GTXers do Time Trials and Track Days - 2022

[GB]

Anybody up for a Springtime shakedown in Savannah?

I do this event every year. It's a nice group to run with, and it's a really nice time of year. You Time Trialers can use it as a pre-season test session.

Roebling Road, March 26-27 with Just Track It.

https://justtrackit.net/2022-events/march-26-27-2022/

[dodint]

I don't have a car this year. So I'll be buying and mooching rides here and there.

Unfortunately, I have golf tournaments March 18-20th in WV so I'm already going on a trip around that time. I'll keep the thread posted, though.

Did you see that the SCCA Enduro National at Sebring is cancelled so they're going to run a Time Trial instead? I understand it is a bucket list track for some folks.

[Dicknose]

If anyone wants to join me Down Under...
IMOA - still here, has your beast hit the track yet?

[Godson]

I'm currently without a car....I should post what I have been up to...

[JoeW]

I love Sebring. Logged hundreds of laps there.

[Cam]

Savannah is less than three hours away from me. Might be a nice day trip to take some photos and hang out. However...


...it lacks any accommodations for spectators; there are no grandstands, no picnicking areas, nor any other sort of viewing facilities.

Same as Carolina Motorsports Park. Guests can only view the track from around the paddock area. :(

[dodint]

Yeah, Roebling is a club track for sure.

[Rare White Ape]

Unfortunately, I have golf tournaments

That is unfortunate.

[Kchrpm]

I have to recover from frivolous holiday + 40th birthday spending, but if I can I will see if I can make a Track Night In America event.

[dodint]

That is unfortunate.

I'm really enjoying golf.
For the cost of one set of tires I can buy a whole new set of irons. And the entry fee for one time trial will cover 8-10 rounds of golf. And best of all, when I get beat on the golf course it's not because I don't have the current model year equipment with all the mods, it's because of our relative actual performance as athletes.

[JoeW]

And the sheer adrenaline rush of golf…

[dodint]

Have you tried hotlapping or golf?

I mean, in real life, not on your couch?

[JoeW]

I have hundreds of laps logged at Sebring as well as auto-x.

Before that I tried golf for a year or so.

No experience necessary in either to know golf is not an adrenaline rush that driving is.

[dodint]

But you understand the concept of working against a course to better yourself, right? Time Trials and golf are different expressions of the same discipline.

And Sebring is a glorified parking lot so that resume checks out.

[JoeW]

You are such a dipshit.

I commented on the adrenaline rush of golf. Which is negligent compared to blasting around a racetrack.

If you get more of a adrenaline rush from golf than lapping a racetrack then I would imagine every racer ever would disagree.

So glad I don’t have to deal with your sorry ass in real life. Sebring a parking lot…that’s rich. One of the most storied tracks in USA. Go play some golf…

[dodint]

Everything is zero-sum with you. That seems like a pretty miserable way to approach any hobby.

I'm involved with several regional and national level programs and you're the only person that seems to have a problem with me. I wonder why that is...

[JoeW]

I get it now.

I made a little joke about golf not being as adrenaline pumping as racing. You jump on it and try to discredit any life experiences I may have had because of your dislike for me. So good on you for trying to belittle my experiences because you don’t like me.

I know your type.

[dodint]

The Sebring jab is an in-joke between myself and some folks in the community (two of which are already in the thread and will recognize it). I apologize for directing it towards you like that because you weren't in a position to understand it was a joke, and I see how that wasn't fair to you. I was supposed to race at Sebring as part of an endurance team this spring but it got shitcanned for organizational purposes. Nobody is discounting your experience.

I do think you have a zero-sum approach to motorsports, that's how you carry yourself around here anyway. You don't seem to enjoy something unless it's at the expense of others. You wouldn't be a great fit for the programs I'm involved with if you carry yourself that way in real life, but I'd welcome you to come out and see if we can help you find the right mindset to succeed in our events.

