Another November Track Day

[SMIFTER]

It'll be a fun day out! Hopefully it wont be too cold like last weekend. I should have some sticky A032R's by then as well.<br>
<br>
If those Mini's are anything like my 306 to drive getting oversteer is easy - flat out full throttle into the bend, turn in, lift off sharply and wheeee!!! the back end is sticking out!! Great Fun - not as scary as doing it in a Dolomite though!!

<p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.smifter1971.pwp.blueyonder.c ... >Smifter's Dolomite Sprint Website</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

[Carsreunited]

Graeme,<br>
<br>
Do you think your oil pressure situation will be resolved by Keevil? I've got my fingers crossed as I am looking forward to having a look around ADA.<br>
<br>
If it's damp, the only movement in the Mini will be nasty understeer as it slews closer to the kerbs and yes you are right, that exact technique was getting it sideways at the trackday I did at Goodwood.<br>
<br>
Scott

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[SMIFTER]

Scott<br>
<br>
I'll still be doing it although I havent diagnosed the fault yet - even if its a sign of impending doom i might as well make sure i break it properly !! I can always get breakdown recovery home plus I've got a spare bottom end I can rebuilt over the winter if it needs it.<br>
<br>
Brother in law will be there in his Latest Mk1 Escort - only 170BHP but its very nicely set up so I'll most likely let him get on with it - he took me out the other night and there's no way ADA can stay on the black stuff the way that thing does!!<br>
<br>
BTW I had an unexpected track experience this morning - an early surprise christmas present from Mrs Smifter found me driving a Proton GTI and a Lotus Elise around Silverstone!! - awesome! They were quite happy to let the Elise rev to the end and hit 120mph in 4th on the fast bits too. My heads a bit big at the moment from getting some nice comments from the racing school instructors about my track skills - track experience counts for everything - I would have been crap 2 years ago!

<p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.smifter1971.pwp.blueyonder.c ... >Smifter's Dolomite Sprint Website</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

[Carsreunited]

<br>
My Dad did the same track experience last year for his 50th and really enjoyed it. You can tell me about the praise you were getting, maybe I can benefit indirectly from what you must have been doing right. <br>
<br>
Well, If it blows in style at Keevil I've got the tow rope in the mini! Towed my shell to Jigsaws with it so it can take the strain (just)! Sounds like its going to be a good day. I might be on my own now cos we have got child care issues.<br>
<br>
See you in a few weeks.<br>
<br>
Scott

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[Jod Clark]

I did a day at Mallory Park a couple of years ago (in the wet!) in a Golf GTi, Formula Ford, Formula Vauxhall Lotus and Caterham.<br>
<br>
The most fun I have ever had, clothed or otherwise <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
The only other track driving I have done was getting the coveted last position on a two-lap circuit display at Donington Park in my Midget a long time ago. No overtaking allowed but hanging back as long as I dared and then blasting through the Craner Curves and Old Hairpin with the straight-though pipe blaring (yes, the same one) at the red line was a real blast.<br>
<br>
Jod

<p></p><i></i>

[Carsreunited]

I haven't had the pleasure of craner curves yet. Probably the most rated sequence of bends on any track if the reports from racers are to be believed.<br>
<br>
There are still places left for the Keevil day last time I checked.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> Plus, I might need a hand cleaning up if Graemes bottom end gives way<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rollin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
Scott

<p></p><i></i>

[SMIFTER]

My bottom end should be OK. <br>
<br>
I dont have curries on Sunday nights.<br>
<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rollin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

<p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.smifter1971.pwp.blueyonder.c ... >Smifter's Dolomite Sprint Website</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

[MaddMart]

Graeme - What time are you planning on getting there on Monday.

<p>1974 French Blue Sprint<br>
1979 Brooklands Green Sprint<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.aqpd91.dsl.pipex.com/" target="top">Mad Mart's Website</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

[SMIFTER]

about 9am in a convoy of reckless idiots in fords and vauxhalls!!

<p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.smifter1971.pwp.blueyonder.c ... >Smifter's Dolomite Sprint Website</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

[Carsreunited]

Same here. I'm going to be with a couple of blokes called Dave (Which makes it nice and easy with the introductions). I'm going to try and convince one of the Dave's to pay some money to take his Diesel Golf around the track! It's damn quick though, its one of the celebration model TDi PD 150 models. Company vehicle though so he might bottle it.<br>
<br>
Otherwise, see you both there. Weather channel reckons 30% chance of rain and partly cloudy.<br>
<br>
Scott

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[SMIFTER]

Scott/Martin<br>
<br>
Despite the fact that my car is buggered (see thread regarding latest oil pressure problem!) I'll still be going hoping to blag a drive in Rich's Mk1 escort which is a bit of a beast.<br>
<br>
I'll call you later Martin with the arrangements.<br>
<br>
Graeme

<p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.smifter1971.pwp.blueyonder.c ... >Smifter's Dolomite Sprint Website</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

[Carsreunited]

<br>
Excellent value for money and a great day was had by all I think. In all, the Mini covered around 60 track miles (between two drivers). <br>
<br>
Mart.<br>
<br>
Good to see you again and I will email you with confirmation of when to expect me (Friday?).<br>
<br>
Graeme.<br>
<br>
Thanks for the 'hot laps' in the Escort. Just a shame that Caterham got in the way at the end. Must be a macho thing that they have, you know, my car is faster than yours therefore I have a god given right to hold you up in the corners. Anyway, it was good fun. Hope the problem becomes apparent with ADA and fingers crossed its not an expensive fix.<br>
<br>
To anyone that didn't come along, you missed a good day of safe fun. £99 and as much track time as your brakes and brain could handle. If you haven't done a track day before, the motorsports events days make good sense as the vast majority are held at Airfield type curcuits with bundles of run off. That way you can push it without worrying about making contact with anything more solid than a 10 inch cone!<br>
<br>
Scott

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[SMIFTER]

Scott<br>
<br>
Glad you enjoyed sitting Passenger even if it was in a ford - but a nice ford I'm sure you'll agree. I'm almost tempted to get one what with that lovely handling chassis.....NO NO NO I didnt really say that!!!<br>
<br>
Shame I got a bit frustrated by that nob in the Seven and ended up facing the other way after a bit of red mist!<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... rassed.gif ALT=":o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... rassed.gif ALT=":o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
Richard got a rollocking from the organisers for displaying the benefits of an LSD on the way with a 720 degree donut! I sort of see why they werent too happy but he wasnt doing any harm really - it was in the middle of a bloody deserted airfield!<br>
<br>
Highlights of the day for me were getting a passenger ride in a 400BHP Escort Cosworth, ranting the nuts off a mk1 escort, and watching a fully armed RAF helicopter gunship flying over - I swear those guns were aimed at us!<br>
<br>
Lowpoints had to be the journey there in a Mk1 stripped out race spec escort on icy roads with no heater, ventilation or windscreen wipers!! And not having my car running especially after discovering Practical Classics were there doing an article on classic trackday cars. Rich's Mk1 one might get put in Print though and despite the offers the Journo from Prac Classics never took us up on the offer of a white knuckle ride!<br>
<br>
Anyway, I'd like to encourage more people to come along next time - its far safer and much better value for money than one of the circuit organised days which fleece you for 20 quid for sharing a track with 35 psychopaths for 5 laps!<br>
<br>
Watch this space for upcoming events!<br>
<br>
Graeme

<p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.smifter1971.pwp.blueyonder.c ... >Smifter's Dolomite Sprint Website</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

[MaddMart]

Definately worth doing next year me thinks (I wish I'd taken the Prelude around). 99 quid for, what was it, about 6 hours, can't be bad.<br>
<br>
Here's a photo of (possibly) Graeme getting it sideways in his Brother-in-Law's "slightly" modified MK1 escort. That's you Scott in your Mini Cooper to the right (yes the brown dot. David Bailey eat yer heart out).<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.aqpd91.dsl.pipex.com/images/Keevil.jpg" target="top">Strange Looking Dolly</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
<br>
Martin

<p>1974 French Blue Sprint<br>
1979 Brooklands Green Sprint<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.aqpd91.dsl.pipex.com/" target="top">Mad Mart's Website</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>