Back from my trackday

Well, that was...... exciting.

Arrived at Colerne in plenty of time before the briefing, had a cuppa
and a wander around the paddock.

Worryingly, there were loads of Caterhams, some Elises, a couple of
VX220s and a handful of TVRs along with a few 911s, a couple of Caymans
and a 4x4 Sapphire Cossie.

I felt a bit more comfortable when a Clio Williams appeared, followed by
a MkIII Golf VR6 and a ratty MkI Golf - badged as a CL, but obviously
wasn't, 'cos he came prepared with race tyres and tyre warmers.

Anyway, got things underway at 10am-ish with an instructor for the first
session. He spent most of the time telling me to brake later and harder
than I've ever done before. Until we cooked my brakes and had to come in
to let them cool.

The rest of the morning was spent hammering the brakes until they died
before coming in for them to cool.....

After lunch, I did another 3 sessions, this time taking a bit more care
of my brakes. Unfortunately, this meant that my tyres took a bit more of
a hammering, as I spent a lot of time on opposite lock with smoke
pouring from the rears. Lovely.

Things I discovered.

A 75 TSpark is a much better track car than a Golf VR6. The owner of
which came to look at what was under the bonnet as he couldn't catch me
on the track.

Caterhams and Elises / VX220s carry an immense amount of corner speed,
but the 75 was able to pull away through fast sweepers.

Most people in Porkers spent all afternoon holding me up 'cos I didn't
have the power to get them on the straights and overtaking is banned in
the braking zones and corners.

My video footage is mostly ****e, 'cos I didn't get the angle right on
the camera.

I'm awaiting the pro. shots of the day, 'cos a couple of people
commented on the graceful 4-wheel drift the 75 demonstrated through the
last bend.

Can't wait 'till the next one - but I need to sort the brakes first.

--
SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - Hongdou GY200 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE - COSOC KOTL
BOTAFOT #87 - BOTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

SteveH > wrote:

> Well, that was...... exciting.

Bad form and all that.....

http://www.photodirectuk.com/MSE07/1...20Alfa%20Romeo
/index.htm

--
SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - Hongdou GY200 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE - COSOC KOTL
BOTAFOT #87 - BOTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

"SteveH" > wrote in message
. ..
> Well, that was...... exciting.
>
> Arrived at Colerne in plenty of time before the briefing, had a cuppa
> and a wander around the paddock.

<SNIP>

>
> I'm awaiting the pro. shots of the day, 'cos a couple of people
> commented on the graceful 4-wheel drift the 75 demonstrated through the
> last bend.
>
> Can't wait 'till the next one - but I need to sort the brakes first.
>
> --
> SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
> www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - Hongdou GY200 - Alfa 75 TSpark
> Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE - COSOC KOTL
> BOTAFOT #87 - BOTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

Great post! Glad you enjoyed it.

Martin