Christopher
ClioSport Club Member
Z4M
Great read! Really enjoyed that.
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M100CUP - RB 182 Sprint and Hillclimb Car
- Thread starter GrahamV182
- Start date
Rob Thomson
ClioSport Club Member
Clio 172 Cup
Bugger!
Yes, my thoughts exactly. After bending my car I promise not to call you a 'hooligan' any more.....
Thanks Mark...... Sadly I think the trusty old Thermos is a write-off......
I thought about trying to knock the dents out but there is a big kink in the inner metal sleeve and I think the seal is broken near the top. Reminds me of an old blonde joke -
A redhead, a brunette and a blonde were lunching together, discussing what they thought the worlds greatest invention was. the redhead says, "I think its the airplane, because it has made the world smaller and brought the international community closer together."
The brunette says, "Well, I think it's the telephone, because you can be connected to anywhere in the world in seconds, and it created the international community."
The blonde says, "I think it is the thermos flask."
The other two are confused, "Why?' they both asked.
"Well," says the blonde, "It keeps hot things hot, and cold things cold."
"So?" asks the other two.
"Well, how does it know?"' says the blonde.
The brunette says, "Well, I think it's the telephone, because you can be connected to anywhere in the world in seconds, and it created the international community."
The blonde says, "I think it is the thermos flask."
The other two are confused, "Why?' they both asked.
"Well," says the blonde, "It keeps hot things hot, and cold things cold."
"So?" asks the other two.
"Well, how does it know?"' says the blonde.
:smiley: Love a Blonde joke! More importantly, was there still tea in there? I thought that Thermos' had glass innards?
marc1330
ClioSport Club Member
Hill lover
Good result Graham, shame about the door but as said at least its not structual. One of our club hit the bale in his mini and gave the drivers side front wing a heavy knock.
I have only done Charmouth once and although was a fan of the area and the banter I couldn't get on with the course ( Too rough and to short for my liking).
Are you at Gurston on the 22nd 23rd July? Im entered ,just need a few tweaks to the mapping beforehand
I have only done Charmouth once and although was a fan of the area and the banter I couldn't get on with the course ( Too rough and to short for my liking).
Are you at Gurston on the 22nd 23rd July? Im entered ,just need a few tweaks to the mapping beforehand
Thanks .... yes it is short, narrow and a bit bumpy in places but it's on my doorstep and the lunch time catering is good
I hadn't planned to be at Gurston but I've entered the Clay Pigeon sprint on the 16th July and the Dick Mayo sprint at Castle Combe on the 29th. I think Gurston may clash with the Castle Hillclimbs in Cornwall which is another event I usually do ..... July is such a busy time in the competition calendar.
Two nice trophies from the weekend - but I'd swap them for a straight door ....
PS .... New door arrives today - just sat here waiting for the delivery.
Hoorah!!!
New driver's door fitted after hitting the straw bales at Manor Farm hillclimb -
The local bodyshop in Dorchester did the repairs for me and I think it worked out quite reasonable. My wife has had her Peugeot repaired there several times so I was confident they would do a good job at a reasonable price:
(PS - New flask from Amazon arrived last week as well)
New driver's door fitted after hitting the straw bales at Manor Farm hillclimb -
The local bodyshop in Dorchester did the repairs for me and I think it worked out quite reasonable. My wife has had her Peugeot repaired there several times so I was confident they would do a good job at a reasonable price:
- secondhand door off the well known auction site - £50 (correct type with no key hole);
- paint - £50
- Labour (spraying, swapping all the glass, trim, rubbers, electric windows, mirror, new soundproofing, etc) - £260
(PS - New flask from Amazon arrived last week as well)
imprezaworks
ClioSport Club Member
Mk5 Golf GTI :)
Was going to ask reference the flask.
Looks great.
Looks great.