I also think you're barking up the wrong tree in regards to me being a 'sorry ass dipshit' when it comes to at-the-track presence. There are three people that have already posted in this thread that has been on track at one of my events and had a good time, two of them were in my car and the other made huge strides last year in his car. You're right, you and I don't get along on here, and that's fine. But that dynamic is absolutely at odds with the experience I help create for participants at the events I'm involved with at the race track.

[Kchrpm]

You two definitely need to go to a track day event together and have some beers so you can become friendly rivals or rivalrous friends. I suggest Road Atlanta or VIR, based purely on your locations.

[JoeW]

My car and motorcycle track days ended back in 2005 with the birth of my first child. Golf days ended in the late 90's. Just living my life vicariously driving online race series, an 2011 Expedition and a 2011 4Runner and a 2005 21' Robalo boat we got a couple of years ago. Just getting by...nothing fancy. No extra money for golf, sportscars etc.

So good on you for staying with your hobbies and having fun.

I said "such a dipshit" not "sorry ass dipshit". I think my version is slightly less offensive ;)

Can neither confirm nor deny zero-sum traits. I think it's a just a few people here that rub each other the wrong way. Probably not a real life personality trait of anyone here...just E-fighting.

[dodint]

:up:

My specialty is getting people on track. If I've got a seat and I'm in your area you'll get a call. Not Sebring though. ;)

[Rikadyn]

If any ya'll rolling through Gingerman, let me know.

[Kchrpm]

TNiA schedule for 2022: https://www.tracknightinamerica.com/articles/2015782-2022-track-night-in-america-schedule-released

Highlights for me:
GingerMan Raceway, South Haven, MI May 19, June 16, August 11, September 15
Nelson Ledges Road Course, Garrettsville, OH May 20, June 22, July 13, August 10
Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, PA April 26, May 10, June 1, June 29, July 27, August 26, September 20, October 12

[Cam]

Something tells me a stock Forester is not appropriate for track days. :lol:

[dodint]

I have worked at Nelson Ledges but still have not been on the track yet. I should check that off this year, either in the M6 or at a road race in my friends T4 Rabbit.

If you are thinking about PittRace again, one of those later dates is our fall showcase again, so AX, TT, RR, and TNiA like you did last year.

[Dicknose]

Something tells me a stock Forester is not appropriate for track days. :lol:

No its perfectly fine. Seen a couple.
Most of the ones I attend have groups with different speeds+experience. A well driven stock Forester wouldn't be the slowest thing on the track.

[Rikadyn]

Something tells me a stock Forester is not appropriate for track days. :lol:

I have seen more than one time attack Forester so... Track day should be fine...

[Cam]

Wow, cool.

I will not be tracking our Forester. If I go to Roebling, it will most likely be on the motorcycle.

[Godson]

Wait, Sebring isn't a parking lot for airplanes?

[dodint]

A group of us are going to buy a B-Spec Honda Fit as a gateway racer. Something the newer guys can take to driver school, and also something we can run in Enduro's and hillclimbs without worrying about tearing up the proper road race cars too much. Should be a hoot.

[Rikadyn]

I wish I had a track car...

[dodint]

It's mainly because Dan thinks the Rabbit is too nice for endurance racing and LeMons. Weird world

[Kchrpm]

I presume it would fail the $500 sake thing at Lemons, based on only cursory knowledge of the car and the rule, but too nice for Enduro racing? Because of potential damage from prolonged running?

[Rikadyn]

Whatever was eating that belt anyway?

Kinda makes sense on one hand but it's not like it won't break doing time trial.

My problem is that I would need a third and fourth vehicle to have a track car.

[dodint]

I presume it would fail the $500 sake thing at Lemons, based on only cursory knowledge of the car and the rule, but too nice for Enduro racing? Because of potential damage from prolonged running?

It already ran LeMons so the "value" is declared at $500 now, he would only have to justify any improvements made. Which he hasn't made any, he just fell in love with it. Long story, but he sold his FoST which moved the Rabbit up into the "prime" race car spot in the garage, so we are replacing the bottom rung of that ladder. It's only improved relatively.

They fixed whatever the belt was rubbing on at the track, I forget what.

[Cam]

I may come take a peek and say hello. It depends on the weather.

