andythejock01wrx

Hello folks.

I have a Knockhill voucher coming to me and am trying to decide which of these two options are best :

1) 25 laps in own car (an Andy F modded 01 WRX), with driver tuition.

2) Less driver tuition in a Leon cupra R, but followed by a number of laps in a single seater.

Anybody done something similar ? And which would you choose ?

bluenose172

iTrader: (2)

I did the 2nd option, but it was with the MGTF's first. The single seeaters are great fun, I had a hoot! I litteraly lapped everyone in my session with ease, didn't show any fear(ignored all the braking signs), ended up looking the wrong way on the grass at the other end of the curcuit, grass and mud flying everywhere! Got out ok and bagged the driver of the day prize. I do it again in a heartbeat!

You'd probably get more out of option 1, but the fun factor is in number 2! Also it's not your car, so you have that added edge that if you bin it, who cares!!

trigot33

I think the best option is to use your own car. You will be surprised how many of us think we are good drivers until you see one of these race instructors put your car through its paces.
They are just phenomenal. It wont hurt learning to control your motor better than the average joe on our roads.

andythejock01wrx

Cheers folks (including Gers fan ).

Any other thoughts ?

andythejock01wrx

bttt

g7prs

iTrader: (5)

I would agree with using your own car, best to find the limit in you own car rather than one you will never drive again. The only thing would be that your brakes will take a pounding if you are doing 25 hard laps.
When i did my first track day at knockhill in my wagon, i didnt have any tuition and got a bit carried away following my mate in his type r powered elise and lost it , ended up going backwards into the gravel. No damage done thankfully but it would have been an idea to get a couple of laps with the instuctors first.

andythejock01wrx

Cheers mate. Have you had any tuition now ? Got any tips for the track ?

GlesgaKiss

Hi Andy,

i've done the legends twice. once restricted, second time unrestricted, would recommend them on a DRY day as they are a handfull on the limit(unrestricted). wouldnt really say it blew me away however...as they arent that quick, and everyone kept tellin me to slow down n not use the gears as much(and also not to "race anyone"...why did I go there??) lol. Good fun though as they have a pretty "raw" racing feel to them, just like a go kart but alot quicker.

Cant really comment on the driver tuition, but I would like to do it.

Alan

andythejock01wrx

Cheers Alan. Yes, I saw the legends on their site, but fancied the above two options more - probably due to marshalling at Knockhill for 6 years. I need to get on that track one way or the other !

RA Dunk

i would go for option 1 TBH, you can find out just how far you can push your own car and how far you can push your self and get away with it, Never had the tuition before but even though ive done half a dozen or so trackdays im actually thinking about doing it just to iron out any bad habits i might have, remember driving on track is different to driving fast on a road, you will love the experiance though believe me

andythejock01wrx

Cheers Acid.

I fancy that, although if I use my own car, I need to factor in the cost of the bits i will wear out on my car. My Toyo T1Rs will need replaced in a few months anyway, so no problem there. do you reckon I'll go through both front and rear pads ? (They're Pagid Blacks that have only covered 4000 miles).

RA Dunk

your rear pads should be ok depending on what condition they are in just now, the fronts will take a serious pounding if you like to leave it late before braking into corners keep an eye on them through out the day and maybe even have a spare set with you just incase, also a good idea to check or replace your brake fluid too, last thing you want is those brakes giving up on you lol

andythejock01wrx

Many thanks mate.

I have Motul Dot 5.1 fluid and s/s braided hoses, so hopefully they should work pretty well. Will need to set aside some pennies for some new Pagids.

The car will be due a service soon, but I guess there's no point putting new silkolene in just to cook it going round Knockhill - I'll wait till I've been round but change the plugs now.

Daz1121

I'd go for your first option. Have done a few driving dayss in saloon and single seater cars now which was fun. But have done about 5 track days at Donington of which 2 have been in the Impreza. Getting your own car on to a circuit is a really good way to explore the limits of it in a safer way trhan on the road. As mentioned before, your front brake pads will take a fair bit of hammering along with your tyres. I found the grips from the Toyo T1r's really good on the circuit and you do get a lot of tyre squeal from them too. Only got grooved discs and Mintex pads on the front and found under hard braking was sliding the car a bit and after about 5 laps could feel the brakes starting to fade a bit under hard braking.

RA Dunk

thats another thing i should mention, keep it to about 5 laps then return back to the pits to let everything cool down a bit, you might be surprised just how hot things can get, keep an eye on your gauges as well if you have them

hoskib

iTrader: (1)

i've always said that if i could hire a scooby to do a track day in i'd jump at the chance. my own car, i'm not too keen on the idea. proper insurance costs a bloody fortune for a start. 25 laps is alot of time out, i would expect your tyres and brakes to be shot by the end.

it's a tough one, great chance to test yourself and the car and if you have the budget to replace worn bits straight away then go for it.
flip side is you can abuse the **** out of the seat and single seater, but you might have limited laps and revs/speed.

the only single seater i've been in is the palmer sport audi and it was utterly superb, i could drive that thing every minute of the day until i snuff it and not get bored

trigot33

We went to browns racing school in edinburgh several years back for a few laps firstly in the companies own cars and then our own.

After the instructor took us out in an old escort we went back in for a briefing. He asked the whole class what they though about the escort and told us to put our hands up if any of us thought the motor was modified. We all did, and it turned out we were wrong. A box standard escort 1.8 i petrol.

This gives you some idea of what these fellas can teach you to do with your car. He drove that escort like a bat out of hell, we were very impressed.
So again, its a fantastic idea to learn how to use your car properly and by the pros.

M444GY

iTrader: (72)

i done the single seater day and i was dissapointed really . go for the first option. use your car

andythejock01wrx

Will prob do the "own car" version.

Did have visions if the engine or g/box going, but it's been sensibly modded by Andy F, so I guess it should be ok.

Have factored in brake and insurance costs. Would put be off if I was gonna do it often, but this is a one off.

Andy Mc

RA Dunk

ya big jessie!!

it`s a great ardrenaline rush i can tell you that, who knows, maybe you`ll get the bug for it,

andythejock01wrx

I already have the "Bug", Acid.

Cheers for all your thoughts on this, btw.

AndytJ

RA Dunk

lolol left myself wide open on that one

bet you will do more than one though, will probably see you at a few SIDC days at knockhill this year after you`ve done this one lol

GazTheHat

I'd take option 1. As others have said. If you don't push your car to the limit, how do you know where the limit is. Taking that course will open your eyes and help you if you get in a muddle.

trigot33

Also worth mentioning here is that driving your car round the track ``the way its supposed to be driven` is wholly different to thrashing it around the track and having potential damage done to your motor. Braking and gearchanges are all done smoothly unless your a boy racer LOL.

Just watch the way your instructor does it, and you will know what i mean.