Grant

Guys, I have everything booked. We're going out on Sunday 9th for the briefing at 6pm; driving is on the 10th. The all in cost is €550 for the 75 Experience. The crossing, hotels and food are extra. Cost will depend on sharing, but the crossing is about £120 per car return, hotel is €60 per person per night.

I have 8 confirmed drivers and might just be able to squeeze one more in. First come first served.

Kev,

We're going over on Sunday 9th, doing the 75 Experience on Mon 10th and some of us are going on the Ring in our own cars on Tuesday 11th.

The majority will be returning either Tuesday or Wednesday; so it's two or three days maximum off of work. If you fancy it let me know and I'll touch base with you with the details.

Grant

The best way to cut your energy bills is to make sure you keep an eye on any automatic renewal notices for supply contracts. Dont just simply assume you are getting a good deal as your supplier has always done right by you in the past.

 

Specifically with business energy contracts, automatic renewal notices from major companies are often well over 33% higher than standard prices. In some cases Ive seen renewal notices at double the going rate.

 

The companies do this as they know (and Ive had this stated by them) that over 50% of people simply accept what they are told and continue with what the company puts in front of them.

 

As energy prices are one of the key factors affecting inflation, you would have thought that the government may have done something about companies trying to pull the wool over consumers eyes to such an extent, but they are powerless to interfere with the profit level of a private company (even if it is affecting national inflation levels).

I agree with you on the lax attitude of most consumers (including my own) on not checking energy prices (my domestic electricity bill is £225 per month!) but disagree with your statement about the government being powerless. You are right in saying they have no mandate to interfere with the profit level of a private company but there is a thing called OFGEM and they do monitor and, if need be, regulate energy suppliers prices.

"Part of Ofgem's role is to ensure that Britain's energy wholesale and supply markets are competitive".

Going back to the topic subject - I personally enjoy this stance -

Or in our case save the V6

Interesting article on their web site about how Toyota were forced to remove the Prius advert because they couldn't prove it was as economically or environmentally better as they claimed it was.

£100 would be on the Brands Indy Circuit (not the full international GP circuit). There is a track day on there today £275 for the full circuit - competes with Silverstone as the most expensive in the UK.

They do afternoon and evening sessions on the Indy circuit at Brands for about £100. They do Novice days which should be good for virgins;)

I'm doing the Bedford GT circuit with Easytrack on 4th August, Chris B will be there in his Z - PM me if you fancy coming.

£100 wouldn't get you a track day, but rather an airfield day - unless it's a private booking like LOT or it's in the winter, or it's a 1/2 day.

Bedford is probably the safest place to do a track day in the UK. You can book tuition for about £25 and (unless you're very unlucky with the instructor) it's well worth every penny. The last time there my Instructor was a race driver and his wheels were a 350z.

You must replace the standard nissan fluid with high temp fluid like Motul RBF650. You will run out of brakes in less than 15 minutes otherwise .

You won't do a set of tyres unless you're drifting, you won't do a set of pads. You won't do your discs in unless you leave the hand brake on after coming in. There are plenty of track marshalls and they do carefully monitor drivers behaviour so you don't get jerks ruining it.

You will have immense fun and wonder why you hadn't done it sooner!

the problem is if you're going to get someone else to do it - how do you get the other set of wheels to the fitting centre. You either need two cars or get them to come to you. I can only fit one of my 20's inside the car and none in the boot.

I made a set of ramps to make the job easier. It takes me about 45 mins from start to finish.

That doesn't surprise me Kev. Their other favourite stunt is to give you a competitive quote to get you to sign up with them, and then the following year they bump it right up in the hope that you can't be ar$$ed to go elsewhere .

 

When I bought my Zed last year, Privilege were the most competitive quote at £494. This year, with the car having depreciated in value, so lower risk, and no claims made by me, so again reduced risk, the renewal was £528 .

 

Needless to say I told them where to stuff it and got a great deal from Liverpool and Victoria for £369 .

I was with LV and they upped mine to over £800,Moved to M&S for £540 including European breakdown cover.I did give them the opportunity to requote but they only got it down to £700 odd which was still way higher than almost everybody else was quoting. No matter who you're with it's worth checking around each year because they do rely on most peoples lethargy upping your premium and hope you'll not bother to check.

I have provisionally booked to go to the ring for Mon 10th September with Ron Simons and his 75 Experience http://www.75experience.co.uk/

We're going to go Sunday PM and have a week over in Europe coming back the following weekend.

We're going to fit in a trip to the Brno circuit in the Czech Republic - they have an open track evening on 13th Sept. All suggestions welcome.

If anybody's interested in doing all or part of the trip please let me know.

Grant

These 11's are a bit too fat. 10.5 for the rear is about the biggest i would suggest, given the availability; which on these wheels isn't available only 11's.

I'm going to go over to the Ring again probably in early September and book Ron Simon's school http://www.75experience.co.uk he has some availability. I'll be with a few others including Chris B in his 350z.

I am also searching out availability at SPA but September is a busy month especially as the F1 is there at the end of the month. I've just been on a track day there in the pouring rain, it was awesome. I'll post some pics and Vids soon.

