Puff The Magic Wagon!

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What a great track

1st off, a big thanks to Stef, Rob Mac & SIDC, the marshalls & other officials at Oulton & to Tyres Northampton - thanks for all your hard work Also thanks to TypeR (Matt) for the accomodation & the safest parking in the country.

Arrived at Oulton to find that a heavy ground frost all over the circuit, but bright sunshine. It was obvious that things would be delayed but when you're champing at the bit, then its not easy. Gave me a chance to get PTMW! set up at a more leisurely pace than normal.

My only big downer on the day happened at this point, when some chap from BHLG saw me mounting my video camera in the car. He insisited that handheld cameras weren't allowed, even if they were strapped in. If you've seen the way I mount my camera, there is no way that it can move! I can see the point about objects floating around the car in the event of a crash, but its never been a problem at other circuits (run by BHLG). It was a pain, as part of the enjoymentfor me, is sitting back at home & disecting your lines, driving ability and cackling as you hunt down & overtake P1s & STis! Some people, inc Stef, were allowed videos as their set-up was deemed an integral part of the car.

When we finally were allowed on track @ 11.30, it was to find that it was a shortened one, not the International, but what a delight. I think that scoobs were designed for this circuit. Short straights & lots of tricky bends, with ups & downs. I think i was 4th out, & 2 of the cars in front charged off, but I took it easy for the first 2/3rds. However, coming to the end of the first lap, came into lodge & the DGM UK in front of me lost it all over the place. In order not to t-bone him, I took a trip into the mud & fotunately came to a stop 2ft from him & 1ft from the tyre-wall Stef unfortunately did not capture that on video as he hadn't turned it on! Anyhow, reversed out the mud, checked my mirrors & off I went again (joys of AWD!).

Came in after about 25 mins after someone else decided to spin in front of me at Lodge & picked up a passenger - Jay-B. We had a good session & I enjoyed showing him what a scoob could do. Came in & was just about to go out again when it was lunchtime (12.30). Curses as I thought they might run through lunch after a late start. Gave me a chance to go & top up with fuel though. Came back to find that they had only had a short lunch & were opening the track again. At this point, I had just met Rum, so we jumped in PTMW! & went out. Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be any P1's about for me to overtake, but there were plenty of other types to catch. Next time Tom

By this time my friend DaveU & his partner had turned up from Bucks (having left early in the snow!) & it was time to show them PTMW! & what we could do. Sandra had the better session with PTMW! running on top form. DaveU's time kept getting cut short for various offs/stoppages. I also eventually thought nuts to it & fitted my vid in as there were enough inconsistencies in their approach that I was the only one to actually be stopped from fitting a camera! DaveU's time was eventually cut short by my pads running out (3/4 to nothing in 140 miles!). Luckily Steve Proctor had donated me a part-used set - thanks! So a slightly early finish, but totally happy with the day (only missed 20 mins). Cracked a roll of film instead.

Have got to say that I couldn't believe the amount of stopages we had. There were actually more offs than stopped sessions - you could often see new mud tracks appear on each new lap The cossie boys lived upto their marques reputation with ALL representatives beaking down at some point! Dinge's exhaust fell off, John F had trouble with injectors & pads & Jay-B had coolant problems. There were also quite a few idiots out there as well. Amongst those to be mentioned are the chap in the M3 who would not move over despite large amounts of smoke coming from his all his pads, red 5dr who decided to "warm" his slicks in front of me by weaving from left to right just as I came over the brow of the hill (we had a chat - we're still friendly & I believe Diggy was a passenger who was a little worried as I barrelled past him tooting madly!). Oh! I also overtook him later once he'd warmed his slicks up We also had offs/slides from Mr UFO (in front of me) & a nice looking black Evo VI. TypeR took a small trip over the grass. Is it just me, or are people getting over excited & trying too hard? Definately standard of driving was down on other events I've been on. Hey guys - <I>chill</I> - its only a fun event.

