VAD17

Not this Saturday, but definitely JDM in June! Already booked and added to the calendar [emoji6] Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Ok, finally managed to get a dry (and even sunny) track day with no snow at Brands Hatch. This was a novice sessioned day format with 5 sessions (2x 20mins + 3x15mins) and 2 "classroom" events during the day. It was also shared with novice bikes (in different groups through the day) I must admit I like the open pit lane format more, as even in a wet day we did 8 sessions altogether (although last couple were barely 10-12min long, but the rest were nearly all 20min each). Instructions were not particularly worth it considering my 1st instructor session got red flagged due to M3 spinning off Paddock Hill bend and instructor was late for 2nd one (not an issue with open pit lane format, but was annoying to miss 2-3 mins out of 15). Still helpful though considering the cones were set probably for different cars and I ended up braking later and turning in nearly whole car length later on some corners, it was also helpful to be guided during first couple laps as some racing lines for me/ GT86 were way inside the edge of the track. Had a decent variety of cars, from usual Clios (respect to them, one lapped me twice in 20min session ), Catterhams (both fast and very very slow), Porsches and even Ariel Atom. Unlike my Bedford day when I was pretty much slowest, here on occasion it was difficult to get through the crowd, particularly considering that track itself is very short. Credit to marshals they did their best flashing blue to slow cars, myself including, although I got stuck behind Cayman GTS who just did not want to let me pass on straights (and its not difficult in such a car) and I was not confident enough to get really close in corners to carry out enough speed on exist to overtake it - got me nearly 2 laps to finally manage overtaking him on the inside exit from the Graham Hill bend. Change in elevations was a whole new experience for me (after flat Bedford and Silly) and very enjoyable, particularly Paddock Hill - Druids - Graham Hill, although I was taking Druids way too slow considering I could not pick that much speed up towards Druids. I generally found 1st (into Paddock Hill) and last (Clearways-Clark combo) challenging and could not get my lines right and got fairly slow exits as a result. Only by the end of the day I managed to "get" exit from Clearways allowing me to go over 100mph on Brabham (you cant believe how annoying it was getting consistently to 98-99 before braking towards 1st corner). I was not timing myself, but Laptimer was showing 1:07-1:09 average lap, 1:10-1:12 when it was in traffic and my best one was 1:06:01. At least average lap times when I did sessions on my own were relatively consistent (within 2-3 seconds) even if I slowed down a bit to less faster cars pass. Managed to forget to switch Go Pro off after 2nd session, so not much video footage to play with, will see next weekend after Easter holidays. Overall, good track - I probably like Bedford and Silverstone more as after 15 laps it was genuinely mentally tiring to do more. I wish the track itself was longer, but GP days are so bloody expensive. I will do it again in August, but will try an evening - 1/2 day at work, then off to track. Its 2.5hrs of track time, so should be good for (say) 4 sessions. Although I can see Branch Hatch can become quite busy and potentially uncomfortable unless one confident enough to hold on the line against some mild bullying.

TD NA package - at Brands now, finally dry track day with no snow! Love it[emoji16]🖒 Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Probably right, not much lost... Will do a track day at Silly in the autumn then! It was fun last year, really enjoyed it, particularly towards the end of the day with fewer cars on track. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Right, hopefully now snow on Monday... off to Brands Hatch, then Bedford again and then Snetteron and that's probably it until the end of spring (apart from going on track @ Japfest, or not - anyway I have an option to). Considering I have credit from Opentrack from Silverstone to use, I will try couple evening track days over summer (Bedford and Brands are close so I can even go to work in the morning or try working from home for 1/2 day) and then Thuxton was on my "wish list" as well. Too much choice, want at least to try few more tracks and then see which ones I like more for a more regular outings. In the meantime had to update insurance with Morris - replace 2 cancelled track days (Brands & Silverstone), book couple more days and also change dates/ TDOs due to credit from Opentrack. Surprisingly smooth and easy (Justin Everitt from Morris even gave me his personal number while on holidays so I can call him and tell than I want to policies rolled into one, and its nice to be able to deal with the same (real!) person I got my first track day insurance from). And at the end I got my average track day insurance price to below £50 per day! May need to do few more days to see if I can get it even cheaper . I have reduced max to £20k as suggested through so this would have helped as well. But overall its the average track day price getting a bit more reasonable now...

Thanks. Would love to. But I am off to Brands next Monday and then Snetterton on Tuesday April 17th. Need to aim for a weekend date now. Will do April 14th at Bedford as I owe a day to a frend of mine either at Silverstone or Bedford. Hopefully should be no snow in April[emoji23]. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Silverstone GP track day got cancelled today due to snow - that's 2nd day out of 3 so far this year. What's doing on? I have not seen much snow in nearly 20 yrs I've been here and now exactly on days I was planning to go on track...

