28th March (Saturday) , Knockhill, 9-1, SIDC

[~ ~ Cal ~ ~]

4 hours seemed to zip past indeed Kenny but I had some awesome fun considering it was my first time out in this car

Engine and brakes are superb but the standard suspension needs to go in the bin. I was all over the shop under hard acceleration post apex on occassion. Just does not feel planted enough despite the drop links & stiffer ARB. The brakes on the otherhand are 100% fade free ! Never had any dodgy moments with them.

The 5 speed box was giving me grief at the hairpin as 2nd was too high up the rev range meaning I had the snatch 3rd the minute I was in a straight line.

Got some pretty decent footage (going on Youtube just now)

Downer for me :- Pit Lane being closed means that the chances to exchange chat, battle tales and be more of a community dies a little...

Barely spoke to a sole all day with a few exceptions.
Thanks to those who came over & introduced themselves. My and my faither ( jshand123 on here) had a blast. He was going pretty canny given that he had only done some
50 miles in his yellow Caterham since buying it a week or so ago. He had a minor cold tyre moment @ Clarkes which i caught on camera but no harm was done. His brakes were pretty impressive and the grip
from the Avons when up to temp. is immense.

Mass - never realised that was you with the Gulf livery - sounds pretty sweet at full pelt.

It seems to be the case that there are more Lotii at these SIDC events now so it's thanks to yourselves that these days still run !

Footage to follow in due course.

Cheers
Cal

p.s note to self - get decent suspension set-up !

[~ ~ Cal ~ ~]

More pics of you guys in here http://www.motionimages.co.uk/gallery/K ... day?page=1

[campbell]

It seems to be the case that there are more Lotii at these SIDC events now so it's thanks to yourselves that these days still run !

<snip>

p.s note to self - get decent suspension set-up !

Cal,

There has been a "special relationship" between Scottish Elises and the SIDC since at least 1999, when a few (then quite rare) Elises crept into an otherwise Scooby-dominated KH trackday at Knockhill. I know John Stewart from work of old, and my best mate Cameron did a lot of work in the SIDC community on organising events and supporting the forum and shop IT for them etc for a number of years. As a result I was tagging along to SIDC meets in my then VX Tigra (!) while my Elise was but a twinkle in my eye.

In the "glory years" of the Scoobies (during which my gf, now wife, Lisa, ran a MY99 Turbo 5-door!), we attended many events and meets although sadly missed out on the full bhuna Tour d'Ecosse events which eventually became a victim of their own success.

However, on the road, a std Impreza Turbo and std Elise S1 were a fair match, evening out their differences between corners and straights with almost comical rubber-band stylee! And indeed on track, given the cooperation of the slightly quicker-in-a-straight-line Scoobs, std versions of the cars were also well-matched...although the cornering and braking ability of the Elise probably gives it the edge around KH.

John has always made the effort to keep as active as he can within this group, primarily to publicise the well-run and brilliant VFM SIDC trackdays at KH, and long may that continue. With ambassadors like Tut and other characters keen to keep the Jap-mobiles honest, it remains quite a partnership!

I wondered if the Impreza's slow demise into chav-wagon might dilute things but from what I can tell (and not least your own purchase!), the people's rally weapon is alive and well. I still would not rule out buying another Mk1 5-door as our kiddie barge, so long as I put some money aside for fuel , and further, Cameron's P1 always inspired me on the occasions he kindly let me drive it and I'd have one of those in future LIKE A SHOT, funds and garage space allowing.

Glad today was such a success, once again. Great stuff.

Campbell

PS - on your note to self...just get an Elise

[~ ~ Cal ~ ~]

The lure of RWD is very very strong and I fully agree with the chav element nature letting the Scooby image down by & large ( not a fan of my gold wheels but they are shod with Advan rubber and I got them for a song)

I'll play my part as a diplomat regardless ! Would have made a more comprehensive post but I am bushed after the early start and editing for 3 hours solid

Cheers folks

Cal

[campbell]

In many ways the "chav" thing is no big deal, those in the know understand what these anonymous and in some ways kooky Jap saloons / estates can actually do...particularly in standard, non Max Power format

[tut]

What a nice surprise to go through the rain on the way down with the hood on, only to get cloud and sun KH. However it screwed up my clever plan of putting the Stunners on for the rain, so after one session Ronnie put 48R's on the rear.