Golf R
Lovely car that......... If you consider selling her please keep me in mind
Clay Pigeon Sprint - July 16th 2017
Another great day at Clay Pigeon - this time the event was organised by Torbay Motor Club. There is something about this small, friendly venue that I really like: its basically a kart circuit so as a motor racing circuit I don't think it will win any awards - but it is just great fun. Its very safe with speeds no more than about 60 mph in the Clio combined with a number of really sharp or hairpin bends to test your skills. Great fun and a great place to learn car control....
Practice was a bit of an eye opener. It allowed me to make a direct comparison between previous times set with Toyo R888R's and the current Extreme VR2's (R5 compound).
YouTube video of the run here -
I have to say that I do like the variety of cars you see in Hillclimbs and Sprints - from classics, shoppers and sports cars to out-and-out race machines. Photos of some of the single seaters below.
Van Diemen RF02 -
Another Van Diemen - an RF89-2 version
A real beast - a Ralt RS 33/34 SRD -
And of course lots of Minis, three wheeling their way around the circuit:
A very nice freshly rebuilt Mini - extremely well built by Stuart Lugger. Probably my favourite mini -
Overall a great day - the VR2s proved again they are my List 1B tyre of choice for the Clio. Also I met some old friends who I hadn't seen for a while and made some new friends as well.
PS M100CUP passed its MOT with no advisories - hoorah!
Another great day at Clay Pigeon - this time the event was organised by Torbay Motor Club. There is something about this small, friendly venue that I really like: its basically a kart circuit so as a motor racing circuit I don't think it will win any awards - but it is just great fun. Its very safe with speeds no more than about 60 mph in the Clio combined with a number of really sharp or hairpin bends to test your skills. Great fun and a great place to learn car control....
Practice was a bit of an eye opener. It allowed me to make a direct comparison between previous times set with Toyo R888R's and the current Extreme VR2's (R5 compound).
- My best ever time on Toyo R888Rs was 85.8 seconds;
- My first practice run on Extreme VR2s was 84.5 seconds.
YouTube video of the run here -
I have to say that I do like the variety of cars you see in Hillclimbs and Sprints - from classics, shoppers and sports cars to out-and-out race machines. Photos of some of the single seaters below.
Van Diemen RF02 -
Another Van Diemen - an RF89-2 version
A real beast - a Ralt RS 33/34 SRD -
And of course lots of Minis, three wheeling their way around the circuit:
A very nice freshly rebuilt Mini - extremely well built by Stuart Lugger. Probably my favourite mini -
Overall a great day - the VR2s proved again they are my List 1B tyre of choice for the Clio. Also I met some old friends who I hadn't seen for a while and made some new friends as well.
PS M100CUP passed its MOT with no advisories - hoorah!
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Rob Thomson
ClioSport Club Member
Clio 172 Cup
Well done Graham!
For what it's worth I reckon R888Rs are useless for sprints/hillclimbs. I'm as quick around Castle Combe on cold Michelin PS3s (sprinting) as my quickest lap on warm R888Rs (track day).
For what it's worth I reckon R888Rs are useless for sprints/hillclimbs. I'm as quick around Castle Combe on cold Michelin PS3s (sprinting) as my quickest lap on warm R888Rs (track day).
Castle Combe – the Dick Mayo Sprint (29th July 2017).
My first time at Castle Combe – its so big - its so wide! After the single track hillclimb circuits of Manor Farm and Wiscombe Park this was like driving on a 10 lane freeway.
It was really nice to see a good collection of Clio's competing at Castle Combe – a total of 9 Clio's: 4 in the roadgoing class, 4 in the Clio Cup class and 1 in the modified saloon class. I will try to get some photos of the Clio's in another post. Although it was overcast and felt a bit damp all day, the weather gods were smiling on us and the rain stayed away until we had all finished our timed competition runs. we were so lucky as it just heaved it down on the drive home to Dorset.