Interesting exchange of opinions. I went for GT86 because I value handling more than raw power and 200hp is imo plenty for a daily and weekend enjoyment without showing off. Torque dip is easy to fix with manifold and retune. If I would be doing more or mainly motorway driving I probably would want a different car (although I found GT86 better on motorways than I thought it would be). But I must admit on track (even with my limited experience and probably to compensate for the lack of ability) I wish I had more. Although mainly on straights and coming from the corners where I managed to get the line and throtle balance right (doesn't happen consistently enough yet unfortunately). Would be great to try both NA and FI back to back on road and track. I know I d be asking myself whether I want one or just change the FD on my auto... Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

This is an interesting topic, let me chip in... Both Mark @ Abbey and Mike @ TD were highly recommended by members when we discussed during few social events I attended. I also spoke to both of them and felt confident either of them will do good job, particularly considering I was after fairly "standard" mods. TD was much further distance wise but this issue was sorted by one of my work colleagues volunteering (well, me being his boss probably helped) to take the car up to TD during one of his regular trips to see his parents. And I know I would end up venturing up north occasionally. So, distance was a big factor but not the deciding one for me at the end Price wise there is a difference in TD favor. But the main 2 factors that for me tipped the balance were: 1) I wanted several things done at the same time (NA tune, manifold, BBK, coilovers, alignment) and Mike's offer to deal with all this as a "package" was very tempting particularly considering I had a nearly fixed "mods budget" (ended up going over it - but all Lucas@Partbox fault for offering Rays at price I could not let pass). Mike was very patient answering my basic and often dumb questions (including follow-ups) and was very frank when we discussed value vs amount spent (for example TD had a great offer on BC coilovers, but I wanted Teins, ended up sacrificing rear discs upgrade but going for Teins Flex As). I know I would want to do more and will be going through few options with Mike over the coming months. 2) I also wanted simple and proven "pass" to upgrade to FI later on and here again, TD offered simple and cost effective solution. TD also offers a range of options here, even for a "standard" turbo upgrade, so I would definitely need to go up to Warrington before finally making up my mind. Then, when it comes to servicing and routine work, I would prefer a specialist shop vs dealership and would have no hesitation either using TD or Abbey. This is just my personal opinion.

All right then - on the list for August [emoji6]. Will look at hotels closer to the date. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

10mins - lucky you. You can do an evening session or two I am waiting for MSV to release track days for 2nd half of 2018. May do Wednesday, August 29th with Javelin if don't manage to find suitable day in April or May.

Hi Kas, Last time at Bedford i just booked normal track day and 2 instructor sessions (when you go into booking site gives you options to prebook extra driver, tuition, helmet). And then on the day we got an extra session for a friend so he got 2 as well. I found 2 sessions work well for me: 1st I took it easy by myself to remind of circuit, then with instructor, then again myself, and then another session with instructor in the afternoon. It was £25 per session which I find a very reasonable value (particularly for the risk these guys have with novice drivers on track). If possible try to get same instructor, at least he/ she may be a bit more familiar and I found second session much more useful as we went for later braking and different lines on some corners. I think it would be good to have a familiar instructor to use regularly (even if its just 1-2 sessions) to get some honest feedback and see what works an does not. But also for say 3 people (or possibly 2) getting instructor for whole day to share would be quite useful i think. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Yes, MPS4 - although ended up going through the grass on a rainy day in Feb at Bedford - good run off though [emoji23] (to be fair others were pulled out of gravel pit). There are quite a few tracks I want to try this year and both Donington and Snetterton are at the top of my list. Both would probably require on overnight stay but I recon i can leave in the evening (or after work) get some sleep and then drive back after 5pm. Definitely will be looking for options in August, if lucky may be April or May as well. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Thank you for the feedback May take a gamble with the weather as its summertime. Its a bit more expensive than Brands Indy, Bedford, Thruxton or Castle Combe, but can try once and see how I like it. I find there are quite a few tracks I want to try and decided I can probably manage up to 2.5 hrs drive each way [emoji5], although leaving home at 5 or 5:30 am means I manage to miss most of early morning traffic on M25, so Bedford and Silverstone were both just over 1 1/2 hrs which is not too bad. Just need to pick few dates with others going, would be keen to see other gt86 on track and ask for a few hot laps to get some tips🖒. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Hello again, can I ask for more advice on tracks suitable for a relative novice. Whats you experience with Rockingham? Bookatrack has a Sunday track day in August when my entire family is out of the country - perfect for me to enjoy few track days in a single week[emoji16]. But I watched Scott on Driver61 and the concrete wall looks a little less appealing than grasslands of Bedford or astroturf of Silverstone. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Please, different Sunday not bank holiday

I might be interested in edfc at right price in such case. Do you also have gps with it? Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

I have Ksports bbk fronts (with Yellowstuff pads) and stock rears (also with Yellowstuff pads). They look good and I can brake harder and later on track. Could also go for 20mins with no change in pedal feel and no smoking smell (although It was wet, so not like for like comparison ). No sqeel after initial couple days either. They would be perfectly fine for fast road imo, reasonably priced as well. I might go for different pads next time, but so far Yellowstuff seem good. Rears disks though look tiny comparing to fronts... and rear bbk rather expensive for extra benefit you get vs fronts and better pads. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Thanks for your thoughts guys[emoji16]. Less is more indeed... 2017 spoiler kinda look a bit dull vs the rest of paint. But may just book another track day instead[emoji6]. Will see what people have at Japfest, should be a decent turnout🖒. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Looking for some ideas/ suggestions for cosmetic mods for my 2017 auto GT86. So far I have rear and side windows tinted. Thinking about: Outside - carbon wrap spoiler (and may be side fenders and mirrors); - not sure about decals, probably would want to keep dark/ grey tone as much as possible; - got Rays centercaps but cant decide whether to fit them or keep wheels as they are. I am fine with the lights as they are, would rather spend equivalent amount on performance mods. Same about side skirts, although I do like the look of them, particularly carbon ones. Inside: - would like mats with some red colour (to match seats), but with gt86 logo. Could not find any on ebay or Amazon. - may be auto gear knob. Something like Sparco but for auto. - was looking at paddle shifters extenders but decided to keep them as they are. Would appreciate any thoughts and suggestions (and photos) Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk