My trackday at Silverstone

spaz · 24 Jan 2011 at 22:42

Oh hello there

Yesterday I had chance to experience the first of Silverstone's official track days (that I won in a competition which was nice!) and have to say that it was excellent and added a few extra things over and above most trackday providers (that I've experienced anyway) to go a little way to justify their pricing anyway!
Things such as breakfast and lunch provided free with tea and coffee throughout the day, knowledgable people to ask quick tips from and even a sports psychologist to talk to if you wanted to delve more into the mental side of things!

It was quite unusual too in that it was an open pit lane layout with 2x circuits on offer, the Southern circuit layout and Stowe circuit, meaning that you could go back and forth between the two all day and gave a nice variety.

I got some good tuition too in improving my driving technique to help balance the car better on the way into corners, along with many other things which I'll force myself to do and override my old ways! (I still can't heel and toe properly because I'm a lemon)

Best thing was the car, I replaced my brake pads and front discs (3rd set of discs in 7 months!) only last week and it didn't put a foot wrong all day, I normally have a problem with the braking at some time during the day but it just kept going and going and going, so much so I covered nearly 180 track miles and got through about 18 gallons of petrol - track time might have been zilch but was still not a cheap day out by any means!

Enough blabbering on, I have a few videos (more on youtube page etc) and pics of the day:

The General Lee!!

Ta for looking and stuff

-Neil- · 24 Jan 2011 at 22:59

Interesting format even if it does seem a little expensive, but most GP tracks are around that sort of price. Might try one later in the year

Neil.

Housey · 24 Jan 2011 at 23:01

I did the full GP back in October'ish, slippy as **** in the wet.

spaz · 24 Jan 2011 at 23:05

Housey said:
I did the full GP back in October'ish, slippy as **** in the wet.

I found it borderline ridiculous in places, Stowe was like ice on the inside and when it transferred from old to new tarmac it was interesting, especially when braking!

Housey · 24 Jan 2011 at 23:08

Stowe, Woodcote and the exit of the chicane prior to Bridge are very very slippy in the wet and Copse is also very slippy too. The new tarmac is much better but I was getting wheel spin at 60mph in 3rd in 115bph Mazda on the straight leaving the pits. Like ice.

Gibbo · 24 Jan 2011 at 23:12

In your first video is the same section of track I drove on a corporate day in the pooring rain in Ferrari 360's and Gayardo's.

What kind of speed were you managing to get upto on the straight before having to brake for the corner which you take the outer line for? For comparison sake in the Gayardo I had 145mph indidicated in the pooring rain, it was damn quick and the instructors said they with them behind the wheel its possible to see 160mph. Though as fast as the Gayardo was and the tons of grip its 4WD gave I really disliked driving it, the Ferrari 360 was a much better drive.

spaz · 24 Jan 2011 at 23:25

Gibbo said:
In your first video is the same section of track I drove on a corporate day in the pooring rain in Ferrari 360's and Gayardo's.

What kind of speed were you managing to get upto on the straight before having to brake for the corner? For comparison sake in the Gayardo I had 145mph indidicated in the pooring rain, it was damn quick and the instructors said they with them behind the wheel its possible to see 160mph. Though as fast as the Gayardo was and the tons of grip its 4WD gave I really disliked driving it, the Ferrari 360 was a much better drive.

Quickest I got upto was a smidge over 120mph on hanger straight, but didn't really have the balls to go any more than that before braking, although tbh I doubt I'd be any braver in the dry lol, car simply doesn't have the legs above about 100-110mph

Housey · 24 Jan 2011 at 23:26

I was hitting nearly..................100!!!!!

115bhp for the win.

Gibbo · 24 Jan 2011 at 23:36

spaz said:
Quickest I got upto was a smidge over 120mph on hanger straight, but didn't really have the balls to go any more than that before braking, although tbh I doubt I'd be any braver in the dry lol, car simply doesn't have the legs above about 100-110mph

Yeah it was the 500BHP Gayardo, the instructor had me doing just as yours did, run out wide onto hanger straight using the full track and then keep well into the throttle just before the brake sign, slow the car down and then take the corner holding the outside line, their reasoning was for this is for that corner aiming for the apex will no doubt cause a spin out, so just did as they suggested as they no best, see your instructor had you doing the same.

Think in the 360 I was hitting 120-130mph, again in pooring rain, infact the amount of grip the 360 had in such conditions was amazing, you could go flat out in 2nd gear out the corners, as long as you had straightened the car up. Mid engine really does give so much more traction over the back wheels.