[Dicknose]

Did my first Track Day for the year. Its a toy track, doesn't even have a starting line! It belongs to a motorsport school, as in tertiary training for people to work in motorsport (not a driving school). Plenty of them go to work in Supercars and other Australian race series.
https://goo.gl/maps/zHPqPxttJ2LQuGBF7

Runs anti-clockwise and its about 1.6km and quick laps are under 1 min. Got some interesting combos, but it is flat!

Next up Im doing my the local hillclimb... Cooma Car Club @ Mt Gladstone. https://www.coomacarclub.com.au/page-18122
Its less than an hour away (which is quite local for here!). Should be a bit of fun, but not sure my tyres will have much temp in them. Fingers crossed for a warm dry day.

[Kchrpm]

That sounds like a simple good time, nice.

[Cam]

Roebling Road, March 26-27 with Just Track It.


Please note we are a non-spectator track. You must be with a hosting group in order to gain entry.

Can I be your "crew?" :D

[Cam]

I just exchanged messages with one of the Just Track It organizers. (We know each other through sim racing. :) ) He said it should be fine if I just show up. Even if they give me a hassle at the gate, I can just drop some names. :hard:

[CudaMan]

I'll be dipping my toes into time trial type stuff the first week of May. If any of you are nearby come out and say Hi and see some sweet rides; though as Cam alludes to each track may have its own rules for entry (normally around here in CA you just pay the $10-20 gate fee if there is one).

Here's the schedule of tracks mostly around the middle-ish of the US: https://www.onelapofamerica.com/currentEvent/Schedule.do?eventId=42

We are Team Kaos, driving a German Supra. :)

https://www.onelapofamerica.com/images/history/2022/OLOA_2022Route.png

[Cam]

You are going to be at CMP? I will certainly attempt to come say hi then. :D

[Cam]

Wait, you're going to be at CMP and Lanier in the same day? :erm: That won't leave you much time to say hi. I think it's at least a five-hour drive between them.

Edit: Four hours by freeway.

[dodint]

Lanier is the tiny oval at Road Atlanta, right?

[Cam]

Yes.

The schedule has an event at CMP ending at 3:30pm and the event at Lanier starting at 5:00pm. It is not possible to get between those two places in 1.5 hours. :erm:

[dodint]

You have to understand One Lap, though. It takes several hours for the field to get their runs in. On the first day, they establish a running order based on speed (and Brocks whim, if need be) and the fastest cars go first at every event. Once the fastest car finishes its second run, they leave and head to the next location. So CMP 'ends' at 3:30pm, but the first car is already at Lanier waiting for the gate to open. The last car leaves CMP at 3:30pm and does their run at Lanier at 7:30pm.

Given that Lanier is the short oval it is easy to run it as a second event for one day because that will be a relatively short event.

Then everyone drives to Barber to do their runs the next morning.

That's why it REALLY pays to be quick early. You get so much more sleep and a lot less standing around. When Tyler and I were looking at doing this we considered that as part of car selection, we *could* go in the MINI or FR-S but we'd be the tail end of every event and the last to the hotel each night.

[CudaMan]

Yeah I definitely wouldn't have time to go anywhere for lunch or coffee or anything, the whole week is pretty much hang out at the track, do some laps, get on the road, sleep some, repeat. Sounds pretty fun, but doesn't leave a lot of social time outside of the OneLap family or guests joining us at the track. :)

[GB]

CHANGE OF PLANS

I can't make it to Roebling Road next week. I had to cancel. Sorry Cam. :(

But in lieu of RRR, my son and I have entered the Time Trials event at Sebring the following week, the first weekend in April.

https://timetrials.scca.com/events/2000375-2022-tire-rack-scca-time-trials-national-tour-at-sebring-raceway-powered-by-hagerty

Was looking forward to the JTI event, as the Savannah area is usually really nice this time of year. Just didn't work out, timing-wise.

[Cam]

Bummer. Good luck at Sebring, then!

[Godson]

You get to do Sebring. I'm so excited for you.