This was my first time at Castle Combe so I hadn’t really set any targets or expectations – I just wanted to get through the day without bending the car and to give me a chance to try a 'real' motor racing circuit. My first practice run was an eye opener: off the sprint 'start line' you go down the narrow pit exit onto the circuit and there it is …. a massive, great expanse of tarmac that seems so wide. Flat out from the start and the speed quickly rises – my speedo was showing over 100mph from the start line to just before 'avon rise' and well over 100 again on the appropriately named 'hammer down' section. It was really good to let the Clio loose on a real circuit.
A video from the morning practice runs:
Sadly my gopro battery ran out in the afternoon, so I dont have a video of my fastest time …..…. I left the camera switched on by mistake and had 2 hours of video showing the inside of the car.
The class was won by a very well driven Mountune Fiesta ST and I was pipped for second place by another Clio. Overall though ….. I was happy with third place on my first time at Castle Combe..... and no large dents in the car to explain to the wife
Some snaps from around the paddock -
Nice to see a Jaguar E-type being properly used. This is driven to and from events …. and was seen earlier that morning storming along the M4.
Nice 'plate' on a Sprite -
Jaguar SS100 competing in 'Road Going Production' class against a gaggle of EVOs and Porsche 911 Turbos. Great fun ....
The times from Class A3 (Road going production - 1800 cc to 2600 cc) -
Overall - a great day's fun. It was great to see some of my old friends from the Lotus 7 Club and it was also nice to chat to some of the spectators who had read about the car on Cliosport.net - the power of the internet.
I have a lot to learn about circuit driving: at some of the hillclimb venues you basically drive down the middle of a single track road. Here the 'lines' approaching, apexing and exiting are so much more important.
I have a track day booked at Castle Combe for Sat 19th Aug - Pete Goodman (who won the class in his Fiesta ST) has offered to come out with me and show me how Castle Combe should be driven
My first time at Castle Combe – its so big - its so wide! After the single track hillclimb circuits of Manor Farm and Wiscombe Park this was like driving on a 10 lane freeway.
It was really nice to see a good collection of Clio's competing at Castle Combe – a total of 9 Clio's: 4 in the roadgoing class, 4 in the Clio Cup class and 1 in the modified saloon class. I will try to get some photos of the Clio's in another post. Although it was overcast and felt a bit damp all day, the weather gods were smiling on us and the rain stayed away until we had all finished our timed competition runs. we were so lucky as it just heaved it down on the drive home to Dorset.
This was my first time at Castle Combe so I hadn’t really set any targets or expectations – I just wanted to get through the day without bending the car and to give me a chance to try a 'real' motor racing circuit. My first practice run was an eye opener: off the sprint 'start line' you go down the narrow pit exit onto the circuit and there it is …. a massive, great expanse of tarmac that seems so wide. Flat out from the start and the speed quickly rises – my speedo was showing over 100mph from the start line to just before 'avon rise' and well over 100 again on the appropriately named 'hammer down' section. It was really good to let the Clio loose on a real circuit.
A video from the morning practice runs:
Sadly my gopro battery ran out in the afternoon, so I dont have a video of my fastest time …..…. I left the camera switched on by mistake and had 2 hours of video showing the inside of the car.
The class was won by a very well driven Mountune Fiesta ST and I was pipped for second place by another Clio. Overall though ….. I was happy with third place on my first time at Castle Combe..... and no large dents in the car to explain to the wife
Some snaps from around the paddock -
Nice to see a Jaguar E-type being properly used. This is driven to and from events …. and was seen earlier that morning storming along the M4.
Nice 'plate' on a Sprite -
Jaguar SS100 competing in 'Road Going Production' class against a gaggle of EVOs and Porsche 911 Turbos. Great fun ....
The times from Class A3 (Road going production - 1800 cc to 2600 cc) -
Overall - a great day's fun. It was great to see some of my old friends from the Lotus 7 Club and it was also nice to chat to some of the spectators who had read about the car on Cliosport.net - the power of the internet.
I have a lot to learn about circuit driving: at some of the hillclimb venues you basically drive down the middle of a single track road. Here the 'lines' approaching, apexing and exiting are so much more important.
