My 2Nd Track Day - Castle Combe

[Dodgey]

What a challenging day! The scrutineers pulled me up for producing 102.6 db (100 limit) at the very start so I spent a long time having my exhaust bracket changed so I could fit a muffler, to only then find it would either foul the body or touch the floor. I then got a very helpful chap in the race engineering school to repack my box for me which brought me within the limit (well, close enough! ;-) ) .

I missed the entire morning session doing this, but it was raining and a lot of other "7" type drivers were not enjoying themselves on such a fast track in the wet, so it wasn't the end of the day.

Got out in the afternoon and had a blast! I thought Llandow was intimidating at 1st, now I have discovered real intimidation. Two corners - the one entering the start/finish straight, and the one immediately after, exiting the start/finish straight. Both worried me somewhat. The entry corner, I mostly got to grips with and towards the end, went quite fast round, but the next, very fast (100+ for me) corner, well I never went flat round it. I knew I easily could, but I just wasn't comfortable going that fast round the corner with a tyre wall close by, and my car jumping and skipping over the bumps in the track.

Found out a few more things

- I need to get my car quieter - perhaps fab a bracket/tube so I can attach a muffler without it fouling the car/floor

- I have bought a jerry can - ran out of petrol

- I have returned my 45kilo trolley jack and ordered an alloy one!

- I need a gear know extender

Whilst chatting to other drivers they mentioned how bumpy the track is and I thought, "no it's not!" - then I remembered my Llandow pics look like my car rolls a lot (see my sig below) and also that the guy who sold me the car told me he has it set soft - so I started to wonder if it was too soft. I then did a lap with a passenger and I bottomed out joining the track!

So I checked my Spax (never touched them before) - and they were all set one click from softest! - I set them 6 clicks from hardest and tested.

What a difference! Felt more like a go cart round the chicanes. MUCH bumpier on track, and quite tiring tbh.

One of my sessions - this was later in the day, with the firm suspension (perhaps too firm). Bear in mind, the guy in the yellow and silver Chaterham has a fully corner weighted and setup car, with formula ford (or fist, can't remember) tyres, lots of wheel camber, front and rear, and he's been doing it for 2 years so far. I was pleased to be able to keep him in sight for a while. On my early sessions he was flying past me like I was coasting! - I was 10 seconds a lap quicker on my 4th and onwards sessions than my on 1st and 2nd sessions!

[darve]

Sounds lovely

[jeff oakley]

Did you do this as a Combe day or via another company? The reason I ask is that this is my local circuit and included in the combe day is free tuition. You would get a great benefit from it on that track as you could be going much quicker than you belive you can on that track. Also I don't know where you live but not far from the circuit is Track developments. For around £200 depending on what is needed you can get the car fully set up suspension wise which again would make a huge differance to the speed you can carry into the twisty bits.

[alexander72]

How was the towing?

[Dodgey]

It was through a 3rd party company - Motorsport events. I wasn't thrilled with them. They charged me 15 to take a passenger round. I asked about tuition and when I went to ask for some around 4.30 ( and to buy an MSA helmet, and some photos) they were gone! Tuition was 25 quid for 20 mins.

The trailer towed beautifully, thanks :-)

[alexander72]

good man :-)