I had fitted new front pads three weeks ago, standard Lotus ones for the first time as they came in the calipers that I bought some time ago. They lasted two bloody hours, and even when I heard scraping from the front through my helmet, I could not believe it was metal on metal. Fortunately George had some Mintex with him so it did not end my day, but together with going for fuel I lost well over an hour track time. However that meant that I spent the rest of the time on track apart from coming in to change passengers, so still got plenty of laps in.

Clued up with Mads again in his Ferrari and we lapped together, he really is a great bloke, but unfortunately red flags twice cut us short.

Track etiquet, certainly for me, was exemplary, and even quick cars were moving over and making it easy. Probaby down to SIDC's reputation and Johns usual great organisation.

Had to have new front tyres fitted before I left, but the difference between the two was incredible. One was almost melted and near smooth, the other I bought home with me as still usable. Not good on the chequebook, but Ronnie must have done me a special deal at £395.

Took the backroads home through Edzell and the Cairn, but though it was sunny, I had not taken my heated Lotus jacket with me, and it started snowing after Old Meldrum, so was pretty cold when I got home. Almost had a bizarre accident just short of New Deer, as a farm trailer loaded with bales turned over in front of me on the bend and they came rolling down the hill at me across the whole width of the road. Pure luck, but there was a side road off to Knaven on the bend so I swung straight into it. Would have been like hitting a brick wall.

So a thoroughly enjoyable day and great to get back into the groove again. My back and the rest of the body held up well, but was tired by the time I got home, though 0400 to 1700 probably explained that.

tut

[Modena Scotland]

Cal, it was good to meet you and your Dad. Glad both of you've enjoyed the day.

Next time, I should be in my Caterham.

Camp, no problem in using the data box

[battle short]

sorry for the delay that was my car parked up the top meatball, will have to get out on a few runs introduce myself more andy

[~ ~ Cal ~ ~]

I am getting a tad confused here - Mass were you wearing the green puffer jacket or was that Mads (Gisselbaeck) ? ! I am assuming the former but not 100% sure as I am sure my Dad mentioned the Stradale at some point

Either way, thanks for making the effort to say hi. My perception used to be that you lot were somewhat elitist but my view is changing rapidly ( or could it simply be that I am falling into the Lotii age bracket )

I've drited from Honda Type R's to Scoobies & fear the Lotii itch getting under my skin

Battle Short - nice choice of chariot for the wife spec !

[Modena Scotland]

Cal, I am the Japanese guy wearing the green jacket driving the Gulf coloured Exige. You should get some pax laps in the Loti th next time

[~ ~ Cal ~ ~]

That's what I thought - my Dad threw me off the scent with a mention of the F CS ( is Mads German given his surname ?)

Assume the Exige is decatted ? Sounded barking mad @ full pelt - pax lap sound good. Been out in Kenny's before and it was mighty good fun

[tut]

Cal you wanker, would you call me Elitest?

Tried to find you and your dad, but due to my hold ups and no Pitlane, I missed you.

tut

[tut]

ps Cal, was talking to Mads after we finished. He is co-owner of http://www.ardmuirgroup.com, lives in Edinburgh, but comes up to Aberdeen weekly.

We have arranged to go out for a run together either in his 360 or his F40, which should be fun. Told him about the FOC run the other week, but he laughed and made certain comments.

tut

ps he raced in the Formula Palmer Audi Series.

[kenny]

Told him about the FOC run the other week, but he laughed and made certain comments

[battle short]

Cal it was nice to speak to your dad, the dirty car after his slight off at clarks drew us to him, turns out he lives around the corner and we recognised the car from blanefield. The previous owner was out with us last year on a few runs. andy ps wife now only lets me drive scooby at weekend it was the same with my05 STI