A&Q about 350Z
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It is sad to think that there's so many budding track day stars on here, what with all the [ sweeping generalistion ] threads asking how to build a race winning car without knowing an apex from their ar5e.[ / sweeping generalistion ]
Hardly any interest shown doing the actual events. It's a shame.
These events need not be 'just' a track day.. turn up the afternoon before, have a few beers and a meal,stay locally.... it's a good crack.
Think that’s a bit harsh, everyone’s got to start somewhere. As for track days been a weekend occasion well it may be for some who have the time, for those who don’t have the time then it has to be a turn up and run but that doesn’t mean they have put less preparation in that the regulars.
A planned calendar may give people the time to plan and possibly for more of a weekend get together for all who are going to attend, sometimes you only get to find out about track days attended by some on here when they post up a “look what I did this weekend” thread. A bit more encouragement may improve numbers on track days, and less cliquey groups would help.
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That's why I said "It doesn't have to be" Daz , If you have time and have to travel 3hrs to a circuit like I do for Oulton for example it makes sense (if you have time~) to make a weekend of it.
And yes I do think people try to build a road legal race car before 'having a go' in a 'normal' car to learn the ropes and basics of track driving.
How many times do you see...
"I'm doing my first track day what suspension/brakes/slicks/ do I need?"
Myself as much as anyone try to help new people at the circuits,I spent a lot of time at the 'ring and always do giving out advice,going out in peoples cars showing them the circuit which at any UK track that I have been I will gladly do to any one 'new' to it.
All I would like is to get back to the kind of days where we would have 20 cars turn up at Donington and have a good crack.
If I've approached it in the wrong kind of way, I do apologise and I'll just stick to tracking with a couple of mates. (when I've got a car to use of course)
Sorry.
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Hmmm, I think there's good potential to string together a series of events - that's how I used to view it, and I'd do every one there was, larger VAG events + add on track days such as Donny.
We need the experienced people to add some infrastructure to it (that's a general appeal ) and that means people newer to track days can come along knowing there's plenty to look at, talk about, and info to glean.
We can get back to 15+ car entries, I'm sure. Different kettle of fish indeed, but remember how quiet the 'Ring thread was earlier in the year G?
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I think the only thing you can do is put dates up on a noticeboard with details and if people want to come along then they can - they know others will be there - I did this recently on Cupranet re. a cheap Oulton Park deal with Easytrack and already we have 5 people booked in for the same event, their may be more by the time it runs in 2 months time - by putting it up early enough it gives people chance to fit it in to busy schedules. Dont know what more we can do TBH - for cheap events like Blyton and Curby folks complain that its not interesting enough / too rough - and complain again that its too expensive to go to Brands....no way of winning on this one.
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I think the only thing you can do is put dates up on a noticeboard with details and if people want to come along then they can - they know others will be there -
I suppose that's the only way to do it Rob.
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Let's up the vibe a bit
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Personal thought on boosting numbers are…
Plenty of advance notice of track days, a list of people who have booked, a list of people who may book on the day, plenty of encouragement to track day virgins and encouraging the regulars to take newcomers out on the track could boost numbers.
Think it’s worth a try, It’d be nice to see a track full of VW’s
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It’d be nice to see a track full of VW’s
Time to throw add a poll maybe?
Who's interested etc?
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Have we got many possible dates and venues for next year? Croft needs to be a must do
Need to work out how many track days so I can start buying the tyres now
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Was the list any good on p3?
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now on page 1
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maybe jan o7 be the starting point, perhaps your local area host or appointed person do a bit of organising and pushing ,also a bit of hands on support and help within your region or area , ie help one another OUT, several guys down this end of the woods very close to getting ther motors on track and held up by minor probs ,
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Well for the time being i'll put my hand up for instructing anyone at a familier track, work and commiments aside of course. I work alternate sats. But i have a diesel car now so traveling isnt so shocking anymore !
Saying that though, i found cadwell quite easy to learn. Found a great breaking point in shells mk2 which made her have white knuckles through hall bends and drifting it through the gooseneck was highly amusing !
And i could fit the car up with a camera or two ....
Just a thought, might be of use ...
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Well for the time being i'll put my hand up for instructing anyone at a familier track, work and commiments aside of course. I work alternate sats. But i have a diesel car now so traveling isnt so shocking anymore !
Saying that though, i found cadwell quite easy to learn. Found a great breaking point in shells mk2 which made her have white knuckles through hall bends and drifting it through the gooseneck was highly amusing !
And i could fit the car up with a camera or two ....
Just a thought, might be of use ...
Or you could finish a car and show people round good idea about the camera, while my cars out of action I could do the same, bullet cam front and rear
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Likewise, happy to contribute time for peeps.
Be great to see people getting their nearly done track cars out next year.
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Nearly done, LOL !
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Getting my mk1 MOT'd tomorrow finally so finances/time permitting i should be able to make an effort to come to more days next year, going to do llandow again and possibly spe 23rd at Pembrey as they are all local to me, anything else is a proper drive and over nighter so quite difficult for me with running my own business .
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Im booked up for Oulton nov 3rd MK1 Golf.
Also next year id be up for afew dates i do at leased 10 a year.
Ray
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After the dismal attendance of the GTi track show do you think there’d be any chance of persuading then to have another go? Assuming there’s more interest and we do a little free advertising for them, possible outside show and shine as well? Anyone got a contact number for Pete Rosenthal (sp?)
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I think Pete's leaving that for now - haven't spoken direct, but that's what I understand.
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gti track show was good even though poorly attended. i emailed the organisers earlier in the year and they said they had no plans to do another one anytime soon. i think it easily has legs as a one day show format. it could easily carry a 2 day format if it was not just vw focused as it seemed to be. i am sure the pug, vauxhall etc track crowds would be interested as well.
on a seperate note i'll hopefully be making that april croft session. fingers crossed the car will be done for christmas.
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Early november? Donington? *******s! I'm meant to be saving money! (oh, and rebuilding the car )
hmm......
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I`d be up for a few but with having to travel so far would try to catch two in a week, our 2007 holiday - although I won`t tell the wife just yet
To encourage newcomers I`d be happy to lend out wheels and tyres - A032R`s / Formula R`s .... get them out on their road kit before trying these.
Q - do you have to run road legal tyres on track events now ?
Would appreciate some info on the tracks re. gear & FD ratio suitability:
- Mk1 16v 9A - Gemini gearset with 3.7 FD
- Mk2 16v 9A - standard 2Y box with 4.25 FD
Thanks
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Most events Andrew, you can run anything inc slicks as long as the track is dry.
I didn't use my mk2 at many tracks with the 3.9 FD but it felt great at Cadwell and Oulton.
I'd say you'd be using 5th gear a lot with the 4.25...
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Cheers Gary,
I`m hopeful of this `plan` working out, is heavily dependant on the work schedule of course but here goes ....