bstark Posted June 17, 2002 Share Posted June 17, 2002 Just booked my first trackday - the opportunity to drive the full Brands GP circuit looked to good to miss. Is anyone else going to be there who might be happy to chat and offer friendly advice etc.? One thing I'm wondering about is whether to leave the sidescreens (and hence door mirrors) on - I imagine the car is slightly more aerodynamic with them, but the visibility will suffer. Please don't tell me to take off the screen as well! Bob Stark Supersprint first-timer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard J Darnell Posted June 17, 2002 Share Posted June 17, 2002 me too - it's my first track day as well! I was also wondering whether to run without doors (I have mirrors attached to the windscreen). Any advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard J Darnell Posted June 17, 2002 Share Posted June 17, 2002 Bob - I should have added I'm happy to chat but won't be able to offer much advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jam Mad Posted June 17, 2002 Share Posted June 17, 2002 going without doors when you've got a helmet on is the only way to do it in my humble opinion.. and it means later on in the day, your view sideways is unimpeded as you goon your way around your final bends.... [:E}teeth.gifteeth.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted June 17, 2002 Share Posted June 17, 2002 Definitely leave the sidescreens on. You get a disturbing amount of turbulence if you take them off and you absolutely will need to keep an eye on those mirrors. Peterid=teal> 253 BHP K-seriesteeth.gif, no gearboxbum.gifid=red> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted June 17, 2002 Share Posted June 17, 2002 Aha! A contrasting view. Edited by - Peter Carmichael on 17 Jun 2002 16:55:18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard J Darnell Posted June 17, 2002 Share Posted June 17, 2002 what about ear plugs - do people use these or is the crash helmet sufficient to stop you going deaf? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy G Posted June 17, 2002 Share Posted June 17, 2002 First track day - no side mirrors - can't think of a more unnerving experience, not so bad ones you are used to it and have time to remember what is behind you, but first time out your senses are on overload as I recall and the extra protection of side mirrors as well as rear mirrors is essential, dont go on the track without them. Andy G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgrigsby Posted June 17, 2002 Share Posted June 17, 2002 I'll be there, Yellow 1700 Xflow Supersprint without a windscreen. Happy to chat and help out if I can, I've been to Brands quite a few times now although this is the first time on the GP circuit. As for doors I'd probably leave them on, less wind disturbance and that added advantage of side mirrors. Cheers Rob G www.SpeedySeven.com Edited by - rgrigsby on 17 Jun 2002 17:26:12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F355GTS Posted June 17, 2002 Share Posted June 17, 2002 Bob I'll be there too, but not sure if it's going to be with the 7 (C7 SSP) or the 355 I won't be far from Rob Grigsby so give us a shout, happy to help if we can Mark Edited by - F355GTS on 24 Jun 2002 14:58:13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bstark Posted June 17, 2002 Author Share Posted June 17, 2002 Thanks for all the replies so far - general concensus is leave them on, then (sorry Jam). Richard, Rob, Mark - look forward to seeing you - mine's a red Supersprint, Q554LFL, if you feel like introducing yourselves before I take the brave pills! Only problem I have with the driver's door mirror is that it tends to blow down above 80mph (should be achievable on the long straight teeth.gif ) - is there an easy way to tighten them up, or do I have to resort to tape?! Bob Stark Supersprint first-timer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard J Darnell Posted June 17, 2002 Share Posted June 17, 2002 My car is S161 PNK (yellow 1.6k SS) - see you there! (Bob - I may need to borrow some of your brave pills eek.gif) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulM Posted June 18, 2002 Share Posted June 18, 2002 I'll be there on Thursday, just hope the bloody rain holds off. Not in a Seven this time, just bought a new toy, Sylva Fury. Cosworth (normally aspirated) engined missile that has been mine for all of 24 hours. No doubt that it'll be quick enough down straights but how will it get round the corners?? Do come and say hello if you see me, metallic green, large bonnet bulge, minilites, loud. I also have side screen and will try with and without on the day but suspect much less turbulence with will mean they'll end up on. I did the GP circut in a seven about 6 weeks ago. Absolutely bleedin' awesome, see how you end up going through Dingle Dell at the end of the day vs. the beginning. You will have a grin the size of, of, of, well something very big! Cheers Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bstark Posted June 18, 2002 Author Share Posted June 18, 2002 Big grin sounds good teeth.gif - I'm with you on the weather, though. I'll be over for some tips on the day! wink.gif Bob Stark Supersprinter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss_Tony Posted June 18, 2002 Share Posted June 18, 2002 I will be there nice and early! Watch out for P17HPC overtaking the R500'swink.gif James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss_Tony Posted June 18, 2002 Share Posted June 18, 2002 Bob I have got a set of mirrors which fit on the screen if you want to go without the doors. