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Performance Driver Track Day - Saturday 22nd July 2017


CAT@CAT

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There was never an opportunity to leave a message, the line just went dead after it rang out.

 

Thanks for saying that, as otherwise I wouldn't know there was a problem with my phone .... have now got the comms people investigating why it's stopped going to voicemail. Apologies Will.

 

KR

Jo

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 7/15/2017 at 10:13, nissanman312 said:

Realy looking forward to this now :)

 

Where do we stand on bringing a freind or partner as a spectator is that allowed?

Millbrook isn't set up for spectators, there's really not a lot to see.  All circuits are hidden from each other and they'll have a lot of waiting around.  They definitely can't sit in car as you're coming for a training day and it will just be you and your instructor in car, when it's your turn.  A reminder that photography is also not allowed.  Security will place seals over your camera lenses on your phones on arrival and take any other filming equipment from you.  There's plenty to do in Milton Keynes and surroundings if they want to go shop, walk, enjoy an activity while you're with us.

 

KR

Jo

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1 hour ago, CAT@CAT said:

Millbrook isn't set up for spectators, there's really not a lot to see.  All circuits are hidden from each other and they'll have a lot of waiting around.  They definitely can't sit in car as you're coming for a training day and it will just be you and your instructor in car, when it's your turn.  A reminder that photography is also not allowed.  Security will place seals over your camera lenses on your phones on arrival and take any other filming equipment from you.  There's plenty to do in Milton Keynes and surroundings if they want to go shop, walk, enjoy an activity while you're with us.

 

KR

Jo

No that's fine just thought I'd ask what the set up was 

Thanks for the reply :)

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I have to say, in all honesty this was a really awesome day and I would seriously recommend it to anyone serious about their car and driving.

 

i learnt so much about what I've been doing wrong all these years with driving techniques and how impressive the zed really is. I'm definitely the weaker link. 

 

Definitely enjoyed the handling course, the banked track (Doing 100 with hands off the wheel showed how stable the zed is) but the surprise for me was the drifting. I've never been into drifting. Never saw the point. But dam me ive never had so much fun getting Rosie's backside out and holding the drift. I think I was smiling from ear to ear and at the end Paul turned to me and asked how was that and I've never sworn so much. Boy it was a rush.

 

Awesome day and thanks to Stu for organising and to Colin, Paul and Jo for a very informative day.

 

And Wasso your car sounds so fantastic. I now want a v8.

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Well...... I'm going to struggle here to truly emphasise the quality of the CAT driver training day.  We went armed with our own reasons to attain particular elements from the day, which made this event even more interesting and to see those battle out the gremlins or understand if their car is performing how it should.  All I can say is WOW, frickin do it, utterly epic day with some of the best people providing the training.  We weren't made to feel undermined, the lesser driver, or fearful of being able to push the limits  The training and hospitality was PERFECTLY executed and equally the organisation of the day was fantastic.  I actually felt I left the venue with new friends, and equally a completely new armoury of skills to pursue and perfect.

 

I personally managed to gain a huge amount of trust for the car, meeting and exceeding boundaries I thought weren't possible.  Like Will say's trusting a bowl to keep you on the road at 100mph and let go of the steering wheel is a surreal experience.  The training isn't just about how you should drive, but the physics and mechanics behind what causes driver error.  Perfectly delivered training that was understandable, clear and informative.

 

We were fortunate, and I say fortunate that rain was forecast for the skid pan, which again I couldn't believe the Zed can handle some serious G's and hard cornering in the wet and still remain under control.  Finding the limit of grip, counteracting grip loss at speed and equally understand why the car has lost control.  Braking, accelerating we take for granted..... yeah, take a CAT day and find out where each and every limit can be greeted, exceeded but under full control.  

 

I again found out exactly where the limits are with the V8 and that's what I set out to achieve today.  But along the way Paul and Colin have taken our driving standards to a whole new level.  My drive home felt so pure, even in the wet.  Such a huge benefit to me and likewise to the others who've joined in.  I see this being a very popular training event on the forum, although you may struggle spaces as all those who have already attended will be fighting to get back down at Millbrook!  

 

Whilst the team Paul, Colin and Jo do this every single day, they gave us 100% of their commitment to make us welcome, to be trained, to enjoy the day and ensure we all gain the necessary skills or information to progress our skill set.  I thank you all for your time, and really cannot wait to get back down there to progress to the next level.  I swear this training will shave 30 seconds if not more off my lap time at the Nurburgring.

 

Cheers Stu for taking the time to organise this for the forum and I'm glad you all enjoyed my hooning around at the end.  Trust me, my cheek muscles are killing me from laughing and smiling like a small child.  Hope you enjoyed the little blast Will..... it's a little brutal to say the least.

