KH SIDC Today

[rossybee]

Mass, just out of curiosity, is the TC fitted more for peace of mind when driving in crap conditions such as heavy rain/ice/snow?

[kenny]

Great day, first half hour of open track was too busy mainly due to the plenty of horse power - no talent brigade. Without pointing elbows we know who they were.

Hope all who had some pax laps enjoyed them. Had some good laps with Lord Ed of Paine at that time successfully carrying out some synchronised drifting at the hairpin.

McApe eventually jumped in for experimental instruction, a wee bit later than planned due to his first pupil needing a hell of a lot more help, or words to that effect. It went well, I'll post more on the original thread, but suffice to say I enjoyed the advice.

Struggled a wee bit from then on with a spongy brake pedal, the fluid is a year old and in need of change. So I submit that as my official excuse for overshooting the hairpin on more than a few occasions. (Rossybee you weren't there but I upheld the flag of sideyways for you )

Managed to blag a place in Andy's Atom pax list, it was ok, I dont want one at all (half the lies I tell aint true.)

The last hour of track time was dead, so after my boiled brakes had cooled I made the most of the time left. Meant I was at the end of the queue for Ronnie at Wheelsaround to fit new tyres, passed the time by getting some banter with John Stewart and one of the Caterham lads (sorry didnt catch your name ) Think i was the last one out of the circuit by which time I was very cold, very hungry and need of beer, so Mckeaned it back to the weeg for curry and drink!

[kenny]

[Modena Scotland]

Hi Ross

I was hoping to see you at KH. I am looking to get a Caterham sometime this year.

I think Lotus provides the TC for better on road safety. It works ok on the public road but I reckon the car drives much better without it on track. As you know, trouble with TC is you lose the momentum when you don't want to. The Exige CR is so well balanced, IMHO once you get used to the way it handles, it drives better without the TC.

Having said this, I am sure theTC helps in icy or very wet condition.

[rossybee]

(Rossybee you weren't there but I upheld the flag of sideyways for you )

Good effort!

Mass, I'll be there on May 17th (next SIDC) and hopefully next month's Alfa tracknight (date tbc) - see you then

[GregR]

Now Kenny... its rude not to show the whole series of shots...

[Jinty]

Had another great day at Knockhill !

Nice to meet some more people.

Thanks for the pax laps guys, somehow I never managed my usual pax with Tut ! AndyG the atom looks great - really wanted a pax but wasn't really wrapped up enough for a day a Knockhill.

I really do need to get my car on track soon..


Jinty

[Andy G]

have to say i think that was one of the most entertaining KH days I've had!

No suprises to note I didn't get out once on my own

Absolutely loving the Atom, its SO much fun, and great to be learning the traits of a new car all over again. It certainly has given KH some new longevity!

Thought the driving standards were pretty spot on all day. Breathed in a lot of fumes, but people were awesome at moving over when the atom hoved in to sight! Only slight moment was when the Integrale drove through a redto join the track with me approaching on the straight, but shot by him , no issues there

Funniest off was probably outbreaking mysefl on the run in to the hairpin, with Claire in the pax. There's an awesome pic which i think Greg has posted in the gallery off us leaving the gravel

Tut was in vintage form and as funny as ever, leaving the track on various occassions much to my/claires/ed's amusement! Not much between our cars up the knckhill straight, so slip streaming is the way forward! Theres also a classic pic of Tut and all you can see is the yellow of N3 and an explosion of gravel! Can't wait for Donnymate

Ape came out in the Atom and we had a good laugh. Really value his opinion on all things track, so was good to chat through the Atom with him (my concerns and observatins) and try different strategies for braking. Sounded like a lot of people got a lot out of Neils time today.

Gutted for Greg. From the happiest man in Scotland, to another SE retiral. Was clearly, post Ape coaching, having the best day yet at KH (and following him that was reflected in his driving and lines). Pleased you got back to the burgh ok matey.

Ed new 7, which is parked outside after some imprmptu Edinbeers, such was the post trackday and post noodle bar enthusiasm, looked awesome. What a great bit of kit, and judging from the smile on his face, he LOVES it. Suspect there could be a 2 PAine convoy on FF7 now! And thanks Ed for your final 5 litres of fuel to keep that thristy Atom going till the end.

