Posh Track day - Time Attack Knockhill 10/6/12

[gambler]

As some of you may be aware, I am now in my 3rd year of competing in the Time Attack series.... Or the posh track days as some have called it. I can assure you that it is anything but a posh track day and the buzz of only 1 time attack session will make track days never the same again.

Regulations for the series have changed this year and you are no longer required to have a stamped control tyre from one manufacturer. Any MSA list 1b (road legal semi slick) can be used in the series now and you do not have to sign up for a whole series as you can do a OHW ( one hit wonder ) for around £350. It is a lot for a track day but a completely different experience.

Club classes are split by drive train, engine size... I think and into N/A and F/I. Whilst Club 4WD F/I is currently being dominated by a few 700hp evos and an 850 R35 GTR. Some local knowledge in a standard GTR could give them a run for their money....Andy G... Good advertising for Experience Limits.Or Phil in the new evo6? I am pretty sure that a well driven 211 could do pretty well in the RWD class... ScottyC or a Megane R26R in the FWD class... Mass. Or maybe we could let Tut out to dick the youngsters and give us a chance to see him in shoes! Or anyone else who wants to see how fast they really can go with an element of competition and a few thousand people to show off in front of. Admittedly, many of them will be wearing track suits

No roll cages or plumbed in fire extinguishers are required for Club Classes. All you will need is a helmet, gloves and race suit with a handheld fire extinguisher. No race licence is required for Club Class either, just a non race nat B (sprint) licence which only costs about £60

So, anyone who is just not finding track days are quite scratching the itch any more... Why don't you give it a shot. I am sure that you will love it.

If anyone does fancy it, feel free to send me a PM or just ask on here. I got started by reading BigD's write ups here... Possibly the most expensive decision i have ever made... it's been a blast though

A typical day in Time Attack

Watch on Vimeo

http://www.timeattack.co.uk

[philthy]

Definitely something I want to do in the evo, had this in mind from day 1 of my build. Wont be this year though as I have a hoooge list of things needing attention first, gives me time to get the sprint licence etc sorted and all niggles well and truely ironed out.

Will just enjoy your write ups for the time being!

[roadboy]

Seems bloody expensive compared to ordinary sprinting and indeed circuit racing.

How much track time do you actually get?

For comparison, the NSSCC round at Knockhill was £260 for 10 minutes qualifying and 2 x 15 minute + 1 Lap races.

I can see its a step up from track days as there is the competitive element added but the costs seem a bit extreme to me.

Dan

[philthy]

but is there any tasty birds handing out the trophies?

[lou_m]

I hope to go along to spectate. A friend said "its just qualifying without the race at the end".

[dirkpitt]

What sort of budget are we looking at gambler?

[Andy G]

haha!

Just about to put some pikee boots on the GTR, and moving house, so aint going to manage this as well. Might still come along for a laugh though, if not in house moving hell!

[BigD]

I got started by reading BigD's write ups here... Possibly the most expensive decision i have ever made... it's been a blast though

That's why I had to get out, quick.

Tis true that trackdays are just not the same anymore. Even got pulled up for cutting corners at Ledenon last year in the CTR, when I asked which one, he basically pointed them all out!! Some people ruin all the fun.

[gambler]

I think I may have quoted the price for a pro class OHW. Club class is more like £300 inc vat.

DTrack time is 15 mins warm up, 20 mins practice, 20 mins qualifying followed by a 15 min final.

but is there any tasty birds handing out the trophies?

Very true Phil and there are such large crowds that there is a really good atmosphere all day and more and more promo birds to perv at it also gives people a chance to sample what is very close to real racing with a lot less chance of having your pride and joy doorhandled

I'd recommend anyone to come and have a look. The pro cars are up to 1000hp and manages 51.5s laptimes on 888s. This year they are on slicks, should be ballistically quick. To give you an idea, last year they were leaving the hairpin about 40mph and hitting 140 by the start of the pit wall.

Budget wise - sky is the limit really. Should not cost much more in consumables than a track day. Bear in mind, you will be pushing a lot harder than a normal track day.

Andy - get yourself along and take a break from moving hell

BigD - good to see you are still cutting those corners. They have got a lot tighter on that in TA now and have started disqualifying lap times when we have 4 wheels off the circuit I was in a q is 12 people to see the Clark of the course at cadwell in 2010 after an over zealous marshall "told on us".

[dirkpitt]

hi gambler,

i popped along to see some of the SIDC guys, but was a bit late ...so stuck around, to watch the time attack lads.....spotted you out and almost losing it at the chicane , pushing hard i see....apart from the miggey's at butchers it was good to see the cars and drivers out there, even thou there was some heavy rain showers........it did get me thinking, i could do this then i looked at my bank balance

did like the red vx220 with kitty killing noise and licking flames

anyway, good luck tomorrow

[gambler]

You think that was pushing hard..... Just wait to you see me in action tomorrow !

Glad you enjoyed watching it. A lot of people were a bit tentative in the wet. Conditions could be pretty interesting tomorrow... I know the guys in the 900hp skylines are hoping for sunshine!

[dirkpitt]

ha good skills.....um one question who is the guy that drives the white BMW M1, im sure hes a time attack driver...anyway had a bit of fun shadowing him in the exige almost as good as a lotus run.....

[campbell]

but the costs seem a bit extreme to me.

My rough guess is the risk of damage is hugely less - albeit not eliminated altogether as you can still spade your own car

This is surely a big issue that puts many off racing.

[tut]

What time did you get there Scott? Looked around but could not see you, and was not able to stay to watch the afternoon sesh.

Good luck today, will be watching on the KH web cam.

tut

ps:- never thought to ask you to bring the helicopter along.

[tut]

Just asked KH to adjust the web cam so that it is pointing at the Hairpin again.

tut