I and 5 others are going to do the "Wetter the better" course at MIRA this Saturday and was wondering if any of you that have done this course have any tips to share so I can maximise the benefit to me from attending? I want to have fun, of course, but also want to get the full benefit. Any do's and don'ts regarding the driving gratefully recieved.

Thanks

Tim

 

As per Don's instructions. Check you have proper grip on your tyres, they are at the right inflation, and pointing the right way.
Have at least 1/2 tank of fuel.

Then relax and <B>listen</B>, and be confident enough to have a proper play on the circles.
You are limited by the amount of time you can spend, and you should be ready to go at it as soon as you get on the circuit (I don't mean drive like a loon, just be ready to learn and make the most of your time). Get there in good time.
Have fun, it is a seriously good way of spending your Saturday!
KF

EDIT: I just wanted to add that there is no driving advice here, because that is why you are paying Don!

[This message has been edited by KF (edited 15 January 2001).]

 

I wanted to check - 1/2 tank of fuel, the course lasts 2 hours, I rarely see 2hours from a full tank, does this mean that we spend less than 1/2 the time driving?

(I will be putting in a full tank anyway, but am curious)

 

Huh? I get about 265 miles from a full tank, and you say that it doesn't last you 2 hours? Do you run continuously at over 130mph?

 

Normally around 160 miles per tank (until light comes on), avg 15mpg. Have seen this drop to 9mpg though. High of 24mpg when running the car in.

May have to invest in a lighter right foot

 

LOL! - me too!

I'll turn up with a full tank as well - better safe than sorry.

Rich

 

I used the best part of half a tank during the course - it's mostly 2nd gear stuff.

The main thing is to relax, and listen, and arrive in a positive frame of mind.

I personally found that upping rear tyre pressure to 30 (from 28 standard) made the back more predictable.

 

Robertio,
I've heard a rumour that scoobs have gears called 4th and 5th, and that using these occasionally can get your MPG into the high teens/low twenties. I didn't bother to check it out as it sounds really boring

 

fast bloke, I've tried them, made it up to 15.6mpg using only 5th (except for the start and end of the journey) during a 170 mile trip, for .6 mpg difference it hardly seems worth while

Anything else we should know?

 

Also, try to get some time with both Don and Colin (and Mr de Sideways if he's there). They're all excellent but they all have different styles.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Robertio:
<B>fast bloke, I've tried them, made it up to 15.6mpg using only 5th (except for the start and end of the journey) during a 170 mile trip, for .6 mpg difference it hardly seems worth while

Anything else we should know?[/quote]

there are also 1000s of usable revs beneath the red line

I would get something checked! I get 300-350 out of a tank during the week - 80% Motorway at c80mph (I SAID 70 MILES PER HOUR OFFICER!! ) the remainder of the time being A and B roads - and having fun

 

OK, it seems wierd, I get between 170 to 220
miles to a tank, we're talking 170 when following a cossie and about 220 when doing 80ish (not really officer) steadily down the motorway.

 

Simon, are you going to be kicking around MIRA on Saturday? Could always be a chance for you to put in some practice for your world record attempt...

mpg thing - will try to keep below 3000 rpm on my way down (the other run was slightly above this), will let you know how I get on

Any chance of returning to the original topic?

 

Robertio, Tim B

POTENTIAL C*CK-UP AHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm all kitted up to go to MIRA (with you lot) on SUNDAY 21st

So is it Saturday or Sunday??????????

 

Is there a website for the WTB course??

Thanks
Andy

 

Don Palmers website is:

 

Martin. I am expected along with the others (you included ) on Saturday

Tim

 

Just so you know, I drove from Glasgow to MIRA (and beyond) on 1 tank of petrol , 340(ish) miles, worked out at 29.6mpg. To achieve this I had to stay below 3,000rpm the whole way
So it just proved that the only thing wrong with my car (for the poor mpg) is the Muppet that drives it

The 2 hours at Bruntingthorpe used up 3/4 of a tank, during which time I cover somewhat less than 100 miles (could not contemplate the costs involved if I had tried to drive around there for 2 hours )

 

Make sure you have reasonable tread and make sure you have 4 tyres of the same type.

The first time I did the course I had SO2's frong, SO1,s rear and the handling was a nightmare. I went back with SO2's all round and had a great day.

It's only somewhere like MIRA that you get to safely test the limits of grip at relatively low speed sith relatively little wear to the car.

 

If it's 6 or 7 of you going be prepared to spend a lot of time waiting, so half a tank is plenty!

Also if you want to see where your car's limit is, i.e. push it beyond one, make sure you arrange a good insurance cover as there is hardly any run off space, and some pretty solid walls around the track (plenty of what looks like grass around the round-about area but that's where I cut the sidewall of one of the tyres and dented a side skirt).

Good luck!

 

Just received the following from Don:

'2 places Feb 11 four places Feb 18th two places feb 24th six feb 25th'

Are we all going to do it on the same day, or what? I can do the 25th Feb, should have no problem getting off work (may as well add another hundred pounds onto the cost of the course ) Any opinions / preferences?

Cheers

Robbie

 

Dear All
A couple of questions about the course for those who have attended...

Did you arrange separate insurance for the duration of the course?

What has it done for your driving? i.e do you feel more confident in handling skids? Better awareness of the cars limits, controls?

I have done the IAM bit and want to improve my physical driving skills also. So I'd be interested to hear what people got out of the course.

Thanks
JAson

 

Jason, as you can see haven't done it yet, but the insurance can be arranged at MIRA on the day, £30 for up to £5k of cover, they do higher amounts, but I can't remember them at the moment, I spoke to my insurance company, who were quiet happy that my normal insurance would cover me, just phone and check with your own.