TrackScotland @ Knockhill 10/03/12 - report

[David]

Following the snowed off trackday in February, the rescheduled event was on Saturday. Being the the first 'proper' event of the year with half decent weather it was always going to be busy - and busy it was . But with the right frame of mind, and this was just a post winter shakedown for me, I enjoy it thoroughly. The R400 was going well and all the winter work seem to do what was expected of it.

With so many cars (and even more drivers) the marshals had their work cut out so there where a few red flags and one spectacular roll down Duffus which sadly injured a marshal when he was hit by a tyre - he is reported to be OK now .



Lot more pictures on the TS site here; http://trackscotland.co.uk/forums/viewforum.php?f=9

Anyway here's my first video:

Watch on YouTube

For those with work to do, the important time codes are

4:20 - Escort spin

6:40 Arms in

9:10 That oil was hot

Looking forward to the SIDC next weekend

David

[JohnStewart]

Great video as always David The new mounting position on the roll cage gives a great perspective.

Looks like there has been quite a bit of construction work over the winter. Can't work out what the straight line through the grass/gravel at the bottom of the hill after Duffus on the left hand side is for?

John

[mckeann]

Can't work out what the straight line through the grass/gravel at the bottom of the hill after Duffus on the left hand side is for?

John

Maybe to allow cars (or probably more specifically bikes) to run on and rejoin. The last couple of years of BSB races have seen some big crashes when people have pushed wide into turn one, and then had to bin it to avoid T-boning people as they slide back accross the track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiAvXBfT-1w

[David]

Great video as always David The new mounting position on the roll cage gives a great perspective.

Looks like there has been quite a bit of construction work over the winter. Can't work out what the straight line through the grass/gravel at the bottom of the hill after Duffus on the left hand side is for?

John

I heard a rumour that is all about reverse running . Some reverse gravel traps being made at Clarks - maybe a new line through duffus is needed too?

[mckeann]

David, love the data logger setup. What equipment do you have for that, and is it easy to overlay the data on the video when editing??

Also, you were brave at 9.10, i was pretty sure he had no idea you were there, but its always the risk on a busy trackday.

[David]

What equipment do you have for that, and is it easy to overlay the data on the video when editing??

It's a Racelogic Videobox Lite - all the graphics are added to the video before it is recorded. You make up a scene containing all the elements you want and then load that in to the Videobox. It also records a standard performance box data file for analysis.

[Andy G]

How was the driving overall David? Looked a bit ropey in sections? Some of the cars a touch "hot-hatch"?

Missing my R400 now

[scottishselise]

I thought it to be good from what I have seen. A couple rather slow at moving over but I guess you will get that on most...

2 cars rather damaged which I think is quite unusual...

SIDC better manners than trackscotland? I am sure they both aim for equally high standards.

[David]

How was the driving overall David? Looked a bit ropey in sections? Some of the cars a touch "hot-hatch"?

The Adam and Fee do a good job at getting the message across that it's not a hot hatch event, but it it would be fair to say there was a good mix which always makes those with the more expensive cars a little nervous. No problems myself but the the Minis had a good talking to after some mass overtaking on the right. Some novices there too who where probably out of their depth on such a busy track.

[TrackScotland]

my thoughts ( i wasnt able to attend this one! )

Too busy - we had approaching 60 cars booked on (not crazy for 4hr session) BUT i think the main issue was additional drivers! That meant certain cars were on track alot!!! We should have been charging £10 per additional driver but this was lost somewhere and didnt happen. Maybe we need to limit this in the future.

Some novices - yup... as mentioned there were a couple of 1st timers doing things first timers do. Staying in to the right too close to corners, too slow on the apexs etc. Everyone has to start somewhere.

A couple of incidents of dangerous driving by a group of minis. 3 or 4 minis were booked on through GrandPrix Adventures and caused some issues regarding driving too closely and undertaking into corners. They were all flagged in and given a warning. We'll ask KH marshals to pay A LOT more attention to race cars in the future. We understand they corner quicker than the average road going track car but they are also slower on the straights.... BUT they need to keep it within the rules or simply not get on! There were other mini cup cars there that behaved well so its a shame to generalise.

The crash - From what I can gather the guy in the Meastro lost it underbraking and went off to the right at the top of duffus. I must stress this guy has done a few events with us before... he isnt crazy, the car was a clean old Meastro, caged etc. This wasnt a scene from a hot hatch event

As David as mentioned - we have regulars with a wide variety of machinery. I dont want to impose limits on cars as having money is no gaurantee of common sense and decency.

[I-Mac]

4:20......oops!

[David]

Two more videos to complete the record of the day.

Session 2 and things had settled down. We hooked up to the back of the Nissan GTR and started to dip below the minute when traffic allowed.

Watch on YouTube

Session 3 - more of the same . . .

Watch on YouTube

[Scotty C]

Was Ape teaching again?

[mckeann]

Was Ape teaching again?

ho ho ho, blethering pish again Scotty, it never gets old