I have a track day booked at Castle Combe for Sat 19th Aug - Pete Goodman (who won the class in his Fiesta ST) has offered to come out with me and show me how Castle Combe should be driven
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Rob Thomson
ClioSport Club Member
Clio 172 Cup
I share your thoughts about Castle Combe - there's about a million different lines you could take, and it's hard to know which of those you should take!
I managed a 74.67 on my first timed run, but it rained for the second so only managed a 77. I think the Clio Cup was the only class affected, one quick shower onto a hot track so it dried quickly!
Here's the onboard from my quickest run...
... and a nice pic from a spectator...
I managed a 74.67 on my first timed run, but it rained for the second so only managed a 77. I think the Clio Cup was the only class affected, one quick shower onto a hot track so it dried quickly!
Here's the onboard from my quickest run...
... and a nice pic from a spectator...
Love the photo ....... you hooligan
Hyperhatch
ClioSport Club Member
182
Nice work guys. I'm interested in watching the footage as -
1) I need/want to compete in some variation of motorsport soon but still unsure which route to take with the clio and
2) I did a trackday at CC less than two weeks ago so was interested in comparative speed!
One thing I noticed is that they move the tyres back for competitions vs trackdays! I would have thought it would be the overway round?!
You
Me
Also I don't think I once went for second through the last chicane but I notice one of you did, I stayed in third. Would be interested to see he comparison back to back!
Anyway nice updates and nice to see the footage. Also good job the tyres were there as I'm not one for track limits at times
1) I need/want to compete in some variation of motorsport soon but still unsure which route to take with the clio and
2) I did a trackday at CC less than two weeks ago so was interested in comparative speed!
One thing I noticed is that they move the tyres back for competitions vs trackdays! I would have thought it would be the overway round?!
You
Me
Also I don't think I once went for second through the last chicane but I notice one of you did, I stayed in third. Would be interested to see he comparison back to back!
Anyway nice updates and nice to see the footage. Also good job the tyres were there as I'm not one for track limits at times
Hi - good questions: Let me explain the tyres .....
1) The track has to be set up consistently from year to year, so that where championship points are allocated compared to previous class records then you are comparing apples with apples. This means the tyres for this competition have to be in the same place from year to year;
2) The track is set up against MSA rules and regulations and the circuit rule for 'exceeding track limits' is applied by the marshals at each bend. Basically at the drivers briefing we were told if you put two wheels over the kerb and on to the astroturf at Castle Combe then you will be 'failed' and no time recorded for that run. In your photo you have exceeded track limits and the marshals covering that bend would radio in and say 'car number so-and-so failed for exceeding track limits'. So the tyres can be further back but go on the astroturf and you are buggered ....
If you are looking to try some form of motorsport then Speed Events covering hillclimbs and sprints is a safe, fun way to start. I really recommend it.
PS - yes, i'm in third for the second chicane .... I think I am on smaller wheels than Rob?
Rob Thomson
ClioSport Club Member
Clio 172 Cup
I've been doing hillclimbs and sprints for just over a year. I absolutely love them, hillclimbs more than sprints, but they're all great. You'll hear some people moaning about the lack of seat time (on Saturday we had four ~75sec runs) but for me that's one of the reasons it's so exciting. At a trackday you can build up pace slowly, get your eye-in for a few laps, but you can't at a speed event and that makes it really intense. It also means you never do the perfect run, which makes it addictive.
On that note, my "things to do differently next time" are...
1) An earlier apex at Quarry - I'm not using the full width of the track on the exit.
2) Try third gear at Bobbies. The second chicane is a little tighter than the first and with the strict track limit rules that puts it into borderline 2nd/3rd area. 2nd feels quicker to me, but it probably isn't - the two extra gear changes probably negate any benefit.
(I am running in the "Standard Car" class in my championship so it's on the standard 16" wheels (and standard everything else including normal tyres) but I'd be surprised if the gearing is massively different to Graham's 15" wheels and tyres).
