Our track project - including diary of a Sprint N00b... - Page 15

TinkerBell · 15-07-2008, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Takhisis

She should have a Boat Drinks sticker

What a GENIUS idea

vix · 16-07-2008, 18:24

Today we had a trackday at Snetterton, so a fairly early start got us to the circuit just after 8. We got ‘our’ garage, number 25 and set up camp for the day. Signed on, noise tested and briefed, and ready to go by 9. I decided to do the sighting laps to get a feel for the circuit again, not that it’s really necessary, there’s 4 corners, 2 straights and 2 chicanes but it also got me used to Humphrey again too.

It was a great warm and sunny day with no sign of rain, so we were looking forward to some good laps. Once the sighting laps were done, Phil got ready to drive, however just as we were about to set off, the track was red flagged and everyone came in. We didn’t think it would be very long so we joined the queue ready to go out when the track was re opened. It was quite a quiet track day with only about 30 cars altogether, and most of them were fairly experienced, so it was very pleasant being out on the track as you could get some good clear laps, and people were being courteous. My favourite car out there was this fab Beetle:

Phil put some stonking laps in and managed not to spin once. He was really throwing Humphrey around, making the tyres squeal and putting the back out, and I was so concerned I would *never* be able to go that fast!

So it was my turn once Humphrey had cooled down a little. My first few laps were rather sedate, but I felt more relaxed as there weren’t as many cars to move out of the way from. Phil started to give me some instruction on braking points, when to life and not to lift, and what sort of gears I should be doing corners in, which helped so much, my confidence was building loads. Too much in fact, as I took Seer corner a little too tight and fast and ended up spinning! Not quite a 360 but it was fun. Humphrey had stalled during the spin and there was a bit of a hairy moment trying to start him back up, but I was off the racing line so it wasn’t that stressful. After the spin we went back to the pits to check him over and have a rest.

A few more runs each and my confidence was building, as was Phils. I was even overtaking people and learning not to drop back so much behind a car that was slow on corners but fast on straights, so they’d let me go past.

Just before lunch, there was another red flag so we decided to grab an early sandwich and then have a break. In true vix style, I then fell asleep in the pit lane.

Not for long though as we were soon ready to go again

A fairly uneventful afternoon ensued, I was getting better at most of the track except from the first chicane, the Esses. Even when Phil was driving I was feeling he was taking it too fast, although we emerged from it unscathed. I just didn’t have the balls to hurtle down the Revett straight at 100 and then take two sharp corners. Phil was telling me when to lift and brake and change gear but I just couldn’t take it all in. I managed to get the entry in the corner right, once, then flapped and had a mad swervy tank slippery moment through the rest of the chicane, although for some bizarre reason managed to keep completely on the black stuff!

So soon it was nearly time to pack up, mainly due to the fact we were about to run out of fuel!!

We’d had a great day, and Phil commented that if I drive like I had today at the Sprints, I’d be much more competitive. Here’s hoping!

TinkerBell · 16-07-2008, 19:06

Woooo

Great stuff, bet you are chuffed

When is the next race? I forgot what you said when I was there

vix · 16-07-2008, 19:20

Next sprint is August 17th at Woodbridge, Suffolk.

Tak · 16-07-2008, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by vix

This fab Beetle:

!!!!!!!!*bounces*!!!!!!!!

They've only gone and cancelled Beach Buggin this year

*pouts*

Nutcase · 18-07-2008, 09:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by vix

Next sprint is August 17th at Woodbridge, Suffolk.

Hmm, that's not all that far... What's the specating like?

vix · 18-07-2008, 22:51

Not sure on visibility but the procedure is same as Cambs, name address etc as MOD property.

vix · 22-07-2008, 11:22

What a disastrous weekend.

Got in Sakura on Saturday morning to find the clutch pedal went right to the floor and can't engage any gears. Got a leak somewhere, although we had been feeling that the clutch was failing and Phil had planned to fix this next weekend in preparation for a sprint we were going to do at the Lotus test track. We are unable to do this sprint in Humphrey due to MSA regulations, basically you need a cage if your car is stripped out, or you need a proper dash, and carpets etc!

