Donington opinion

General Meets + Track Day Reports
21

quote:I noticed that Russ was caught behind a New Aluminium car that refused to yield (it took a while for me to get past), causing another car to catch the pair of them. Russ was pretty nippy on the day, so should he have yielded to the car behind ?That may have been me, as in at least one session I caught Russ quite quickly because he was being held up by a silver Exige that wouldn’t budge (the same silver Exige I refer to in my earlier post maybe?). However, Russ and I know each other’s driving, and I didn’t expect Russ to move over. On a clear track, regardless of how fast Russ and I are able to go, we both like to circulate at a similar pace that doesn’t push the cars too hard. Accordingly, there was no reason for Russ to move over, and anyway it was obvious the car in front was holding him up. I do accept that this situation is a little different in that the two of us know each other�s driving. However, let’s face it, if someone is right behind you and you have clear track ahead, then the person behind is at least as fast as you, and probably faster, so IMO you should let them through.Maybe the easy answer is to flash the person in front if you consider that they are holding you up and if they have clear track ahead of them; at least that way there is no doubt. If they still won�t budge, then IMO they deserve a slap! If you go past them and can’t pull away, you can always let them back in front.One thing is for sure; overtaking seems to be the only slight blot on what was an otherwise all round great day. I therefore propose that we decide on a policy before the next event, whether it be flashing, main beam ( [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image] joke!), or something else, so that the next event will be totally wonderful! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

22

i can fully appreciate how frustrating it is to be held up in traffic. but in my opinion, a track day where you get held up (and obey the overtaking rules) is far better than one where you overtake without consent to find an exige planted in your drivers door :-oi’ve done a lot of track days, and i’d gladly take frustration over the feeling of “oh **** he’s turning in on me” any day…food for thought?JonnyBookaTrack.com

23

That seems like a good policy to me Tony as I two was in this situation on two occasions and it got hairy so to stay safe I backed right off 150-200M or so only to catch up yet again!! the 190’s were pulling away on the straight especially those with no passenger but then holding us up in the bends.I got the Exige for the bends guys! please be curtious and move over.No hard feelings though it was a great day lets just try make it even better.Bran [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image][This message has been edited by Brannan (edited 27 September 2001).][This message has been edited by Brannan (edited 27 September 2001).]

24

quote:a track day where you get held up (and obey the overtaking rules) is far better than one where you overtake without consent to find an exige planted in your drivers door :-oJonny, I agree 1000%, and you will note that despite our collective frustrations nobody (AFAIK) broke your overtaking rules. IMO the rules are fine; I have no issue with the rules whatsoever; in fact, I wouldn’t change them even if I could! I too have run track days, and like you always favour safety above all else; IMO there is no alternative. All I am proposing is that we decide on a policy, such as flashing, to “help” people observe your rules to the full! It could be that one way is for your folks could watch out for a bunch of cars circulating lap after lap with the same car at the front all the time?

25

I was in the Azure Elise and found myself in a sea of Exiges, had camera on for all sessions and got some good footage of you guys - and a whole session of Trevor in the rain, which was good fun. On the subject of overtaking I found mostly everyone to be very courtous to the humble Elise. I did have the frustration of being held up for an entire session behind one car - and I will name them cause it ruined that session for me, getting past in an Exige is hard enough, but when you are in a standard Elise, it’s nearly impossible. The car that refused to move over, even after 5 laps of flashing was ****GED. Either you did’nt look in your mirrors for 5 laps or thought that a standard Elise should not be allowed past, either way it caused problems and not just for me judging by the other threads here.Other than that - great day.jamesm

26

They all seem very gentlemanly.Bike tack days tend to be everyman for him/herself (you get some handy girls on bikes) and with some with a point to prove over taking can be ughhh "a little agresive"I appreciate bikes take up less room and speaking as someone who has only done one car track day years ago I am in favour of overtaking rules but I can see I am going to have to take the spike out of the inside of my helmet.

27

quote:Originally posted by jamesm:I was in the Azure Elise and found myself in a sea of Exiges, had camera on for all sessions and got some good footage of you guys - and a whole session of Trevor in the rain, which was good fun. On the subject of overtaking I found mostly everyone to be very courtous to the humble Elise. I did have the frustration of being held up for an entire session behind one car - and I will name them cause it ruined that session for me, getting past in an Exige is hard enough, but when you are in a standard Elise, it’s nearly impossible. The car that refused to move over, even after 5 laps of flashing was ****GED. Either you did’nt look in your mirrors for 5 laps or thought that a standard Elise should not be allowed past, either way it caused problems and not just for me judging by the other threads here.Other than that - great day.jamesmRe: VideoJamesm: Many thanks for the video received to-day.I was very impressed with your car control in wet conditions & look forward to a possible future ding dong.All the best Trevor

