nefarious_ Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 As I mentioned in my "hello I'm a newbie" post a couple of weeks ago, I'm racing a Formula Ford 1600 this season, and tomorrow is the first pre-season test day. Just a test day, I hear you say, but this will be the first time I've actually driven the car (sitting in making brum-brum noises doesn't count) after best part of 4 months preparation. To say I'm excited would be something of an understatement. I've already checked my kit and paperwork (twice), and even though I've only been at my desk for just over an hour, have checked the BBC weather forecast twice already. Getting much meaningful work done today could prove a little tricky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobC Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Have a blast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveD Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 errrrr brum brum noises do count im affraid 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexander72 Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Have a great day - hope the shakedown goes well. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nefarious_ Posted February 15, 2013 Author Share Posted February 15, 2013 Weather forecast looking better all the time. There's even a possibility that I won't get soaked! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cast iron Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 where are you testing? up at Knockers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nefarious_ Posted February 15, 2013 Author Share Posted February 15, 2013 where are you testing? up at Knockers? Yep. Hence the expectation of rain, snow, hail, plagues of locusts etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martyblues Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Not jealous at all. ha have a great time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nefarious_ Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 A few pics: Just trying to work out how to edit the video footage, so I'll post up a short clip once I've got my head round the computery bits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexander72 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Looks great - glad it went well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Pretender Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Looks brilliant and glad the weather held for you. Looking forward to the vid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nefarious_ Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 Try this: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Pretender Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Looks like a lot of fun that does. How does it compare to the Westy out on track? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nefarious_ Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share Posted February 18, 2013 Looks like a lot of fun that does. How does it compare to the Westy out on track? More different than you'd expect. My Westie is pretty track-focused, so I'd assumed that it would have at least given some preparation, but short of just being familiar with driving a quick, screenless car on track, there wasn't a massive amount of directly transferrable experience. The first and most apparent difference is in the driving position and controls. In the FF you're virtually lying down, cockpit in very "snug", with limited head and elbow movement, steering is outragously quick (3/4 turn lock to lock), and the gearstick is on the "wrong" side. Obviously, the FF has a lot less power than the Westfield (105 vs 225bhp), but between gearing and weight (420kg vs 560kg), you don't really notice a massive difference other than at the very top end. And it doesn't handle like a Westie (well, not mine anyway). I've got the Westie set up to be quite playful and fairly tail happy, which means you tend to muscle it around a lap, dealing with oversteer as it comes, and using the surfiet of power to mop up any less-than-perfect corners. Not so the FF - you have to keep it all very neat and tidy, and get every braking point, entry speed and corner line right first time every time. It will tolerate a degree or two of yaw, but much more and you're definitely playing with fire - it snaps very quickly. Plus, you can't take a second bite at things, the flywheel is so light and the powerband so narrow, that if you have to lift for correction, the engine isn't ready to immediately pick back up and you lose loads of time. In terms of outright pace, my best ever dry lap of KH in the Westie is top 57s, and my best lap from Saturday in the damp was a 1.01 in the FF, so I reckon in similar conditions, on fresh tyres and with a few more FF miles under my belt, there probably wouldn't be much in it, maybe .5s in favour of the FF. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Pretender Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Very interesting.. And good little write up. Keep us informed after your next session then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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