Tommy and Chris's Ring trip August 1-4

Tommy · Post by **Tommy** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:22 pm

Well it's been a week since I was at the Ring and I'm still reeling from the experience. It couldn't have been more different to last year's failed trip when we broke the car before even getting a lap in. This year we went with Circuit Days with about 50 others in all manner of cars. Not many Porkers but a lot of Ferraris (3 360 CS's), M3s, Mitsarus etc.

We had blinding weather and 16 laps in all. Unfortunately our front discs cracked (again!) which stopped play but it didn't matter. We'd driven some great laps (9.08 for Chris and 9.18 for me) and probably best of all, we had a really fun time on the beers with the group.

There were two 'unfortunates' in the group - one nearly totalled M3CSL on his first lap and a completely totalled Carrera Supersport Cabrio (I think that's what they were called - the late 80's shape with turbo body). The 911 was a real shame because it was immaculate.

One thing we learned on the weekend was that our car still requires some suspension set up to get the best out of it so I've already ordered some adjustable camber plates for the front. Hopefully the dreaded understeer will be dialled out.

Also replacing the crappy Nitrac discs (they harp on about their amazing cryogenic treatment making their discs stronger - yeah right!) with some Brembo discs and we're going to take a step down from the Performance Friction 97 pads to their Z-rated.

Here's a few photos of us on track:

Post by **Stuart** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:30 pm

Some really nice pictures there :thumb:

Sorry to hear about your discs but if the trip was a success, I guess it's just one of those things.

Did the CSL guy just overdo it Tommy or was there any third party considerations to make? It still amazes me how hard some folk go when they don;t even know the track. Hope everyone was OK.

When are you guys next out to play in the UK?

duncan · Post by **duncan** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:31 pm

Sounds like a superb trip Tommy - glad it was more successful than last year

I guess the m3csl and 911 drivers are pretty gutted but that place does bite badly.

jochen (frozenspeed) is a master at capturing the right photos :thumb:

ps - i am surprised you didnt wear a crash helmet though, I would not want to lap there without one.

Mr Fletcher · Post by **Mr Fletcher** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:40 pm

nice one tommy glad you and chris had a good time without too many problems with the car

cheers

jason

Tommy · Post by **Tommy** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:44 pm

Cheers guys.

I don't think the CSL guy overdid it per se. I think it had something to do with the Cooper Zeon tyres he had

Certainly a lesson he'll learn/has learnt from. If it was any consolation, he did get a trophy on our last night!

Duncan - we didn't wear helmets on the Sunday because we left them in the hotel by accident! We only did three laps on that day before the discs went.

As an aside, we went to a place called Schirmer Racing to see if he could sort out our brakes. We arrived and explained our issue to him (Tom Schirmer). He asked us 'Is it M?'. When we answered no ,he shrugged his shoulders and said 'look around. This is race outfit!'. It was very funny but I guess you had to be there. Indeed we did look around and the two race M3s he had in the shop were just to die for. I couldn't stop staring at the huge Porsche brakes, trick suspension etc.

Post by **Stuart** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:58 pm

M snobbery? bless

Some of the race M's at Snett today were equally horn inducing....something about them in their natural environment.

frayz · Post by **frayz** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 6:10 pm

Great pics

pablo · Post by **pablo** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 7:04 pm

Glad you had a great time we went with circuit days last year and had a lot of fun

Tommy · Post by **Tommy** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 7:15 pm

pablo wrote:Glad you had a great time we went with circuit days last year and had a lot of fun

We'll definitely go with Circuit Days again. Going with a big group of like minded individuals is what made it really. I'll never forget a lad called Mark in his G reg 944S2 with R888's - completely mad as a hatter if a little dangerous. His car was set too low, it would bottom out, it made unhealthy groaning noises and he just pushed on with no fear! He did a 8:52 which would have been very much on the scary side. My pax lap with him was 9:00 and that was scary enough.

Rob S · Post by **Rob S** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 8:25 pm

those Frozenspeed photos look great, daft question, but how did you get them? (ie pre-ordered or bought from since?)
Glad you enjoyed the trip, sounds a giggle going in such a big group, must add to it!
And nothing to be sniffed at wit a low nine minute lap, nicely done Sir!