Posted: 12/23/2010 4:57:40 PM EDT
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Anyone ever done any of these? There's one coming up at Bedford Autodrome on a sat (which is good for me) in Jan, open pit lane and reasonably priced. I fancy giving the car a good thrash and Bedford's GT circuit it 3.6 miles long with no crash barriers and large run-off area's. Just wondering what to expect  |
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I did my my brake pad development temp testing @ Palmers place.
It is a good safe environment to realise the limits of the car &, unless you're a blithering idiot, clarify that DSC & TC still have to reign in a 1.5 tonnes thru 4 contact patches the size of your hand & laws of physics still apply 
Definatelly the place to learn about you the car which is the complete antithesis of the Nordschliefe where bravery & stupidy are one & the same. 
The only criticism if one can be made is that its very flat & featurless ( safe) but is highly technical & will give the brakes & tyres a proper work out. 
Enjoy it, its the best place to learn in UK imho. |
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Cheers big ears. Having been there a couple of years ago, I drove the circuit with a XKR and single seater, and have read it's rep as a "brake killer" In fact I experienced a total loss of brakes while driving a JP1  .I also know, as you do, that while my brakes are pretty good for the road, they're also not too clever when pushed really hard, but what the hey. I'm more interested in knowing about the etiquette on these open days and should I be wary? Are they full of idiots, or is the law laid down beforehand? |
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Quoted:
Cheers big ears. Having been there a couple of years ago, I drove the circuit with a XKR and single seater, and have read it's rep as a "brake killer" In fact I experienced a total loss of brakes while driving a JP1 .
I also know, as you do, that while my brakes are pretty good for the road, they're also not too clever when pushed really hard, but what the hey. I'm more interested in knowing about the etiquette on these open days and should I be wary? Are they full of idiots, or is the law laid down beforehand? Etiquette at this sort of place is pretty good but alot will push...there will be spills but it aint like paying for sections of armco & track down time ! Pre-track briefing should take place. Check out who is doing what to their cars before going out. That will give you a heads up on who is most likely to be clueless. Take a 1/2" drive torque wrench for wheel nut checks @ 110 Nm for your car or borrow mine. Take tyre inflater & pressure gauge. Roll of masking tape for foglamps = cover the bastards as they are very vulnerable on E46. Your car is running on DOT 4. You may cook it. Bleed brakes as soon as you can after the event if this happens. The place is good for really ironing out brake concerns. I do not rate it for chassis work in the slightest. An M3 I was driving round the ring a few yrs ago with stock brake but dot 5 high temp fluid ( a stupid combination) was a picture post card after 2 hot laps laps. I came in with the pads lit up like burnt toast.....Ring taxis don't use stock pads..wonder why ? |
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Quoted:
Anyone ever done any of these? There's one coming up at Bedford Autodrome on a sat (which is good for me) in Jan, open pit lane and reasonably priced. I fancy giving the car a good thrash and Bedford's GT circuit it 3.6 miles long with no crash barriers and large run-off area's. Just wondering what to expect.... A crash.?..  
http://www.trackdays.co.uk/images/tracks/bedford/main/bedford.jpg |
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Quoted: Yeah, you're a funny c*nt Quoted: Anyone ever done any of these? There's one coming up at Bedford Autodrome on a sat (which is good for me) in Jan, open pit lane and reasonably priced. I fancy giving the car a good thrash and Bedford's GT circuit it 3.6 miles long with no crash barriers and large run-off area's. Just wondering what to expect.... A crash.?.. http://www.trackdays.co.uk/images/tracks/bedford/main/bedford.jpg |
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Quoted: The stoppie bits are planned for next, now that you've taken care of the goie and turnie bits Etiquette at this sort of place is pretty good but alot will push...there will be spills but it aint like paying for sections of armco & track down time ! Pre-track briefing should take place. Check out who is doing what to their cars before going out. That will give you a heads up on who is most likely to be clueless. Take a 1/2" drive torque wrench for wheel nut checks @ 110 Nm for your car or borrow mine. Take tyre inflater & pressure gauge. Roll of masking tape for foglamps = cover the bastards as they are very vulnerable on E46. Your car is running on DOT 4. You may cook it. Bleed brakes as soon as you can after the event if this happens. The place is good for really ironing out brake concerns. I do not rate it for chassis work in the slightest. An M3 I was driving round the ring a few yrs ago with stock brake but dot 5 high temp fluid ( a stupid combination) was a picture post card after 2 hot laps laps. I came in with the pads lit up like burnt toast.....Ring taxis don't use stock pads..wonder why ? |
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I did a Honda track day at Brands Hatch a couple of years back. I was a bit nervous beforehand but enjoyed it immensely. Even got my passenger to scream
At Brands you had to stick to the right and overtake on the left, give way to faster vehicles and keep your eyes open. Oh yeah, watch your brake temp! |