Snetterton Trackday -Wed 12th Oct

[paulf968]

The 'need for speed' bug is biting hard. My new 18" rims and Dunlop DO1J's need another run out.

Anyone fancy throwing off the autumn blues at Snetterton on Wed 12th Oct?

I am booked -- visit www.goldtrack.co.uk or give Melindi an e-mail at melindi@goldtrack.co.uk


paul f

 

[John Sims]

I would dearly love to, and finally take out what cocks I can still get to before the gearbox gets swapped, but work commitments preclude such fun currently.

We had a great day the last time we were at Snet together and I hope some of you will get to play again. It is a very Turbo orientated circuit - cue Pauls videos of 951's monstering Ferraris. []

 

[Fen]

I'm doing the 15th at Oulton and I can't justify (read get a pass out) twice in one week. Both are miles from me but Oulton is easier to get to and looks an interesting track. I don't know Snett but it looks much more like an old airfield to me.

 

[John Sims]

ORIGINAL: Fen

.... I don't know Snett but it looks much more like an old airfield to me.

That's because it is. [] It does have some quite exciting bends that are much faster than first apparent and do take some getting used to. It also has enough room for a "moment" here and there. That said, it does flatter a car with power but you also need big brakes to scrub it off.

It doesn't have Craner Curves, Paddock, Surtees or Copse but it is still a track that has to be done.

Edited 'cos spelling checkers don't know when you've used the wrong word [&o]

 

[Fen]

I'll do it one day, I just fancied Oulton instead when it came to a head to head. Oulton is also Saturday so no time off work and half the 968s in the UK (apart from Paul [&:]) will be there. I think Snett might be better done in a less inclement season also.

 

[Diver944]

Sorry Paul, next time for me also. I've only done Snetters once and it is great fun in a 944/968.

Oulton is still on my 'to do' list, what I've seen of it looks really technical and therefore very appealing []

 

[carlmthompson]

Not that I can make it anyway, but for future reference, where's Snetterton track? Is it the Snetterton beside Norwich?

 

[Guest]

can i add a few questions - how much? how does it work - how many laps/how much time etc? is it suitable for novices?
Matt

 

[Fen]

Saturday week's Oulton day has a dedicated novice session at the start - 10 laps following the leader for £29 with an option to have half (31/2 hours) or full (7 hours) day thereafter at disounted rate. The normal session is open pit lane so it's as many laps as you and the car can stand. Snett is in Norfolk, not right by Norwich but I'm not totally sure where. Might even be Suffolk.

 

[carlmthompson]

To save me looking, where's the Oulton info?

 

[Fen]

The horse's mouth is here http://www.porsche968uk.co.uk/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2411 If you're not a member of 968UK (then join!) or check out the thread here http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=148241

 

[John Sims]

ORIGINAL: matt951

can i add a few questions - how much? how does it work - how many laps/how much time etc? is it suitable for novices?
Matt

If I might be so bold, I would wait until there is a track day (or better still an evening) with several of us going.

Track Days, and evenings, work on one of two principals:-

Open Pit Lane - When you can go out on the track and come in when ever you like.

Timed or Grouped Sessions - When a group of you go out on the track for a set time, usually 20 or 20 minutes, after which another group goes out, and so on, until it is your turn again.

For a complete novice timed sessions may be the best. These are grouped by experience so you wont be constantly pulling over to allow faster drivers past.

I noted above that an evening might be the best way to start. This is only because they are shorter and also generally cheaper. While 5, 6 or 7 sessions during a day may seem great you will be surprised how tired you can get. I seldom do more than a couple of afternoon sessions as I am then aware that my concentration can start to wain.

If you go with a group of people with similar cars, not only do you have the fun of swapping tales of "daring do" but you can follow a car of similar type which may give more confidence in carrying a bit more speed around a corner. Also, you can have rides in a car the same as yours. If you can't wait for a 944 gathering; almost all Track Day organisers have resident instructors who, for a small consideration, will go around with you.

Some Track Days are far better organised than others. You need to pick a company with a low tolerance for Chavs, Boy Racers, Numptys, and other bottom orifices. Gold Track is very good, and will send home anyone driving like a penis - even international racing drivers.

The final note - don't do it. It changes your whole perception of the car (and life), shifting your criteria for what you want from it dramatically. Comfort and noise seem to become a secondary issue in the quest for better handling/braking/power. Then you need to spend some (lots of) money to change this or that, then you need to do another track session to see how it has improved, in which case something else will need tweaking, and so it goes on the slope to poverty.

To modify a famous saying by someone famous in in famous film about a famous race:-
[blockquote]
"Track Days is life. Everything else is just waiting." [/blockquote]

 

[Guest]

thanks for that John, i'll wait for a 944 day/eve

Matt

i do indeed fear the modification bug

 

[Fen]

Oulton on Saturday has a lot of 968s and a few '44s. There is also a follow the leader absolute novice session right at the start of the day.