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Social meet & trackday -- 28th Feb, Bedford

I still plan to be there Paul, but may have to hope for a cancellation if I run on track. I have a few things to do before starting this years track activities - new disks and pads and new rear tyres if it's wet (3mm could be interesting in heavy rain).
 
I'm booked in for the day and am currently running on 4mm of tread left. I was wondering how that would be if it was really wet. I'm getting my new tyres put on at the track, after the event by Hutchinsons. Now if it is really wet what would it be like to have my new tyres fitted at some point during the day and then to go out on circuit?

Del.
 
Don't forget new tyres are not the best to push hard until they've been scrubbed in a bit, they might actually be worse than the old ones.

I did Goodwood in November on some well worn Mich Pilots i.e. about 1.5mm tread and whilst it was a little hairy early on with a wet track once the lines had dried up I was lapping a good 2 seconds a lap quicker than a collegue in the same type of car with nearly new tyres on and who nearly always kicks my butt.

Mike
 
Q. Worn tyres on a wet track.

I am no expert but in a 968 any problems are much less because the car is so well balanced. Road tyres with 3 or 4mm are still Ok IMO, so leave them on for the wet day.

Some would say that worn tyres are the very best way to get good experience on a wet track -- that is, you might not be the fastest but you will be able to explore the handling limits of your car and will probably learn more as a result. Isn't that what a track day is about.

Tyre wear is greatly reduced on a wet day, so you could ride home on them, whereas on a dry day you may have worn them to illegal levels. So best to be prepared with an order into Hutchinsons who are on site all day.

ps the dB noise level for the 28th Feb is 101 -- so the more wild sports exhausts will be a problem.

paul
 
That's been my dilemma, i'd hate to end up with perfectly legal tyres because the day was wet and then still having to throw those tyres away and have the new ones fitted because i'd pre-arranged to have them done at the circuit.

Oh well, i'm sure i can find some way of ripping that tread off, that involves a lot of grinning [:D] I've done 2 car handling days, Bruntingthorpe and North Weald and while there's not a lot miles covered on those days, there was certainly some severe cornering going on as we tried our hardest to have the car sliding all the time. I only lost 1mm of tread per day, i guess because it wasn't particularly high speed and not for long periods that the tyres lasted.

Is anyone hiring an instructor from the circuit? I thought it might be a good idea for me as it's my first time.

Anyone know if there's any Optimax near the circuit so i top off the tank before i start?

cheers

Del
 
Instructors can be arranged through RMA in advance -- I am not sure of the details and it is not free! rather expensive. Give Amey or Graham a ring in the RMA office. Mind you with a few 968 owners around (and others) it might be a good idea if we swapped ideas & notes on driving by actually taking more experienced drivers as a passenger for a few laps -- cheaper and much more sociable.

The other point about a track day is that you go at your own pace, gently exploring the handling of your car to suit yourself. So instruction is not really necessary, in fact just getting used to the environment at your own speed is more important at the beginning -- I am sure that some new tips etc may not be that helpful first time out

Most RMA days are run with open pit lanes and an understanding that the fastest cars go out on the hour -- so if you do not want to mix it with them it is possible to avoid those periods.

Fuel is available on the circuit at the (extortionate!) price of £1/ltr -- cash only, I believe it is s/unleaded but do not know the brand -- ask Palmersport direct on 01403 733999 for further details. It is quite a run to get fuel away from the circuit and therefore time consuming so brimming it before you arrive is definitely the way to go. Mind you if you really get stuck in a refill will be needed as it is quite possible to do over 200 miles on the circuit if you are enjoying it!! NB Did 175 & 240 miles in my last 2 trackdays.


paul
 
The neareast Optimax that I know of is at Rushden (about 10 miles away) just off the A45 when you are coming from the Northampton direction. The garage is attached to one of those car supermarkets and they do cut price petrol. IIRC the normal U/L was 73.9 last week and the Optimax was 78.9

Last time I was at the Autodrome I needed to top up with their £1 a litre stuff onsite [:eek:] but my Turbo has been tweaked to run on Optimax now so I hope I don't use too much up. Hmmmmm, my local accessory shop has 20L Jerry cans in stock. I wonder how much Optimax I could sell at a very reasonable 90p a liter [:D]

(if I go of course [;)] )


There is an Optimax locater site here:

http://www.multimap.com/clients/places.cgi?client=shell&db=GB&lang=en
 
Excellent, thanks for the info chaps. At £60 for the tuition i think i'll find my own way round the circuit, also it'll save me from myself from trying to get through the corners at the same speed the intructors do [:mad:]
 
I intend to come and watch the action.

Weather permitting, after all it's a good drive with the roof down and only hair dressers and boxters drive with the roof closed.

[:D]

Hope to see you then.

MikeS
 
Mike S

Look forward to it. Am resisting the temptation to make other cracks about hairdresser car owners!!

It is going to be fun.

paul
 
I'm going to try and make it to say hello as long as nothing else needs doing to the 968 before then and now, its a bit of a lean month at the moment. But on the upside the MG is in Autotrader this week so fingers crossed I'll have some dosh back to pay for it all and some spending money left for goodies [;)]

See you there [:)]

Mike
 
After the most excellent gathering at Oulton Park on the 21st with 12 cars present -- we now have a target to aim for on Saturday 28th at Bedford.

Can it be beaten? it is a tough call but it is the first chance in 2004 for the southern owners to meet up.


paul
 
Directions for Bedford can be found on the following link, then go near the foot of the page and click again.

Bedford Autodrome Directions

I look forward to meeting whoever turns up. Please remember the photo shoot at 2:00pm if you are attending. Hope the snow holds off!

paul
 
Quite happy to disguise my limo with fancy bridge spoiler, pop forwards, and large wheels if it'll help swell the numbers [:D]
 
paul

did you get your brakes sorted? as you mentioned earlier in this thread.

i assume you are coming, are you hoping to track on Saturday if you can get a last minute place?

i will be topping up with Optimax at the place you recommended on the way down -- will get there early if dry as i have a spare set of rims with P Zeros to fit, they are worn right down so they look a bit like used F1 tyres!

can't wait -- the perfect antidote to work


paul
 
Double checked the brakes and there is plenty of pad for at least another full day at the track [:D] I'll be there just before lunch so might try to persuade an afternoon session if there are any late cancellations.

I hope they grit the track and slow plough overnight, forecast is a bit bleak [:eek:] I don't think I'll worry about putting the slicks in the back [:D]
 
Paul

The sun is out, the temp is 3 degrees and the snow has gone around me. Will keep the snow plough on standby for now though.

paul
 
Hi Paul,
I won't be there but would you give Damian an official welcome from the 968 Register and 968UK for me.
If you let him have a recent copy of Porsche Post, I will give you my spare copy on the 4th April. Just let me know which months issue. It would be nice for him to go away with a keepsake.

Thanks.
 
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