Stutopia Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 (edited) Having soaked up as much preparatory learning as I could from you good people here, I was 1 part excited, 1 part curious and 20 parts bricking it about my first track day. Watching youtube videos didn't really help either As part of the continued Jaaaaaagification of this place, a mate of mine in the Jaaaaaag owners club (http://www.jdcarea11teesvalley.co.uk) kindly got me in with the Big Cats for an Introductory day at Croft, though it felt pretty intermediate when the race prepped porker rocked up and some guys had full race suits. Anywho, got the sighter laps out the way and then got my first proper run. OMFG this is the most fun you can have, pants on or otherwise. Sadly it absolutely hammered it down all day, so I was tiptoeing around the first few laps. Especially after coming out of Tower Bend and the rear trying to overtake me, only 4 corners in After I cleaned my pants I set about finding some lines and keeping it smooth. I'm pleased to say only one car got past me, I'm sad to say it was an FF Clio 172, but on the positive side it was driven by an actual race experienced driver, so I didn't feel too bad. I felt even better when after a lap or so of shame after the Clio incident, I stomped past an Aston Martin DB9! Yay Team Jap. I was less excited about doing a Mk2 Jag a bit later, which was older than I am. Fully shaking after the first session, but absolutely loved it, even managed to assuage the fear of totalling my beloved Zed and relaxed a bit. I learnt a lot more about what she will and won't do in the wet in 20 track minutes than I did in the previous 8 months on the road. My second stint was cut short by pesky engine management light, so I pitted, checked the codes (grrr heated o2 sensor 2s), cleared the codes, but it was too late to get back out. Booo! I was so pleased I had the iOBD2 to confirm what the fault codes were, otherwise I would have been too scared to drive her the two hours home, cheers Dan for weighing in there It could have been worse though, my mate who organised it put his scooby track toy off the road backwards two days before the event, and then bust the turbo on his Beamer daily driver which he was bringing instead (TBF it's done nearly 250k!). So I got off lightly, naturally the rain meant a couple of incidents. An Ibiza decide to try a route over the grass, but survived unscathed fortunately and the Clio which did me had an ABS fault at the end of the pit straight which locked up the rears. Only some monumental skill stopped it being nasty. The tyre sounds alone will stay with me for weeks. Enough banging on, sorry I'm still a little bit excited about it all, here's the pics and hopefully a short vid. The circuit, if you're not familiar. Not too complex, but not very forgiving, the grass is wet and very very close on some sections, as is the armco. Pretty much the first car I saw on arrival, even more beautiful in the metal. As you can imagine at a Jaaaaaag event, there were cool old cars all over. C Type Replica, nice. Lancia Vulvia I don't remember the name, but the Fez is familiar.... But there was also some new Cats, and not just on my Zed. The noise this thing makes is epic, especially down shifting after the pit straight. There were a couple of lightweights out as well, they like the wet even less than the Zed. This Z4M was astonishingly fast in the wet, it blitzed everything it came across. I never saw it go head to head with the M5 that was out, but I reckon he would have beaten it. It's either a beast of a car or the driver was the third Schumacher brother you don't hear about. The DB9 that had to get out my way! Beautiful car. Some jerk off's beetle holding me up. TBF, there were two Carrera 4S's out, both flew round, like it was dry. Skillz. I detailed the Zed beforehand, only to find out that country roads are the enemy of the detailer. Filthy before I even got there My other mate, in his R32, stunningly quick in the wet and, for a stock motor, made a great sound down the straight. If I was going practical, I'd have one of these. Rapid The Clio that did me It's a mini metro Lynn, they've re-badged it Lynne, you fool. Another quick Golf. Probably my favourite modern Jaaaaaaag. But this one isn't bad TBF. Oh the noise mmmmmmmmmm... M5 - handy if you need to get to the office fast, but does't really get me juicing. Probably the fastest car of the lot, easily the coolest. The classic e-type and fittingly for a Jaaaag event, leading them out, the van is not tracking BTW. All in all it was ace, if you're thinking of doing it, do it. Get insurance if you are nervous like I am, I was still pooing it at first but that soon went away when I realised it was more likely to be me getting it wrong than someone else cleaning me up. I think I'd be much more relaxed out there if I had a little track toy to use please Santa. Edited October 13, 2013 by SuperStu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vik54 Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Good to see you enjoyed your first one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humpy Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Nice one, looks like a fantastic day out. I would not have the balls to track days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 Cheers Vik. Humpy, I never would have done this a year ago, Zed Club made me do it Little vid, nothing that'll get you track veterans excited, no in car I'm afraid just some drive-bys, but some cool noises. http://s1321.photobu...13a721.mp4.