Debden 9th and Final round
Some thoughts on the day.
It was an abject lesson in car control and probably displayed best the difference between those that had it and those that didn't
The field of competitors was severely depleted (due to the weather I guess) and the deep standing water meant that only the brave would do well.
I had driven like a knob at North Weald and got away with it. Debdens bumpy surface spiced up with water everywhere scared the life out of me. Add in poor visibility due to no heating system and I was in deep trouble.
Gerry won our class with me a distant second, some 8 seconds behind. It was a dull and dismal turnout (maybe that's what the D in D8 stands for) His driving was more committed than I and his car was massively better prepared than mine. Once again, he kicked my arse :notworthy:
It was great to see Andy Bryant out there. The Impreza looked and went very well indeed. Russ drove brilliantly and showed some genuine talent :thumb: Trev was his usual committed self and battled on despite everything that Debden could throw at him. Baz was ballistic throughout the day and far quicker than anyone should have been in a 205. Tremendous application in lousy weather.
For me though, todays lesson was all about Kim. I have often looked at Kim and thought he was one of the quickest, most natural drivers I know. Todays demonstration was imperious. He absolutely monstered the course, blitzing everyone and by a light year the fastest guy of the day. To put this into perspective dear reader, in a standard Evo 320 on Goodyear F1's, Kim smoked everything there. Single seaters with downforce, High powered Cosworths and the like. Stunning driving and proof positive that I have so much to learn.
So, cheesy or not, today was pretty cool because once again I was reminded just how much I can improve. That's probably why I am still happy to get mullered at events like this. I hope the practice pays off :lol:
It was an abject lesson in car control and probably displayed best the difference between those that had it and those that didn't
The field of competitors was severely depleted (due to the weather I guess) and the deep standing water meant that only the brave would do well.
I had driven like a knob at North Weald and got away with it. Debdens bumpy surface spiced up with water everywhere scared the life out of me. Add in poor visibility due to no heating system and I was in deep trouble.
Gerry won our class with me a distant second, some 8 seconds behind. It was a dull and dismal turnout (maybe that's what the D in D8 stands for) His driving was more committed than I and his car was massively better prepared than mine. Once again, he kicked my arse :notworthy:
It was great to see Andy Bryant out there. The Impreza looked and went very well indeed. Russ drove brilliantly and showed some genuine talent :thumb: Trev was his usual committed self and battled on despite everything that Debden could throw at him. Baz was ballistic throughout the day and far quicker than anyone should have been in a 205. Tremendous application in lousy weather.
For me though, todays lesson was all about Kim. I have often looked at Kim and thought he was one of the quickest, most natural drivers I know. Todays demonstration was imperious. He absolutely monstered the course, blitzing everyone and by a light year the fastest guy of the day. To put this into perspective dear reader, in a standard Evo 320 on Goodyear F1's, Kim smoked everything there. Single seaters with downforce, High powered Cosworths and the like. Stunning driving and proof positive that I have so much to learn.
So, cheesy or not, today was pretty cool because once again I was reminded just how much I can improve. That's probably why I am still happy to get mullered at events like this. I hope the practice pays off :lol:
http://www.auto-genie.co.uk
07733 527430
stuart@auto-genie.co.uk
Valeting, detailing and undersealing
07733 527430
stuart@auto-genie.co.uk
Valeting, detailing and undersealing
well the rain was harsh and went as i expected it to with crap tyres and possitive camber
well done to those who had a result especially russell you well and truley kicked my ass today :lol: i have my excusses first timed run hit huge missfires from the start and cleared by the roundabout managed a 77sec lap
second timed run i decided to 'go for it' which resulted in a camoflaged subaru covered in grass :roll: after a huge spin, speed was 97 mph according to my apexi commander , how there was no damage i really dont know as i went so far into the shrubbery backwards
real shame about the weather today as debden is a pretty good course i think for an airfield
i look forward to march :thumb:
well done to those who had a result especially russell you well and truley kicked my ass today :lol: i have my excusses first timed run hit huge missfires from the start and cleared by the roundabout managed a 77sec lap
second timed run i decided to 'go for it' which resulted in a camoflaged subaru covered in grass :roll: after a huge spin, speed was 97 mph according to my apexi commander , how there was no damage i really dont know as i went so far into the shrubbery backwards
real shame about the weather today as debden is a pretty good course i think for an airfield
i look forward to march :thumb:
Small one's are more juicy
Well done Trev
Sounds like you were lucky mate. Debden nearly struck again.
Sounds like you were lucky mate. Debden nearly struck again.
http://www.auto-genie.co.uk
07733 527430
stuart@auto-genie.co.uk
Valeting, detailing and undersealing
07733 527430
stuart@auto-genie.co.uk
Valeting, detailing and undersealing
Enjoyed today, despite the weather, my first time at Debden. Second timed run was 80.9, a 3sec improvement over the first, and I feel I'm still learning the course. Finally got a good launch on that last run too. Really pleased to have tried hard but not felt lairy anywhere - lots of little slides but none big enough to hit a cone. Guess I'm just a slow learner - it'll take me a second visit to get roughly on the B3 pace! (hell, even the porkers beat me!!)