Either way after that we're going to Brno in Czech Republic and going on to their circuit http://www.automotodrombrno.cz/go/ they have an open session on 13th September. After that we'll make our way back to UK probably via Amsterdam again.

It would be great if someone wants to join us for the whole thing or just part of it. BTW - We're not taking our wives / girlfriends.

Grant

not even a hint of pricing on that website can't be arsed emailing them tbh

 

Plus miles away from the NW, not helping either in my case. Will want something more local for this type of training

Val, it's about £300 for the day based on a minimum group of 5. Colin will do 1 to 1 or 2 to 1 training for a reasonable price.

Grant

I drove one of these (VXR version) on an Autocar track day - Good value for money with the kit and spec but it drove like a mobile armchair on marshmellow wheels. Doesn't come close to the Z experience - it didn't feel as powerful as the specs would have you believe.

Whats the problem with the default suspension?

The rebound is too soft when pushing hard - the car lifts too much and this can upset the balance. It's also a little bit soft for track days.

I have the KW Variant 3 lowered appx 10mm and Stillen Front and rear Anti Roll Bars - all on medium setting. This set-up is far superior to the standard Euro set-up and the ride quality is still good. This opinion is also shared by Colin Goad from CAT who was instrumental in the European suspension set-up for the 350z.

If you want specific training on the 350z then Colin Hoad is your man. http://www.catdrivertraining.co.uk/

I've got the KW variant 3 and paid £1100 for them. I cant tell if they are the variant 1,2 or 3. Top quality piece of kit as used on all the cars in the World Touring car series.

I bought mine off of eBay, bent them to fit but the sticky back lifted. Once they got the Araldite and were pressed down on overnight (jammed a stick between the seatback and trim) they have been fine.

I've done just over 140 in mine and it does feel a bit light, but mines a roadster and I have the speed racing kit and no rear spoiler (unlike the coupe') so the dynamics are completely different. I don't feel that comfortable going any faster in it, too light for my liking.

I'm with Laguna, Don't make a massive difference for me, but since all of the changes (pads, Fluid and Hoses) the brakes are pretty impressive on track days. Whereas before they didn't last long - 12 minutes appx. It could be that if you only do the pads and fluid then the hoses may have to take all the strain?? and performance could then suffer.

For the minimal cost I would do the hoses if you can afford it and intend to do track days.

Val,

If you bring the tickets tomorrow, then I can meet up with Grant.

 

If will be in a hotel close to Rockingham Sat night and therefore people can get them from there.

If that no good, then can you mail them out.

 

Steve

 

that was my idea mate

Which one; Mail them out or give em to Steve?

Val, how will we get the tickets from you? What are the arrangements and what time do we need to be there?

Guys , you obviously didn't lread the manual / look at all the bits in the box..or maybe didn't get them. When you plug the phone in to the mount for the cradle, the Mics in that. So basically if you put the Tom Tom in the cubby you can't fit the base plate, hence no mike.

Funny, I didn't find the ESP intrusive at all. Only saw the warning light once or twice all day. Perhaps I'm too slow!

 

JohnK

Maybe I'm a bit crazy.

http://media.putfile.com/grant-spin

I got my DAB 4000's from http://www.wallaceperformance.com they are the Uk distributor.

You could try oilman for Brembo http://www.opieoils.co.uk/performance%5Fbrake%5Fkits/

and http://www.rjnmotorsport.com/RJNmain1.htm for as new slotted OEM discs at a very good price.

Also if I could book a track in the north of France, 45 mins from tunnel (tunnel is about 80 and you could pick up supply of wine/French food) how many would be interested. This would be exclusive to us or anyone that we agreed, not an open invitation public day.

Yep I'd be up for it, Abbeville I presume.

As some of you know I recently did my first track day (well, for 30 years) at Abingdon, and had a great time.

 

I'd like to go again but next time with two specific objectives:

 

1) I want to turn off ESP for the whole day.

2) I'd also like to have a go in the wet

 

I realise 2) is down to luck but if you know of somewhere that can do it artifically I'd be interested.

 

My only disappointment with Abingdon was the "No timing" rule. Not because I want to show off but because I'd like to know how different techniques affect speed as well as handling.

 

Are there Track Days where timing is allowed? Or should I look for Motor Club Sprint type events?

 

JohnK

 

p.s. My car is OEM standard. I dont want to fit roll-over bars, full harness seatbelts, fireproofing, etc, etc.

John,

I can't drive on the track in the dry with the ESP on, I don't know how you can, it's too intrusive. The car is great with the ESP off, very controllable and predictable.

Oulton Park has drift days where they wet the track with a bowser. Steve_B, Val (TheMinel) and Me went there last summer and did the drift day. The weird thing was that it absolutely chucked it down all day and the bowser wasn't needed.

Here's me. http://media.putfile.com/350z-drift-far-too-hostingy

Here's Val

http://videos.streetfire.net/Player.aspx?fileid=064D6D08-05EE-432F-9917-28D918BA4E22

We are planning the last weekend in May. Might be the first of June (still waiting for one person to confirm - families!).

 

Why, you interested? We'll be travelling Sat, coming back Mon. Couple of nights stopover, all good people going.

Sorry mate I'd like to join you but I'll be in either Monaco or Tuscany, maybe even both .