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The Knockhill Thread.



Will be the last time I go up on a SLS day.. Not worth it for the hot hatch guys.

Wasn't impressed with the SLS thing itself but seemed to attach the crowd. Only done three sessions and went home. Plus the groups weren't great either, everyone just randomly put in mixed groups...you've Got the hardcore fast evos mixed in with cars less than 150bhp... Should have atleast had a fast group and slow. Was only two groups after all.


Weather was good and car went well so I'm no moaning :tongueclosed::up:
 
You should feed that back to the track. Seems a waste of a day for you and they should hear about it.

I might do that, just felt like the hot hatch guys where forgot about and it was just to make a bit more money and fill the gaps while SLS was centre stage. They had the drift guys out at lunch which is normal and then again about 3pm.

Was told 5 session originally then told it was 4x 20min session but in the end it was 4x 15min session and they where like 1hr 30m apart
 
Couple of videos if interested.



Good race with a corsa redtop in that one.




Bit of dirty driving from the bmw compact in that one. Kept overtaking on the right going into corners, guy thinks it's a proper race. Could have overtook him aswell they ain't the quickest.
 
  172
Guys is it worth going on a hot hatch trackday as a first track experience? Im looking at going on one at the end of august.
Cheers
 
  Cup In bits
Cally I'm not trying to preach but if you go a gear higher on Duffis and Mcintyres and take a later entry on every corner, you'll cut your understeer in half and have a more balanced car through the first 1/3rd of the lap.

Did the BMW get any warnings, I have been out with 2 total nibs in those things, braking on apex's and everything.
 

sburrell93

Scotland - South
ClioSport Area Rep
Guys is it worth going on a hot hatch trackday as a first track experience? Im looking at going on one at the end of august.
Cheers
I'd advise going for an open pit session for your first track experience. My first was a 2 hour evening session at the start of last month. Managed 4 stints in the 2 hours, probably around an hours track time total. At 70 quid it does seem expensive but when you compare the time on track it's not really. With hot hatch days you're bound by the group you're in, and will always be out with X amount of other drivers. With an open pit you can come and go as you please.

Don't overdo it though. It's VERY easy to get carried away and stay out a bit too long with an open pit. If you feel the brakes or tyres going off, bring it in or at least do a couple of slow laps. Last thing you want is to hit the end of the straight and find out you have no brakes. I stuck to about 10-15 minute sessions, but that was standard road spec pads and tyres, if you have uprated stuff you might manage a bit longer.
 

stumac

ClioSport Club Member
Don't overdo it though. It's VERY easy to get carried away and stay out a bit too long with an open pit. If you feel the brakes or tyres going off, bring it in or at least do a couple of slow laps. Last thing you want is to hit the end of the straight and find out you have no brakes. I stuck to about 10-15 minute sessions, but that was standard road spec pads and tyres, if you have uprated stuff you might manage a bit longer.
Exactly this, I did my first reverse day at Knockhill earler this month. Was taking it easy as had road tyres on but got carried away and stayed out a bit to long. Came to the end of the main straight, went to brake for the hairpin and foot went straight to the floor. Went straight through the gravel trap! DS2500 Pads had fallen to bits and the piston popped out of the cailiper losing fluid.
I was lucky that I managed to get the handbrake on even though it didn't do much though and that there were air bags against the tyrewalls so the car was relatively ok apart from some scratches.
Lesson learned the hardway :smile:
 
  Supercharged AG 200
I'd advise going for an open pit session for your first track experience. My first was a 2 hour evening session at the start of last month. Managed 4 stints in the 2 hours, probably around an hours track time total. At 70 quid it does seem expensive but when you compare the time on track it's not really. With hot hatch days you're bound by the group you're in, and will always be out with X amount of other drivers. With an open pit you can come and go as you please.

Don't overdo it though. It's VERY easy to get carried away and stay out a bit too long with an open pit. If you feel the brakes or tyres going off, bring it in or at least do a couple of slow laps. Last thing you want is to hit the end of the straight and find out you have no brakes. I stuck to about 10-15 minute sessions, but that was standard road spec pads and tyres, if you have uprated stuff you might manage a bit longer.

@bboy

I would with Stuart mate, sessions are fun, but get a little busy for your first outing and the west coast Clio group get very excitable ( but are a good group of guys ).......... I would recommend the open day like the one on Monday coming, or the open night like Stuart did. Monday is 170 if you pay in advance and you get 10 till 5 and no pressure like the busy adrenalin filled sessions bring. So plenty of time to learn the track and build up confidence and generally its quiet with a max of 50....., they will also split it into half day as well if it's very quiet so that works out about 110.

We're all up there most of the days so if you need help, tools or spares just give us a shout...

Craig
 
  Supercharged AG 200
Will be the last time I go up on a SLS day.. Not worth it for the hot hatch guys.

Wasn't impressed with the SLS thing itself but seemed to attach the crowd. Only done three sessions and went home. Plus the groups weren't great either, everyone just randomly put in mixed groups...you've Got the hardcore fast evos mixed in with cars less than 150bhp... Should have atleast had a fast group and slow. Was only two groups after all.


Weather was good and car went well so I'm no moaning :tongueclosed::up:


Have to agree with Cally, crap day, too busy, too long in between sessions, but at 35 quid ok value. There must have been a few complaints as they were running the same day this Sunday but have moved the SLS to Saturday and are running a full session day on Sunday..... It sounds like it will be mayhem as it's fully booked and they may be opening an extra session to cater for all on the reserve list...... But that could make it exciting!! I've booked into the Monday open session day as I'm at the bottom of the reserve list for Sunday but may nip up for a look on Sunday......
 
