Viewing Single Post From: Woodbridge trackday

Viewing Single Post From: Woodbridge trackday
bri957	Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:08 am
Member Posts: 1,468 Group: Members Member #1,134 Joined: April 2, 2007	Up at 5:30am on Saturday morning and Drove up to Woodbridge airfield in Suffolk. Got there to find it was a lovely sunny day, with the added bonus of an Apache helicopter out above us. Got out in the first set of sighting laps, came in, sorted myself out and went out for a few proper laps. Car felt fine, if a little over-tyred. Could not get it to slide at all with the 16's on, so came back in and put the flouro ones (shod with awful rubber) on. Huge difference, span on my next session. Ended up heading backwards into the rough area with small trees either side of me, to say I was a little shaken would be an understatement... Took it a lot easier for the rest of the session, practiced what a friend there had said "try to drive slower and smoother" and it made me think about the lines more, realising I span earlier by turning too much, rather than using all the track. Luncheon was suitably greasy and burger like. Out straight after lunch, span again, just missing the marshall and his car. The rear passenger tyre (Viking - for reference) really was rubbish, althoug bringing the pressure down from 45 to 35 improved things no end (the hot tyres had increased the pressure a fair bit). Later on, was really enjoying this session, keeping up with an Mitsubishi EVOII for about three laps. Went out as a passenger in a friends E34 540 - awesome! the owner has turned into a drift hero, the way it picks up and lays 11's out of corners was simply addictive. I decided there and then I needed 300bhp in my life. Straight after this I went out for a couple of PX laps with another mate in his MX5, I've not been in it before, and it really was like a large go kart. Made a cracking noise, and the only way I'd describe the laps is "committed". I thought I'd be wearing a cone as a face ornament a couple of times, and was impressed when the marshall indicated for us to to slow down a bit. I never got the chance to have a px lap in other friends cars, a 340bhp 200sx and an E30 M3, next time I'll sort that. Took some mates out for some laps in the 190 taxi, thankfully didn't embarrass myself too much, nor did it break down - which is always good. They both were impressed with the car, commenting on the comedy lean angles attained. Then went out for a final session on my own, had a proper tank-slapper and spin with friends in their cars behind me, was hilarious and far more fun than a Ł400 Merc ought to be. By this point I was trying to keep the temps down, and so took it easy on the straights, then hooned round the corners. All in all I was really impressed with the organisation and circuit, plenty of room and a good fun layout. Never felt crowded, and could go whole laps without seeing another car. The surface was not too harsh on the tyres, and there were no loose stones to cause problems. Feeling slightly rotton coming yesterday morning, was on the A12 when something went bang and I lost all power. There was no hard shoulder, and I just managed to get it onto the grass verge. A mate also stopped and somehow pushed the 190 properly onto the grass, we soon diagnosed the problem - the driveshaft had come off the diff... AA man was a star, took him well over an hour, but managed to get three of the eight bolts back in, allowing me to drive slowly back home. Typically just after he had left, I realised the battery was flat from having the hazzards on for ages... It really was a brilliant day out, I'm knackered after only having three hours sleep since setting off, but look forward to doing another one. Just for reference the day cost Ł129 with Javelin Trackdays, I used 50litres of fuel (including driving there and back from London), no oil or water. The front pads (standard Pagid TQ) were half worn at the start of the day and done by the end, although still working fine. I'd recommens it to anyone, all you need are a spare set of wheels shod with crappy rear tyres and I'd recommend decent brake pads. Power didn't seem that important, I'm less concerned about fitting the 3.0 now, and instead will concentrate on better brakes, suspension and a bucket seat. A few pics, there should be more later.


Woodbridge trackday · Track/Racing Section