Knockhill Track Day - 19Th August 2012

[GreigM]

Is it possible to take fuel into knockhill and store it in your tow vehicle/trailer. In a suitable container of course (have half size 10 litre metal jerry can)

Terry

absolutely, I'll have a couple of 20L jerries with me.....just not allowed to refuel in the paddock, you need to take your car to the fuel rather than the other way round.....its a 30sec drive to the exterior parking area, so you won't have a problem....

[kev91]

Thanks for all the info Greig, really looking forward to this, just need to sort a loan of a trailer for peace of mind and good to go

[Doug Dastardly]

Anybody else coming from north / Aberdeen - shire ? Convoy down in the morning ?

I might be heading down the A9, or I might stay overnight with my cousin who's nearby.

I would imagine you'll be going via dundee anyway.

I'm spectating only if I make it, but looking forward to meeting some of the folks I've 'met' on here.

[GreigM]

On track:

Just an overview (mainly for those on their first track day) of the rules on track. Knockhill will go over these in the briefing, but useful to read/absorb as the excitement/early morning can sometimes mean your attention is somewhat left wanting.

When we first go on track you will see your first flag immediately:

GREEN FLAG - there will initially be one (or if wet/slippy they may say two, but you will be informed in the briefing). This will be shown at the start of each session as the "Green flag lap" - this is just a lap to let everyone get on track and get a bit of heat into their engine/tyres/brakes. There's no overtaking on this lap (until you are on the main straight at the end) and the person at the front should maintain a good pace without going flat out (i.e. don't let the cars bunch behind, try to stretch them out). Once round the hairpin you are allowed to pass and the session begins proper.

YELLOW YELLOW FLAG - this means there is an incident on the track, you should slow your pace (but don't slow drastically, just enough so you could react to an obstacle on the track - it doesn't mean do 10mph, just 75% of what you were doing previously). No overtaking while in an area controlled by yellow flags. Usually this means there is someone in the gravel or has spun and you have to drive around them etc. It does not apply to the full lap, once you are past the incident you can resume full speed (use your own judgement here as to when its safe to go flat out). Sometimes you will see a green flag after the incident to indicate that you are safely past at can go flat out.

You may sometimes get a double-waved yellow (or the marshal is frantically waving his one flag) to indicate a more serious incident and to be even more cautious.

RED FLAG - this means the session is stopped. This can be either telling you the session has ended, or there is a SERIOUS incident on track. In either case, bring your speed down to a level where you could stop pretty much immediately. No overtaking. Again, don't be silly and drop to 5/10mph - just a gentle cruise which is very much controlled as they may want you off the track as safely/quickly as possible in order to attend an incident. If cars are "bunching" behind you may want to pick up the pace a bit. Please don't get too close to the car in front in case they see an incident before you and have to stop in a hurry.

BLUE FLAG - you may or may not see this (it somewhat depends if the marshals can be bothered). It means there is a faster car behind or approaching. Its really just a reminder to check your mirrors and let someone pass if necessary.

YELLOW/RED STRIPED FLAG - this is an indicator that you are coming up on a potentially slippy part of the track - someone may have dropped oil/coolant or brought stones from the gravel traps onto the track. If its bad enough for a flag please pay lots of attention and drive to the conditions you can see. Its unusual for this to be used as if oil is down they will generally stop the session and clean it up.

CHECKERED FLAG - from the control post on the start/finish straight. It doesn't mean you've won, it means the session is over, complete the lap easing off, cooling down your car. Generally no overtaking past the checkered flag. They will generally put up the red lights shortly after the checkered flag, but not immediately as they don't want to panic people.

BLACK FLAG - you may see this from the main control post on the start finish straight. They will generally also point at the car it applies to. If you see this and it is for you then they want you to come off the circuit on this lap, so slow down and cruise round and off into the pit lane, then go to the marshalls to find out what is wrong. It MAY be driving related (i.e. naughty boy flag), but in many cases it could be something wrong with your car you are unaware of (dropping fluids, bodywork flapping, bonnet not properly shut etc). If you see this, immediately check you gauges for signs of something wrong, and your rear view mirror to see if you are dropping fluids. If dropping fluids, please PULL OFF the track immediately - don't leave a ring of oil all the way around the circuit, just pick a safe point on the grass to park up and head for it.

OVERTAKING - This is very simple to remember, On the Straights, On the LEFT, and by CONSENT.

Here's a map of the circuit:

There are 3 places to overtake at Knockhill: 1. The main straight (taylors hairpin to Duffus Dip), 2. the Chicane to Clark (or Carlube as it's now called) and 3. From Clark all the way to the hairpin.

You don't overtake through bends or in braking zones, but aside from that basically most of the circuit lets you overtake. The only reason to overtake between Duffus and the chicane is if a car is going particularly slow and waves you past - this would only really be if they are breaking down and trying to limp back to the pits.

When BEING OVERTAKEN - please be aware of cars coming up behind you. Generally if a car appears in your mirrors which wasn't there before then think about the next best place for it to overtake. When you get to the next straight, simply pull to the right hand side of the track (indicate if you can, but not essential, just an obvious manoeuvre is enough) and LIFT OFF (unless the car behind is obviously much quicker) as sometimes cars can struggle to pass if you're at full-bore acceleration. Once the car or cars are past simply pull back to the left and continue as normal. If you are being overtaken by a train of cars but feel you're coming to the braking zone and want back on "line" try to indicate (even with an arm wave) that you want to return to the racing line. The car behind will lift off and allow you to return into the gap. In these sessioned days there is no concept of the faster car "finding space" by heading into the pit lane as this is not allowed, it is imperative that everyone allows safe and easy overtaking.

Often when on the last corner before a straight an experienced driver may appear to accelerate towards you mid-bend and be really quite close to the back of your car, this is simply them preparing for the overtake and trying to slingshot past. This isn't aggression and is simply part of track driving and if you simply get onto the straight and pull to the right as you would have done they will ease past giving you both lots of space before the next braking zone. If you feel the time isn't right for them to overtake, don't worry they will be looking for this an if you don't move over they will simply back off - remember overtaking is only by your consent.

If at any point you have a "queue" of cars behind you then you're probably not paying enough attention to your mirrors.

While OVERTAKING it is your responsibility to overtake safely in the appropriate place. Don't pressure cars to be quicker through the twisty section than they want to be, simply wait until the next straight where they will pull over to the right and let you pass on the left. Overtaking on the right is not permitted and will result in a black flag and being sent home. Wait for an obvious manoeuvre or indication that the car in front is letting you past and make best effort to pass as swiftly as possible. If you dont think you will be able to pass safely before the braking zone for the next turn then do not begin the manoeuvre, simply lift off and allow the car in front to return onto the racing line. If overtaking as one of many cars, please consider the space left and if the car being overtaken is running out of space before the corner, please lift off and wave them back onto the racing line.

BREAKING DOWN/CAR TROUBLES

If your car is having troubles but is still mobile, put on your hazards and make your way round to the pit lane if you can.

If you are dropping fluid of any kind pull off the circuit IMMEDIATELY. Try to get as far off the circuit as possible, and if you can head towards a marshals post. If you can pull off into the INSIDE of the circuit this is almost always best as it reduces the risk of another car leaving the track and colliding with you.

If your car breaks down and you have to pull off the circuit, try to coast as far off the circuit as possible, again towards a marshals post.

If you do have to pull off the circuit GET OUT OF THE CAR and if possible over the tyre wall to the other side. Do not hesitate. Do not try to repair/fix/investigate at the side of the circuit. Wait for the marshals - if you can safely walk to a marshals post, do that, otherwise wait and they will come to you. They may let the session continue if your car is in a safe place, so you may have to wait a short while.

SPINNING

If you spin your car, first of all don't panic. Simply get the car re-started and ready to move and WAIT until a gap in the traffic and rejoin, the traffic will drive round you. If the car will not restart, get out as quickly as possible and get to the side of the circuit and over the tyre wall, the marshals will stop the session and recover the car.

If you don't know why you spun it may be because you are dropping fluids onto your tyres - have a quick check of gauges and look for fluid on the circuit. If you suspect fluid loss drive straight off the circuit and get out of the car as above.

Alternatively your tyres may have simply overheated or some other mechanical failure. Drive carefully round to the pit lane and leave the session - head up to the paddock and look for issues with the car.

