Linus27

Not sure I would want to die just to sell some records! Maybe my royalties will go up when I die, not that it will be much use at that point You could sign them over to me ......and your Lotus anything else?? I've just bought a radio controlled drift car which is awesome fun. You fancy that? Oh and what about my Teg, you want that?

Not sure I would want to die just to sell some records! Maybe my royalties will go up when I die, not that it will be much use at that point

Agree, like I said to you this week......I didn't realise that Nirvana song was actually a Bowie cover until they started playing Bowie songs all day on the radio and we've had a couple of his albums for years. Did almost download his most recent album on the day he died, but when I listened to a couple of the songs thought it was a bit depressing Have the hangover from hell today by the way, that'll teach me His new album is brilliant. I have pretty much listened to it at least once or twice a day. Like I say, not a huge Bowie fan but totally loving this new album. Some of the songs are masterpieces. I love how he has given the musicians pretty much free reign over what they play which has given some incredible instrumentation on a lot of the songs. Bowie even takes a back seat on a lot of the songs, just occasionally dropping in the odd vocal line. Just brilliant. These two songs are stand out for me.

Upon death, I actually think it's because people talk about them a lot more in forums, tv, radio etc. and it resparks an interest in people who might not normally of had as much interest in that artist or had forgotten about them. I for example have about 10 Bowie songs which I love but that's about it. Never really interested in any other stuff. However reading forums and talking to a few friends over the last week, I have picked up on views on some of his albums to the points where I have been interested enough to obtain them. I wouldn't normally and these people probably wouldn't be talking about him if he had not of died recently. I think it just puts the artist back in the spotlight again.

Do you drive on track the same way as you drive on the road then? For me I drive very different, on the road I keep my speed sensible, drive defensively mostly and tailor my speed and approach to the conditions and environment. I'm certainly not redlining in every gear, getting the back out, attacking every corner and getting the car out of shape to the point where the laws of physics are being challenged. For me, driving on track is a totally different technique and mentality. Like chalk and cheese. Yeah of course i drive differently on track but as i said above, i consider the risk of crashing far higher than on the road due to the infinite number of hazards, hence why i take it to the track as if i do get it wrong the consequences are staked in my favour of not hitting anything, if you think differently thats your call. I just dont get the "i can afford to smash it" mentality as imho that will give completely the wrong impression to people who like the op who are concerned about taking their pride and joy out on track because of people in disposable cars. If your out of shape and getting the back end at out every corner and challenging the laws of physics i think we see track days very differently For me, as I have had one accident on the road which was 19 years ago, I don't find driving on the road such a risk compared to driving on track. Granted that driving standards are much lower these days and a lot of idiots on the roads but I am never trying to find the limits of my car or my talents and always driving to the condition. It's not a case of affording to smash a car up, but for me personally, taking a £40k GTR on the road poses a lower risk than taking it on track. On track I would be driving much faster than I would have experienced on the road, putting my abilities and the car under test. It would be a whole new learning curve and frankly not one I would want to get wrong because I can't afford to replace a £40k GTR but if I got it wrong in a £1k MX5 then yeah, I'm a muppet for getting it wrong but the financial pain won't be so great. Put it like this, if you asked the OP whats his car is like on the road at 70, braking down to 40, then to 20 and then doing a u turn around a roundabout in the wet, he could I hope be able to tell you his approach, gearing, how he would brake and how the car would react. In most cases, it would be very similar. If you then asked him how his car would behave going through Craner curves in the wet, speed, gears, steering and braking input, I imagine he wouldn't know. Then ask him about Paddock Hill and then Surtees, he wouldn't know. Even I wouldn't know in my DC5 despite doing three track days in other cars at Brands. It's not a case of getting out of shape at every corner, it the fact that this should not be happening on the road but the potential for it to happen on track is higher as you develop your skill and understanding of the car under higher speeds and stresses. The OP should not have any concerns about taking his car on track, hundreds do it incident free but he should go in to it with his eyes open. This includes knowing what to expect, what insurance actually covers, how to look after the car on the day as well as the risks involved. As they say, Motorsport is dangerous Anyway, we should stop now as we are both going round in circles a bit and it's probably getting a bit boring for everyone else. Let's just agree that we are both right

Very good point this. Check your tyre pressures before you go out, then do your sighting laps/first session and then check them again. You will see they have risen so let some air out and see how you get on next time out. You will be amazed at how horrible the car will drive with wrong pressures. Also, before you come back in at the end of a run, use that lap to drive easy to let the car cool down. When you do come back in to the pits, don't put your hand brake on or keep your foot on the brakes as you will warp the discs and cover them in brake pickup. Put it in gear and turn engine off. Check oil all the time and take spare with you to top up.

