First Track Day

[MikeB]

The first track day in my own car!

I've done Rockingham and Silverstone, but in Audi's own. Wow, what a blast on a great day at Castle Combe in Wiltshire!! It was billed as an Audi driver event, but others allowed from the VAG group.

My youngest daughter, Kate, and I met R8E down there, and many thanks to him for earlier briefing. There were 3 V10's down there (R8E, mine and A N Other) and a couple more V8's. We never met Maverick, but I guess he was the other V10???

After the obligatory briefing, I went out for the first session with just a couple of other cars to see what the track was about. No-one else to show me the lines, so just tried what I thought, and did another couple of sessions before engaging the local pro to enlighten me.

David was great and showed me a completely different line into one of the corners. I was ok with braking and speed into the corners, but probably too much thrashing the revs in the straights - I later found engaging a higher gear earlier on would really take me away from the opposition no problem! Not that we were racing, of course

But, out on my own after his advice, what a difference to my laps. I can't say I didn't let a Porsche GT3 past, sorry!, but I started to harass and blast past the others. Great feeling when that happens!

Kate was not allowed out on the track with me, too young at 14, but she thoroughly enjoyed the show on the high bank above the long straight. I have a feeling she enjoyed getting hooted at whenever I flew past. I remembered to do that but forgot to set the lap timer each and every time! She got out on a parade lap with me at lunch, at low speed, but was thrilled.

I took a mate of the marshals out on my last session, and he was truly gobsmacked by the car. I cannot honestly say that there was any issue with the handling of the car with the extra weight, even when David took it out, but I never got a chance to compare it with a V8 during a session. I'll try that the next time.

Loads of photos taken by others, compliments all round on the car. And a really friendly bunch of blokes, and the odd girl! Loads of classic Audis on show, and a few NSUs. An NSU TT, I think, had Kate and I in stitches as it slid, in slow motion, past the fast corner before the straight, and then major decibels as it went past us, again in slo-mo!

I was fairly shocked by the attritional rate on my tyres, and will have to invest in track tyres for the next event. R8E also suggested slightly over-inflating the tyres to stop wear on the outer edges. I didn't, but will try that. And the brakes! Pagids here I come!

Looking forward to doing Knockhill with a mate who picked up a GTR on Sunday and another who has a Porsche GT3. Perhaps not looking forward so much to engaging the latter!!

Photos later if I can.

[gazza1]

Sounds a great day Mike..feeling that V10 power must have been a blast.

Interesting comments on your tyres..did you find it on the front and rear.I always run mine at +4 on the track

I have a interesting track day coming up in 3 weeks.I will be taking my R8 with its mods of Stasis,Evoms,Hr Springs and Revo.It will also be interesting to see what effect my new front spoiler has on handling.

I am also taking my GT-R out the same day alternating between sessions.Should be a interesting comparison in all aspects with the same driver(me)in both cars.

I have also posted below a lap chart benchmark of the competition on the recent Auto Express test... for some reference.

[conm]

Gazza, which track and when....
Rgs Con

[gazza1]

Queensland Raceway..Nov 4th.

Please find attached link for both Q/R and Lakeside.

Sat/Wed afternoon Street sprint is the one for Q/L.
Sunday street sprint/Wed Midweek sprint for Lakeside.

Just turn up with a helmet,pay your money and off your go.

No scrutineering involved .Laps times are provided for your own car and all others after each session.

http://www.qldraceways.com.au/events/entry_forms.html

[conm]

Gazza, was hoping to come up but sadly I'll be in France and Italy from the 29th October for a few weeks.
Another time.....for sure

[MikeB]

Front passengers side was the worst with the edges well worn and tread badly scuffed up. What boots do you use?

[gazza1]

Gazza, was hoping to come up but sadly I'll be in France and Italy from the 29th October for a few weeks.
Another time.....for sure

Cheers..Would be great to have 2 R8's on the track one day.

Re France-have you ever driven the Route Napoleon? One of my favorite spots.

[gazza1]

Front passengers side was the worst with the edges well worn and tread badly scuffed up. What boots do you use?

OEM with 305's on the back.

No hero lap's from me.Just an legal environment to enjoy the car more.Probably push at 7-8/10ths

No scuffs and wear ok

[Davey_Dee]

Good to know you and your daughter enjoyed it Looking forward to pics if you can upload them

[London Lad]

....snip....

Just turn up with a helmet,pay your money and off your go.

No scrutineering involved .....snip...

I love that Aussie approach to life!