[disdis]

Boo:

my first track experience will be part of a High Performance Driving course with a proper instructor.

so its no just a couple of inexperienced idiots driving on the track.... that would be too dangerous.

I m going with a group of collegues (mostly dentists- and yes, i happen to be a young dentist myself ).
they organise advance driving courses and track days every now and then. its mostly jap skylines, WRX, evos.
this is the first time i hv joined them since my last car isnt exactly a performance car.....

we got a group discount of < $300 only! which includes high performance drivers training in the morning and track runs in the afternoon.

not bad huh?

i think if we get like 20 ppl to go, then the cost of hiring the track for 1/2 day should be around 300 each. and i dont think a CAMS license is req for casual track outings....

[Boo]

I just looked at the Victorian BMW Club Calendar and it is filled with track day/Driver training...
They are usually pretty good price wise..
Here is the link..
http://bmwccv.bmwclubs.asn.au/Calendar2003.shtml#April

[FLiPSiDE]

jesus H christ! i live/work down the road from eastern creek.. i had no idea this was on.. i woulda come down for a look for suuure
bah humbug..
looks awesome, I'm sure u all had oodles of fun

[Boo]

I'm sure i'll get to another one before i go OS in July and Robbo is a regular out there
Here is a link to the Burrows Drive Day site if you want to check it out... I recommend it as an awesome day of driving Eastern Creek rocks...
http://www.eventsoneill.com/

[robbo mcs]

Hi,

Thanks for all the posts.

I am still recovering, and still trying to wipe the smile off my face!!

To answer some of the questions :

I dont know the times of the other cars. At the day there is no official timing, and I only time myself. Also there is a great discrepancy in driver experience, so there are some potent cars going slowly etc. However, there was a potent Porsche GT3 that seemed to be overtaking me very frequently!

As far as tyres, I am using Dunlop semi-slick road legal tyres, Formula R DO1-J. These are road legal, but really are only practical for driving to and from the track. You still need normal street tyres for everyday driving.

If you want to track your mini you do not need to make many modications at all. You can track it on standard tyres, brakes etc. Generally for your first couple of times you will gradually build up to speed. Once you find out if you like it or not (Doh!) you can then think about upgrades such as pads or tyres. However, for some clubs you may need to fit a fire extinguisher etc. If you do, it is pretty easy.

If anyone wants to try tracking the car sign up with the BMW club. In NSW they have many track days, it costs around $150-180 a day, and you get instructors and are grouped with people going at the same speed. Also you get to mix with fellow owners like Boo and Moi!

Finally, Boo asked me to report my experience in the Lotus race car. It is simply indescribable. This is a car that occasionally runs in nations cup. The acceleration was mind bending. In fact I think my mind is still bent. The late and radical braking and cornering force was seriously wild. The scariest part was turn 1 at Eastern creek. For those that dont know there is a long 1km straight followed by a long sweeper. In the M3 I would hit 220 and brake to 160 for this corner, and still be pooping my pants going round the corner. In the race car we went flat to the end of the straight (probably around 250) and the driver didnt brake at all, just went flat out round the corner. I am still washing the underpants! It was the most awesome feeling. I have driven in around 12 track days in my life. I was finally starting to feel like I was getting the hang of it. After a few laps with a pro in a fast car I now realise these guys are better by a factor of several thousand!

Attached is a pic of the lotus race car. The car incidentally is sponsored by minor celebrity Imogen Bailey who was there on the day.

Robbo

[Boo]

I remember when you got out of that Lotus the huge grin of disbelief you had on your face

disdis, both our cars are stock except for tyres and i have a pipercross airfilter..

Robbo and I talked quite a bit on the fact that in most areas of the track you can't use any extra power.. the Works kit or any power modification will only give you an advantage on a few straight areas but on the whole you will have to be a bit more careful in the cornering..

The stock car is perfectly designed for maximum fun on the track!!!

[Boo]

The next Burrows Drive day it is on Thursday 15th May, just lifted this from a previous thread for those who are interested in going to !!! (I'll be there if i can get it past the committee )

Quote:

I am going to a track day at eastern creek on 2/4. It is a regular day I go to, many excellent cars (porsche, ferrari, lambos, and minis!, plus many "normal" cars). Unlimited track time, with excellent instructors. It is not cheap, but great fun. A day at an one of these events will teach you a lot. If anyone is interested it is Burrows Drive Days at www.eventsoneill.com. Strictly it is invitation only, so if anyone is interested tell Luke O'Neill you were referred by Andrew Robinson.

Robbo

[Goul]

Thanks for the feedback Boo and Robbo.......cant wait to get out on the track.

[coops41]

Disdis, if you join a cams affliated car club and pay about $80 for a cams licence all you need to find is an event.
Im doing a sprint at phillip island on sunday organized by piarc (phillip island car club). It is very addictive and great value at $90 plus you get to dice with all sorts of machinary. At theese events there are no instructors though and your laps are timed.
Will report back on monday with how i went, car currenetly getting adjustable camber/caster plates and adjustable sway bar fitted as i speak. Have ordered hiteck exhaust and was meant to be fitted but the freight company lost it!!!!!!
My car runs 15" roh alloys and 205/50/15 yoko ao32rs(semi slicks) all up cost under $2000.
Disdis are you doing your advance course with jim murchots as im also doing that course with my wife she will be driving her XR6 turbo?

[Boo]

no probs, hope to see you on the track with us soon
Robbo and I went out together in one session, i was following him.. It was heaps of fun and it gave me more confidence following someone who was more experienced and in the same car with the same handling...

[disdis]

Coops41:

yeah! i am doing the Jim Murcott thing!
geez, small world huh?!

Is yours on the 31st May as well??

I heard about this one from my dentist friends. cos the guys who are organising the day is an Oral Surgeon and another dentist.

and how come your wife is driving a XR6 turbo and he are hopping around in a Mini???

[Boo]

Quote:

Originally posted by disdis
Coops41:
and how come your wife is driving a XR6 turbo and he are hopping around in a Mini???

The wife must get the family four door

[robbo mcs]

Hi,

There were 2 professional photographers at the drive day taking photos.

You can check out all the pictures online (around 450 in total).

The links are

www.cybernoir.com.au

www.jpmphoto.com.au

For both follow links to Events O'Neill or Burrows drive days.

He is a nice sample, an action blurred shot of Boo with an M3 hot in pursuit, but not able to keep up!

Robbo

[robbo mcs]

Heres another

A gorgeous red Ferrari 360 leaving pit lane, flanked by the minis. There is also a partial view of a PRB clubman, and the infamous volvo

Robbo

[Boo]

[Basil]

EXCELLENT Thread guys !

[robbo mcs]

Hi,

I got a CD today from one of the photographers.

Here are a couple of low res pictures. They look much better in hi-res glory, but I better save bandwidth

Robbo

This one is a nice cornering shot

[robbo mcs]

Even the instructor is having fun!

[robbo mcs]

Maddie Mini at 185km end of the straight.

Check out the aerial!

[eltel]

Now, they are better photos than those that they posted on their own websites.


Looks awesome robbo.

Regards, ElTel