I'll explain why later. ...
So !
Brands Hatch today .... what a day for it, blazing sunshine
Up early, arrive at 0830 ... as im putting away some stuff in the boot, I hear in the distance a V 8 rumble .... hmmmm, sounds like Dave (iR8V8) ....
two seconds later, up pops this mean looking R8 !
Then, half an hour later, Nige (nudenut) turns up proper gansta stylee on a mint Harley Davidson. No pics unfortuantely from me (Nige, post a pic would ya) ... it was properly awesome !
So, first funny thing ... went for the sound check. As I opened my window to say hello to the dude, he cupped his hand to his ear as if to say "wheres the noise to test" ! didnt bother noise testing it, just stuck on the sticker !!!
world away from a millteked B7 !
0930, drivers briefing ... standard <beep> ... but during which I head anther V 8 rumble ... that'll be PaulRS4 then ! (and it was)
so, straight out for sighting laps. These we're proper slow, the sightings in Spa were much quicker which gave you a feel for the circuit.
Anyway, I did 2 sets of sightings, when I got back to the pits, expecting for Open Pit to start they said they were doing a 3rd set of sighting, so I thought feck that and went back out to the paddock.
Had Nige set up his GoPro, hopefully get some good vids off that.
Went back out to get on track, but pit lane was fully queued and it was not 1030 and track was stopping for lunch at 1045 - 1130 .... so didnt get on !
Bacon sarnie done and 1130 comes, and im out on track !
did a quick 10 mins then the track was red flagged ... not an issue as I had tuition booked for 1150.
TUITION:
well worth it IMO. £25 for 20 mins. Made a huge difference. I was so much faster with the tutor. He helped me take the right lines and pointed out what i need to do better.
He was really impressed with the car and actually said "he wished he could drive it as it seems great fun!"
He also said I have good technique, just needed to learn the lines better and remember to unwind lock as I lay down the power.
was great though for confidence.
So, bring the car back to the paddock after 20 mins hard driving with the tutor ....brakes smoking !
BRAKES:
I upgraded the pads and fluid and boy did it work! Absolutely no fade at all. They did build up lots of heat, so had to limit sessions to 20mins and let them cool, but they were brilliant. I think I'll keep that set up for a while longer tbh.
Next upgrade will defo be R888's as the crappy Falkens were 'ok' but aabit sqelchy.
Took Nige out for a pax.
In terms of the track, fecking loved Paddock Hill Bend and Graham Hill Bend. Love the compression. The car would bottom out everytime....need to up the ride height me thinks!
Now, there were ALOT of slow drivers / cars on track.
ALL the caterhams were proper slow and driven by numptys. There were a few bangers, like a stock N reg Fiesta.
Of the nice cars, V8 R8 and GT3RS ... I passed both, but again they were driven by numptys...I also passed a V10 M5 which made such an amazing sound.
The only cars to pass me the whole day was a M3 CSL and a VXR Astra Nurgring (which got black flagged!)
The best bit of the track day for me was a bit of a duel with a Lotus Elise.
I was behind him and we were very evenly matched in both car and skill it seemed. I had him on the straights slightly, but he had me on the bends ... but I recon I had better brakes
So, had a really good duel for quite a few laps with me trying to get past....eventually I reeled him in and forced him over....now I had clear air in front of me, I thought "I'll show him" and put some good distance between us !
Later, when I went for Fuel, as I pulled out of the fuel station, he was passing on the other side of the road. He gave me a flash of the lights of acknolegdment ... nice touch
So, after getting fuel, I got my photos then thought I go back on track (was 3pm by now).
Went out, and had massive juddering from the front wheel
Not good I thought ... so came off track.
Had a look around the car, but couldnt spot anything obvious.
Didnt want to risk it, so thought I'd call it a day now, as had a really good day.
Thought, I'll just take it easy home .... but this rattling / juddering got worse and worse ... im on the M20 now ... <beep> I think, this is not good.
Pull over and call recovery ...
It only was the recovery man is wheeling it on the back of the low loader I see the problem.
FECKING 2 WHEEL BOLTS HAVE GONE !!!!!
wheel was about to fall off !
Now, feckers at TT Shop (TTS Motorsport) did a pre track inspection and brake pad/fluid change on the car on Thursday.
So, did they tighten the bolts correctly? THAT IS THE QUESTION !!
feckers.
So, car is OK...got the AA man to take the wheel off and inspect the car. All OK, hub is ok etc.
Wheel is FECKED as the bolts have enlarged the holes in the wheel as they've rumbled about.
Will be on the phone to TT Shop tomorrow seeking some goodwill.
Options for me now are source an OEM wheel, or buy a replica .... or buy a new set and stick R888's on it.
Anyway, bad end to a superb day, but could have been ALOT worse !
The best bit .... the pics !!
What do you think of my new lights ?
Roll on the next track day, and Ring Spa next year.
TT was awesome !
