[ajmat]

Don't know where to slot the topic in the forum so here goes. In consultation with the old man, I decided to hit this course - has two parts

Driver Survival
High Speed circuit

This was held in outside York on an airfield. McCLaren come here to caliberate the launch control systems. Lotus were testing cars on the other side.


We were met at the gate and the cars were escorted to the airfield to a cabin.

[img=http://img108.echo.cx/img108/3421/dsc013250pj.jpg]

We immediately got into the briefing. They talked a lot about cornering and balancing the cars. Driving the car is more about your feet that the steering !!! Talked about various characterisitics of mid, front and rear engine cars.

Myself and another guy with an MR2 were taken to an area for the survival course. Using a Focus with dud tyres we were demonstrated a slalom and hard 90 degree turns three times - alternating between the two of us (1-1 tution). It was then our turn . My problem was that I went too fast in and also acceleration into the curves - I spun the car a couple of time but managed to get going




You cannot tell much from the pics - should have brought the video -
To avoid getting familiar, we went in the reverse direction - that really got our skills internalised.

The limits and forces of a normal road car was the key takeway - Cars can do a lot in the right hands.

It was back to the cabin to fetch the Fiesta for the ABS demo. After a brieing on ABS and EBD. We first were demonstrated an emergency ABS stop from 120kmph. Awesome- the brakes really create a ruckus but they do the job.

Next scene - imagine that you are doing 100km/h, a truck pulls out 3 mts away and you brake and swrve and stop in line with the turck cabin - can't be done?

After a demo -I took the wheel. First try did not brake hard enough but swerved and did not stop. Second try, braked harder but went off at 45 degrees. On the fifth try, I mastered it but would have lost a mirror at the worst. Imagine this in my Vtec - I would be dead !









you can get an idea from the pics - as we had to stand away for safety sake , you might lose out on the details


After, that, it was back to the cabin and we were given the focus on the high speed circuit for a realsitic assessment. I came out okay except for aggression in attacking corners

Lionel - the instructor - is an ex rally driver who now does work for car manufacturers in demonstrating new cars and some R&D

After lunch, it was time to join the others for the high speed course.

The others had brought their cars for the whole day. The lotus elise was brought by a lady for half a day. She does hill climbs and wanted help in circuit driving. She left before lunch.

The Evo 8 - owned by a 28 year old - he pushed it really hard - his tyres started wearing out and the wastegate was dumping prematurely. After one session, the brakes were smoking. Initially, he was pushing hard and it lifted a wheel. Again the distance factor and the speeds it touched meant snapping the car in action was a challenge. But the noise it made- you could hear it from afar. It was totally unruffled when pushing it into hairpin bends. Car had done 30000 miles










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The XKR - was like a cruise missile. Awesome engne- it went well and hardly made any tyrenoise but is spun thrice in the same spot. . The instructor was telling me that it accelerates hard with the supercharger but when braking and steering for the chicane, the rear end cannot take it and also the autobox does not downshift in time. Final assessment session had to be aborted as the brake pads were shot.

After lunch, the guys redid the circuit to even out the EVO tyre wear.

Tim took over - he is a circuit car racer so he instructed me in using the line and steering - I did around 15 laps in the Fiesta - it really moves well - worth looking at the Fusion closely.



I learnt to brake hard at corners and chicanes. It is amazing what a normal car can do in shifting laterally in chicanes giving the right balncing. Key is to be smooth and ensure proper balance. Ended with an assessment lap where TIm gives no inputs and watches you drive.

Got 89% and 91% for the two curses in my assessment. Am going to oput this in practice next week when I go on circuit with a couple of ............................

Thats all folks - more soon

[iceman91]

ajmat sir,
that is a once in a lifetime experience!!! congrats...
any details to how much it costs??

[shravan316]

Great stuff Ajmat sir! Nice write up. Looks like you had an amazing time.

[RX135]

That appears to be very enticing course. Would love to do it sometime.

P.S.: Please take extra precautions when you plan to put in practice those cornering/braking sessions.

[Shan2nu]

Oh god, you've been having fun haven't you.

ajmat sir,
that is a once in a lifetime experience!!!

Not for Ajmat though. This is the 2nd time he's taking such a course. Ajmat - Didn't you take a driving course around a circuit some years ago and even got a drive in a 360 Modena?

Wish we had something like this in India. Or atleast have a place where we can push our cars to the limit.

Shan2nu

[ajmat]

Iceman

260 pounds for the whole day

Shan2nu

Yes- and I will live life again and again in the days to come

Lets buy an airstrip somewhere!

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by ajmat

Iceman

260 pounds for the whole day

That's cheap!!! I had checked out couple of courses while in US, they were like $2500 for two days, just gave up.

[speedsatya]

Originally Posted by Shan2nu

Wish we had something like this in India. Or atleast have a place where we can push our cars to the limit.

Shan2nu

hehe shan,
here in india all the roads will give you the same type of high that ajmat had on this track.

Ajmat saar,
how about some similar lessons for all of us in ur Vtec

[Shan2nu]

here in india all the roads will give you the same type of high that ajmat had on this track.

Hit a truck and you'll go much higher than expected. LOL

It's impossible to push a car to it's limit on any road.

[Shan2nu]

how about some similar lessons for all of us in ur Vtec

Hey isn't the Ford Focus a FWD too? You could apply the same on your car. U know, maybe those guys can give you tips on how to improve the handling on your Vtec.

Shan2nu

[iceman91]

260 pounds...well time to visit my aunt...i think i can here calling me to london alreaddy.......

[Rudra Sen]

Learn properly. You need to give me a complete course trip once you're back...in which car we'll decide over a drink. What say??

[speedsatya]

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

Learn properly. You need to give me a complete course trip once you're back...in which car we'll decide over a drink. What say??

rudra,

but have to say"welcum back to t-bhp".where were you al these days?????????

[Shan2nu]

rudra,

but have to say"welcum back to t-bhp".where were you al these days?????????

For a brief period i was under the impression that you were with Ajmat, having all the fun in the world.

Shan2nu

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

Learn properly. You need to give me a complete course trip once you're back...in which car we'll decide over a drink. What say??

First we need to find a safe place

Pleae note that I can teach something but not like those guys did - they are pro's with years of experience. Tim has built a kit car with a haybusa engine revs at 13k revs

I forgot to add - in the photos where you see the EVO is a chicane, I went in there too fast on the second lap and started fishtailing. The others thought I was heading for a spin but I managed to get it back on course- I hope I remember what to do later on