On that note, my "things to do differently next time" are...
1) An earlier apex at Quarry - I'm not using the full width of the track on the exit.
2) Try third gear at Bobbies. The second chicane is a little tighter than the first and with the strict track limit rules that puts it into borderline 2nd/3rd area. 2nd feels quicker to me, but it probably isn't - the two extra gear changes probably negate any benefit.
(I am running in the "Standard Car" class in my championship so it's on the standard 16" wheels (and standard everything else including normal tyres) but I'd be surprised if the gearing is massively different to Graham's 15" wheels and tyres).
Hyperhatch
ClioSport Club Member
182
Interesting read, how do I find out more about the championship? Dates, rules etc.
I think I've put my car into a grey area were it runs a standard engine/gearbox but is modified in every other aspect (fibreglass panels, plastic windows etc).
Out of interest how much did your day at Castle Combe cost you?
Cheers Chris
I think I've put my car into a grey area were it runs a standard engine/gearbox but is modified in every other aspect (fibreglass panels, plastic windows etc).
Out of interest how much did your day at Castle Combe cost you?
Cheers Chris
Rob Thomson
ClioSport Club Member
Clio 172 Cup
There are loads of championships...
I'm doing the Welsh Sprint and Hillclimb Championship (http://www.wshc.wamc.org.uk/) which oddly includes venues like Wiscombe in Devon and MIRA in the Midlands as well as Castle Combe etc...
There's a Association of South-West Motor Clubs sprint championship (http://www.aswmc.org.uk/aswmc-championships/sprint/) and an equivalent for hillclimbing I think.
Lots of people seem to do the Hillclimb and Sprint Association championship (http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/hsaspeed.asp) which seems to be a bit more spread out geographically.
There are loads more.
In terms of regulations, the starting point is the MSA's Blue Book... (https://www.msauk.org/News-Publications/Publications/MSA-Yearbooks) but there are local variations. Most of the links above will have a section on the technical regs specific to that championship.
I'm doing the Welsh Sprint and Hillclimb Championship (http://www.wshc.wamc.org.uk/) which oddly includes venues like Wiscombe in Devon and MIRA in the Midlands as well as Castle Combe etc...
There's a Association of South-West Motor Clubs sprint championship (http://www.aswmc.org.uk/aswmc-championships/sprint/) and an equivalent for hillclimbing I think.
Lots of people seem to do the Hillclimb and Sprint Association championship (http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/hsaspeed.asp) which seems to be a bit more spread out geographically.
There are loads more.
In terms of regulations, the starting point is the MSA's Blue Book... (https://www.msauk.org/News-Publications/Publications/MSA-Yearbooks) but there are local variations. Most of the links above will have a section on the technical regs specific to that championship.
Rob Thomson
ClioSport Club Member
Clio 172 Cup
I think the Castle Combe sprint was £130. They're typically in the £70-£150 range.
Rob Thomson
ClioSport Club Member
Clio 172 Cup
Graham, hope you don't mind but I nicked your video from YouTube and put it together with mine for a split-screen jobbie. I thought it would be interesting...
Does it show we are both pretty good or both pretty rubbish?
shiftspark
ClioSport Club Member
R53 GR86
Very good comparison as you would have thought the top car would be quicker from the start than the standard car.
I have found my standard cup is as quick as my modified car from a few years ago.l think that a fully refreshed car brings great results for little outlay compared to modified.
Also the nature of sprints suits a softer sprung car as you can heat the tyres better although I would think that it also overheats them on circuits where the modified car would be quicker.
I have found my standard cup is as quick as my modified car from a few years ago.l think that a fully refreshed car brings great results for little outlay compared to modified.
Also the nature of sprints suits a softer sprung car as you can heat the tyres better although I would think that it also overheats them on circuits where the modified car would be quicker.
Rob Thomson
ClioSport Club Member
Clio 172 Cup
In hindsight this is an unfair comparison as I know the circuit better than Graham - maybe I'll do another with Wiscombe where Graham thrashed me!
