Post 31459 by V8guitar on 2005-07-13 11:32:20
Sorry, but thought of some other stuff that might be of interest.... Watched Top Gear last night ( I love Sky+ ) and saw Sabine taking a transit around the ring. She was there whilst we were, driving the Ring Taxi's. These are BMW M5's that you can take a trip in for around 200 Euros. However, they are booked up until next year, so don't go out expecting to book on the day.... Anyway, seeing her hoofing an M5 at 60 mph ish sideways with tyres smoking......move over Vicky butler-henderson, I now love her! Just some other titbits.....on Top gear they showed one section called the carousel ( there are 2 of these ). Going round is very bumpy and I ground a few mm off my mud flaps ( the ones on the car, before any rude jokes ) on this section. However, I was quite impressed that I also ground my flaps ( sorry, can't resist - Oh err missus ) on some other heavy corners! Although a firm set up is needed for the ring, its not very smooth and too hard suspension will cause skitish handling.... Just some of the machinery that was there in no preference order: Ultima GTR Noble Opel Kadett GTE Opel Manta Alfa 45's Renault laguna Honda type R powered mini van!!! Dodge Viper Nissan 350Z Toyota Supra 3 V70's VW golfs and corrado's Cateram's Shed loads of M3's, M5's and 911's ( yawn, yawn ). Also saw an S60R - drove onto the track and straight off again. I think it was a demonstrator. Imagine that, going to the local dealer and saying " any chance of a test drive", and they say "jump in" and next thing you know your being driven round the ring....fab! As you can tell, a real mixture of stuff, but its the odd balls that get the interest ( like pratt's in V70 T5's thinking they are racing cars!!). The GT2 and GT3 brigade really are dull and obviously get fed up that no-one really pays much attention to their cars at the ring, as they must be used to getting oggled everywhere else they go. Also note that there is no real competative spirit there....i.e. no one "races" each other or compares times. Why ? Because to get the best times you need to know the circuit and you can have fun without posting a 9 minuter...Therefore if you are just going there to try and get the best time ( and I'm concious I have posted mine - its not a challange to anyone to beat!) then you will: 1) Get beaten by lesser machinery and therefore always be disapointed 2) Damage your car. There are enough incidents to remind you of this. The attitude is one of comaradary....I was getting compliments from a guy with a 427 Cobra.... just very few ego's there and its such a refreshing change. On the circuit, with a few exceptions, people are very curtious. The etticate is that if you see someone coming up behind, you indicate right, slow down and let them pass on the left. Trying to stay ahead is dangerous and will push you to crash. You will also get banned from the circuit. A fast lap is dependant upon the following in priority order 1) Circuit knowledge 2) Driver skill 3) Car handling 4) Power/performance A fast lap only reflects your knowldge of the circuit and has less to do with driver talent or the car - proved on many occasions by slow cars whooping exotica... Also note there is a volume limit of 100db. Bikes in particular are often refused because of this...if you go, think about how loud your 20 cm exhaust is... I could wax lyrical about the place for ages as I keep remembering stuff, but I'll try to leave it there.....Hope to go back at some point and contimplating buying a car to hoof round, something like a Pug 205 GTI.....