So, with plans to fix Sakura next weekend, we set off to Phil's parent's as his family was over. I was designated driver, so spent the night on J2O and water! I went back to his mums for a little sleep whilst he got drunk with his family. The plan was for me to drive back home with him when he was ready as we were going to Snetterton on the Sunday. Phil came and woke me up about 11:30 and we got ready to go home. There is a small doorstep on Phils mums front door, which I managed to miss in my tired state, and fell flat on the ground. I felt like I had put my right foot down a hole, and upon inspection saw my foot was facing the wrong way to my leg :/ Cue a drnken Phil having to lift me back into the house and call an ambulance!!!

So, to cut a long story short, I'm in the ambulance breathing lots of lovely gas and air and getting very giggly. When I get to the hospital, they have to sedate me to put my leg back into the right shape and then X ray to find I have broken both my ankle and my leg, and I need surgery in order to put pins and a plate in there! Phil left me at about 5am Sunday morning and I was scheduled for surgery at about 8.

I'm not a morning person, especially after lots of painkillers and no sleep so I really can't remember much about going into surgery. I remember a conversation with the doctor about his son driving MG's in the MG challenge, which probably relaxed me a little, but nothing much else. When I came out of surgery I was even worse. I couldn't see properly and didn't know where I was, but the hospital managed to call Phil who arrived as soon as he could, which was nice.

I spent the Sunday in hospital, and was told I could go home on the Monday once the doctors had seen me. This happened at about 5pm so I was lolling around in bed most of Monday feeling sorry for myself.

I have the cast on until next Monday, when I have to go back for an x ray to see if everything is ok, and then a new cast. (Its orange and matches a shoe I have so it's ok)

No one's really given me an idea of when I'll be able to drive again but it looks like I'm out of the championship this year. So roll on next year!!

Tak · 22-07-2008, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by vix

I was designated driver, so spent the night on J2O and water!

More dangerous being the designated driver :/ Glad you're home and hope you mend properly

TinkerBell · 22-07-2008, 11:50

That doesn't sound like fun at all, Booo

*Big Hugs*

16-07-2008, 18:24	#142
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	Today we had a trackday at Snetterton, so a fairly early start got us to the circuit just after 8. We got ‘our’ garage, number 25 and set up camp for the day. Signed on, noise tested and briefed, and ready to go by 9. I decided to do the sighting laps to get a feel for the circuit again, not that it’s really necessary, there’s 4 corners, 2 straights and 2 chicanes but it also got me used to Humphrey again too. It was a great warm and sunny day with no sign of rain, so we were looking forward to some good laps. Once the sighting laps were done, Phil got ready to drive, however just as we were about to set off, the track was red flagged and everyone came in. We didn’t think it would be very long so we joined the queue ready to go out when the track was re opened. It was quite a quiet track day with only about 30 cars altogether, and most of them were fairly experienced, so it was very pleasant being out on the track as you could get some good clear laps, and people were being courteous. My favourite car out there was this fab Beetle: Phil put some stonking laps in and managed not to spin once. He was really throwing Humphrey around, making the tyres squeal and putting the back out, and I was so concerned I would never be able to go that fast! So it was my turn once Humphrey had cooled down a little. My first few laps were rather sedate, but I felt more relaxed as there weren’t as many cars to move out of the way from. Phil started to give me some instruction on braking points, when to life and not to lift, and what sort of gears I should be doing corners in, which helped so much, my confidence was building loads. Too much in fact, as I took Seer corner a little too tight and fast and ended up spinning! Not quite a 360 but it was fun. Humphrey had stalled during the spin and there was a bit of a hairy moment trying to start him back up, but I was off the racing line so it wasn’t that stressful. After the spin we went back to the pits to check him over and have a rest. A few more runs each and my confidence was building, as was Phils. I was even overtaking people and learning not to drop back so much behind a car that was slow on corners but fast on straights, so they’d let me go past. Just before lunch, there was another red flag so we decided to grab an early sandwich and then have a break. In true vix style, I then fell asleep in the pit lane. Not for long though as we were soon ready to go again A fairly uneventful afternoon ensued, I was getting better at most of the track except from the first chicane, the Esses. Even when Phil was driving I was feeling he was taking it too fast, although we emerged from it unscathed. I just didn’t have the balls to hurtle down the Revett straight at 100 and then take two sharp corners. Phil was telling me when to lift and brake and change gear but I just couldn’t take it all in. I managed to get the entry in the corner right, once, then flapped and had a mad swervy tank slippery moment through the rest of the chicane, although for some bizarre reason managed to keep completely on the black stuff! So soon it was nearly time to pack up, mainly due to the fact we were about to run out of fuel!! We’d had a great day, and Phil commented that if I drive like I had today at the Sprints, I’d be much more competitive. Here’s hoping! __________________

