April 21st - Performance car day, Castle Combe

[Jesus-Ninja]

http://www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk/springactionday.htm

We'll be there (CIM), and I'll be on the stand with the Blue-Peter boost monster. Doing the afternoon session. Come look us up :thumbs:

[cHiL]

Hi mate:wave:
just had a look at the website. Whats the difference between a track pass £30 and a track package £40?


Phil:)

[Jesus-Ninja]

Not sure fella - I'm there as an exhibitor and I get a session thrown in. I'm sure they'll be able to tell you though.

[cHiL]

cheers, might go to this as it's so cheap:)

[SuperMonkeyKong]

If you do find out the differance let us know.

The club are not having a stand at this are they?

[Jesus-Ninja]

A quick write up of Castle Combe, I suppose, FWIW. (pics attached)

The day was a Castle Combe "Performance Car Action Day", the idea being that clubs apply for a pitch at the event. This is supplied free, as it is the pull to get folk to turn up and pay for track time. Track time was supplied at £25 for 15 minutes - an absolute rip off, but good in terms of getting people to go along and "have a go". We got a number of passes at the "reduced rate" of £15 as we were there with a pitch. Tried to get more, but couldn't, and in retrospect I didn't really mind given the way the day turned out.

Getting the missus to drive there and back was an inspired choice, as there's nothing less entertaining than the M4. If nothing else it was an opportunity to assess what a long journey might be like for a passenger in the car. Not comfortable, but then not outrageously bad either. The passenger seat is directly above the cat/bypass/silencer (delete as appropriate), so it got a little warm. The solid mounts only really seem to be intrusive on idle. I need to think of some good topics of conversation for NBR, preferably something disagreeable and controversial, as we will need to shout a lot.

The day, from an organisational perspective, was a shambles. A far cry from what you might consider typical trackday. The nature of the day is to attract and introduce people to the concept of a trackday, hence the very short yet relatively expensive sessions. The day seemed to be about shoving groups through as rapidly as possible, with a roll in roll out approach to driver briefing, and everything running behind schedule - the consequence being that 15 min sessions were being cut short to compensate for offs and vehicle failures and to keep the timings on target. Having said this, they probably get away with it as, for the vast number of attendees, it was their first time on track and they didn't care whether it was 5 minutes or 15.

My session was booked for the afternoon but as one of our group were yet to arrive and wouldn't make his 9:30 slot I agreed to take it and let him have mine. A mistake. Due to the disorganisation and lack of clear direction, I didn't get let on track after the session had started, and would be surprised if I got 10 minutes in. A shame, but still, what a great piece of Tarmac. I wish I had had enough time there to learn the track. Will definitely be on the list of tracks to do a full trackday on. The car felt transformed compared to Brands. Felt down on power, but what must be a combination of a change in tyres/wheels, aero mods and warmer weather, the car was so much more composed. Still lairy, but more controllable on the edge. Only one "moment", where the back stepped out, but settled back into line. Everything felt more progressive, if that is the right word. A lot more feedback. It was great as well to be able to nail the car and see temperatures holding rock steady. The new rad works a treat.

Later in the day showed there to be a lot of people on track without a clue what was going on, or any kind of track etiquette, and a lot of beer swilling Chavs wandering around off track, but then I guess that's the nature of the day that CC were laying on. I'd go again for the club, but I wouldn't say it was a worthwhile "Track Day". Disappointed that I didn't have more track time, as I loved the circuit, but happy to save it for a day which presents better value for money.

[Squizz]

Glad to hear you enjoyed your brief session :)

I've suffered with appalling track etiquette on such a day and will never do one again. The Castle Combe organisers and marshals seem oblivious to dangerous behaviour on such days. I love the track, but will only do it on proper organised track days now.

The car looks awesome! :eek: ;)

[Jesus-Ninja]

Glad to hear you enjoyed your brief session :)

I've suffered with appalling track etiquette on such a day and will never do one again. The Castle Combe organisers and marshals seem oblivious to dangerous behaviour on such days. I love the track, but will only do it on proper organised track days now.

The car looks awesome! :eek: ;)

Looks like a big roller-skate! :D

Don't think the missus was to over-awed by it though...

Squizz, did you see my comment in your thread about the proposed Nippon series? I'm trying to get registered on the MR2 forum, but can't :annoyed: