RAF Cottesmore thoughts...

[CL290005]

Ok I am going to be a bit confrontational!

Did I enjoy it then the answer was YES, even the wet weather did not put me off, infact if I had wet weather suit (which I will have soon) I would have been out there as much as possible as driving skills are put to the test (by the way mine are limited)

I thought everyone was great  and where considerate with their driving all this made the day.

The actual layout I enjoyed and found it challenging and quick.

Now my negatives  

I found the flat circuit not inspiring, given the choice I would go to a circuit everyday.

Driving round cones looking for the lines did not excite me, may be if I had been dry (in a rain suit) then I would have mastered (thats a joke!) the whole of the circuit rather than possibly 80-90% by having more track time.

Ok so I have lit the touch paper!

Would I go again well the answer to that is I would look to support the club, for a couple of reasons it was great to meet others of similar minds but most of all the club should be supported.

Hope this helps as if you only get positives then you cannot improve, thanks again to the club for putting on a track event and long may it continue

Chris

I was suprised

[Cleggy the Spyder Man]

not confrontational at all - tis a fair and valid opinion and we all get our kicks in different ways  

[matt nossiter]

My thoughts are  -

We should definitely have a trackday each year just as much as we should always be at Stoneleigh et al . if the club can afford it .

The weather put an interesting slant on the day and I should of been better prepared ! .

I would rather go to a proper circuit as opposed to an airfield but I can fully appreciate the clubs reasons for opting for Cottesmore .

A couple of us had quite alot of gravel rash on the cars which I,ve not had from proper circuits .

Above all I would support the club and proberly attend the trackdays where ever they were but would prefer a proper circuit

Hope this comes across as constructive and not too negative

[Hammy]

Echo the gravel rash, my rear ach protectors look sand blasted, this may put off a few of the car owners who do like to keep a pristine car. On the plus, If it had not been raining I could have taped it up and safe guarded against that.

Re-enforcing my eariler post:

Mallory was a good circuit (as good ?) and does give the additonal feeling of being on a "proper circuit", but as mentioned elsewhere I did not feel so safe there as people would tend dive into gaps to overtake in odd places whilst "racing" someone else - much much better last year tho' than the year before.

The banning of any overtaking through the twisty bits at Cottesmore was therefore a good idea, and driver behaviour was spot on. Cottesmore therefore has a big plus here and should entice more people to attend.  Liked the 1/4 mile run too.

The club should carry on doing these even of subsidised (after all do we make a  bigger profit from Stoneleigh ?). Repeating myself but I'd really like the factory to do some of this, Even as a loss leader Track days might even be a good market tool for them if there were "7" only events!! (they could even sell a track day special, cut down and cheap or hire out a few cars)

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

(after all do we make a  bigger profit from Stoneleigh ?).

Hammy, just so you and others know, Stonleigh is a very big cost to the club. If you come to the AGM, which is held at the June Curborough event on the saturday evening. Details are given out.

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

Thanks everyone for the replies so far, your comments will all be considered by the committee when we decide what to do next year.

Also for the PM's that I have had directly.

Those that went, please check your e-mails for some good news from Javelin

[SootySport]

Keep going with the trackdays, if necessary open it up for other Kit Car enthusiasts like yer Tigers, Caterhams, Dax's etc. to make it viable.  I would have come, but I wasn't sure I would have a car in time for the event.

As for a proper circuit or airfield I don't think it matters too much. A circuit is good for the the proper race track feel and some elevation, the airfields for affordability and new to track wannabees with nothing to hit should there be some "Offs".

[Cleggy the Spyder Man]

that is very good of them  

having had previous experiance at Cottesmoore, Cadwell and Snetterton already this year I am already a fan of the way they run things

[Paul Edden]

Thanks for the comments guys - keep 'em coming.

The thinking behind "proper track" vs "airfield" went somthing like this;

A few people were complaining that Mallory and Llandow were becoming a little "tired" and and a new venue would be welcomed.  There were also comments (mentioned in this thread also) that some of the driving on "tight" circuits was getting a bit frantic.  If you were at Mallory last year - there was quite a big accident - lots of damage but no injuries - just!

Also - as has been commented here - price of the day!

So - in the interests of having novices and experienced drivers out together at an affordable price - with a location as central as possible - we chose Cottesmore.  It was an experiment - and like any experiment, there will be good and bad views.  What is important is that we capture the views so that we can make informed decisions about next years track day.