 

Anyone interested to learn the next level of driving, just do it.  Yes it appears quite heavy on price, although I can reassure you, it's money VERY well spent.  I will be back....... and thank you to the CAT driving training team.  Just epic!

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23 minutes ago, glrnet said:

You must, you must.

 

 

Do it Steve, utterly fantastic day out.  Boundaries are completely exceeded - a whole new confidence.

 

Oh and the added bonus of seeing other car porn there, in which there were 4 Alfa Romeo Guila's I think it's the quatrofromagio version.... carbon ceramic brakes and all that jazz.... they sound bloody awesome!  Also a heap of 4c's hooning around - on some Alfa Corporate/testing day.  Still great to join in.

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Right guys and girls time for my 2 pennys worth on the day..

 

You absolutely have to go and do this day, you will 100% learn something new and come out of the day shocked at the simple changes that can be made to your driving, that not only get you going quicker but you will be doing more speed in a much safer manner.

 

I have been at a bit of a loss with driving quickly sinceI I had my accident last year and didn't realise just how much it had affected my confidence, behind the wheel which in turn, was actually making my driving even worse.

I explained this to colin and imediatly felt that he uderstood where my head was at and that he would help me get past it.

After the breifing and getting to know each other if we didnt already, it was out onto the mile straight for the breaking part of the course,they  want to see you can stop before they trust you at 130mph on the high speed bowl,very wise :lol:

Of course thats not the only reason, you a taught to threshold brake, and use your a,b,s to brake and avoid etc 

Then if i  remember rightly it was out onto the high speed bowl 

then the handling circuit, already some much info if flowing threw your head the little breaks give you chance to digest it all.

 

At lunchtime it absaloutly throws it down with rain,somthing i was both dreading but also hoping for because the 370 in the wet is where my deamons lie.

After lunch its out onto the wet alpine course, i explain to colin i feel like im either carying to much speed into corners or i am to high in the rev range and indanger of spining (heres the devil on my shoulder) colin tells me im not carying to much speed and he thinks i am within grip limits of the car,just as i take a left hander at 25mph and the back end overtakes the front lol

colin pulls me over straight away and praises my instinct and says that was 100% the car and not my driving,this is very reasuring as i just felt it was my incompatance beheind the wheel.

colin asks me what changes have i made to the cars set up as he says the window between grip and overstear is almost non exsistant, he explins that in his 350 he would of taken the same corner at another 10 mph and the car would not have oversteerd like mine did.

after having a litlle play in the car himself on the skid pan he explains that the car lets go in a way that the best of drivers couldnt handle so i had no chance what so ever :wacko:

he feels its is the ebaich roll bars are way to stiff and advises me to get the rear onto full soft and have a play but thinks that may not be enough even at that.

Colin tells me he knows the guys at centre gravity who set the geo up lovley but says he will talk with them and tell them what he thinks  to help me get the dampers and roll bars set up a bit more forgiving .

Anyway now we have established its not all my fault i get sideways easliy:lol: 

 

Now comes the time to relish in geting totaly sidways on the skid pan, i have never got the drifting bug it just isnt me but wow what a laugh it is to just go for it and let the car slide with no fear of hitting anything:teeth:

I have learnt so much about myself and the car on this one day i cant wait to got back for some more learnig i wouldnt hesitate to go back again i have almost no doubt if i had done this prior to my crash it posibly would never of happend! THANK YOU CAT D ive got my  mojo back :Dand i will see you soon

with out a doubt the best value mod ive done and i can take into 

every car i drive 

 

 

Edited by nissanman312
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Well said Nick, and I'm pleased you managed to sort your demons and establish the route cause of the issues. I was more chuffed that you had a way forward than my own benefits to be honest. 

 

Now you you know why I didn't give a damn about setting a time on the last event. I was having

too much fun to give a hoot about a time. There was never going to be a true time in

the wet and though sod it, its drift time :lol: 

 

I echo your comments on CAT flipping awesome :thumbs:

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35 minutes ago, Wasso said:

Well said Nick, and I'm pleased you managed to sort your demons and establish the route cause of the issues. I was more chuffed that you had a way forward than my own benefits to be honest. 

 

Now you you know why I didn't give a damn about setting a time on the last event. I was having

too much fun to give a hoot about a time. There was never going to be a true time in

the wet and though sod it, its drift time :lol: 

 

I echo your comments on CAT flipping awesome :thumbs:

Cheers dude 

I was creasing when you went of for your last run so funny :)

And massive respect for sticking with that project it is truly mad lol

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Equally cracking up myself lol. I was surprised there wasn't more time lost to be fair. I had no traction the duration of the long sweeping section in front of the cars and did wonder if I'd overshoot the tight left and onto hairpin cone. I swear I've never had that much fun in my car. Can we do drift next :lol: I even think Will would be up for that. 

