Tony,

Any chance of listing those that have bought and paid for this event? May put pressure then on those that haven't taken the plunge, or we can simply abuse them.:D

Russell

Tony,

Any chance of listing those that have bought and paid for this event? May put pressure then on those that haven't taken the plunge, or we can simply abuse them.:D

Russell


Pretty sure we're into double figures now Russ, so no worries about discount.

i havent paid btw.... so you can abuse ne (until Tuesday anyway) :D :D

1st post updated.... :-)

Tony I wasn't worried about the discount as I have had confirmation. I was just interested to see who else was coming along.

Great to see such a great turn out and really looking forward to the event.

Oh and its also good to see you've decided to support your own event

I see that the L&SMOC are doing a discounted day at Goodwood on the 12th July (£70) which I'm gonna try and make as I really want to drive Goodwood and brands this year.

But Loking forward to Bedford - is speeeeeeeeeeeed bringing the porker? (always like watching him spin:smile: )

S:yeblack:

I see that the L&SMOC are doing a discounted day at Goodwood on the 12th July (£70) which I'm gonna try and make as I really want to drive Goodwood and brands this year.

But Loking forward to Bedford - is speeeeeeeeeeeed bringing the porker? (always like watching him spin:smile: )

S:yeblack:


I found Goodwood a bit dissapointing because of the restricted number of cars allowed on track due to noise restrictions, and the very tight marshelling. Nice fast curcuit, not really the best for a Mini though (similar to Thruxton).

Speed is bring the porker as I understand it.

Do you have a link for the Goodwood event...?

Speedd will be in the Porker but with L plates :(.. still need to tame the big @rse girl of mine ;)

I may be up for this, depends on bank balance though lol, is there a deadline date?

I may be up for this, depends on bank balance though lol, is there a deadline date?

Well, no deadline as such, but these track days often get booked up some weeks before the event, so best to commit as soon as you can.

Would be good to see another mini there.

Only 2 weeks and 2 days to go. Oh yes I am counting!!!

Just got my brake warning light and traction light fixed yesterday so I think I am in full working order. Need a front end respray but waiting until after the event before I get that done. - (No damage just bad stone chipping)

Only 2 weeks and 2 days to go. Oh yes I am counting!!!

Just got my brake warning light and traction light fixed yesterday so I think I am in full working order. Need a front end respray but waiting until after the event before I get that done. - (No damage just bad stone chipping)


Its cheaper just to advertise for a new bumper on M2 and fit it yourself mate. Got a brand new one on mine - £60.....

no stone chips now (except for bonnet)

Another booking (Jeremy, 350z) on the first page, thats 14 now.

Anyone else got any mates that might want to come along....?

2 weeks to go!!!!

Its cheaper just to advertise for a new bumper on M2 and fit it yourself mate. Got a brand new one on mine - £60.....

no stone chips now (except for bonnet)

Its the bonnet and you'll see my effort at touch up which is quite apawling. Will try and t cut it back properly before the track day but really much point as I've decided to resprat anyway.

I note your comment re front bumper.

I have a friend with a paint shop and he is very reasonable at sorting out small jobs like this.

I was looking at the front of the Superbee and was shocked by the number of chips I've picked up in 18,000 miles!

Doesn't help that the plastic is black underneath the paint and that the roof is undercoated in white.

I think I need to spend some cash with Chips away or someone! Tony did you use some kind of film protector last time out? Was it any good?

Russell - what tyres are you running now? My Toyo T1-Rs are nearly up for a change - am thinking Eagle F1s next for road tyres.

cheers

s:yeblack:

I was looking at the front of the Superbee and was shocked by the number of chips I've picked up in 18,000 miles!

Doesn't help that the plastic is black underneath the paint and that the roof is undercoated in white.

I think I need to spend some cash with Chips away or someone! Tony did you use some kind of film protector last time out? Was it any good?

Russell - what tyres are you running now? My Toyo T1-Rs are nearly up for a change - am thinking Eagel F1s next for road tyres.

cheers

s:yeblack:


I used a roll of fablon film when we did Bruntingthorpe last time. it did help a lot but i wouldnt bother at Bedford as there isnt any debris on the track to be worried about....

I was looking at the front of the Superbee and was shocked by the number of chips I've picked up in 18,000 miles!

Doesn't help that the plastic is black underneath the paint and that the roof is undercoated in white.

