April Marham reports
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:00 pm
Thought we could have one thread for thoughts and comments, rather than one from each of the people that attended 
Plans had chooped and changed a few times with my car of the day. The Golf had developed problems, the next option was a 200 of Kev's. I was nervous about using someone elses car so we reverted to the Golf. But the Golf had more problems than ever now...............arse :lol:
I met Ben (murano3) at APT just after 7 and we headed to RAF MArham, near Swaffham in Norfolk. Ben and I were co-driving the mighty Golf, I had done the circuit before, Ben was a newb. The weather was good and the paddock wasn't that busy. We meet Jason and Andrea (Mr and Mrs Sideways) Trev, Dan and Alex at the circuit for just before 8 after a seemless entry to the event. Visiting an active military base is always a treat. The armed guards, sniffer dogs and tight security did nothing to make us feel less welcome. The staff were simply superb. A genuine credit to the base and their bosses.
Dan had brought the Cerb, Trev and Alex were driving the BMW drifter, Jason and Andrea were driving the 325i. Also at the event were Ian200 with his 3 series tourer and Nick, Alex and Ian with the Silvia. Dwayne joined us with his Soarer and Hannah ran the Cobra. That car must know it's way around the track without anyone driving it
I had vowed that no repercussions would befall Ben if he broke the Golf, but we arrived and the car had issues. The alternator belt and auxillary/power steering belts were loose though and screaming like mad. My main concern was the auxillary belt killing the water pump. This is where LeeS13 stepped in. I asked for his help and he was amazing. He didn't ask for anything and was 'just happy to help'. A selfless act that was hugely appreciated. I will repay your help two fold Lee. Thank you
It was clear from early on that the Golf would struggle on the long straights. The corners and braking areas gave us a big chance to claw back lost ground and Ben and I made th best of our low grip and lower power levels.
The two Bm's were flying. Very little in the straights between them. The corners were both despatched well enough but in very different styles. Jasons technique on corner entry was very smooth and more 'committed' on exit. Trev was just hugely committed everywhere
Dan and the Cerb was having huge fun. Stone chips aside the car went great with huge power and the long gearing came into its own at Marham. An indicated 165 and more on the back straight.
Ian with the BM kept spinning but I suspect that the tyre choice helped there.
Nick and Ian looked like they were learning a lot about their track car. That's a polite way of saying that they also span a lot This sort of hooning around underlines the key difference, in my mind, between airfield track days and 'proper' circuits. The 'hoon' factor lets people push their cars so hard and this is why it was one of the best events I can remember.
Passenger laps with Trev and Jason left me in stitches. Some great driving and Jasons 360 burnout will stay with me for a long while :notworthy:
Thanks to all of the guys for some great laughs and some imperious driving :thumb:
*Oh yeah.......Ben did kill the brakes Completely mullered but I wouldn't want it any other way. Great to see you having so much fun mate.
Plans had chooped and changed a few times with my car of the day. The Golf had developed problems, the next option was a 200 of Kev's. I was nervous about using someone elses car so we reverted to the Golf. But the Golf had more problems than ever now...............arse :lol:
I met Ben (murano3) at APT just after 7 and we headed to RAF MArham, near Swaffham in Norfolk. Ben and I were co-driving the mighty Golf, I had done the circuit before, Ben was a newb. The weather was good and the paddock wasn't that busy. We meet Jason and Andrea (Mr and Mrs Sideways) Trev, Dan and Alex at the circuit for just before 8 after a seemless entry to the event. Visiting an active military base is always a treat. The armed guards, sniffer dogs and tight security did nothing to make us feel less welcome. The staff were simply superb. A genuine credit to the base and their bosses.
Dan had brought the Cerb, Trev and Alex were driving the BMW drifter, Jason and Andrea were driving the 325i. Also at the event were Ian200 with his 3 series tourer and Nick, Alex and Ian with the Silvia. Dwayne joined us with his Soarer and Hannah ran the Cobra. That car must know it's way around the track without anyone driving it
I had vowed that no repercussions would befall Ben if he broke the Golf, but we arrived and the car had issues. The alternator belt and auxillary/power steering belts were loose though and screaming like mad. My main concern was the auxillary belt killing the water pump. This is where LeeS13 stepped in. I asked for his help and he was amazing. He didn't ask for anything and was 'just happy to help'. A selfless act that was hugely appreciated. I will repay your help two fold Lee. Thank you
It was clear from early on that the Golf would struggle on the long straights. The corners and braking areas gave us a big chance to claw back lost ground and Ben and I made th best of our low grip and lower power levels.
The two Bm's were flying. Very little in the straights between them. The corners were both despatched well enough but in very different styles. Jasons technique on corner entry was very smooth and more 'committed' on exit. Trev was just hugely committed everywhere
Dan and the Cerb was having huge fun. Stone chips aside the car went great with huge power and the long gearing came into its own at Marham. An indicated 165 and more on the back straight.
Ian with the BM kept spinning but I suspect that the tyre choice helped there.
Nick and Ian looked like they were learning a lot about their track car. That's a polite way of saying that they also span a lot
This sort of hooning around underlines the key difference, in my mind, between airfield track days and 'proper' circuits. The 'hoon' factor lets people push their cars so hard and this is why it was one of the best events I can remember.Passenger laps with Trev and Jason left me in stitches. Some great driving and Jasons 360 burnout will stay with me for a long while :notworthy:
Thanks to all of the guys for some great laughs and some imperious driving :thumb:
*Oh yeah.......Ben did kill the brakes
Completely mullered but I wouldn't want it any other way. Great to see you having so much fun mate.
.........we went round in massive plumes of smoke, backwards through the cones at over 130 :bandit: (**** I enjoyed that afterwards), over 160 down the straight and general rwd hooliganism. The brakes on the cerb are jaw dropping and leave a nice red mark down your torso in the shape of a seatbelt . It's such a different beast to my old 'type R32 destroyer'..........it feels so much more er......'nimble' :-D ........and my brother drove it home under it's own steam albeit with a destroyed stone chipped front end, squashed rear can (see backwards at over 130) and most important 'cone marks' down the wing 8) 