I need to get this garage done so I can start the work on the car

[dodint]

GB, is this your first SCCA TT National Tour event?

[GB]

Yeah. My Region did one last year at Daytona, but they pretty much just ran it like a regular track day, but with transponders. So I'm considering this as my first TT. My son is running as well. He'll be in T5, I'm in M4. It will be his first time at Sebring... I've run it before, but never in this car.

[dodint]

Yeah, TT NT didn't go to Daytona last year so yours was a regional event (like you said). That's great, one of the big goals of the program is to get the regions to do their own TTs so that seems to be working. The National Tour events have a really great atmosphere, hope you have a good time.

[GB]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52020737756_e2a09168d7_o.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52021258435_ab083426c4_o.jpg

[SkylineObsession]

I wish i lived closer to a racetrack. :( There is one about two hours south, two+hours west and two+ hours north. I know in US terms two hours is nothing, but it's a long way to go home if something breaks on the car. Plus expensive.

Only done about four motorsporty things in my cars, two grasskhanas and two drag race events, all 10+ years ago. As it is, neither of my Skylines have left storage in over half a year for one of them and nearly a year for the other. :(

I was going to do a local hillclimb event a few years back, but then they suddenly closed it off to everyone who doesn't have a rollcage due to new safety regs.

So i just stick to Gran Turismo these days, it's a lot cheaper - but not as fun.

[Yobbo NZ]

It would have depended on what the hillclimb was classed as. I ran 2 rallysprints in my road going Escort as it was a "bent sprint", which is the same as what they run/ran speed events at Ruapuna as.
The 2nd one I did with the Escort, I won my class, 1601cc-2000cc, on used 15in rally tyres borrowed from my brother, oh and borrowed his redrilled axles too for the rear 🤣

[SkylineObsession]

It was basically the below event, on the same road. After me and a mate watched it in 2017 when this vid was made, we wanted to enter it the next year. He was going to enter his RT/10 (or R32 GT-R - can't remember when he sold it for the Viper) and i was going to enter with my GTS Skyline. But closer to the next event we learned that rollcages were now required, which meant the entry list got a lot smaller and i've never been back to watch it since, because of the lack of variety/quantity of cars. :/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez-1Iek1Nxk&t=18s

[dodint]

I was fortunate enough to contribute to winning the first-ever SCCA Enduro race in E3 class this weekend. It was my first time being on track at Nelson Ledges and my first time back in a car since August. Was fun to knock the rust off. I had our fastest lap and our lowest average lap time, which is fortunate because I'm not much of a mechanic so it's the least I can do to be fast in the car.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLWfcpm9_Zp3rT1NCcDjqMmZqjsWWUg6t_IH8tXLqVin7hetK Vex9LQqVY3WwZx37tM4m3lOEIUHSZDcJY3Niye1_92KlRmIvHy bq1ecJaIiMvU2n9nXwixvV9BsPnQHMWUckaTIgnQgCN6jBi8x2 thtEw=w640-h360-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLVcmFAMDETPXtDV4wU8ltIfGia2bcuvXse4n_6QK3gdsdUPS PtIidvK60BKIS5jjAHkIsS6mnxdTYV1ZJQHDndLy8JtSFjQ2kL pxtnle4E0J9FnKUvqLipcgubfsebSXlRQfJD4zxF9guG2UNsjk Gpe-Q=w640-h480-no?authuser=0

We had mechanical issues the second day (each day is a self-contained 8hr race) and did not finish the last hour. The wheel studs on the left front kept backing out and we couldn't get them seated. We were far enough ahead to retain second place in that race, though.
I went to SCCA road racing driver school last August. I was supposed to race three events before being signed off on my Full Competition License. But given my performance at this event (clean racing, no incidents, high level of awareness, and class win) they waivered the rest of my experience requirement and granted my Full Competition License. So it was a very productive weekend for me on a personal level.

Enduro is SCCAs attempt to enter the LeMons/ChampCar space. Unfortunately, the track was only available during the ChampCar Watkins Glen weekend and it made for a small field for us. It was still a great deal of fun and I hope it grows. This year, there are three more (VIR, Buttonwillow, and Houston).

