Sprint comments and feedback thread - ALL

[Peaches]

Question for those super keen to have a go next year:

Would it help for us to open signon before the event? So in the same way time you buy your advance ticket, you also buy some track sessions?

That way you can fill in your sign on slip online and just present your MOT and license on the day to save time?

[useless inc]

Aug 18, 2009 21:24:04 GMT Adam said:

Aug 18, 2009 19:06:42 GMT useless inc said:

I finally saw the lift off over steer Pug 205's are supposed to be infamous for after the 205 in the first group cocked it's back wheel about a foot off the ground in the hair pin and spun. You had to respect the commitment of going into the hairpin at that speed.

;D The problem was actually that I wasn't going fast enough, so I didnt bother to brake I think.

Glad it was entertaining anyway

I've never seen a car cock a wheel like that before. It amazing how quickly it did come around when it started to go.

[andyf]

I would never dream of doing any kind of track racing normally in case I made a tit of myself, but having watched it now, I think the track and number of laps was just right, and the fun that everyone had has made me determined to have a go next year.

Running over two days has already been mentioned, but if other people think like I do, then you may well need it....

[DutyFreeSaviour]

cort16 said:

The 300Z was brilliant after it was bump started and flew around the track managing to combine dangerous and entertaining in equal proportions. I loved how it seem to be able to light up the tyres at seemingly any speed .

Glad we entertained - I'd forgotten to tighten the battery earth strap - DOH! Thanks to the 'pushers'
It really went like a scalded cat - which wasn't a surprise as the header tank seal was fubar'd and spit steam out constantly.
The engine was allowed to cool - fluids added - and it runs sweet as a nut still. It'll be back in smaller lighter clothing next year for sure ;D

A MASSIVE thanks again to all those involved in this - the other drivers were all mad as hatters but not overstepping the line in any way - to ensure plenty of gasps and laughter all round.

My GF has seen some of the action and thinks we're all mentally incompetent - but she'll be along to watch in person next year

To the top 5 - great great driving, nail biting to the last and almost as entertaining to watch as while I was out there.........
Diner truck guy - I bow before sheer lunatic brilliance - excellent.

I'll gladly pre-pay/book etc.... for next year - as already noted - I do think both days would be booked out. 1st day may be 'just' the RR crew - then more for the show-goers Sunday???

I'll let those who know what they're doing make the final decisions and I'll gladly tag along.

John

[surprisingskoda]

I'd really like to see a pre-pay facility - it would mean I wouldn't have to pay on a Sunday

[bstardchild]

Aug 19, 2009 9:59:38 GMT surprisingskoda said:

I'd really like to see a pre-pay facility - it would mean I wouldn't have to pay on a Sunday

First three sessions I signed up on Sat afternoon and evening - would that resolve your issues? ;D

[rob0r]

I much preferred paying on the Saturday, one less thing to worry about and prepare for on show day!

[kee]

i think paying on the day/day before as i did is better. as we know some people who wanted to take their car round didn't get their car to the show and this means more expense for nothing. i wouldn't prepay, i was having problems on saturday, which was an easy sort, but i was still unsure about going on the track.

[polly75]

from a signing in point of view it would be easier to sign on, produce documents, and pay at the same time, the logistics of having a list of prepaid to match to signature and documents mean a lot more hassle for the signing on people

I'd be happy to expand the early sign on that BC did the night before though.

the other possibility about laps would be make it £20 for 4 and do 2 laps then join the back of your batch wait and do 2 more get a sighting lap then a hot lap but not into the silly quick lap? (it would also stop us running out of £5 notes every 5 minutes ;D)

the briefing outside the track would require 1 printouts of the track as better explaining the lay out when you can see it and 2 you woul need an extra person to do this and 3 EVERYONE needed to be there on time which is not all that easy

keeping numbers, not sure how easy it would be to keep track on how many you had paid for I feel that the way it worked this time was spot on.

It was good fun running the sign on and you were all very patient with my brainlessness at times

[surprisingskoda]

Aug 19, 2009 10:46:41 GMT bstardchild said:

Aug 19, 2009 9:59:38 GMT surprisingskoda said:

I'd really like to see a pre-pay facility - it would mean I wouldn't have to pay on a Sunday

First three sessions I signed up on Sat afternoon and evening - would that resolve your issues? ;D

totally.
i didn't want to take around a fully loaded un-driftable estelle this time but i fully intend bringing something more raucous next year, and i wanna go!!

[jomfun]

Just from a spectator point of view, it looked to be run very well.

Only thing I thought should have been looked at before hand was the amount of gravel near the hairpin (where the escort nearly crunched itself). I know it was ok in the end but 2 mins spent getting that gravel swept away could have been the difference between someone wrecking their pride and joy or being able to stop when they got it wrong.

[lewist123]

From a spectators POV, the harpin bit with cars running up to the barrier looked like it could have gone really wrong if someone did something really silly.

Other than that it seamed to work really really well!

Lewis

[dollywobbler]

I must admit, that barrier at the hairpin really leapt out at you on the wider, final chicane, even in something feeble like a 2CV! Or was it just me?