If you've spun simply through lack of talent then I suggest you back off for a bit for that session, show the marshals that you're reacting to the spin by being a bit more careful. If you spin twice in a session I would imagine you may not be allowed back on track again (at the discretion of the marshals).

[GreigM]

Thanks for all the info Greig, really looking forward to this, just need to sort a loan of a trailer for peace of mind and good to go

Do you have RAC cover? If the worst happens I'll tow your sorry carcass far enough away that they won't know you've been on track

[Matta]

Greig - Thanks for all the advice. Really helpful for all the folks who either haven't done this before or are new to Knockhill.

Cheers,

Matt

[Matta]

Dean - I know you're reading this, so get your finger out and register!

[deanoecosse]

Dean - I know you're reading this, so get your finger out and register!

DONE 10 mins ago!

[GreigM]

Just a final couple of notes on car/person prep:

Helmets - you'll need one, any old lid will do - it won't be checked for standards or anything like that, so as long as you can get it on your noggin you're good to go.

Clothing - I believe there is a policy of no shorts/short sleeves - even on a warm sunny day (they do happen, even at Knockhill), so bring appropriate clothing.

Video cameras - Must be secured in a good mount, nothing hand held (i.e. don't have the passenger holding an iphone).

Car prep - there must be nothing loose in the car - i.e. nothing in the passenger footwell - no bags etc.

Check your fluid levels, empty your catch tank. Probably most importantly check your brake lights work.

Aside from that if your car is in good running order you shouldn't have any problems.

[Terryathome]

Can i have one of those yellow stickers with a cross on it. Hang on, don't need the yellow bit just the cross as the car is yellow to start of with. Black electrical tape anyone LOL

Terry

[GreigM]

Just a couple of (hopefully) final points from questions I've been asked:

Passengers - minimum age is 10, but this is at discretion of the marshals as to whether they think the child is big enough and strapped in sufficiently. An adult will have to sign their disclaimer. Obviously the rules about covered arms and needing a helmet apply to passengers also. Passengers are signed on in the helmet store, not with the drivers. There is a nominal fee (£5 I believe).

Helmets - Knockhill do have a load of helmets which you can borrow/rent, however you have to check them in/out each session, so its a bit of a pain. The helmets are crap, ill-fitting, have had 10,000 other sweaty heads in them and many don't have visors - so if borrowing one I'd dip your head in a bucket of bleach afterwards. If I were you I'd either go to my local motorbike store and buy their cheapest £30 helmet or borrow one from someone else....this will be infinitely better.

[MacRosky]

BAD NEWS! On my way to a fun night at Forrestburn last night I hit a man-hole cover which was very pronounced due to the way the road cambered - this punctured my sump leaving a trail of oil behind me - Really bad luck. The thud didn't seem that bad and I wasn't far from Forrestburn so didn't stop until my brother travelling behind started flashing his lights/yelling. Think the bearings are gone at the very least.

Newly rebuilt engine at considerable cost as well! GUTTED!! I won't be able to make the track-day - was really looking forward to joining a circuit

full of sevens/westfield etc!! DOUBLE GUTTED. Westie confined to my garage - gonna cash in tax and consider next move.

KEV91 - I won't be using my trailer on the 19th so you are welcome to borrow. I'm in the Coatbridge area!

Ross.

PS. Do you think Knockhill will give me my money back???

[Doug Dastardly]

Question for Greig (as you seem to be in charge)

If I am travelling by westy is there any chance I could park up with you guys in your 'pen' or will I be consigned to the public car parks?

And if in public car parks, is there plenty hard standing or will I end up grounded out in a wet field?

Thanks,

Doug

P.S. Comisserations to MacRosky

[GreigM]

Bad news MacRosky - I'd suggest you phone Knockhill and ask, or at least enquire if you can transfer your booking to another person - that way you could resell it on here as I'm sure there will be 1 or 2 holding off until the last minute.

Doug - won't be a problem....the pens are sized to take 30 full-size cars, so 25 westies will leave loads of spare space for you...

[GreigM]

Think the bearings are gone at the very least.

do you have an idea of how much oil was left? unless it got low enough to get your low pressure warning light on I'd not think you'll have suffered any undue wear - a little oil goes a long way, so unless your oil was way low I'd be tempted to just fix/replace the sump pan and fire it up and see how it sounds.