[GB]

Good stuff, Nate!

[CudaMan]

Awesome all around! Winning the first one has got to feel pretty good. :)

[Rikadyn]

https://i.imgur.com/9CMv2po_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

One of many, seems the upload dropped resolution a bit though...

[Yw-slayer]

Samoht and I probably doing something soon.

[Dicknose]

Samoht and I probably doing something soon.

Do tell!!!

Ive booked another track day at my "local", but due to the road between here and there being covered in snow I have to take a 200km detour - argh!
Or get snow chains...

[Yw-slayer]

I'll post about it nearer the time, and if I actually make it into the same country!

However, if anyone is free on 26 Aug in the UK and wants to join us, there are probably still a few spots left at the Palmersport full-day event at the Bedford Autodrome.

[CudaMan]

Full day at Bedford? Heck yes!

[Yw-slayer]

Would be great to have you. You would be The Obvious Ringer on our team. :lol:

[CudaMan]

I happen to have that weekend free and flights are no more (maybe less) than domestic round trip flights to the midwest or east coast here. Dang. Credit card mini vacation in the UK??

[GB]

Savannah is beautiful in the springtime!

https://justtrackit.net/2023-events/march-25-26-2023/

[dodint]

If you need a warm-up event SCCA TTNT is going to VIR the weekend of March 10th-12th.

[Freude am Fahren]

My fiancé got my one of those exotic car track experience things for Christmas. I'll be driving a Ferrari 488 GTB in a couple months around Texas Motor Speedway's infield.

[Dicknose]

ooh very nice

[GB]

If you need a warm-up event SCCA TTNT is going to VIR the weekend of March 10th-12th.
My son and I were *really* looking forward to the TTNT schedule, then were crushed when it came out.
Nothing closer to us than an 8-hour drive. No CMP, no Barber, no Sebring.
The 9-10 hour drive to events in cars that are our daily drivers just doesn't work. We can't afford trucks and trailers. I have no plans to put a tow hitch on my car.
We live in Florida, so we're both running 200tw summer tires year round... but daily tires with 20,000 miles on them won't compete. I have track tires on my spare wheels. I'd need a third set of wheels with fresh TT tires.
There's just too much. Can't swing the long distance ones. My wife is willing to bring our CX-5 to Savannah for our support vehicle (3 hour trip), but that's as far as she'll go.

[dodint]

I think CMP is alternating years.

NCM twice was especially disappointing. Particularly with no Eagles Canyon, Thompson, etc.

Road Atlanta doesn't work for you? I only mention it because I would assume it would be about the same or closer than Barber. Though it is about as far away from Florida as you can get and still be in Georgia.

[Godson]

I am a bit disappointed in no eagles canyon events. But if it's because OIR is happening, I'll take it. Shorter driver for me...

[Yw-slayer]

I happen to have that weekend free and flights are no more (maybe less) than domestic round trip flights to the midwest or east coast here. Dang. Credit card mini vacation in the UK??

Hopefully next time! Samoht and I had a blast, and figured out what sort of more focused experience we'd like to do on the next occasion.

[CudaMan]

I should have jumped on it! I forget why I didn't. But we do need a full report from the both of yas you know. :)

[Yw-slayer]

Thanks. We may write one up!

I may also be in Napa in April. In which case, maybe Sonoma Raceway?

[GB]

Central Florida Region TT / TE Event
Sebring "Club" Course
July 22-23

https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/cfrscca-time-trials-track-event-driver-coach-reg-sebring-intl-raceway-619938

[GB]