Catriona and John, great effort today. First trackdays can be frought with nerves, but sounded like you both got a lot out of the day and judging by the post KH smiles and enthusiasm I think SE has aquired another couple of track tarts

Mass - your fuel consumption was hilarious, especially as it was all down the the fact the Club Racer was in continual use - 85 litres in one afternoon . Good to catch up mate.

Claire - hats off for taming N3 and joining the gravel club . She survived the old man flinging rocks at her, post over enthusiastic chicane exit, me going off in to the gravel, and a not hugely useful intruction lesson from a KH chap, not too mention the cold

Paul G - your 340R looks stunning in the Azure! Was gutted for you whenthe engine went Hope you get it sorted and back on track soon

Shooomer - good to see you back at KH. The GT3 was looking mint again! Hope you had a good evening.

Jinty - we'll get you out in the pax next time

BIg D in 7 shocker and partaking in a good chat about lightweight cars being fun without mega power

Noddle bar was good fun after, Edinbeers likewise. Ending slightly arly for the track weary amongst us

Whens the next one John?

Off to replace my rear 48's , after 1600 miles Almost RLC like wear

[Mike Scib]

Now Kenny... its rude not to show the whole series of shots...

[kenny]

Barstards!

Now if you could just resize that sequence to avatar size for me that would be great

[Cisco]

Some good video up on You Tube today....http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_2HkN45ndN8

"Golf GTI....part 1/2/3" ..nice one.

Take care,

Frank

[fd]

I think Lotus provides the TC for better on road safety. It works ok on the public road but I reckon the car drives much better without it on track. As you know, trouble with TC is you lose the momentum when you don't want to. The Exige CR is so well balanced, IMHO once you get used to the way it handles, it drives better without the TC.

Having said this, I am sure theTC helps in icy or very wet condition.

I didn't want to drive the car for too long so just put up with it, quite interesting trying to drive around it, but it's really quite difficult to . . . I got to the stage of really excessively flicking the front of the car in under braking (which the TC doesn't seem to be able to stop), the car would spin round to the 'correct' cornering angle, then, even going to full throttle, it would drift back to understeer . . . very safe but not quick . . . but on the public road, I'd never switch it off . . .

Also first time for me with a car with ABS on track . . . I usually calibrate my brain by locking the fronts into the hairpin to see how much grip there is, of course this wouldn't happen which left me wondering just how much grip there was . . . again I'm not convinced that, for me, that's optimal as I was always a little unsure about braking points . . . normally I would lock the wheels just very briefly every so often to feel how the tyres and brakes are holding up to abuse and tweak braking points appropriately . . . with ABS I couldn't really feel this . . .

Even with foot planted on the pedal . . . it doesn't stop as fast as a cateringvan by any means which had me wondering if we were going to have to do some tricks on the run in to the hairpin to avoid the gravel - but not that time

Fd

[BigD]

Great day, big respect to Ed for letting me pilot his new chariot. Much appreciated.

Was a great little car to drive and pretty easy to setup for the corners, I was initially a bit concerned that it may be a bit more difficult since I've been driving 4WD for a while now (and everyone says it's point and steer ). Found it very progressive and easy to catch when overdoing it slighty, (probably helped by the quickness of the steering rack). Had a huge slide at McIntyres and managed to just hold it. Just the one spin at the hairpin which is kinda customary.

Very similar to the way the Evo drives TBH with the ability to send the back out slightly before the bend to help get round it. The only difference being the Evo is actually more difficult to catch when it goes too far, slower rack and much more weight and hence momentum.

I still like my comforts though and a slightly more roomy cabin.

Welcome to take mne out Ed whenever you like.

Kenny, you'd think the amount of times you spin at the hairpin you might be able to catch one every now and then.

[Modena Scotland]

FD

When the ABS kicks in, you can feel the judder on the pedal. You could then ease off the brake very slightly to gain the grip again. Its something you get used to after a while. Performance wise, the brake will never be as good as lighter cars such as Caterham/Atom/Radical etc.

Still, its a fun car to drive!

[ChrisG]

Guys,

Great day. My day was all about getting to know my Elise. Having previously had a Caterham Superlight R it took a lot for me to get used to the Lotus rolling and moving! Plus, with it being new-ish I still had a healthy self/car preservation going on!

Andy, thanks for the passenger laps, very impressive does not come close to describing that car. Not too shabby driving either

Chris