Bedford - 1st track experience!

[slodge]

Hi all,

Went to Bedford on Saturday with RPM T - first ever trackday and first time have driven the 944 in anger! It was snowing as I left the house at 7am and freezing cold... Snow turned to rain but there was still a good turnout and selection of cars.

For all the fellow track novices out there I've got to say I was a little nervous beforehand, but it was the best fun I have ever had in a car!! I've always driven 911s on the road, but I am falling in love with the 944. On the track it is so friendly and balanced. Granted not as quick in a straight line as other stuff, but then I guess that's not what track driving is about. In the wet we managed to keep up with 911s, M3s etc that were all struggling to put full power down.

Everyone drove respectfully and the circuit is really friendly with loads of runoff everywhere. Compulsory sighting laps before you go out are also a nice gentle way to start getting a feel for the track. I thought the fact it was wet and cold was actually great, as you got to experience the limits of grip at much lower speeds. I booked an instruction slot which was money well spent. Really helps get the lines round the track in your head and also gain some guidance on what to do/what not to do.

So my top tips for any novices are:
1. Don't worry - relax it's great fun and not scary
2. Book some instruction
3. Bring a warm coat if the weather's not great as it's pretty open in the pitlane and can get flippin freezing

Anyway, look forward to meeting you all on 25th March!

Cheers

Slodge

 

[andy watson]

Hi Slodge,

Glad you had a good day sounds fun in the wet, bet you were a bit aprehensive on the drive there in the snow!
Look forawrd to meeting up on the 25th

 

[slodge]

Hey Andy,

Yes the snow did freak me out a bit. Considered swapping for the Cayenne at one point whilst having breakfast!!

See you on 25th.

Cheers

Slodge

 

[spyderman]

Its all down hill from here, mate. Track day tyres, better brakes, better suspension, bucket seats, roll cage, harness. Then your ARDS test and race license...

 

[slodge]

ORIGINAL: spyderman

Its all down hill from here, mate. Track day tyres, better brakes, better suspension, bucket seats, roll cage, harness. Then your ARDS test and race license...

Yikes..... I have children I can sell on eBay, although they seem to cost more than running a small F1 team.

Cheers

Slodge

 

[Veerzigzag]

Its all down hill from here, mate

That is a really good report from Slodge for anyone like me that is tempted to have a go - the Bedford track seems a very good place to start.....

 

[Veerzigzag]

944 Track Car (with 968 engine)

Actually, if the 944 track car that slodge lists, is the one that RPM Tech sold recently, I'd say he has had a flying start down that slippery slope already!

 

[slodge]

ORIGINAL: Veerzigzag

944 Track Car (with 968 engine)

Actually, if the 944 track car that slodge lists, is the one that RPM Tech sold recently, I'd say he has had a flying start down that slippery slope already!

It is indeed. Down the slope and accelerating very quickly....

 

[Copperman05]

Glad you had a good day Slodge, I had my first trackday last year and now have some sort of bug it seems. The 944 seems to make the ideal car for learning good track craft, yours being all the more prepared too. How was the track day with RPM? I have looked at the prices before but they seem a tad more expensive than others which has put me off.

Mike, are you booked on our 944 track day at Bedford on 25th March? We have 41 cars attending. Spaces are fully booked up now but your welcome to come along and spectate/get passenger rides as we have a few who are doing this.



Edd

 

[slodge]

How was the track day with RPM? I have looked at the prices before but they seem a tad more expensive than others which has put me off.

Hey Edd,

Hope all is well. I can certainly see track days becoming somewhat of an affliction! Have just booked to go to Spa in June in the 944...

I'm biased when it comes to the RPM T boys as Darren, Ollie, Greig and Marc are mates (we do a monthly curry night etc), but I think it's nice to go with someone like them for the following reasons:
- they bring along techs to tighten your wheels, check fluids, give advice on set up etc (excellent when you are an engineering numpty like me)
- they will passenger you and give some free advice
- they bring along other cars you can have a go/passenger in (e.g. I had a drive of their Boxster CSR which is awesome!)
- you are in a group of like minded souls

Appreciate it's a bit more dosh, but I think they earn it and it's worth it from my perspective. Understand if it's not for everyone though.

Hope that helps and see you soon.

Cheers

Slodge

 

[Veerzigzag]

your welcome to come along and spectate/get passenger rides

Got to do it....will check the details as listed elsewhere to see if I need to book as a spectator etc - convenient too, only 25 miles from my house..

 

[andy watson]

ORIGINAL: slodge

ORIGINAL: Veerzigzag

944 Track Car (with 968 engine)

Actually, if the 944 track car that slodge lists, is the one that RPM Tech sold recently, I'd say he has had a flying start down that slippery slope already!

It is indeed. Down the slope and accelerating very quickly....

Have done a few different kind of days, Red letter day rallying, Lotus factory track day with Elise's and the day at Silverstone with Edd and my M3.

The next step after that last day is a track day car, bug bitten just waiting for funds

 

[Melv]

Great read Slodge. Takes me back nearly 20 years!!

Cld u expand it and do a little write up with pix for Porsche Post???

 

[Copperman05]

ORIGINAL: slodge
Appreciate it's a bit more dosh, but I think they earn it and it's worth it from my perspective. Understand if it's not for everyone though.

Hope that helps and see you soon.

Cheers

Slodge

Makes more sense to me now, I've used Ollie in the past but not seen him for a while I must admit. Spa sounds good, its on my to do list, you plan on getting the GT3 out on track at any point?


Edd

 

[Copperman05]

ORIGINAL: Veerzigzag
Got to do it....will check the details as listed elsewhere to see if I need to book as a spectator etc - convenient too, only 25 miles from my house..

You don't need to book as a spectator, just turn up, £5 will see you as a passenger and a helmet if you have one might be useful but not essential.



Edd

 

[slodge]

ORIGINAL: Melv

Great read Slodge. Takes me back nearly 20 years!!

Cld u expand it and do a little write up with pix for Porsche Post???

Hi Melv,

It would be a pleasure, have plenty of photos too courtesy of Trackside Image.

Can you PM any further info like deadline, rough word count etc and where to send. I'll get right on it!

Cheers

Slodge

 

[slodge]

[/quote]

Makes more sense to me now, I've used Ollie in the past but not seen him for a while I must admit. Spa sounds good, its on my to do list, you plan on getting the GT3 out on track at any point?


Edd
[/quote]

Hi Edd,

I really do rate Ollie and the boys for all things Porsche, but 944, 968 and 964 esp. They are true Porsche fanatics!! Worth popping in to see Ollie just to talk about his 4.0L 964 which is in construction... I bought the 944 so they could start on a 911 rally car project. Plus they have just completed their 997 CSR - a thing of beauty and very rapid. Not many full service indies have those kind of interesting things on the go aswell as tasty metal for sale in the showroom! Anyway here endeth the sales pitch.

Not sure about getting the GT3 on track as it is a very low miles, original example. I'm not sure my skills are up to scratch. I do take it to things like Classics at the Castle, but never say never I guess!

Cheers

Simon

 

[edh]

the only trouble with spa is that it makes uk tracks look a bit tame - what an amazing place.

must get back to cadwell this year - I think that's my favourite uk track

 

[944 man]

Cadwell and Oulton Park for me.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

ORIGINAL: Melv

Great read Slodge. Takes me back nearly 20 years!!

Cld u expand it and do a little write up with pix for Porsche Post???

Would be exactly the sort of thing I need for the PP column. []