Decided to give the Track Night in America crowd a try yesterday. I know there is a bit of a "reputation" of TNiA for being a bit of an unregulated free-for-all, but with the track being RIGHT HERE, it's tough to pass up. And I know it is intended to get people interested in joining SCCA and is aimed at the novice driver, but they have an Advanced group for a reason, right?
Overall it was a good time. Most of the poser, EBay modded cars broke in the first sessions, and it became clear that there were a few guys in Advanced that had no business being there. So that made it easier to navigate the remaining 2 sessions. My little MX-5 was definitely the slowest CAR in the sea of Z06s, GT3s, ZL1s, and GT500s, but we were able to get by many of the cars costing 10, 15, or 20 times as much. (I paid $5800 for my car)
Driving under the lights at Daytona was what I was looking forward to the most, and the feeling dud not disappoint. Very, very different feeling. Spotting the turn-in point for the bus stop was interesting... it's quite dark back there and speeds are high. Unfortunately, an over-boosted WRX STi blew his turbo out and dumped oil all over the track, and the session was cut short.
In summary, having a track day with mostly non-track people was occasionally frustrating, but since I'm just out there to have a blast (not fighting for lap times), it was worth it. Track days with Central Florida Region SCCA and with Just Track It will remain my main focus.


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53208256621_16a8b5c70f_k.jpg

https://flic.kr/p/2p4QdWR

[dodint]

If that's the TNiA reputation they're doing it a lot differently in Florida than we do up here.

[GB]

Previously I had only seen the cars arriving for TNiA while I was at daytime track days with Central Florida Region SCCA at Daytona and Sebring. The cars are usually set up more for parking lot racing rather than hot laps, and guys bring their girlfriends and a couple of their homies.

https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5cafdb14fb22a5285e179bdb/1555097837287-ADTN828IBKNXO050QLBE/Clean+Culture+Texas+2018+Rev+Match+Media-6.jpg

While at track days I see cars more like this:

https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Screen-Shot-2017-12-11-at-12.01.15-PM.png

And like I said, there were some guys in my Advanced group who maybe shouldn't have even been on the track, let alone be in Advanced. They should have been black flagged for a conversation with the steward. The bus stop is AT LEAST 60mph in an M3... not 25mph like one guy was doing.

[XHawkeye]

:up::up:

[Godson]

If that's the TNiA reputation they're doing it a lot differently in Florida than we do up here.

This

[dodint]

Yeah, I'm not a flag waiver for the SCCA but I have volunteered with TNiA for a few years and our program here is pretty well done.

Maybe the disconnect is that 'Advanced' refers to the drivers' level of awareness, not their performance acumen. The coaches are looking to see if they're making smart decisions in traffic, not that they're purple in every sector. Obviously overslowing is part of that because differential of speed creates the highest chances for car-to-car contact, but a TNiA coach will likely side with the driver being overly cautious (even in Advanced) if asked.

[GB]

I guess I'm used to Advanced meaning that you have enough awareness that you don't hold up other drivers. I guess we operate different down here after all.

[GB]

In case anyone is interested.

My son and I will be there.

https://justtrackit.net/2023-events/roebling-road-november-2023/

[dodint]

I've always wanted to check out Roebling.

[Cam]

Unfortunately, I'm a little (a lot) farther away now. :(

[GB]

I don't know... maybe I'm getting too old and grumpy for Track Days.

https://youtu.be/0oFxj2HFVpA

[dodint]

Nah, your frustration is warranted. You do all that prep for what ends up being maybe a half an hour of flying lap action and you want to make the best of it. My mantra has always been to ensure that my actions are not negatively affecting other drivers' enjoyment of the evening, and it's frustrating when that courtesy isn't repaid.

[GB]

Getting ready for my twice-yearly trip.

https://justtrackit.net/2024-events/march-2024/

[dodint]

Jealous, I still haven't made it down to Roebling.

[GB]

I have an event that I will be attending in my hometown of Waterford, Michigan on the evening of June 22nd. (I live in FL) Being that it's my hometown, I have a brother and sister, nieces and nephews, and other friends and relatives that my family and I visit every few years.

My son Cameron and I are considering leaving from FL on Saturday the 16th and making a bit of a "Track Tour" out of the trip.
I'm torn: If I do it, I'll regret spending a week and so much money on it. If I don't do it, I'll regret not taking advantage of such an opportunity.


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53596766290_494881aaf9_b.jpg

[EDIT] It would be my first time at ALL these tracks.