16-07-2008, 19:06	#143
TinkerBell Dirty Spammer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the middle! Posts: 2,454	Woooo Great stuff, bet you are chuffed When is the next race? I forgot what you said when I was there __________________

16-07-2008, 19:20	#144
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	Next sprint is August 17th at Woodbridge, Suffolk. __________________

18-07-2008, 22:51	#147
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	Not sure on visibility but the procedure is same as Cambs, name address etc as MOD property. __________________

22-07-2008, 11:22	#148
vix Penelope Pitstop Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,426	What a disastrous weekend. Got in Sakura on Saturday morning to find the clutch pedal went right to the floor and can't engage any gears. Got a leak somewhere, although we had been feeling that the clutch was failing and Phil had planned to fix this next weekend in preparation for a sprint we were going to do at the Lotus test track. We are unable to do this sprint in Humphrey due to MSA regulations, basically you need a cage if your car is stripped out, or you need a proper dash, and carpets etc! So, with plans to fix Sakura next weekend, we set off to Phil's parent's as his family was over. I was designated driver, so spent the night on J2O and water! I went back to his mums for a little sleep whilst he got drunk with his family. The plan was for me to drive back home with him when he was ready as we were going to Snetterton on the Sunday. Phil came and woke me up about 11:30 and we got ready to go home. There is a small doorstep on Phils mums front door, which I managed to miss in my tired state, and fell flat on the ground. I felt like I had put my right foot down a hole, and upon inspection saw my foot was facing the wrong way to my leg :/ Cue a drnken Phil having to lift me back into the house and call an ambulance!!! So, to cut a long story short, I'm in the ambulance breathing lots of lovely gas and air and getting very giggly. When I get to the hospital, they have to sedate me to put my leg back into the right shape and then X ray to find I have broken both my ankle and my leg, and I need surgery in order to put pins and a plate in there! Phil left me at about 5am Sunday morning and I was scheduled for surgery at about 8. I'm not a morning person, especially after lots of painkillers and no sleep so I really can't remember much about going into surgery. I remember a conversation with the doctor about his son driving MG's in the MG challenge, which probably relaxed me a little, but nothing much else. When I came out of surgery I was even worse. I couldn't see properly and didn't know where I was, but the hospital managed to call Phil who arrived as soon as he could, which was nice. I spent the Sunday in hospital, and was told I could go home on the Monday once the doctors had seen me. This happened at about 5pm so I was lolling around in bed most of Monday feeling sorry for myself. I have the cast on until next Monday, when I have to go back for an x ray to see if everything is ok, and then a new cast. (Its orange and matches a shoe I have so it's ok) No one's really given me an idea of when I'll be able to drive again but it looks like I'm out of the championship this year. So roll on next year!! __________________

22-07-2008, 11:50	#150
TinkerBell Dirty Spammer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the middle! Posts: 2,454	That doesn't sound like fun at all, Booo Big Hugs __________________