Do you drive on track the same way as you drive on the road then? For me I drive very different, on the road I keep my speed sensible, drive defensively mostly and tailor my speed and approach to the conditions and environment. I'm certainly not redlining in every gear, getting the back out, attacking every corner and getting the car out of shape to the point where the laws of physics are being challenged. For me, driving on track is a totally different technique and mentality. Like chalk and cheese.

Jetpilot - It's not a case that being on track automatically means you are going to crash but the risks are greatly increased, either by your own lack of skills, other driver skills, the risks involved driving at greater speeds and the increase in abuse to the car. You also need to consider something happening totally out of your control. All these factors add up to the fact that the percentage of something happening is higher and if you were to have an accident on track, the chances are the damage could be far more serious than if you are just driving to the shops. I'm not a racing driving so I don't get the chance to spend lots of time on track. So every time I get to go out, it is a learning curve for me, either improving my own skills or understanding the car better. At some point, something will happen, its inevitable. I'm either going to go in to a corner a little deep, lock up, lose the back or spin. Hopefully, nothing will come from it but because the risks are greater, there is the chance I may do some damage. Thankfully so far, that has not been the case. At Donington last year, a few cars aquaplaned off the track. A brand new Elise totally smashed the back end up and had to be taken home on a trailer. If this was my car, I probably could not afford to pay for that to be repaired. If however it was my actual track car (DC5) then yes I could. I can afford to replace my £7000 DC5 but I can't afford to replace a £40,000 Lotus.

As well as a lot of things you are not covered for. Worth checking the excess as well.

With regards to insurance, regardless if I had it or not, I take the approach that can I afford to replace the car if I smash it up. If the answer is no, then I have the wrong car to do track days in and I'm not going to relax and enjoy it as much. A bit like gambling, only bet what you can afford to lose

Donington is one of my favourites too,also oulton and mallory. I did Donington for the first time last year and I loved it. Such a fun track. Not overly technical but still enough of a challenge to never get bored and to know that there is still so much more time to be found by improving lines and braking etc.

That works now Nice going, looks like fun.

It says the video is private.

I thought the second clip with the child falling out the car was pretty bad. No idea what the head on the windscreen was all about, must have hurt though.

Ok, this is how jammy I am. I wrote the above an hour ago. Left work, got home and opened my post to find a letter from Lloyds bank informing me that they worked out my PPI claim incorrectly back in April 2012 and they are giving me an extra payment of £1800 I kid you not, how bizarre. Not sure if that counts as winning money but very weird and very typical for me

I never win money but my luck always comes through things that I want or need. Things just fall into place for me but only at the right time, always have done, cars, jobs, opportunities, people. It's always been at the right time, when its needed but sometimes I don't know why it happens until later on and then it all becomes clear. It's like things are aligning Good karma or my lucky Irish side but it has always been that way for me so I never go crazy on the lottery and chances are I won't win any money as I never have so far. I buy a ticket as you need to be in it to win it but that's as far as it goes. Actually, I have won money once. I bet on Eddie Irvine winning the Aussie GP once. I put a £5 on it and won £320. That's the only money I have ever won.

Cadwell is a great track but it is tight, narrow and twisty. If its been raining then be very careful in the mountain section as the trees overhang and it takes ages to dry out. It has caught a fair few out. It is also prone to aquaplaning on the main straight so be conscious of that. Apart from that its a great little circuit so have lots and lots of fun. You will love it

Plus one. Think that's the first film I watched him in. RIP. Yes, same here. Watch Die Hard every Christmas. He is just so good in that film.

Superb actor. Love him in Die Hard, simply brilliant. R.I.P.

I'm really hoping they announce a new Red Dead Redemption game. That's has probably been the most enjoyable first person shooter I have played. I still play it now and again and its still brilliant.

Joins the forum offering gifts, now that's the way to do it

I wouldn't take my cars to anyone but Tom at TGM. He is a Honda specialist and does stuff for BTCC teams and competes in 24 hour endurance races. He is a genius and a great guy to boot. He does lots of other Jap cars especially 350z/Skylines. He also loves 350z's and told me to buy one

Musical genius and a legend for sure. Odd that I was thinking about him and the song Ashes to Ashes as I was falling asleep last night only to be woken up by the radio this morning announcing his death. Very talented artist.

I only like the 924 because I fancied a girl at school when I was 10 and her mum had one in white. I fancied her mum also