Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22817 Location: UK

I just had a read of this - I've never taken any of my jalopies for a spirited run on a track day, has anyone here taken their beloved motorcar for a circuit blast? perhaps I need to buy something with a bit of poke one day, then give it a whirl???

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/classiccars/5214954/Dont-just-drive-it-drive-it-hard.html

RJ
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Brian M · Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 7:47 pm Post subject:

Not the type of track days in the article, where I am told things can get a bit out of hand with cars spinning off and having some quite serious accidents. Search U-tube for the Nurburgring to see some examples.

Over the years, I have organised classic car displays that included a few parade laps of circuits such as Snetterton, Lydden Hill, Brands Hatch, and the Ford Motor Company's private tracks at Boreham and Dunton.

The important thing is that these were all Parade Laps which mean they are lead by a pace car and overtaking is not allowed. This allows everyone to take part without special insurance, crash helmets etc, and that they can take passengers. (No passengers are allowed in the back seats of a two door saloon car).

Let me assure you that this is far from boring. The pace car will often get up to about 100mph and I ensure that the faster cars are at the front. By leaving a bit of a gap between you and the car in front you can really enjoy your classic at the limit in the bends.

On a wet morning at Snetterton I even had a driver spin off, fortunately without damage.

One of the most unusual was at the "hands-free" banking at Ford's design centre at Dunton. Put your car astride a blue line and at 56mph you go round a 180 bend with your hands off the steering wheel at about 60 degrees from the horizontal. There are no sideways g forces but you are pushed down into the seat of your car - a most strange sensation.

Just a couple of weeks ago I went round Silverstone in the company of some very fast machinery and was complemented afterwards by a Lamborghini driver at the Amazon's speed and handling.

All great fun and highly recommended.
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Nic Jarman · Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 8:22 pm Post subject:

I think Corlos Fandango in his caterham or skyline might get really cheesed off with me in my Morris 8.