We had a GT3 limit handling session at Abingdon Airfield with 11 of us taking part, nearly all with GT3s, although we were also happy to see ex-members with a GTS and a Lotus participate. On the GT3 front, we had first versions and last versions, many RSs and a 4.0-litre RS, so a really eclectic mix.
Gary from A Need for Speed and Chris helped everyone to understand weight transfer, fast lane switching, the quickest way around a circle, chicane handling and the usual fast entry and stop into an imaginary garage.
We were split into two groups, one of five and one of six, and off we went on a number of exercises marked out by small rubber cones. We had either Gary or Peter in the car for the first run each time and then were observed as we continued. A debrief followed, more exercises, more debriefs – well, you get the picture. I think everyone learned tips and techniques along the day.
The exercises took place on part of the perimeter road and using part of the runway – this was not a 100-metre, confined space exercise. One exercise (all marked by cones) involved an accelerate, turn, accelerate, brake, sharp turn, accelerate, brake, come to a roundabout, go around, then accelerate, brake to a semi-circular marked track, thread your way through that, accelerate back to the roundabout, brake, go around, swing right and weave through 10 cones or so, accelerate, brake, sharp right, accelerate, brake go around another semi-circle, accelerate, brake navigate a double chicane, accelerate and then hit the brakes (brake, brake, brake) to stop in the ‘garage’. Or something like that…
Gary told me: “The most common mistake amongst track drivers is the failure to look up and look ahead. For example, when approaching a corner most drivers stare down at the track and visually ‘hang on’ to reference points for too long. If you appreciate that high-speed track driving is a highly dynamic activity, it benefits a driver to trust more in peripheral vision for placing the car and use forward vision for looking through the corner, as opposed to looking at a sequence of fixed points. Top drivers do not visually ‘join up the dots’ but instead ‘flow through’ a corner.”
Congratulations go to Wayne Helme who took overall honours, not only for his fastest lap but also the most improved driving performance on the day. Enjoy your Driver of the Day Award of a nice bottle of Prosecco!