It is interesting though, Graham's car is quick off the line (as you'd expect with a diff and sticky tyres) but otherwise there doesn't seem to be much difference in a straight line.
I agree that the Cup is a brilliant little car straight out of the box. Mine's completely standard with the exception of a retrimmed steering wheel and a s**t pattern exhaust, but it's competitive and it's fun. I like a softish car - I reckon a bit of feel helps with confidence at sprints and hillclimbs when you never really have time to work out where you're going.
It is interesting though, Graham's car is quick off the line (as you'd expect with a diff and sticky tyres) but otherwise there doesn't seem to be much difference in a straight line.
I agree that the Cup is a brilliant little car straight out of the box. Mine's completely standard with the exception of a retrimmed steering wheel and a s**t pattern exhaust, but it's competitive and it's fun. I like a softish car - I reckon a bit of feel helps with confidence at sprints and hillclimbs when you never really have time to work out where you're going.
Hi Rob .... I've just watched it and it is really interesting - it's not very often you can compare your driving with someone else's. I think there are a few places where we take different lines. I've certainly got a lot to learn about Castle Combe - almost every corner I think I could improve. That video was my second practice run .... so only the second time I've been around the circuit (that's my excuse anyway. ..lol).
Rob Thomson
ClioSport Club Member
Clio 172 Cup
Here's Wiscombe...
I'm surprised that my car seems a bit quicker to Bunny's Leap, but it's quickly beaten once into the twisties.
I love Wiscombe, can't wait until September.
I'm surprised that my car seems a bit quicker to Bunny's Leap, but it's quickly beaten once into the twisties.
I love Wiscombe, can't wait until September.
Brushwood69
ClioSport Club Member
Just a quick video of Graham and the rest of A3 (Minus me
) going into the corner known as Quarry. I took this to look at lines and braking points.Castle Hillclimb (Lostwithiel, Cornwall) 5th and 6th Aug 2017
I don't think this hill is that well suited to a little Clio - Castle Hillclimb is more of an out-an-out power climb with only 2 bends where handling really matters. Having said that its still one of my favourite venues and the whole weekend has a really good 'sociable' feel to it. I think a lot of credit should go to the organisers - Camel Vale Motor Club.
The drive down from Dorset to the depths of sunny Cornwall was very uneventful. There were some mega delays on the A30 and M5 going north but the south-west bound traffic was flowing freely. The weather was a bit mixed on Saturday with a few damp patches for the practice run but all dry for the competitive runs in the afternoon.
Video of a sunny run on Saturday afternoon:
(Notice how it bogs down when changing from 1st to 2nd on the steep uphill start - damn gearing)
Saturday night was a meeting of the 'Top of the Hill Club' at the Globe Hotel in Lostwithiel for our traditional meal out ..... with lashings of Merlot :wine:. I have to say I felt a little jaded on Sunday morning and one of our number didn't actually make the Sunday event :mask:
32.17 seconds was my best time over the weekend - just after lunch on the Sunday.
Results from both days:
A great weekend and a chance to have a good chat with @Brushwood69 and the other competitors. More importantly - I didn't bend the car.
Some snaps from around the paddock:
Some newlyweds dropped into the paddock for a photo opportunity - the groom tried on a Ralt RT33/34 single seater for size:
Bikes, bikes, bikes ....
This event is shared with the Camel Vale Motorcycle club. It is interesting to see how fast some of these 500 and 600 cc machines are in getting up the hill. Rather them than me....
Rally Cars:
Its always nice to see a selection of rally cars entered into hillclimb events. I have a soft spot for Mk1 Escorts - my era:
Harriet Parkin in her Rally Mini:
Overall - another great weekend in the Clio which performed faultlessly. This was my anniversary event for the Clio - one year of ownership and I'm still trying to get used to front wheel drive.
Castle Combe trackday next on Aug 19th - need some harder tyres.
