Jump to content
Store Testing In Progress ×

My First Track Day


grahamf

Recommended Posts

I took my car to the track for the first time yesterday. I went to www.thunderhill.com...

 

...and it was raining. It looked more like Knockhill than I would have liked. Thankfully it dried up over he course of the day

 

IMG_20130404_110054_zpsd573620a.jpg

 

The astute amongst you will notice the missing front wheel arches. The sikaflex/bighead fastener bonding doesn't appear to work as well on the Freeways. I removed the front right side on the way to the track before it flew off, and removed the left front after my first session.

 

This was so much fun. It bodes well for the future.

 

I absolutely love the noise of the car at race track revs.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice looking car Graham. What are your cycle wings made from? You can't bond to the plastic versions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If they are carbon or fibreglass then clean with Acetate (nail varnish remover) before applying the Sikaflex.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If they are carbon or fibreglass then clean with Acetate (nail varnish remover) before applying the Sikaflex.

 

Did that, but they still didn't last.

 

I decided that I cared less about the aesthetics of this, than losing a wheel arch on the freeway, so they are now bolted on.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The ABS cycle wings have to be bonded using epoxy resin not polyester for the fibre glass.  My polyester resin debonded before I even got on the road, over 1,000 miles with epoxy and they haven't budged at all more info at http://2js-westfield-build.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/3-august-2012-where-did-day-go.html

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Graham, I lived in San Diego for 15 years - just curious, do you have issues with not having a front license plate?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not really. I don't have a front license plate on my daily driver either. I have been stopped once, the first week I owned it, so it was easy to talk my way out of that one.

 

I passed (they were stationary)/was passed by a number of CHP to and from the track without incident.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jonjh, your web site mentions John, James and Myles. Is that Myles with (or used to have)  a Caterham?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Thunderhill"    Thats a nice name for a racetrack. Glad you enjoyed the day.       Nice reg. plate, pity we can't make up our own here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice reg. plate, pity we can't make up our own here.

 

I know, very frustrating.  I had a plate in California that had "GNATSUM", which of course is "Mustang" backwards, as the other was already taken.  Big mistake.  Had coppers follow me every time I turned around, trying to figure it out, people asking me at traffic lights, car parks... the car had an electrical fault once and stranded me at the side of the road, and some little old lady walked passed me (head under the hood, smoke pouring out of engine bay) and asked if "GNATSUM" was Yiddish.  I said yes, it's Yiddish for "stupid question".  "Oh!" she said, "that's interesting!" and walked off, smiling.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jonjh, your web site mentions John, James and Myles. Is that Myles with (or used to have)  a Caterham?

Myles is his son, so id guess not

Link to comment
Share on other sites

AJ, OK, not it won't be. Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 6 months later...

Jonjh, your web site mentions John, James and Myles. Is that Myles with (or used to have)  a Caterham?

 

Just spotted this Norm - no Myles is only 14 so no Caterham (yet) James is now 16 and counting the days until he gets his licence and can track day the Westfield

 

Jon

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jon, Thanks,  AJ answered it at the time. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Please review our Terms of Use, Guidelines and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.