I know a few of us were talking and fancied the idea of a track days hen we were at CITP and Swamper has got me off my backside to report on the Cadwell Park day I did on Monday 14th May this week. I do not yet have the link to the pictures but I will post that as well when I get it. The day was run by the BMWCCGB's Nick Wright. And was brilliantly put together there was only one red flag (when they stop the circuit) and that was because one of the marshalls needed a P break and being of the fairer sex couldn't hide behind a tree. 
)
For me I was worried about how I would do so hired a instructor for the whole day by getting in touch with Nick before hand and learn't so much it was brilliant. Those who were on the Evo run in march will have seen the grin on my face I had all day. I found going into a corner at 90+ mph and then accelerating up the hill round the corner then dropping from 4th to 3rd and keeping accelerating round the next bend to be just flabbergasting! I should also say that Nick had 2 other instructors that you could book time with on the day that were free ie he covered the cost of in the track day fee.
The instructor said, late in the day, that I did really well and that I had kept up with some of the track day modified cars in a road car and had got all I could from the car. I never thought that I would be looking at tyre marbles on my own tyres but I now know what a warm tyre is like and how to go round cadwell park quickly with no dramas, and no adrenaline spikes because I have got it wrong. That does not mean I got it right all the time I did not, but I did not spin or otherwise lose control of the car. B-)
The first time I went out the brakes got really hot and when we came in they smoked somewhat but as the day went on that happened less and less. My final session on my own out on the track was about 15+ laps and at 2.18 miles that was 30 plus miles and the brakes were no hotter than normal so I did quite well I think. Very little, other than the trackday Porches and a Lotus Elise overtook me or was catching me.
I also learnt that the are a lot of tracks that I did not know about available through a company called javelin track days. And I have access to instructors through the guy that I hired for the day. but I need to find out a lot more about how they run their days. Nick's days are really well done and I recommend them to one and all.
I am signed up for croft on the 16th July and am looking forward to that day very much now as well and without the concerns I had before this one. I know that Croft is almost full and should say that the Olton park end of year day has been cancelled in favour of one at Snetterton.
Anyone interested can take a look on the BMWCCGB'S forum under track days and I think anyone can sign up, and you do not have to take your BMW pride and joys, there were all sorts of cars there. Thre is also a register in straight six that reports on the days. With luck some more of you will sign up for Croft.
By the way there were about 6 Z3's including 2 coupes all but mine and one other were m's and the other and mine were the only ones going round with the top down all day! And no I did not have time to talk to any of the other Z3 drivers, I was either driving round the track or being talked to by the instructor while the car had a break. There was not a single Z4 there at all!
) For me I was worried about how I would do so hired a instructor for the whole day by getting in touch with Nick before hand and learn't so much it was brilliant. Those who were on the Evo run in march will have seen the grin on my face I had all day. I found going into a corner at 90+ mph and then accelerating up the hill round the corner then dropping from 4th to 3rd and keeping accelerating round the next bend to be just flabbergasting! I should also say that Nick had 2 other instructors that you could book time with on the day that were free ie he covered the cost of in the track day fee.
The instructor said, late in the day, that I did really well and that I had kept up with some of the track day modified cars in a road car and had got all I could from the car. I never thought that I would be looking at tyre marbles on my own tyres but I now know what a warm tyre is like and how to go round cadwell park quickly with no dramas, and no adrenaline spikes because I have got it wrong. That does not mean I got it right all the time I did not, but I did not spin or otherwise lose control of the car. B-)
The first time I went out the brakes got really hot and when we came in they smoked somewhat but as the day went on that happened less and less. My final session on my own out on the track was about 15+ laps and at 2.18 miles that was 30 plus miles and the brakes were no hotter than normal so I did quite well I think. Very little, other than the trackday Porches and a Lotus Elise overtook me or was catching me.
I also learnt that the are a lot of tracks that I did not know about available through a company called javelin track days. And I have access to instructors through the guy that I hired for the day. but I need to find out a lot more about how they run their days. Nick's days are really well done and I recommend them to one and all.
I am signed up for croft on the 16th July and am looking forward to that day very much now as well and without the concerns I had before this one. I know that Croft is almost full and should say that the Olton park end of year day has been cancelled in favour of one at Snetterton.
Anyone interested can take a look on the BMWCCGB'S forum under track days and I think anyone can sign up, and you do not have to take your BMW pride and joys, there were all sorts of cars there. Thre is also a register in straight six that reports on the days. With luck some more of you will sign up for Croft.
By the way there were about 6 Z3's including 2 coupes all but mine and one other were m's and the other and mine were the only ones going round with the top down all day! And no I did not have time to talk to any of the other Z3 drivers, I was either driving round the track or being talked to by the instructor while the car had a break. There was not a single Z4 there at all!
. WHen I went up their though everything was their nothing missing and no damage to the door so I guess I must just not have shut it properly when I left. #-o