I don't think this hill is that well suited to a little Clio - Castle Hillclimb is more of an out-an-out power climb with only 2 bends where handling really matters. Having said that its still one of my favourite venues and the whole weekend has a really good 'sociable' feel to it. I think a lot of credit should go to the organisers - Camel Vale Motor Club.
The drive down from Dorset to the depths of sunny Cornwall was very uneventful. There were some mega delays on the A30 and M5 going north but the south-west bound traffic was flowing freely. The weather was a bit mixed on Saturday with a few damp patches for the practice run but all dry for the competitive runs in the afternoon.
Video of a sunny run on Saturday afternoon:
(Notice how it bogs down when changing from 1st to 2nd on the steep uphill start - damn gearing)
Saturday night was a meeting of the 'Top of the Hill Club' at the Globe Hotel in Lostwithiel for our traditional meal out ..... with lashings of Merlot :wine:. I have to say I felt a little jaded on Sunday morning and one of our number didn't actually make the Sunday event :mask:
32.17 seconds was my best time over the weekend - just after lunch on the Sunday.
Results from both days:
A great weekend and a chance to have a good chat with @Brushwood69 and the other competitors. More importantly - I didn't bend the car.
Some snaps from around the paddock:
Some newlyweds dropped into the paddock for a photo opportunity - the groom tried on a Ralt RT33/34 single seater for size:
Bikes, bikes, bikes ....
This event is shared with the Camel Vale Motorcycle club. It is interesting to see how fast some of these 500 and 600 cc machines are in getting up the hill. Rather them than me....
Rally Cars:
Its always nice to see a selection of rally cars entered into hillclimb events. I have a soft spot for Mk1 Escorts - my era:
Harriet Parkin in her Rally Mini:
Overall - another great weekend in the Clio which performed faultlessly. This was my anniversary event for the Clio - one year of ownership and I'm still trying to get used to front wheel drive.
Castle Combe trackday next on Aug 19th - need some harder tyres.
Did a great job on Sunday, thanks for the help and support :up:
You're right though, it really is a power climb!
You're right though, it really is a power climb!
Castle Combe Track Day - 19th Aug
A track day is a bit or a rarity for me – I'm more of a short, sharp competition bloke but I wanted to learn more about the lines and braking points at Castle Combe. After the Dick Mayo Sprint a few weeks ago I decided I really needed more track time on this circuit and Bristol Pegasus Motor Club had hired the circuit for a day ….. so lets give it a go.
As soon as I arrived I bumped into a couple of fellow hill climbers from Wiscombe - nice to see some old mates there. The day started well with a 'full english' at the Tavern – just to add some ballast to my ever growing waist band. Then it was signing on, scrutineering / sound check and a very funny safety briefing. The briefing touched on the dangers of 'Quarry' bend – the statistic quoted was that 25% of UK track accidents happen at Quarry. I made a mental note to take it easy for the first few laps.
The format was unusual for track days (?) – it was in a number of allocated 'slots' with a maximum of 8 to 10 cars on the circuit at any one time. This meant there was a fair bit of queuing – but that provide plenty of chat time with the other drivers. In total, I had 5 x 15 minute slots so I was on track for well over an hour – this equated to one full tank of fuel plus 15 litres. I wasn't getting many miles to the gallon.
Learning points for me -
Snaps from around the paddock -
Cummins Railton – it was great following this around Castle Combe. It was incredibly quick in a straight line (over 100 mph on the straights - 600BHP, supercharged and turbocharged Cummins 6.7 litre diesel out of an American bus). But it was quite slow around the twiddly bits – as you would probably expect with such a large brute of a machine running on what looked like bus wheels.
A real credit to its builder - Terry Clarke. Read more about it here - https://autobritannia.net/2017/05/09/time-well-spent-the-cummins-railton/
Front, side and back views of the flying machine – with Jim Faulkner in the passenger seat acting as even more ballast (he had a 'full english' as well). Photos by Alan Lines.