Cally I'm not trying to preach but if you go a gear higher on Duffis and Mcintyres and take a later entry on every corner, you'll cut your understeer in half and have a more balanced car through the first 1/3rd of the lap.

Did the BMW get any warnings, I have been out with 2 total nibs in those things, braking on apex's and everything.

Just seen this.. Preach away mate :smile: I like the feedback, I ain't the fastest round the track anyway so always improving

You saying take 4th down duffis and 3rd round mcintyres leading into the chicane?

I know I take the corners a bit early, I've got a thing about wanting to clip the curbs.

The BMW didn't get any warning as I am aware, but maybe they pulled him aside when he came in. Fair play if it was proper racing but it's a hot hatch day.
 
  Supercharged AG 200
Quite a Few Clio's up at Knockhill last night for the Track Scotland outing, Weather was a massive improvement over Monday but a lot more red flags meant quite a few delays on / off track! Some photos below (not the greatest i'm afraid!)
Just seen this.. Preach away mate :smile: I like the feedback, I ain't the fastest round the track anyway so always improving

You saying take 4th down duffis and 3rd round mcintyres leading into the chicane?

I know I take the corners a bit early, I've got a thing about wanting to clip the curbs.

The BMW didn't get any warning as I am aware, but maybe they pulled him aside when he came in. Fair play if it was proper racing but it's a hot hatch day.

Either 4th or 3rd into Duffus mate but that's as low as you need to go until you take second at the hairpin.....
 
  Supercharged AG 200
Quite a Few Clio's up at Knockhill last night for the Track Scotland outing, Weather was a massive improvement over Monday but a lot more red flags meant quite a few delays on / off track! Some photos below (not the greatest i'm afraid!)

Either 4th or 3rd into Duffus mate but that's as low as you need to go until you take second at the hairpin.....
Ignore the top part of that, phone has copied text from my earlier reply when I was adding photos from last night...... I'll post those later.....
 
  Ph2 172
I use 4th through duffus, less likely to get involuntary lift off oversteer is my thinking.

When are you lads there next? My car is ready to go now, haven't been since November last year I think, too long!
 
  Supercharged AG 200
I use 4th through duffus, less likely to get involuntary lift off oversteer is my thinking.

When are you lads there next? My car is ready to go now, haven't been since November last year I think, too long!
Ha ha, I love the lift off over steer! But as long as your back on the power its minimal. I think Fraser is up on Friday the 12th mate, I'm struggling for holidays so possibly won't make it, so it will be the next weekend slot for me! Will let you know in advance, will be good to see you I there.
 
Either 4th or 3rd into Duffus mate but that's as low as you need to go until you take second at the hairpin.....


Most people I've asked do 3rd down duffus and 2nd at mcintyres. Or they do 3rd all round the corners. (Not just clios mind you) will need to try 3rd at mcintyres but I don't think I'd like to go in 4th down duffus haha!
 
  Cup In bits
If you're on it in a Clio with standard ratios I find 3rd unbalances the car too much into duffus as your just about buzzing the limiter if you're entering at 80mph which causes oversteer and although 4th doesn't feel quicker it is, for me anyway. The minis change down to 3rd and nail it before the first apex... Different car, different approach.

If your going for 2nd at Mcintyres you have went in far too hot and are trying to get the back to come around or you're not going as quick as you could be. If you do Duffus 4th, Mcintyres 3rd and then hold onto that gear all the way around until the back straight.

EDIT: there's no exact way to do it but that's my way and I find it more balanced, I used to do 3rd then 2nd and had a lot more moments.
 
  Supercharged AG 200
Most people I've asked do 3rd down duffus and 2nd at mcintyres. Or they do 3rd all round the corners. (Not just clios mind you) will need to try 3rd at mcintyres but I don't think I'd like to go in 4th down duffus haha!
Morgans right, the higher gear and later turn in works all the way round the bottom half, you can carry more speed and the car still feels planted... I'm a little wary of 4th into duffus as well, not one I've tried as I like the control coming in, but will give it a bash again next outing. I was in Neil a's green cup on Monday and his new gearing is letting him pull fifth up the pit straight so I can see how 4th through duffus will help him as any gains made with his acceleration will be lost coming down 2 gears for the top of duffus.... With our gearing I can only squeeze 4th up the straight but might be able to shave some time by staying in it over third
 
Morgans right, the higher gear and later turn in works all the way round the bottom half, you can carry more speed and the car still feels planted... I'm a little wary of 4th into duffus as well, not one I've tried as I like the control coming in, but will give it a bash again next outing. I was in Neil a's green cup on Monday and his new gearing is letting him pull fifth up the pit straight so I can see how 4th through duffus will help him as any gains made with his acceleration will be lost coming down 2 gears for the top of duffus.... With our gearing I can only squeeze 4th up the straight but might be able to shave some time by staying in it over third

I'm taking 4th just after the pit entrance, used to be at the start finish line before I done my flywheel. Will need to try 4th down duffus. I would say Neil's green beast is a different class/spec now with his new box so hard to compare methods.
 
  A-Class AMG-Sport
I'm heading up for the day. Been a few months since I've done a track day, should be a good day for it too! I'll look out for you. I'll be in a '53 plate 172 cup.
 


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