Yes, i had a great time too. The K series still will not blow up lol. Seems to be far more reliable that a Skyline!
A very interesting and involved track. I started to get the hang of it by the end of the day after my instruction session.
Looking forward to going there again.
Thanks to Phil and Dave of Opentrack.
Eddy
Cadwell Park 11/03/10 Opentrack
Authorised trader. Bespoke & direct fit exhaust/induction solutions, silicone hose specialist, Millers oils, Whiteline, EBC + much more. Find me at http://www.fast-eddys.biz
330hp Pulsar Gti-r, 153hp Metro and 185hp Smart Car!
330hp Pulsar Gti-r, 153hp Metro and 185hp Smart Car!
Gerry H wrote:As usual with me, I have difficulty finding my way round to start and find it rather frustrating that most corners could be taken a lot quicker. Also interesting, there were two Imprezas on track, MikeyS and a pretty standard looking silver wagon, and I had the only Evo. What a turn around from previous days.
I started off with the Toyo T1Rs which have plenty of chunky tread, or did have. The intention was, once the track dried, to switch to the well worn Pirellis on the wheels I got from ebay. Unfortunately, when I went to swap wheels, it was pointed out that the tapered nuts I have are no good for the flat wheel nut hole of the later wheel. Scuppered, I need to investigate what a standard late Evo wheel nut looks like and get some.
Anyway, once I got the hang of following the track, the car seemed to perform pretty well and was very planted. The T1Rs seemed to go off after 3 or 4 laps and were squealing pretty loudly in places and on one occasion had be with two wheels on the grass coming out of Barn.
As the day went on, I was using 4th instead of 3rd for most corners so reckoned I was getting quicker.
On one occasion, I wanted to follow Stu round and watch his lines. After an age of crawling round, tring to keep out of everyones way, he appeared at the bottom of the gooseneck and looking very sideways. He flew past me and I ducked out from behind the car I was following. Up the Mountain, through Hall Bends, round the Hairpin and that's where I was caught out by Barn. Stu had pee'd off into the distance and I gave up trying to keep him in view, let alone keep up with the NATO reject.
After that, I had some good dices with gaggles of various cars and was pleased to get past some well prepped cars. Watching the rear view mirror was interesting as, where the Evo seemed planted and coping well, others following were getting very twitched up trying to stay with it. I found that using 4th and the car's torque, coming out of corners got me past cars that were getting through the corners quicker.
To answer your question Russ: Yeah, it's not bad.
Sunday will be good but the tyres will let the car down.
Nice wee write up Gerry!
Yup, Toyo T1-R's are reasonable road tyres....anything else and they are gash!
Interesting about the gear thing, I had the same thing when getting my car....you can go loads quicker with a higher gear and less revs using the torque ya:coolgleamA::thumbs:
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Datsun-Des
- Posts: 481
- Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:03 pm
- Location: King's Lynn, Norfolk
Wow, some great pictures and it sounds like everyone had a great day. I'm gutted I missed it, I was really looking forward to Cadwell again:(. I got my wheel studs sorted but hadn't sorted the turbo gaskets, then I was struck with the lurgi and didn't want to risk it.
What were the numbers like on track, conditions looked good, come on peeps, I need some in depth race reports so I feel even more jealous.
What were the numbers like on track, conditions looked good, come on peeps, I need some in depth race reports so I feel even more jealous.
'In depth reports' eh? Well, you asked for it 
I travelled up on Wednesday night and arrived at the Green Man pub in Scamblesby, just down the road from the circuit. Mike B, Gerry and Mike S were tucking in to their dinners when I got there, in between feeding the pub dog, Harry. This gorgeous black Labrador was a first grade ponce and made sure he gave his best sympathy face to each of the lads, who all conceded one by one by giving Harry steak or chips! A while later and I popped out to get my bag, Harry roared off; running up the road in the pitch black! This was followed by the sage advice of locals that if ever you let the dog out, be sure to send the search parties after him!
The pub was having a pub quiz which we duly took part in. Now, bearing in mind the locals here looked something like the cast of Deliverance, we were slightly taken aback when we got stuffed in the quiz. I don't just mean beaten, I mean soundly thrashed with the other teams all being polite about our score; it was that bad
About midnight we'd had enough and made our way upstairs to the simple rooms and dolls house size furniture. A word to the wise for those of ample dimensions. Don't expect much sleep. In fact, those of any size should take ear plugs due to the conveniently placed Cuckoo clock that went off every hour on the hour. The only one that I didn't hear was three o'clock so when I got up at 6.30am, I was absolutely knackered. Great prep for a frosty start at Cadwell.
We arrived at the track, and Dave's photos capture the scene beautifully. Crisp white frost seemed like a curse with a paddock of Exotica. Full spec Aussie V8 Supercar's rubbed shoulders with the likes of Radicals, rear wheel drive Escort Cosworth's, classic Mini's, Elise, the odd four wheel drive Jap nutter, BMW's; not to mention several bike engined kit cars. The diversity of the owners matched that of the cars present. Everyone from seasoned racer through to red raw virgins where there. A sensible start was called for, to avoid the traditional carnage that Cadwell seems to have in the first session.
The whole signing on and briefing process was just about as laid back as I've seen. Dave is developing quite a persona when it comes to this now and the one liner about not knowing the corner names; ' Well, that's what the sighting laps are for!' made me smile. 60 odd cars and lots more drivers were booked in so far better support for the Opentrack team but then at
I travelled up on Wednesday night and arrived at the Green Man pub in Scamblesby, just down the road from the circuit. Mike B, Gerry and Mike S were tucking in to their dinners when I got there, in between feeding the pub dog, Harry. This gorgeous black Labrador was a first grade ponce and made sure he gave his best sympathy face to each of the lads, who all conceded one by one by giving Harry steak or chips! A while later and I popped out to get my bag, Harry roared off; running up the road in the pitch black! This was followed by the sage advice of locals that if ever you let the dog out, be sure to send the search parties after him!
The pub was having a pub quiz which we duly took part in. Now, bearing in mind the locals here looked something like the cast of Deliverance, we were slightly taken aback when we got stuffed in the quiz. I don't just mean beaten, I mean soundly thrashed with the other teams all being polite about our score; it was that bad
About midnight we'd had enough and made our way upstairs to the simple rooms and dolls house size furniture. A word to the wise for those of ample dimensions. Don't expect much sleep. In fact, those of any size should take ear plugs due to the conveniently placed Cuckoo clock that went off every hour on the hour. The only one that I didn't hear was three o'clock so when I got up at 6.30am, I was absolutely knackered. Great prep for a frosty start at Cadwell.
We arrived at the track, and Dave's photos capture the scene beautifully. Crisp white frost seemed like a curse with a paddock of Exotica. Full spec Aussie V8 Supercar's rubbed shoulders with the likes of Radicals, rear wheel drive Escort Cosworth's, classic Mini's, Elise, the odd four wheel drive Jap nutter, BMW's; not to mention several bike engined kit cars. The diversity of the owners matched that of the cars present. Everyone from seasoned racer through to red raw virgins where there. A sensible start was called for, to avoid the traditional carnage that Cadwell seems to have in the first session.
The whole signing on and briefing process was just about as laid back as I've seen. Dave is developing quite a persona when it comes to this now and the one liner about not knowing the corner names; ' Well, that's what the sighting laps are for!' made me smile. 60 odd cars and lots more drivers were booked in so far better support for the Opentrack team but then at
Great write up and photos Stuart.
Did you ever get the chance to follow the Lotus Cortina? It made great viewing as the rear was constantly mobile, not in a big do-rift-o sense, but just a wonderful controlled 'helping the front end get round' manner. Looked like a real joy to drive.
I had a good play with that purple/pink RS. From memory I believe they have under 300 bhp but they're light. He pulled away quite smartly from me on the straights.
Did you ever get the chance to follow the Lotus Cortina? It made great viewing as the rear was constantly mobile, not in a big do-rift-o sense, but just a wonderful controlled 'helping the front end get round' manner. Looked like a real joy to drive.
I had a good play with that purple/pink RS. From memory I believe they have under 300 bhp but they're light. He pulled away quite smartly from me on the straights.
Tommy,
I had a few laps with the 'Tina' on one outing as we were very evenly matched ie he was right behind me for a few laps and i let him past and then i was able to keep up with it before someone says i was just holding him up lol.
Very nice old car and worth a fair bit i would think.
Eddy
I had a few laps with the 'Tina' on one outing as we were very evenly matched ie he was right behind me for a few laps and i let him past and then i was able to keep up with it before someone says i was just holding him up lol.
Very nice old car and worth a fair bit i would think.
Eddy
Authorised trader. Bespoke & direct fit exhaust/induction solutions, silicone hose specialist, Millers oils, Whiteline, EBC + much more. Find me at http://www.fast-eddys.biz
330hp Pulsar Gti-r, 153hp Metro and 185hp Smart Car!
330hp Pulsar Gti-r, 153hp Metro and 185hp Smart Car!