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew_Bailey Posted June 18, 2002 Share Posted June 18, 2002 I will be there with another yellow 1.6 Supersport. Looking forward to doing Brands for the first time. I always take the sidescreens and maybe try a run or two with them off if the weather is good. Screens off works better on a slower, twistier circuits; it looks a though Brands may be rather fast. See you all there. Fingers crossed for good weather. C7 OCU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bstark Posted June 19, 2002 Author Share Posted June 19, 2002 James - thanks for the offer thumbsup.gif , I might well take you up on that for a session later on. Bob Stark Supersprinter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Sture Posted June 19, 2002 Share Posted June 19, 2002 Driving on a circuit is so different from the regular road there is (IMHO) some merit in not changing too much about the car - ie, keep the sidescreens on if that's what you're used to - as the more you change the more you have to take in, which can make it more difficult to start with. As Peter C says, you will in any event need to keep your eyes on the mirrors. Enjoy! Now in my garage - Superlight number 126 cool.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bstark Posted June 21, 2002 Author Share Posted June 21, 2002 Cor - that was FUN! teeth.gifteeth.gifteeth.gif I had a great time, especially after the first two sessions (and once the sun had come out) although I kept bottling the entry speed into Hawthorn. The instruction later on was well worth having - very reassuring, and corrected my line into three or four of the corners. Paddock Hill through to Surtees felt great, as did Dingle Dell and Stirlings Bend - fantastic grip. The car ran fautlessly as well and felt far stronger enginewise than I thought it would. The number of incidents, and contacts with barriers was far higher than I had been led to believe is normal, though, and some of the driving was terrible (cutting across having just waved you through: Falken Porsche, not using mirrors/moving over: many cars, but often the Falken Porsche again, intimidation when obviously in a queue of cars waiting to overtake, overtaking on the wrong side, not to mention the crashes). Is this pretty typical? I know I was very glad for the session format rather than the open pitlane and, for the record, I kept the sidecreens on - you're right about needing those mirrors! Thanks again for all the offers of advice - in the end I only got to meet Richard, who was in the same session as me, but I managed to miss all the others who offered to chat (it was nothing personal!), although I couldn't help noticing that Paul M's Sylva looked and sounded very quick indeed.thumbsup.gif Bob Stark Supersprinter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulM Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 Hi Bob. Great day wasn't it? No, that many 'incidents' is very unusual. Why can't people realise that track+rain=less grip? Couldn't believe it when, after Marcus had taken trouble to tell everyone individually as they were leaving the pitlane to take it easy, when someone stuffed it about 500 yards later.... I was coming up behind the Ferrari when the engine let go big style. Put a titanium rod out through the side apparently. And 2 months outside warranty. Expensive. Confess I was a bit unsociable and didn't get around like I planned, but was having few issues with the Fury's clutch and overheating. Hopefully not too expensive to fix, 'cos was having a whale of a time out there and can't wait for the next one. Here's to next Brands GP session! Cheers all. Paul M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Phillips Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 Paul, I was sad to see the Fury leaving for a new owner on Monday but pleased that you've been out and had a good blat in it already! Currently, the car is entered for Brighton Speed Trials [where we won Class 2 last September in it]. Now, if you were to get your ARDS you could get a run. Anyway, I'll email you off-line about the water temperature issue. In the meantime, I've bought a Caterham!!! Now, I never thought I'd do that... Trevor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F355GTS Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 PaulM Can I have my conrod back please they're £500 each smile.gif Seriously though did you see anything I might nned/ want to know? Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss_Tony Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 Mark Sorry to hear about the engine. Do you know the cause if any? I was in the garage you were parked outside of. The car looked and sounded great. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F355GTS Posted June 21, 2002 Share Posted June 21, 2002 James no idea, it was running like a dream, Oil pressure etc was fine, the only thing is it happened immediately after the rise at Surtees, don't believe it lifted off the ground enough to 'over-rev' and from memory I wasn't at max revs anyway. I'm going to have an initial look on Monday when they take the covers off but I don't suppose we will ever know what really caused it Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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