A few of us take non-Impreza people to KH. These people are also often not fully aware of how track days go or why we're there.

I take my guests out on track for passenger laps when I can but most of their time seems to be spent freezing their parts off in the pits.

They wouldn't be there if they weren't petrol-heads and they're therefore interested in many of the cars on track (i.e. the other marques which we're not prejudiced against in Scotland ).

I tell these folks not to hesitate to ask drivers / owners about the chances of a few passenger laps. It seems though that 4/5 times, there's a reluctance in case they're being a bit forward or bothering the driver / owner.

In reality however, I reckon a good many of us are only too happy to offer passenger laps.

On the other side of the coin however, I recognise that some participants aren't into taking strangers round. This is fine and on some days I'm the same (e.g. if I'm experimenting with something and don't want a distraction).

In summary, I reckon that there are too many empty passenger seats going round KH and Kames and too many spectators going away unfulfilled.

Solution ? - maybe we could get some stickers printed up for next year saying something like 'PAX Welcome'. The intent could be explained in the driver's briefing and peeps encouraged to pass on the message around the pits / paddock.

It'd be important though to be clear that if anyone doesn't fancy taking passengers (and therefore displaying the - sticker) that's absolutely fine.

My main reason for suggesting this is that I'm sure there are many budding track-day heros out there that just need that wee experience to spur them on. This way we'll improve interest and numbers and ultimately (and hopefully) be able to justify more events.

I'd be happy to organise the stickers if you think this is worthwhile. If I've missed something or I'm talking nonsense, let's have it.

 

sounds like a good idea to me!

AJ

 

Good idea - Though I can't remember the last time I had my passenger seat free. In fact today there was an event at Kames and had my best behaved passenger yet. Was great to persuade Skye to don a crash helmet and come on track with me, she takes after her Dad and just laughs the faster we went and the more screaches she could hear. Of course she has had experience of fast driving over the Isle of Man TT course but it was nice to taker her out at a favourite track of mine.

I have often fancied a pax lap and often not sure about approaching other drivers and when I have I have sometimes been turned down so a sticker would be a good idea. If I am on track next year then I'll get one, and if not I'll know where to get pax laps.

 

I can just hear Steven now, go faster!!!!!!

AJ

 

Nice one Iain - nice to see that Skye is a potential track-day enthusiast of the future. Pity we'll have to wait a few years to satisfy the unofficial over sixteen rule at KH though.

To the point though Iain, I consider you to be one of the most likely candidates for offering passenger thrills. I've had no hesitation in the past in pointing people in your direction. If you're not participating next year, it'll be a sad time for the Scottish scene

AJ - acknowledged

 

I can just hear the commitee now...your barred Ian !!

 

Sounds like a top idea to me

Drivers displaynig stickers could also put a piece of black tape across the sticker if they wanted a couple of sessions on their own as well for example.

 

Nice idea get them into production...

 

Yeah,

Good thinkin Numptie, u can deff put me down for a sticker
Hey, it`d help reduce the weight biasing on the drivers side

Pete

 

Had another thought whilst sitting the the traffic coming to work.

Why not have a rally style plate like we had on the IOM trip (but perhaps a bit smaller. We could make up a batch of about 30 - 40 of them, and equip them with suction pads (like the kids sun-blinds that you get). Drivers could then easily put them up/take them down as required during an event, and of course they would be re-usable.

John

 

Good idea Numptie, and John for the removable/re-usable option.

If they are available my car will wear one next year.

 

John,

Jeez, by the time you've been working up there for a few months, you'll have figured out the meaning of life while sitting in traffic !

Nice idea and fine for us family car owners but maybe not so good for those with smarties and toy cars

... still thinking ...

[Edited by Numptie - 11/19/2002 4:26:12 PM]

 

Aye - your right about the smarties and toy cars. We could make them smaller so they would fit OK on the inside of the passenger window (when parked of course), or reverse the suction cups and stick them to the bodywork of toy cars

Alternatively, we simply get a load of orange (or other distinctive colour) circular stickers from Knockhill, and any car with a "distinctive coloured" circular sticker is available for pax laps.

John