28

quote:Originally posted by jamesm:I was in the Azure Elise and found myself in a sea of Exiges, had camera on for all sessions and got some good footage of you guys - and a whole session of Trevor in the rain, which was good fun. On the subject of overtaking I found mostly everyone to be very courtous to the humble Elise. I did have the frustration of being held up for an entire session behind one car - and I will name them cause it ruined that session for me, getting past in an Exige is hard enough, but when you are in a standard Elise, it’s nearly impossible. The car that refused to move over, even after 5 laps of flashing was ****GED. Either you did’nt look in your mirrors for 5 laps or thought that a standard Elise should not be allowed past, either way it caused problems and not just for me judging by the other threads here.Other than that - great day.jamesmRe: VideoJamesm: Many thanks for the video received to-day.I was very impressed with your car control in wet conditions & look forward to a possible future ding dong.All the best Trevor

29

James, you said ****GED. If you meant *** GED, then you are talking about me. If so, please can you confirm, as I would like to reply.Many thanksRuss T

30

quote:Originally posted by jamesm:even after 5 laps of flashing was ****GED. Either you did’nt look in your mirrors for 5 laps or thought that a standard Elise should not be allowed past.jamesm[Shagy_Voice]It Wans’t Me [/Shagy_Voice]Despite my Username I was running in Y635 GKV.But Tony I do have some Video footage that could give you a clue.But altogether not a very productive public discussion. This sort of thing should be dealt with in private, enough said.

31

What was that I said about being tolerent and patient… Come on guys - give it up - it was a great day. No fighting please.

32

quote:Originally posted by 83man:What was that I said about being tolerent and patient… Come on guys - give it up - it was a great day. No fighting please.Well said 83man. Let’s not focus on the small niggles. It was top fun, and we should do it again right ?

33

For the avoidance of doubt, I’m not particularly interested in finding out who it was that I was referring to, only in making sure that our next track day doesn’t suffer with the same little niggle. It was a great day, and IMHO there is no point in detracting from that by dragging this issue through the mud. That is why I didn’t mention any names, even though I do think I know whom I was referring to. And yes, enough said. [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

34

TurboTechnics have checked my car and report that my car is running max 0.5 bar boost, as opposed to the 0.75-0.8 bar that it should have been. They’re onto it now.So it’ll be even faster when I get on the track next time (and get the brakes fixed)

35

Should also link this to the previous item on Wet Weather driving.How did you all find the wet weather handling of the Exige…I was quite pleasantly surprised, I have previously mentioned what I thought was a nasty characteristic of sudden loss of traction and then griping back, was more uncertainty on how to deal with it than anything else. The Melbourne hairpin in particular was a great spot to experiment, generally taken at 30-40Mph (well OK apart from 1 Spin there) I found that if you deliberately gave it to much out of the corner it was sure to break away, but knowing this you could also be prepared to learn something from it.What I found was that as long as you did not do anything sudden it would slew sideways and then come back on its own. After a few attempts I found if you anticipated it, just a bit of opposite lock and a little bit more throttle would hold the initial slide and let it come back without any risk of fishtailing having mastered this at 40mph I’m sure I’m ready to cope with the same situation into Cranners at 100 (not).But if we really want some advice I suppose we should ask Bruno for a detailed account of the handling on wet Grass, he was obviously conducting his own experiment on the finer points of coping with disorientation [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]

36

hey Roy, it was great meeting you. I can fully agree what you said about the wet handling. the faster you get though, the more gently and faster your reaction has to be. to tell you the truth, I really didn’t expect me Exige there to go at 100, so, I wasn’t prepared for it at all. on the grass, no handling at all, he-he…of course, it also didn’t help that I was on the slippery part of the track just having let passed by Keith. so, I suppose, I have to blaim Keith for me huge spin-off…only joking…

37

In standing water the handling was pretty hairy, especially as my fronts kept locking up at the slightest opportunity.However on our 4th session (I think) the ground was damp but not wet and the grip was surprisingly good. Far better than I’d imagined.

38

quote:I’m sure I’m ready to cope with the same situation into Cranners at 100 (not).Having got my car sideways round the left-hander at the bottom of the Craner Curves at IRO 100 MPH, I can report that the Exige is catchable at that speed! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

39

Sideways, pah! I got the 340R going backwards and recovered it! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/shocked.gif[/image] [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/shocked.gif[/image] [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/shocked.gif[/image]Here’s admin5 spitting flames:BTW I didn’t have any trouble being held up by anybody. In fact sometimes it seemed like I had the track to myself, you lot must all have been bunched up round the other side! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image] [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image] [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]More videos here:[This message has been edited by Jimbo (edited 29 September 2001).]

40

Nice shooting Jimbo! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image] That Exige behind you down the Craner Curves and fishtailing out of the (Melbourne?) Hairpin really looks orange, but as I was the only orange Exige on the track and as I didn’t go on the parade laps or fishtail out of the Melbourne Hairpin I can only assume that it must be yellow? Does the camera change the colours a little? IAC, nice to see! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image] Hope you got home OK with your exhaust.