).

 

[Peter Empson]

Just quick report from the Silverstone track evening mk 1.5 []

It was great to see Mike there, and he captured some great photo's depsite the conditions which were pretty gloomy and unpleasent. Naturally this led to the track being water logged and very slippy, hardly ideal with well scrubbed Toyo 888's and with me not having done a wet track day in what was probably a couple of years.

At the start of the evening I had a quick blat to see if I could remember how to do it, but really only succeeded in finding a wet line through one corner [] and having a lot of very sideways moments.

I then had 30 minutess instruction with Calum which I'd been looking forward to for a long time. He was brilliant, very concise and calm, especially considering how much the car was moving around at times. He admitted that he thought we were off at one point (I carried too much speed into Club) but somehow I just kept it on the tarmac and pointing (roughly) the right way [] I wasn't expecting to be able to relax with Calum alongside me, but despite his talent and experience it wasn't at all intimidating.

Of everything we covered the thing that will probably stick with me the most was allowing (or even forcing) the car to understeer (completely off the throttle) across the slippy area where the dry line would have been when going from one direction of a corner to another, it's a great way to feel when the grip returns and so much faster. Not sure if I've described it well, it felt alien to me at first but it certainly works.

I then did a session on my own to try to practice it all and made plenty of mistakes partly as I would get complacent and let my bad habits creep back in, then realise I was carrying too much speed as I wasn't doing it as I was told. Great fun though and slowly I was getting more consistent. I could have stayed out for another couple of hours, but it's probably best that I didn't as there was a lot of standing water around and it was inevitable I'd run out of luck sometime...

I plan on getting Calum for another session at a dry day as I obviously wasnt able to concentrate on my braking which was the original plan, but in hindsight I've learnt far more this evening.

I've got plenty of video, I'll have a go at editing it together soon, I think there's quite a lot of dodgy moments captured []

Don't forget, August the 17th is looming ever closer, so if you haven't booked now's the time to do so. I can't wait []

 

[944Turbo]

Sounds like fun - I take it your/calum's wet line was nothing like the dry line?
wet karting the line was very different - basically avoiding the V. slippy dry line - I have only done one fully wet track day and that dried out.

looking forward to the video,
Tony

 

[Peter Empson]

ORIGINAL: 944Turbo

Sounds like fun - I take it your/calum's wet line was nothing like the dry line?
wet karting the line was very different - basically avoiding the V. slippy dry line

Spot on, and it was where and how we were crossing the line you'd take in the dry that was the most eye opening.

The difference in grip between the heavily rubber bits of the track and clean bits is so great. I was amazed when I followed Calum's suggested lines, right round the outside of Copse (I'd have used the middle without his instruction) its a big of a leap of faith as you're turning in so late and at a decent pace, but we didn't drop below 70 with complete stability when we did it, probably a good 30mph faster than I'd have slithered around otherwise.

The 888's were rather out of their depth (pun intended [] ) but I suspect they helped make the grip changes more stark than if I'd have had more suitable tyres on, so making the learning curve steeper and his instruction far more instantly obvious.

I'm still on a high from it all [] although the nagging 'what if' moments are coming back to me now, there were quite a few where it could have ended being rather expensive.