Personal view - I thought it was a cracking circuit - with excellent organisation.  I wonder what a nice sunny day would have done for us all?  Of course, I would like to see the WSCC organise track days at Silverstone, Oulton Park, Snetterton etc.... - but the cost would keep you awake at night!!

Keep the feedback coming - thanks for braving the conditions - we are a hardy bunch (expect me - hiding in my centrally heated motorhome!)

[GreigM]

Although I didn't make it along I have had some experience organising track days for other clubs, some with a lot more affluent and numerous members and on every occasion it has been loss-making for the club.  From my experience what worked the best is:

1. Oulton Park - its an attractive circuit in terms of prestige and relatively easy to get to from anywhere, is central to a lot of fairly large population centers (manchester, liverpool, brum, midlands etc - all easy to reach) it seems to attract a lot more cars than anywhere else.  This year my other "club" trackday changed to Snetterton (for selfish reasons of the organiser) and where this even would usually sell out in under 24hrs, we are now in the position of only having 25 cars booked after a couple of months, and somewhat looking like the event will be cancelled.  Oulton is also good for Westfield's because of the garages.

2. We generally come to an arrangement with the TDO that there is a discount and exclusive booking period, but it is then thrown open to other cars - the reality is that to get enough of one marque together to make it cost effective is a real struggle - let the TDO take the risk.  Possibly combine with caterham/locost clubs initially - even unofficially by simply making it known that it was available to them.

3. Time of year - In my experience you've as much chance of rain in mid-summer at oulton as you do in April or November....and some of my best trackdays have been cheap days at Oulton in April or October - where the price can be down to the same as the Cottesmore day in the summer.  It also avoids issues of school holidays etc...

Again, not a criticism in any way as the day looked very well organised to me, and not a problem to go back to Cottesmore, but if its a concern that a loss is being made then maybe an exclusive trackday isn't an option?

[Onliest Smeg David]

Unfortunately I was unable to go, only bought my Westie at end of May and was already booked up.

However it looked like a good venue with a range of activities and I wish I could have made it. I like the idea that novices like myself could get help with developing their skills.

Somewhere with good run off would deffinitely entice me more until I'm more used to pushing at the limit.

Events mid week are fine for me (and pobably many) if there is notice well well in advance.

I personally would like to see two WSCC events, one track and one airfield with run offs, one of which being further North. I would overnight for 1 and day trip the closer one.

It would be best to have the Airfield one at the begining of the year when Westies are being dusted off following the winter.

For a club to be succesful I feel it's essential to have a club gathering, and as our interest is driving Westies the events should also involve the driving experience.

If needs be then I have no issue with joining up with other 7esque car clubs.

[adamnreeves]

A few people were complaining that Mallory and Llandow were becoming a little "tired" and and a new venue would be welcomed.

I did a track day at Mallory this year and I know my track experience is limited but the surface looked pretty new to me. I wouldn't be surprised to be told that it was re-surfaced within the last 12 months. I suppose it depends on what is meant by tired; the dinner ladies looked like they could do with a refresh. There was also on-site fuelling which for my SEiGHT was a big advantage. I also had a little engine incident and if it were not for the motorsport shops I would have been stranded.

[rob iles]

they have another day at cottesmore on  fri 23rd sept only £99  

[markcoopers]

I quite enjoyed Cottesmore when we did it earlier in the dry, but for me while the track is an important part, the camaraderie and spirit of being with like minded is more so. So perhaps the question is how could we improve any track day/driving instruction day?

I like the idea of Javelin et al doing the organising and us say taking 70% of the places.....if that helps with risk?

[I H Freelance Services]

Hi , i thought that cottesmore was a good choice , and as it turned out to be as wet it was , in my  experience it was  the best place to be as it provided loads of grip and lots of run off  and with less cars on track than a normal day it allowed us all from what i can gather to push the car harder than we would have done in the same conditions at a circuit .

Im sure that all of us that attended cant wait to go back in the dry. I went  on  javelins web site on the  friday evening to look at potential dates coming up and with there very kind offer of a discount i shall be back very soon .

It was also great to be i a envoiroment where we all like minded westfield nuts and everybody was very plesant and welcoming were as other track  days some people can be very elitist and unfriendly.

Maybe if possible a weekend booking may attract more cars, or as been said already book next years early so we can put it in the diary .

so come on all you fellow owners get out on track and support our club , its not about being fast its about having fun !

cheers Iain