I think I need to spend some cash with Chips away or someone! Tony did you use some kind of film protector last time out? Was it any good?

Russell - what tyres are you running now? My Toyo T1-Rs are nearly up for a change - am thinking Eagle F1s next for road tyres.

cheers

s:yeblack:

Steve,

I'm running the same Toyos as you but the wear from them has been pretty abismal. Have heard great things about the eagles but aren't they quite expensive?

I have a quote from my mate with the body shop to strip back and repaint my bonnet and bumper and grill for £300, with no VAT so thats what I am going to do. I'm booking it in for while I'm on holiday in June. In the mean time I have some pretty bad touch up work which needs cutting back, but I can't be bothered as its going for a respray.

Russell

Mail check people!! ;)

Alex has sent details for this Saturday :nice:

Thanks Alex and see you all there :)

Yes got the e-mail today. Just out of interest I noticed the form has a tick box for insurance. I presume this is just in case you have it and not a requirement right? Never had to have trackday insurance before and only paid for it when I did Rockingham.

Yes got the e-mail today. Just out of interest I noticed the form has a tick box for insurance. I presume this is just in case you have it and not a requirement right? Never had to have trackday insurance before and only paid for it when I did Rockingham.


Dont worry about the form, they never collect it in. Insurance is not a requirement. Cameras can be used in the car (but must be secured - not handheld)


I would suggest if you havent been before, you definatly need to attend the drivers briefing - at 08.30.


None of the Minis will have a problem passing the noise test, they usually dont bother with it for minis.

Do remember to take your driving license along. They dont always check it, but usually do......

What would you suggest is a good time to arrive then Tony as you've been before. 07:30 seems pretty early when the briefing doesn't start until 08:30. But I guess if there's only one person signing you in that could explain it.

My last trackday at Donington was badly organised. I got there early and had a massive queue of drivers waiting to sign on. Half way through queuing they said they had to do the briefing. Off we went to another room for that and then there was mad rush to get back to the queue. Luckily I went from the back of the queue to near the front :D and I was driving through the pit entrance while people were still queuing for sign on.

Do we know how many cars are signed up in TOTAL for the day?

Usually around 60 cars, but i think it might be less this weekend due to the Bank Holiday.

Thi sounds a lot, but dont let it concern you, the track has a very high capacity as its nearly 4 miles long (huge track). It will be busy first session, but then tail off very quickly. If your an abolute beginner, its often better to sit out the first 20 minutes and stagger your time on trak (people running their road cars will only be on track for about 20 minutes at a time.

I get there around 8.10, park up quickly, go and sign in. The breifing room is where you sign in, so no problems there, and its also the canteen, so if you want breakfast, you can get it then as well, and eat your bacon buttie whilst you listen to the briefing.

They then take all cars on a follow my leader to the pits, and from the pits, out to the track for 3 laps to show you the line.

If you want to take care of your car and not risk undue wear and tear or damage, aim to take the first 1 and a half laps nice and tamely, then build up your speed as you get confident. Aim to do at least one lap at a lower speed to cool down.

Overtaking is done mainly on the inside (left) of the track, the overtaking car makes the manouver, not the slower car. If your being overtaken by a similar power car do remember to back off just a little bit otherwise you get to the next corner at the same time. Overtaking is supposed to be on the straights only (although this getts abused a little) and is supposed to be by 'consent' - that is, your supposed to wait for the car in front to indicate and then overtake on the opposite side to the indication. But no one does this after a few laps.... ;)

Dont panic about the car behind you. You drive your lap, he'll take care of himself. Dont get transfixed by whats in your mirrors, that will lead to a clumsy spin in the next corner, i know I've done it.

Dont rush the first 15 laps or so. Bedford is big and hard to learn. Get tuition if possible.

There will be more powerful cars there. Dont let it worry you. Its not a race. You will overtake some cars, not others. Its not about the power of the car anyway, its about the skill of the driver.

There is only one gravel trap, its next to the long right hander in front of the pits. I've only ever seen one car in it, and that was Poogieminis car, no idea ho you could manage to get a car in there - bizarre.

Very few hard barriers - theres a wall all along the back straight, never seen anyone hit it. There are a few cones, hitting one isnt the end of the world. Most run off is mown grass and is flat and you can usually ride over it - if you are not going to make the next corner, dont panic, look for your best way out via the run off. If you slam the brakes on mid corner you'll simply spin and feel a right tit.