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2 hours ago, Wasso said:

Equally cracking up myself lol. I was surprised there wasn't more time lost to be fair. I had no traction the duration of the long sweeping section in front of the cars and did wonder if I'd overshoot the tight left and onto hairpin cone. I swear I've never had that much fun in my car. Can we do drift next :lol: I even think Will would be up for that. 

Let's do it I think George would be up for it as well. :)

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Morning Everyone

 

Sorry been trying to post up for the last few hours but it's another of those days ... doubly compounded by my phone deciding to ring constantly with a blank screen & no response to any button pressing.  It's in the drawer at the moment with my Christmas hat around it attempting to block out the previously liked ring tone :surrender:  The bad news on this is if, as I suspect, it is going to end up in the bin, all the photo's are still on it.  Deep breath :headhurt:

 

Another lovely day spent with a lively enthusiastic bunch ... you are all lovely :teeth:

 

Congrats to the winners:

 

Driver of the Day = nissanman312

End of Day Gymkhana Fastest Time of the Day = Super Stu

 

:thumbs:

 

Hope you all got home safely.  Your reviews above are lovely, thank you.  I have sent the Trustpilot review requests .. thank you nissanman312 for doing the honours so promptly :) ... be very grateful if the rest of you, plus the Wednesday crew will oblige and do the same for us.  

 

If you would like options for the Group Drifting & Over Grip Limit Handling Course let me know .. it's for a group size of 4 as a reminder.  There might be a September option, but more likely October.  

 

KR

Jo

 

 

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Trustpilot done :thumbs:

 

Put me down for the Group Drifting & Over Grip Limit Handling Course - I don't care when it is, I'm IN! :yahoo: 

My zed had no chance at low down control in 1st or 2nd gear, and she hates being under 2k rpm - that's my excuse anyway.

 

I ended up using half a tank of fuel on the day.  Quite impressive I thought, and was left just enough fuel to get home.

 

Good luck getting your phone fixed :headhurt: 

 

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9 minutes ago, Wasso said:

Trustpilot done :thumbs:

 

Put me down for the Group Drifting & Over Grip Limit Handling Course - I don't care when it is, I'm IN! :yahoo: 

My zed had no chance at low down control in 1st or 2nd gear, and she hates being under 2k rpm - that's my excuse anyway.

 

I ended up using half a tank of fuel on the day.  Quite impressive I thought, and was left just enough fuel to get home.

 

Good luck getting your phone fixed :headhurt: 

 

It's still ringing :wacko:

 

You'll be in good company for those that have benefitted from our DOGLH course .... I didn't have permission to shout it from the roof on Saturday, but now do.  This is THE F1 Pat Symonds ... he researched & chose our course as it met his technical demands https://uk.trustpilot.com/reviews/59747219a64b41086cee27a3 

 

To say we're chuffed to bits that he doesn't want anonymity and has taken the time to write a review would be an understatement :D

 

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3 minutes ago, Wasso said:

Drift Day - getting it on! (I'm not missing out on the next opportunity!)

 

1. Wasso

2. nissanman312

3. Super Stu

4.

 

 

Potential options are Saturday 7th or Sunday 22nd October ...... 

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I was going to write a seperate review for any members who saw these days appear on the forum, but for whatever reason decided not to attend or missed the opportunity to do so. However, I banged on for so long in my trustpilot review I'm too tired to type it all out again, so this is a copy paste, with some minor edits.

 

 

Firstly, the organisation and communication to get the day arranged was extremely friendly and very professional. In terms of they Day itself, just getting to use the facilities at Millbrook is special. That initial drive in, with the low morning sun lighting up the alpine route, put a smile on my face which stayed there all day. But, the day is so much more than testing your car on a variety of tarmac challenges. The hands-on learning sessions behind the wheel were exactly what I'd hoped for, insights into my personal driving style and precise information as to what I personally could do to improve. This was also supported by pre and post session briefings, setting me up for what I was about to learn, then discussing what I would take away, dealing with all the questions that pop up.

 

Naturally, talking through the techniques and engineering is a bit less fun than being behind the wheel, however, the theory side of the training is not just relevant and enjoyable, it gives you a real sense that there's engineering principles behind the disciplines you learn. Not to mention a welcome breather and opportunity for things to sink in. 

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend CAT to anyone serious about improving thier driving. Best of all, unlike nearly of the modifications we do, this mod is one which can be transferred to any new vehicle you own.
I can't think of a pound for pound mod which would have a more dramatic improvement on lap times. 

 

Stu

 

"Way down on power in the BRZ" :p 

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