[Kchrpm]

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO IIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTT

[Cam]

Whoa.

[dodint]

Money is fleeting, memories are forever.

[George]

Time spent with son > money.

Time you both spend with faraway relatives > money.

Hope you both have a great time! :)

[GB]

Pre and Post inspections are important!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53626323668_001e986342_h.jpg

[Godson]

yeesh.


That could have been really bad

[Cam]

User error. ;)

[samoht]

Ever since I got the Mac, I've wanted to do a trackday with it at some point. To start with I just wanted to get used to driving it on the road, but rolling into year two of ownership I was definitely getting the itch. I'm aware of the risk of getting things wrong and damaging this car, but that couldn't overcome my desire to really be able to push it.

A colleague raised an interest in getting out on track, so I thought this was a good opportunity and researched tracks that seemed relatively safe and not too far away from Cambridge. Snetterton, Silverstone, Donnington and Bedford seemed to fit the bill, of which we chose Bedford Autodrome as it's nearby and probably the minimum risk of all tracks in the country.

There were four of us there, cars being a Hyundai i20N, BMW M235i convertible, BMW M6 V10, and my 570GT.

Initially I found it all a bit much, although I've been to Bedford twice this was the first time on this layout, and TOCA 3 hadn't helped as much as I'd hoped. The track was busy with people who mostly seemed better practiced than me, and I was struggling to get a sense of the car's capabilities. To be honest, by mid morning I was thinking I'd be having more fun in the FD, which I knew well.

Fortunately I had a tuition session booked and the instructor was really really helpful, sitting alongside and telling me what to do when and how hard. It's a real challenge to get the measure of this car, especially the braking which is phenomenal, trying to pick the braking point and then when to release the brake to turn in at the right speed - of course if you mess up the braking, the whole corner is wrong. But with instruction it started to come together and I started to feel the rhythm needed. In the afternoon we had some passenger rides with each other, I was able to put together a few decent laps for one colleague, which felt great and definitely made an impression on him.

The 'Dynamic' mode of the ESC is fantastic. The car does move around, both under power and if you go in too hot, lift off and throw a load of lock at it like a klutz. The ESC lets the car move around, but diplomatically steps in to help you catch your mistakes. I actually went out once in normal full ESC mode and came straight back in to switch it (you have to stop to engage dynamic), since in normal mode the car feels dead, nothing happens, whereas in dynamic it lets the car move around and get some wheelspin, have some fun until things get out of hand. The car feels like a powerful RWD car in dynamic in the way it doesn't in normal, basically.

The car's on Michelin PS4S which are a 'fast road' tyre but definitely not a track one. Steve at V Engineering had advised me to back off when they show 60-70 degrees C on the dash display (140-160 F) as that would be about the point the tyres would melt, and also protect the costly ceramic brake discs. I had to bleed air out after the first three sessions but with the pressures correct the tyres worked decently well. Some other guys were running more track tyres and getting faster apex speeds, but I think I quite like the way the car moves around a bit on the road tyres. (They're also a good compromise for year-round road use).

I had definitely underestimated the step up in skills required to move up from the RX-7 to this. And yet, the reward of getting it vaguely right is fantastic, so it's hard to resist the challenge of doing this again later in the year.

I do feel very lucky to have the chance to do this in this car, hopefully in time I can better do the car justice.

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[Kchrpm]

It's got the looks, that's for sure!

Glad you got some confidence in yourself driving it, must be awesome!

[CudaMan]

Brilliant! The car's being used properly. :) Did you happen to run into Jenks or Binner? I wonder if they still work at Bedford. Former GTA instructors.


I had definitely underestimated the step up in skills required to move up from the RX-7 to this. And yet, the reward of getting it vaguely right is fantastic, so it's hard to resist the challenge of doing this again later in the year.

This is part of the appeal of MR cars for me. It's typically a bit of an extra challenge to extract the most out of it, and the reward is sweeter. It makes one a better driver on track I believe, if they can (or rather are motivated to) improve their craft.

[XHawkeye]

:up: :up: