Hi guys,

Been in San Francisco, quitting job and loads on since my trackday - but here goes!

It was Doofus (Pinto Velocity XT - soon to be Duratec!!!) , Levi (Elise S1 modded) and me in the Zetec XT

Location: Bedford Autodrome, Autocar Caterham evening

Well what can i say - this car rocks! It's so bloody stable - you can throw it in at 90-100mph and if you APEX it - it sticks like glue - if you want to kick the back end out - it comes willingly!

It's just so bloody driveable, the Velocity chassis is awesome - both Doofus and myself were regularly out braking more expensive cars into the corners

Hat's off to Luego for a top chassis and to Doofus for making me MegaSquirt it - its so ace - I can't wait for next trackday

I think next step is some proper track tyres (proxy's went off after 5 sideways laps ;-) )

We did have some fun - beating some Cateringvans around the track and I almost got an Exige - but overcooked a little :p ended up doing a 360 ooops

[Edited on 6/8/06 by muzchap]

quote:

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Originally posted by muzchap
both Doofus and myself were regularly out braking more expensive cars into the corners

We did have some fun - beating some Cateringvans around the track and I almost got an Exige - but overcooked a little :p ended up doing a 360 ooops

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you have to ask yourself why, is it because:
a) you are a driving god?
or
b) careting vans and exiges cost 4 or more times as much as a locost so is a bit more painful when you you have the misfortune to visit the stacked tyres

Come on, give the chap his due. He drove well and he has a good car.

I worked for a number of years as an Instructor at Bedford Autodrome and know the circuits well. Although there are a few corners where getting it wrong has serious consequences, in general there are acres of run-off and you can really let your hair down in an environment that is as safe as it is possible to be.

After a few tentative circulations, inhibitions are gone and the value of the car forgotten in striving for the perfect lap. There is nothing like the sense of satisfaction of beating more costly and powerful cars particularly in one that you built yourself.

As an aside, apart from the TMS days which are the bread and butter business for JP, some of us instructed on trackdays as well. You would be trying to keep a low profile in the pitlane but despite your best efforts to be invisible you are asked by a wannabee to sit in for a few laps. He has a chipped Skyline. You get in, he straps into his 6 point harness but all you have is a diagonal strap. What could possibly go wrong???

For anyone who has not driven at Bedford Autodrome, it is probably the best venue in this country and you can really explore your limits and the limits of your car in safety. I would recommend that everybody experiences it before they die.

John

John,

Couldn't agree more - I don't think I've had you as my instructor there, but I did have Olly Jarvis - who was a top bloke, taught me more in 30mins than I did in 13+years

As for the safety and professionalism of Bedford - I don't think it can be beaten - I'd urge people to go there. That's why there's so much expensive metal on the track, it's so safe!

02GF74

Yeah I know that Exige's cost more, but my kitcar is as important to me as their Exige or Ferrari or Porsche? So I completely disagree with the 'pushing harder point' - in fact - I'd go the opposite and say I take it easier on my car, because I can't afford for it to break - whereas these guys push to the limit as they all have much more money

Either way - an ace day - I just can't believe the torque delivery of a Zetec out of the corners - it's really impressive!

[Edited on 7/8/06 by muzchap]