How fast can you take copse?

[Martin Keene]

Someone whose opinion I respect told me that a well setup Westy could take Copse flat out. Having done a couple of track days at Silverstone this year, the idea of not braking for Copse seems terrifying (though I am a bit of a wimp about such things). I'll take an instuctor out on 26th for some tips, but I was curious what sort of speed people here have taken it at?

Isn't this a bit of how long is a piece of string? A well set up Westy on slicks with a 1300 Xflow I would expect to be flat out, but with 300bhp monster on road tyres, I would take my hat off to the man.  

Tubs

Point taken, so to make this more precise: do you reckon a Vx powered narrow westy (around 560kg) with around 170bhp, R888s and protech shocks could take copse flat out or nearly flat out?  

What sort of speed are you doing at turn in?

[JeffC]

Coppice at Cadwell is definitely flat in a Locost!

Flat in a DJ too      

respect  

I think copice/cadwell  is  flat out in a busa, but have to confess Ive done 2 full trackdays there and my knackers are still not big enough as much as I tried to keep my foot in  I still have a lift off going in to it          

maybe next time      

[Buzz Billsberry]

I've never had a problem going flat out round copse even in me V8 with 300bhp the only problem I have going flat out round copse is stopping on the circuit!!      

Seriously tho' I've only done Silverstone twice and as jeffc says big ganachers and a serious dose of blind faith would be the order of the day... but for me I don't like hospital food plus I'd like my car in one peice for Le-Mans!

Buzz

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

Flat in a DJ too

Should think so at 63 mph !

You forgot to multipy by 2 Ash      

[Phil. S]

What sort of speed are you doing at turn in?

When I did Silverstone in August I was getting up to 115 at the end of the pit straight. At that speed I brake (like everyone else I followed).

The message I'm getting is that with the right line and a decent setup the car might be able to do Copse flat, but it'll be at the limit, and would involve a level of commitment that someone like me does not have for track days. I'll try and go a little faster though.

Looking forward to getting back, especially if the weather is like this. There's also a couple of other Westies this time, which should add to the fun.

[DickieB]

As long as you have it set up for mild oversteer rather than snap oversteer, then you "could" try it! If you're going too fast, there is oceans of run off, and it is all tarmac.  The rumble strip is not worth worrying about, and there is loads of tarmac beyond.  As long as the car is setup so that if you lift off, it just tucks back on line gently, then no harm done.  If you lift off and it snaps into oversteer, then you're in trouble!

[Martin Keene]

What sort of speed are you doing at turn in?

When I did Silverstone in August I was getting up to 115 at the end of the pit straight. At that speed I brake (like everyone else I followed).

Yep... That would need a *very* big set!

I've been passenger in a car that turns into Gerrads at 105mph (indicated on a Stack dash) and I couldn't imagine going into Copse 10mph faster...

[Liam]

As long as you have it set up for mild oversteer rather than snap oversteer, then you "could" try it! If you're going too fast, there is oceans of run off, and it is all tarmac.  The rumble strip is not worth worrying about, and there is loads of tarmac beyond.  As long as the car is setup so that if you lift off, it just tucks back on line gently, then no harm done.  If you lift off and it snaps into oversteer, then you're in trouble!

Yes, beware the sting in the tail..... Copse exit.

Since Copse beach was cleared and replaced with tarmac it has become a very fast corner, but wall and track converge as you head up towards the crest before Maggotts and that is where most of the action now is apart from a few "spun and continued's" mid-corner.

There is a slim strip of gravel but it is easily breached and then all you will hear is the sound of a cash register   It's one of those "I'm going to make it, I'm going to m..........bu**er" situations.

[Phil. S]

Yes, beware the sting in the tail..... Copse exit.

Since Copse beach was cleared and replaced with tarmac it has become a very fast corner, but wall and track converge as you head up towards the crest before Maggotts and that is where most of the action now is apart from a few "spun and continued's" mid-corner.

There is a slim strip of gravel but it is easily breached and then all you will hear is the sound of a cash register   It's one of those "I'm going to make it, I'm going to m..........bu**er" situations.

b******* it, this is all too scary. I'm staying at home.