Was happy with the car, being the first time I've had it on a track. It's really given me confidence in it in the wet - a revelation, as I previously thought it snappy on the road. I took the scenic route home and as luck would have it the roads were empty. Obviously I wasn't hooning it like I was round the track, but suffice to say my confidence in it is transformed. Before today I was half-wishing I had my old scoob with its 50:50 front:rear split, but I now see the advantages of DCCD.
The cheapo Marangonis Zeta Linea tyres felt to work well in the sopping conditions today. I'd hazard a guess they're on a par with F1's in the wet, but possibly with a stiffer sidewall. Like F1's I think they'd melt on a dry track (after a few laps). There was talk of the Marangonis being moved to the 1B list a while ago but, to be honest, I'd put them in the T1R/F1 category.
cheers
Andy
Was happy with the car, being the first time I've had it on a track. It's really given me confidence in it in the wet - a revelation, as I previously thought it snappy on the road. I took the scenic route home and as luck would have it the roads were empty. Obviously I wasn't hooning it like I was round the track, but suffice to say my confidence in it is transformed. Before today I was half-wishing I had my old scoob with its 50:50 front:rear split, but I now see the advantages of DCCD.
The cheapo Marangonis Zeta Linea tyres felt to work well in the sopping conditions today. I'd hazard a guess they're on a par with F1's in the wet, but possibly with a stiffer sidewall. Like F1's I think they'd melt on a dry track (after a few laps). There was talk of the Marangonis being moved to the 1B list a while ago but, to be honest, I'd put them in the T1R/F1 category.
cheers
Andy
Kind words, Stuart. Appreciated...
I had a good car and good tyres and, hopefully, made the most of them. FTD was not confirmed as I left. Gongs/results will be posted.
Seriously chuffed if I have got FTD but class win was my major concern. A win would help in AEMC. FTD could be a ASEMC clincher. Saturday's 'win' - I was the only one! - at Lydden did me no harm at all in All Circuit with one round to count.
I have to say, soaked feet apart, I have always loved the wet when I can see where I am going. There was loads of grip on coarse Debden tarmac and I never had a moment when I thought the game was up. Perhaps I could have gone faster...
Dead impressed with Russell - don't give that lad a proper car...
TK wanted a momento, so took half a field home. No-one can say he doesn't try... I wish I had his commitment. Top job.
Andy's Impreza looked promising. For a bloke who stuck his arse on something with half the required number of wheels he was a tad cautious. Take a lesson from TK - if you overcook it, you don't get bruises or a plaster but covered in mud.
As for that proper fast 205, I fancy one myself apart from it is wrong wheel drive and there is someone far too quick in the class already...
When I left top four overall were from B3. Perhaps that is why 4WD is to get its own class next year leaving rich t**gers to scoop a few more pots. Did I really say that...
I told Brian GT3RS I was agin' it but it seems inevitable. I see nothing wrong in someone turning up in a sub
I had a good car and good tyres and, hopefully, made the most of them. FTD was not confirmed as I left. Gongs/results will be posted.
Seriously chuffed if I have got FTD but class win was my major concern. A win would help in AEMC. FTD could be a ASEMC clincher. Saturday's 'win' - I was the only one! - at Lydden did me no harm at all in All Circuit with one round to count.
I have to say, soaked feet apart, I have always loved the wet when I can see where I am going. There was loads of grip on coarse Debden tarmac and I never had a moment when I thought the game was up. Perhaps I could have gone faster...
Dead impressed with Russell - don't give that lad a proper car...
TK wanted a momento, so took half a field home. No-one can say he doesn't try... I wish I had his commitment. Top job.
Andy's Impreza looked promising. For a bloke who stuck his arse on something with half the required number of wheels he was a tad cautious. Take a lesson from TK - if you overcook it, you don't get bruises or a plaster but covered in mud.
As for that proper fast 205, I fancy one myself apart from it is wrong wheel drive and there is someone far too quick in the class already...
When I left top four overall were from B3. Perhaps that is why 4WD is to get its own class next year leaving rich t**gers to scoop a few more pots. Did I really say that...
I told Brian GT3RS I was agin' it but it seems inevitable. I see nothing wrong in someone turning up in a sub
Today was one of the worst experiences to date, I've never felt so wet through, cold, tired and miserable. It separated the men from the boys so effectively, the boys went home and left the men to get on with it.
Half the D8 class didn't show and Stuart managed the dubious distinction of running in fog, on the inside of the car. Another hollow victory that wouldn't have been halfway up the B3 results sheet.
Well done Kim, those Quenby guys must have wondered what hit them. Russell was flying as would have Trev, if he'd had some half decent tyres instead of bald ones.
As I said to Logan, when he called me from a hot, sunny, Spanish WRC, at 17:40 you did the right thing by missing this one.
Half the D8 class didn't show and Stuart managed the dubious distinction of running in fog, on the inside of the car. Another hollow victory that wouldn't have been halfway up the B3 results sheet.
Well done Kim, those Quenby guys must have wondered what hit them. Russell was flying as would have Trev, if he'd had some half decent tyres instead of bald ones.
As I said to Logan, when he called me from a hot, sunny, Spanish WRC, at 17:40 you did the right thing by missing this one.
Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can't eat it or hump it, piss on it and walk away!