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| Woodbridge trackday | |
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| Topic Started: Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:08 am (143 Views) | |
| bri957 | Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:08 am Post #1 |
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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 £400 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 £129 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.             
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| NEIL | Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:43 am Post #2 |
Fewer Posts than Kenny
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Ace report Bri, sorry to hear about your Diff troubles! PMSL at this bit "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."  Most people want MORE grip on track, not less... 
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| bri957 | Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:50 am Post #3 |
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If it was on a circuit, I could imagine more grip would be preferable - but the airfield was perfect for really going for it with no fear of hitting anything should it go wrong. With the 15" ditchfinders on it was far easier to slide, and I wasn't worried about ruining the tyres (which also probably helped). Cheers Bri |
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| NEIL | Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:59 am Post #4 |
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Brilliant, sounded like a proper fun day!Any permanent damage to the Diff/Prop? |
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| bri957 | Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:07 am Post #5 |
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I'm not sure. Something fell off, I'm not sure what, but still have the old ASD to gets parts from if needed. Will need new bolts to hold it on, and hopefully the diff will not need the holes tapping. The prop/driveshaft seem fine and tbh on the drive back to London (30-40mph max) it drove absolutely fine. I'm not happy, as it seems no loctite was used on the bolts when the diff was swapped. This could have happened at any time, and theoretically been quite dangerous. |
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| Enthusiast | Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:15 am Post #6 |
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Brilliant jealous. I did an airfield day recently with an instructor (not in the Merc) - pushing the car until it found the limit of grip and then controlling it. Sure the lesser tyres better for this but going in other cars like you. All good fun looks like you had brilliant time. Shame about the prop but at least you know so you can get it fixed for next time. Edited by Enthusiast, Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:17 am.
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| bri957 | Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:40 am Post #7 |
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I'll get instruction next time, everyone recommended it. For my first time on track though I was happy just to be out there. It really did highlight that I need to look at the suspension options out there, maybesome adjustable dampers would be the solution as I like a fairly soft ride round London but need it to be a lot more controlled on track. |
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| NEIL | Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:46 am Post #8 |
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Fewer Posts than Kenny
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I pondered this for a bit too, and the general consensus was that adjustable dampers are best used on dedicated track cars where you are making minor tweaks now and then. Switching from a relatively soft setting for road use to much firmer settings for track stuff, and back again say once a month, is what really shortens the damper's life. Outside Bilstein kits (£££), I'd consider the Eibach Pro kit springs (progressive, and very very good quality) along with some decent mid-range dampers like Spax VSX. I remember HughF saying that the H&R Cup kit was seriously compromised around town, and downright uncomfortable. |
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| bri957 | Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:55 am Post #9 |
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That's interesting, I'll certainly have a good look at them. Got plenty of time to sort stuff out though, just want it all back 100% before I start changing things. Cheers Bri |
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| NEIL | Mon Jun 29, 2009 12:13 pm Post #10 |
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Fewer Posts than Kenny
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Jeremy demonstrated the difference between new and old topmounts at Millbrook to Robert & I. I was very surprised how soft and perished they can get before they actually look goosed. Another item on the list if you're gonna fit new shocks. |
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| bri957 | Mon Jun 29, 2009 12:15 pm Post #11 |
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They are very much on the list ;-) |
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| Enthusiast | Mon Jun 29, 2009 12:19 pm Post #12 |
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Yes suspension I'd like to see Jeremy's car too. I need to give my rear suspension a once over an think I may treat the front at the same time. Brakes are overdue too. BTW Our instructor was called Don Palmer and very good google will find him. Will definately do again. |
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| bri957 | Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:14 pm Post #13 |
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Few more pics, courtesy of the M3 driver.                 
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| bri957 | Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:34 am Post #14 |
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