Dont follow the car in front. Choose your own line, choose your own braking points, the turn ins will be coned for guidance. Biggest mistake for a novice is to turn in to early. Fine when your still going slow but when your going faster, all you do if turning in too early is tighten the apex, which means you'll likely run wide or spin. remember, when approaching a corner, get your speed and gear sorted before the turn in point, preferably when still in a straight line (although in a Mini you can brake into corners) and then balance the throttle through the corner, and as it opens out past the apex, apply more power gradually (dont stomp on the power) and open to full throttle at the corner exit point.

Its a very wide track, plenty of room for mistakes. Keep an eye on the flags, dont look at the road directly infront of you, look through to your next corner. As you enter the main straights your eyesight should be focussing on your next corner, not half way down the straight. Look at where you want to be, not where you are.

There is high octane fuel available on site, but be prepared to pay around £1.20 for it. :eek: There are garages within a dozen miles or so.


Most of this will be said during the briefing, but be prepared to hear changes to the above - they might changes the rules etc, but very unlikely.

I've been to three Bedofrd Autodrome track days. Only ever seen one car damaged (not a mini) and never seen cars collide (at any track day actually). Most other track days (snetterton, Goodwood, Croft, Castle Coombe) for example, always several cars off and hitting something. Saw a car on its side at Snetterton.

If it rain its not the end of the world. Although Porsche drivers get to see a lot more of the countryside, and have to put up with being embarrassed by Minis.

Any other questions dont be afraid to ask. There are no stupid questions.

That's a very good guide Tony and can't think of much to add really except enjoy yourself!

Just checked the weather for Saturday and it's sunny intervals, so fingers crossed!

Tony,

Very comprehensive. Just one thing to add. Don't think that because you have more power that you will be quicker. Just because you have a works doesn't mean you'll be faster than a standard 'S' or an MX5 or an Elise. You'll mash them on the straight but if they are on your tail through the corners you must let them past!!!

And if its wet, take it very easy. I've done only 1 track day when its really wet, and that was Olton Park (Steve Do you remember) it was frightening. Leave plenty of space between cars and be prepared to spin. and watch out for others around you as if they are likely to spin you want to be no where near them.

I am really looking forward to Saturday, and sun is going to shine and its going to be very hot! Then I can get the roof down and I can't wait!

look froward to seeing you all there.

Russell

Tony,

Very comprehensive. Just one thing to add. Don't think that because you have more power that you will be quicker. Just because you have a works doesn't mean you'll be faster than a standard 'S' or an MX5 or an Elise. You'll mash them on the straight but if they are on your tail through the corners you must let them past!!!

Russell


you havin a pop mate, are you? are you? Come on then, bring it on. In your flower power girly convertiable. Come on then..... :o

:D


Actually, its bloody frustrating, you spend £6k on your car, and yet on the track, theres so little difference between a 163bhp car and a 210bhp car.... the difference is marginal, and then the skill of the driver takes a much biggerpart in the equation....

So yes, its wise to give way to even 'lesser' cars if they are obviously all over you through the corners. Theres nothing to be gained by prooving you've more power and dissapearing off down the straights, there zero skill or kudos in that....

I remember following a Carrera 4S for three laps around silverstone. He was a complete ****, holding up cars in the braking area/through the corners, whilst stretching his legs on the straights. Competly against the guidelines. He also ignored the blue flags, to the extent that he was eventually black flagged and given a stern final warning. Came closer to seeing an accident happen on the track due to that gimp than at any other time. Typical bloody Porsche driving middle management twit......

Typical bloody Porsche driving middle management twit......

Sorry :o

Wind it in Uncle ;)

<------ goes to look for Tony's Tar Brush :p

Drive safe and enjoy, hope for the good weather and fantastic day for all :nice:

Still gutted i cant make this...aaah maybe next time. :( Good luck to everyone and Ive got me fingers crossed for the weather for you all. Tonys little prose :D was spot on for those of you who havent been before. I can't reitereate how much difference tuition will make either. No matter how good you think you are, if you dont have the tuition it will take you 3 times as long to learn the track - those guys know every corner like the back of their proverbial, this saves you time, effort, embarassment and petrol! I have instructor laps on every new track I go to.

Have fun and stick some pics up!

I can certainly echo what Tony says about the power making little difference. I've kept up with many a Cooper S in my Cooper Works and a JCC racer, in essentially the same car, beating even the tuned S's at Bruntingthorpe.