Just added some extra excitement! ;D

[Oldbus]

Aug 18, 2009 10:49:32 GMT bstardchild said:

Sprint comments and feedback thread - ALL

I just want to get a bit of feedback from both people who went on track and the people who watched as if we do this thing again I’d like it to be better for all.

Event Format
I think the guys that got it wrong and did an extra lap probably struck the right balance between the sprint and the time attack you´d discussed.

The 10 cars per session seemed to work well, the on track staging area probably wouldn´t take any more either.

Less cars per session would mean that the session itself including briefing etc would probably be quicker but you´d have to do more sessions.

The break inbetween runs was about right and gave us time to cool down too


Track Layout
i thought the chicane on the back straight was a bit of a fun killer (until i drove it ;D) and considering the spectators were stood behind the Armco probably the best way of keeping speeds sensible at the hairpin, and definately worked for me! ;D



Preparation
The stickers were fine Ian, i think whatever´s best for you from an orgainising point of view is fine.

If you can pursuade Mr Haynes to let us diplay the lap times i think this will be a major improvement for the spectators and definately worth a bit more in track fees if necessary. We´d probably have to stop spectators viewing from behing the barrier at the hairpin methinks....


Prizes/Awards
How about we not take the awards too seriously? maybe one or two "class bests" but how about "most entertaining run" or "best drift"
" tried his best" or "slow but cool"...well you get what i mean ;D

Other Comments
I´d just like to thank you (BC & team) for all the hard work you put in. I´ve never been out on track before and definately broke my cherry and will be back for more.

I was talking to RMad before we got started and asked him if he was coming fo a play...he said no as it was catching...i now know what he meant and hold you & gtvsaviour personally responsible for the amount of time i´m be spending in the garage this winter building a track car

Thanks again mate for the highlight of the year ;D

[Team Blitz]

Aug 21, 2009 6:53:59 GMT Oldbus said:

How about we not take the awards too seriously? maybe one or two "class bests" but how about "most entertaining run" or "best drift"
" tried his best" or "slow but cool"...well you get what I mean ;D

Dave, I'll probably never even get to an RRG, but may I make input on this aspect? If tolerated, here's my flip POV on your comment.

If you're to have a speed contest of any sort, it's important to most guys toiling at the upper end of competitiveness to have times and awards based on times. This is what they hone themselves towards, and it's not a stain to seek to "win". Whether it's drag, autocross, rallycross, or drift, or whatever. That's in-grained in racers.

If the awards redound to campy "looks cool" or "most improved", they will almost certainly turn into a popularity contest, with favorite characters getting the notices. Really, if it is to be a speed contest, the sort that racers put the bit into their teeth to win, then you have to reward the unpopular, the unsexy, the unknown, the unostentatious, and just reward best times. Oh, sure, and ALSO do the fun awards as well. "Best paintjob, Best near-miss, Best falling apart", or whatever novelty prizes, which is surely a good idea you have there.

But don't discount the guys tuning to WIN. People (Most? Many? Some?) want to see that and reward that. You guys should give that serious thought before it is changed to simply a "fun run" instead of a competition. Your call. Just my pitiful .02 centavos.

Norm

[bstardchild]

Aug 21, 2009 14:55:51 GMT Team Blitz said:

But don't discount the guys tuning to WIN. People (Most? Many? Some?) want to see that and reward that. You guys should give that serious thought before it is changed to simply a "fun run" instead of a competition. Your call. Just my pitiful .02 centavos.

Norm

Thanks for your 2c input Norm - it is appreciated

[Carter]

Norm has a valid point, personaly I like the laid back way it was set up this year (and at Mallory in 07).. less pressure= less crashage. don't we enter into a realm of HSE, insurance, regulations, costs, and pain if the times etc are displayed? Be nice to get the results on the day though, with some sort of recognition for entering, and a bit extra for coming top in the class?.. or am I being too wishy-washy when I should be thinking "gun them engines, there is no second place!" ?

Apart from that, alls good in the hood.

[dollywobbler]

It's a fair point. While there were certainly those looking for a quick lap, a very large amount of us were just enjoying some freedom to give it the beans and have some fun. Getting more formal with the time could just make it much trickier to organise from a strictly legal point of view and could see more people overcooking it. Bent cars = less fun.

[bstardchild]

Aug 21, 2009 15:13:09 GMT Carter said:

Norm has a valid point, personaly I like the laid back way it was set up this year (and at Mallory in 07).. less pressure= less crashage. don't we enter into a realm of HSE, insurance, regulations, costs, and pain if the times etc are displayed? Be nice to get the results on the day though, with some sort of recognition for entering, and a bit extra for coming top in the class?.. or am I being too wishy-washy when I should be thinking "gun them engines, there is no second place!" ?

Apart from that, alls good in the hood.

I don't do Fun (ok I do but not when timings are concerned) - I was happy for all those people who had lots of it but I built my Monza to go quick round the corners and I was outclassed this year

I don't think the commodore will be ready for next year so I'm not looking forward to getting beat again

How the heck I can get rid of 200 kgs and gain another 50 bhp I'm not sure cos that's what I need to do