As usual, PTMW! behaved impeccably & I was only overtaken when travelling by N1 TUT, in his modded Elise, John F (of course ) & Stef. The track as a joy & I definately want to go back there.

I'm glad that the people in the MY01 were OK. I'm sorry that it happened, but things like this do & I'm glad that Subaru have built a car that is suitably resistant to such mishaps. I too think it's a little bit OTT that people make so much about it & then go gawping - I didn't but I suppose its human nature.

Anyhow, after an initial downer on the organisation of the day, it turned out to be the best track I have done. I will definately be wanting to return. I managed to meet loads of bbs'sers (Hi! & you know who) & had a good run back with Tim, though he wasn't driving & your collegue/friend/brother could have gone a bit harder

Once again thanks to all who helped make it the day it was & see you at the next one.

dingy

So i red flagged the session....the exhaust and header tank will be fixed for Donno...
Sorry guys....

Nice to have met you puffy.....

just to say there was a scoob that failed on the guidence laps and one on its lid....
At least we could fix our cars and go out again.....unlike the scoob lot..LOL

Only jokin guys, sorry bout your mishapps.....

logiclee

Nice to finally meet you too.

Did feel it was a little unfair that you had to remove the camera when some people had them stuck to the windscreen with suction cups.

My views on the standard of driving at Oulton are posted in other threads but mainly agree with puff.

Lee

[This message has been edited by logiclee (edited 28 January 2001).]

Rum*

To copy what the boys above had said..
...Nice to have finally met you ...and thanks for the ride in PTMW....a great way to start the day..

thanks again...

Also thanks to all those that helped organise what was all in all an excellent day...

Thanks again...

Tom

GaryC

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by dingy:
<B>

just to say there was a scoob that failed on the guidence laps and one on its lid....
At least we could fix our cars and go out again.....unlike the scoob lot..LOL

[/quote]


I am sure the owner of the first who missed out on all track action and the passenger/driver of the second are very pleased for you

Following you round for a few laps was very entertaining though, very 'tail slidey', a good demo of RWD car control!

Just wish I could say the same for the muppet in the escort cosworth who having failed to see the red flags (for the MY01 incident), almost collected me twice within 200 yds due to not looking ahead

Power may be nothing without control, but without using a) your eyes, and b) common sense it is downright dangerous

All in all a very enjoyable day though!

dingy

Gary, i feel for the guy at the start, not good.....but i have to add my bit , i got a poor day at the last donno, so know how it feels..

Jay saw the flags after he over took you and was sorry bout that as he made a comment to me....he was a bit involved...i'm sure he will say the same.......he wasn't meanin to cause any problems..

Thing is with the MK II its gettin loads better.....AP's for donno... so i will be keepin with you through the bends then kick *** on the straights....

Was a good day though

logiclee

GaryC,

That muppett in the Escort Cosworth is in fact Jay-B, one of the nicest guys you'll meet at a track day and also a good and calm driver. If he said it was a genuine mistake then I believe him.


Lee

buddy

Hunt down stis ha ha ha ha ! If it wasnt for work youd have been laped manytimes,
Kindest regards,
BUDDY

craigamungos

I'll second that! Lee
Now jay how about a ride at Donno LOL

[This message has been edited by craigamungos (edited 28 January 2001).]

DavidLewis

There's always someone giving Red 5drs a bad name

DocJock

Can't blame me this time Dave

DJ

PaulFisher

Nice to meet you all!

Just sorry the car wasn't sorted out :-(
Its in the garage for the next 3 days!!

(Did you like my James Bond style smoke screen from the leaks?)

2 oil leaks, rear disks & brakes need doing, front pads gone half way through the day :-(
+ some other bits and pieces, plus the fact I wasn't comfortable with tracking it a few days before I'm going to sell it!

I'm actually trying to sell it - gonna get a Caterham or Westfield ;-)

Paul.
///M'ster.

P.S. Did I hold anybody up? hope not! apologies if I did!!

GaryC

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by logiclee:
<B>GaryC,

That muppett in the Escort Cosworth is in fact Jay-B, one of the nicest guys you'll meet at a track day and also a good and calm driver. If he said it was a genuine mistake then I believe him.

Lee[/quote]


Perhaps if he had come over and acknowledged or even apologised I might have shared your opinion!

And without getting into the 'mistakes bend metal' arguement, most are avoidable on track with better observation and common sense!

chiark

Tom,

Next time, we'll start the Leeds convoy... Drop us a line and we'll arrange time etc.

Cheers,

Nick.
PS - got the gauges fitted. You're welcome to take a peek...

Mo

Puff,

I'm in agreement - what a fantastic track but do you really feel that idiot was the correct term? Perhaps I initialy caused you some cause for concern seeing me weaving about when you came over that brow but I can assure you that my mirrors were covered (as they always are) and I'd probably spotted you approaching b 4 you spotted me at which point I pulled across to let you past. Yes, we're still friendly but I would just like to state my case b 4 others assume the wrong impression. Anyhow, enough of this, my best moments of the day were coming up behind both the M3, who moved over after the second blue flag was shown and the P1WR who took a little more persuasion - 3 flags b 4 he would move. It's a little frustrating when obviously others have more power on the straights but look at the gap open up once they have let you past, surely this should make them realise that they need to move.

P.S. Puff, wasn't my indicator on when you passed ?? LOL

My thanks go out to all those involved in the organisation of a great day out.......

Zak.

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Mo

Yes a little harsh, didn't know your name

Only got a bit squeamish about it as I came barrelling over the brow of the hill under full acceleration in 4th (90-100??) to find obviously slower red car in middle of track, that suddenly veered sharp right then sharp left like out of control Thinking of previous expedition into the mad You then straightened up and did it again By this time I had come off the gas & started to flash at you. Yes you did move over, thanks & I did toot as passing. All I want to point out is that if you do want so warm your slicks (which doesn't actually do much) please select an area of track where people can see you miles in advance, not just over the brow of a full acceleration hill

Anyway, I agree, Nuff Said & no harm done (no stains either - not sure about the passenger tho' )

CraigH

Buddy,

Unless you've got Leda suspension and big brakes, then I think you may be surprised at how you would struggle, just to keep up, let alone overtake.

dingy

Puffy, you get an exhaust on the bail carrier.....

Also any piccies yet....

dingy

DavidBrown

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Mo:
<B>Puff,

and the P1WR who took a little more persuasion - 3 flags b 4 he would move. It's a little frustrating when obviously others have more power on the straights but look at the gap open up once they have let you past, surely this should make them realise that they need to move.

[/quote]

The way I see it, if someone is up my bumper (whether it be in a corner or on a straight) they got there because they're faster.

I pull over and let them go. If I keep up, or even catch them, then I hope they'll move over and let me through.

The "I'm fastest in a straight line" brigade are sometimes guilty of not realising they might not be fastest overall.

DIGGY

Puff,

I wasn't in the red five door when you passed me, I was in my car on my first lap of a track day!! In fact i think my indicator was on for most of that first lap!!

After this first lap it was time to push it fed up with being a mobile chicane, so latched onto the the scooby in front to guage speeds etc about 25m behind, to my suprise i found it ok to keep up...for two laps when the brakes gave up...........I think these will be junked before the next track day, they were actually smoking in the pit area, oops!

All in all i thoroughly enjoyed it, and would like to thank all those that i met, Matt, stef, harj, josh, jo and dave and not forgetting yourself jason!

See you all at Donno,

Mark



[This message has been edited by DIGGY (edited 29 January 2001).]

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Couple of DaveU's pics - Ta Dave!



PTMW! goes hunting





[This message has been edited by Puff The Magic Wagon! (edited 29 January 2001).]