Next event - Wiscombe Park hillclimb (5 Clubs)
A track day is a bit or a rarity for me – I'm more of a short, sharp competition bloke but I wanted to learn more about the lines and braking points at Castle Combe. After the Dick Mayo Sprint a few weeks ago I decided I really needed more track time on this circuit and Bristol Pegasus Motor Club had hired the circuit for a day ….. so lets give it a go.
As soon as I arrived I bumped into a couple of fellow hill climbers from Wiscombe - nice to see some old mates there. The day started well with a 'full english' at the Tavern – just to add some ballast to my ever growing waist band. Then it was signing on, scrutineering / sound check and a very funny safety briefing. The briefing touched on the dangers of 'Quarry' bend – the statistic quoted was that 25% of UK track accidents happen at Quarry. I made a mental note to take it easy for the first few laps.
The format was unusual for track days (?) – it was in a number of allocated 'slots' with a maximum of 8 to 10 cars on the circuit at any one time. This meant there was a fair bit of queuing – but that provide plenty of chat time with the other drivers. In total, I had 5 x 15 minute slots so I was on track for well over an hour – this equated to one full tank of fuel plus 15 litres. I wasn't getting many miles to the gallon
.Learning points for me -
- I swapped from Extreme VR2 'soft' compound to a 'medium' compound. The tyres were very warm after each session and the soft compound that I use for hill climbs would not have survived. Even with the mediums I had to swap fronts to rears at lunch time to avoid the fronts wearing too thin. Great levels of grip again from the VR2s - I really rate these tyres;
- Castle Combe is very fast – the speedo touched over 120 mph on each lap before braking hard for Avon Rise and Quarry;
- The circuit is also hard on brakes. I had ordered a new set of Wilwood / Mintex 1144 pads from Merlin Motorsport a couple of weeks ago for me to pick up whilst I was there for the track day. I though I had enough pad material to last the day - but no. I collected the new pads at lunch time and fitted them as soon as the brakes were cool enough. It was amazing how much they had worn down in just two track sessions;
- I gave a few passenger laps – its quite notable how having two people in the car affects performance and braking. As an example the top speed just before Avon Rise was reduced by about 10 mph;
- Quarry Bend: There seems to be two thoughts about tackling this bend – some say brake early just before Avon Rise and hug the left hand side of the track to give you a wide arc around Quarry – others say try to straight line Avon Rise, braking later and ending up on the right hand side of the track for Quarry. I tried both but couldn't see much difference in times?
Snaps from around the paddock -
Cummins Railton – it was great following this around Castle Combe. It was incredibly quick in a straight line (over 100 mph on the straights - 600BHP, supercharged and turbocharged Cummins 6.7 litre diesel out of an American bus). But it was quite slow around the twiddly bits – as you would probably expect with such a large brute of a machine running on what looked like bus wheels.
A real credit to its builder - Terry Clarke. Read more about it here - https://autobritannia.net/2017/05/09/time-well-spent-the-cummins-railton/
Front, side and back views of the flying machine – with Jim Faulkner in the passenger seat acting as even more ballast (he had a 'full english' as well). Photos by Alan Lines.
Next event - Wiscombe Park hillclimb (5 Clubs)
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massiveCoRbyn
ClioSport Club Member
Several
Love this thread. Good pictures and a lovely car. Nice to see it being used properly.
marc1330
ClioSport Club Member
Hill lover
Looking good Graham. I will be at 5 clubs spectating and there the following week competing at the MG car club event. Hopefully i will be a the pegasus sprint at combe in october as well if you are there.
Terry's place is a couple of miles down the road from me, some amazing stuff he turns out.
Terry's place is a couple of miles down the road from me, some amazing stuff he turns out.
Hi M .... yes, I hope I can get an entry for the Pegasus sprint in October.
Re Terry's work .... The quality of the hand made alloy panels on the Railton is superb. Photos don't do it justice - he is obviously a fantastic engineer who loves his work. I am now a big fan.
