Snetterton February 8th

Get to know you and your car's limits on the track.
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Danny@APT
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Post by Danny@APT »

stuart wrote:Some interesting points there (a nice compliment too)

If this is a taste of things to come for 2009 with more Nanny state encroachment and stricter rules, we may have reached the tipping point guys. After having seen this first hand today and comparing it to the Trackmarques events or better still our own, where the entrants list is far more 'clubby'*, I won't be jumping into another event without knowing who is going first.

I don't think it's fair to novices and I don't think it's fair on those that aren't.

* To qualify my point, on events that are more club orientated there is (or has been in my experience) a greater level of trust and etiquette. For the large part this was absent today. This is not a slight against the organisers in any way.
When I looked at the list of confirmed bookings on their website I was somewhat surprised to see both Novices and Advanced drivers hitting the track at the same time with skill and experience levels at completely different ends of the spectrum.

As a novice myself at the trackday last weekend, I probably spent as much time looking in my mirrors as I did looking forwards, just to ensure I didn't spoil the laps of those in clearly much faster cars. Then once they'd all gone-by I could have my own fun :lol: . To jump into a trackday with rapid cars like your's and Gary's would've been far more stressfull, so I'm surprised these Novices did it.
Finishing off the Ford ;)

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Stuart
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Post by Stuart »

D4nny8oy wrote:To jump into a trackday with rapid cars like your's and Gary's would've been far more stressfull, so I'm surprised these Novices did it.
Not in the same bracket Danny but thank you for the compliment, and I agree with your sentiment. Segregation is fairer and safer. Keeping it in house is even better :D
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Rob S
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Post by Rob S »

Sorry to hear this day did nt match up to Decembers, but in a large part, this echoes my exact feelings from my own very limited experience.
Knowledge, experience and skills will always differ, but if the wrong combination come together, it's just not funny.
I did a day in November when most of the guys were newbs, and to be honest, the better skilled /equipped got very little from it apart from frustration.
The day in December was more club oriented, with more experience, and although the tempo was much higher, most were much more in the spirit of everyone enjoying it, rather than the more self absorbed style shown on the newb's day.
I'll definitely be there again, just in the right company.
There's always next time boys!

gary@apt
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Post by gary@apt »

thats the thing rob we all started some where ,and i have no problem following any for a few corners but today didnt seem to have any friendly buzz to it
there was people who to be honest shouldnt have been on public highway let alone track!!!
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Rob_B
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Post by Rob_B »

From a spectators point of view it did look like you quicker boys struggled with traffic

so when do you think you can organise a 'Big Power' track day stu?

blackskygtr
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Post by blackskygtr »

stuart wrote: If this is a taste of things to come for 2009 with more Nanny state encroachment and stricter rules,
I don't think it's fair to novices and I don't think it's fair on those that aren't.
We may have reached the tipping point guys.
To qualify my point, There is (or has been in my experience) a greater level of trust and etiquette. For the large part this was absent today.
From an outsiders perspective i can see there being a conflict of interests brewing.
"Trackdays" are primarily designed to allow owners to "drive" their road going cars on a race track giving them a chance to drive safely and "fast" in comparison to the normal driving routine.
I will be classed firmly as a novice when i start my trackday experiences and not for want of trying i will no doubt annoy drivers more competent than myself. My car will be among the most if not THE most powerfull one on the day but my lack of skills will mean i will be overtaken by those more skilled than myself.
Etiquette is a learnt skill along with driving and there are some serious considerations to safety allowing people to "practice" in this manner. I feel the days will have to eventually be more strictly organised and some kind of stampbook system in place.

No one likes to be considered amatuer or novice so i can see a need to re-name the days along the lines of track days attended.
1-10
10-20
20 +

This then allows drivers to gain "points" to allow them to mix and learn from those more experienced without being a danger to themselves or others. I for one can drive a bit but even for me the sight of the Evo bearing down on me at speed or that Odd BMW that "must have around 800hp to be that quick" would put me off and possibly cause me to make a mistake.

With every due respect (and you know there is plenty of that) some of you guys have cars that are above some levels of competitive race series and skills to match. Anyone who thinks that allowing "road users" on a track with you is IMHO asking for trouble As for the following and trying to copy the braking points and lines, Is that not how most of us have learnt?

A lot of the guys on here have reached a level where the garden variety "trackday" is simply not designed for your participation. Racing in a series of some kind is expensive and often needs dedicated time away from work etc to compete but TBH a lot of you guys skills are way way beyond most of us. I think Stuart and Duncan, Gary etc will fully understand when i say all this I think you have got to the rock and hard place! Far too good for the basic days but possibly cant or dont want to attempt a full on series of events.

PMSL all i wanted to do was say you are too fast and its turned into what looks like a rant :oops:

I think i have written this so that i dont cause offence to anyone but if it does then please accept that i dont mean to.
There may be a gap in the "trackday" market for competing or semi-pro only days.
I dont know the answer but i do know its scaring me thinking i may go on one of these events and be "in the way" and receive the kind of responses here, through merely a simple lack of time on track and skill.


Jay
Well the skyline is gone for good But how cool is my little replacement!!!!! 7lbs 12oz of pure joy....

Rob S
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Post by Rob S »

gary@apt wrote:thats the thing rob we all started some where ,and i have no problem following any for a few corners but today didnt seem to have any friendly buzz to it
there was people who to be honest shouldnt have been on public highway let alone track!!!
I class myself as a newb still, but at least I've got the respect to get out of the way! :lol: From the little I've seen, it's a minority who drive selfishly, or with little regard for others. A regulars seem to know better.
Some interesting points have been made, I'm sure with planning today will be the exception rather than the rule.

PS
If you need to substantial passenger ballast Gary, I'd be up for another passenger lap, beats Alton Towers any day :D

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Mr Fletcher
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Post by Mr Fletcher »

how about if we done a sessioned trackday where it was split between 3 clubs and we had 20 cars each but we only went out in our induvidual clubs . i prefere opl but i feel you won't fill a day with just bp members.

cheers

jason

gary@apt
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Post by gary@apt »

jay funny thing is the last day me and stuart did we said was a brill day,no probs,every one happy even with such a spread of talent and bhp.

today was just messy and at times you wonder if you could be knocked off at any time..

id run at a big power day any time even if it was novice,inter,and advanced all on track, on big difference RESPECT....
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Tk
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Post by Tk »

but are the rules not pretty simple
keep an eye on your mirrors and if someone catches you up then move over , and an indicator helps. (even if you are in a faster car on the straights)

:grin:
Small one's are more juicy

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