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsexr Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Some nice motors there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gudzy Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 (edited) Good write up. I've never been to Croft, even though I think it's officially the closest track to where I live. I assume this wasn't one of the quiet days then with the new jags going round, I don't imagine they would be below 88dB. I might have my mk1 mx5 up for sale soon which I've been using for track days. Edited October 13, 2013 by Gudzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Great write up, glad you enjoyed yourself fella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 (edited) Good write up. I've never been to Croft, even though I think it's officially the closest track to where I live. I assume this wasn't one of the quiet days then with the new jags going round, I don't imagine they would be below 88dB. I might have my mk1 mx5 up for sale soon which I've been using for track days. It was a quiet day, 88db, which I expertly hit, in the half meter standing test. A Triumph Stag got blown out for hitting 100db! The two Porkers had a couple of issues but got out in the end. The Jaaaaags were on track, so I assume they passed It's criminal that the local residents are able to put so much pressure on the circuit, most of 'em will have bought their houses knowing full well it's next to a race track. If you ask me, they're going in with eyes open, if you want somewhere quiet, don't move next door to a circuit - simples! The place is steeped in racing history, 60 years of heritage, and just cause some bellend from the middle class mafia moves in next door and hears a little noise when they're reading their Daily Mail, they're having to fight them all the time. You can actually help Croft by going to their Introductory Days, as it proves that they're providing a service people want and new people are getting into. So do it for motorsport, even if you don't want to! Edited October 14, 2013 by SuperStu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
370Ad Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Looks like a great day out and I am glad you got back safe and sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4RE Leather Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Really enjoyed reading that. Don't worry guys, if I have a go I will let you know so you can all stay at home:) I would prob win 1st for the most spectaculay crash or go the wrong way round. But what a way to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will370z Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Nice write up and great pics. Looks like some nice motors there on the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydnH Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 I love the wall all the photo's show nice clean cars... apart from the Z which is filthy like it has been driven properly and not pansied around. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragon Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Glad you had a great time and learned a lot about your z thats what track days are for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 Really enjoyed reading that. Don't worry guys, if I have a go I will let you know so you can all stay at home:) I would prob win 1st for the most spectaculay crash or go the wrong way round. But what a way to go I felt like that Pete, but not sure if it was because it was a friendly Old Man's Jaaaag Club or if it's totally normal, but I never felt any pressure to hammer it. Except from myself. The controlled group release was good too, as it stopped me staying out too long and there were only ever 10 cars out, so easy to find a gap if you wanted some space. When I did get passed, he waited behind for a couple of corners, I moved over, no drama. My mate in the R32 was last out in his group for the initial 3 sighter laps. There was a nice old lady (70 if she was a day) in the XJS in front, because you shouldn't pass on the sighter laps, he got dropped off the pack by about 45 seconds! But it was just cool to see her out tracking 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Good write up and glad you enjoyed it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4RE Leather Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Got to go now then! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 Very nice pictures SuperStu and glad the track day went well for you. Always a worry first time on track and tbh even after doing a few of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted October 15, 2013 Author Share Posted October 15, 2013 Brace yourself for some more pic whoring now the professional shots have landed. Almost dry when we started. Mildly moist. I think it was only the MPSS (Dan), the front lip (Tarmac) and the diffuser (Redline) keeping me on track, and I owe it all to this place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 Look's much better in the pictures when wet as you get an idea that the car's actually moving. Very cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share Posted November 5, 2013 Some HQ shots of the other vehicles in action landed today. I think I'm getting all Jaaaaaaaag.... Best of all, the sight of a DB9 getting reeled in by a Zed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 ^^ some great car's on track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share Posted November 5, 2013 Yeah, it was cool to see even some classics getting put through their paces. Extremely friendly bunch too, I keep being surprised by the whole 'owners club' vibe, as a noob it can be a bit intimidating as everyone knows more than me, but no one gets too TO'd with my questions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Great write up and pics - thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
370Ad Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Great photos! Unfortunately they show the Z has an awful stance as standard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arran Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 You need spacers! Looks like you had a lot of fun though good pictures and some nice cars! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.