GreigM Posted August 28, 2012 Author Share Posted August 28, 2012 Indeed, it is a flaw in the briefing system - they used to use another band/hand stamp system but abandoned that for the all to obvious system where the briefing can be avoided.....I believe the girls in the first room are supposed to ensure you don't leave through that door, but obviously are busy with other things. Next time I'll ensure to get everyone's email address and send out the briefing stuff I wrote above - got a bit of a feeling that people who aren't forum regulars didn't see it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffC Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 I was wondering if he had attended the briefing as I couldnt comprehend why anyone would drive in that manner so if ignorant of trackday rules that explains a lot ! and that is the first trackday I have ever done where you dont get a second band to show you have attended the briefing , as a rule no briefing no tracktime! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ciprian Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 1.7ish crossflow, 122bhp, was track virgin.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimM Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 When does the briefing session finish? I missed the first track session as I was later arriving (fat head of a son would not get out of his kip). However, I was stuck in the briefing room while the rest of you were waiting to be let loose on he track. Not to worry - still had a gat time. Winter plan is to upgrade rear shocks then get the car of to a specialists for suspension and alignment setup. Set up is just as I built it. Then some driving lessons on he track Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irrotational Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Poor MK guy - sounds like he feels pretty bad. He did tell me he raced stuff - so slightly confused he'd never been on a TD before but maybe he is about to take up racing! JeffC - yes it was you - I never quite figured out where you were all from! The briefing was random - all other TD's at knockhill have briefing armbands to prove you've been - I assume there are just too many people at the hot hatch days for them to manage that, hence they do the "leave by the OTHER door" method. It's only by chance that I went as I only queued up to get it out of the way...I almost just left tocome back and do it later. There was absolutely no mention of overtaking on straights as well...no idea if the lady forgot or that was the official rule. If any of you are thinking of coming back I would definitely recommend a SIDC session or scottish elises...or trackscotland, they are all usualy pretty good and OPL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leftfield Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 What does OPL mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davep1 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Open Pit Lane!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreigM Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 In contrast, I was at a "proper" OPL track night at knockhill last night and the briefing/bands were a lot more tightly controlled - but it is easier to do when there's only 30 cars. We also had Gordon Shedden as a marshal in the pitlane....which isn't an uncommon sight.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leftfield Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 thank you, next daft question, what does that mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreigM Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 open pit lane basically means you come on/off the track whenever you want.....its not "sessioned" where you are told when your group is allowed out on track..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leftfield Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 thank you, next daft question, what does that mean? Open pitlane means you can enter and leave the circuit when ever you want. No sessions. . If any of you are thinking of coming back I would definitely recommend a SIDC session or scottish elises...or trackscotland, they are all usualy pretty good and OPL. I'd be interested in an open pit day up there, but probably next year now. I've had a look at some of the SIDC and Track Scotland days at Knockhill, and they seem to be half days? Does anyone do full day OPL days at Knockhill? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreigM Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 I'd be interested in an open pit day up there, but probably next year now. I've had a look at some of the SIDC and Track Scotland days at Knockhill, and they seem to be half days? Does anyone do full day OPL days at Knockhill? Thats part of the problem - to me Knockhill are unrealistic about their market and charging. There are a few attempts every year at an "all day" track day, but it costs a fortune - regularly in the £250 to £300 bracket which to me is far too expensive for that circuit. When I can go to Oulton for cheaper I will do every time. Therefore the people who try to run full days get their fingers burnt as few people will pay this. This was the reason I went for a session at the Hot Hatch day - its the only way we could get the price low to interest enough people. Even booking a two-hour OPL spot at night requires a £2K+ deposit, so if you're not getting 30+ cars at £70 a time you'll lose money, so the days are tough to run. IMO a full day at Knockhill is too much anyway - the track is small and very hard on the car (and driver) and you do lose interest after a few hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 . IMO a full day at Knockhill is too much anyway - the track is small and very hard on the car (and driver) and you do lose interest after a few hours. Not sure I'd agree with you there Greig, I've enjoyed full days at Mallory park before, and Mallory's like a Knockhill that's been ironed! An afternoon would be semi OK i suppose.. could travel up in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irrotational Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I think the day was great fun and a good day out - so well done for organising it!! I love the full day versions but as Greig says they are very rare. With a half-day stint you still feel under pressure to get the laps/time in and make the most of the limited time available. On a full day I would probably only do 1/3 more driving but with a more relaxed timetable. I haven't figured out why virtually every other circuit does full days and KH does these halfdays and evenings...it must make them mor emoney somehow, but if it does then why doesn't every other circuit do that? Scotland is pretty big so it's not like a lot of people can just "pop" along to the track for 4 hours...a full day would make the travel worth while. The last two years Ford owners club have done a full day trackday in conjunction with static displays, show and shine exhibits etc. That seems the best way of driving footfall to knockhill and making sure you have enough numbers to cover costs. Even then I went out at 4 o clock and was the only car circulating for 50 minutes!! The session was far too long for me to be quick/get quicker but it was too good an opportunity to miss! I was worried that if I came in for a break they would shut early and let the marshalls go home :-) They must make a LOT of money at the hot hatch days - roughly 20-30 cars per session at 6 sessions - say 120 cars at £65 a go. That's £7,800. Then they were charging £10 for everyone to get in - say another 100 people? That's another £1k-£2k. Compare that to a full day trackday with no paying members of public, you'd have say 70 cars at £200 each - that's £14k actually... hmm maybe my maths is completely wrong!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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