Hi Guys!!!!
I've lost my track day virginity!
The day dawned chilly but bright. I know cos I checked at 3 am, 4.15am, 4.55 am, and, when the alarm went off at 5.30 - I finally went to sleep!
Anyhow 6 cups of tea and a set of ablutions later I set off for Snetterton, hood down and music loud. Well , I needed something to keep me awake after a whole 30 seconds of sleep!
Made Snetterton in time for breakfast before signing on. Then the beautiful Lady Jane Grey passed her noise test and I attended the Driver's Briefing. Not as posh as it sounds - most of the time was taken up with various drivers birthdays and which pit garages wold be serving cake at what time in celebration. And something about some pretty coloured flags that may or may not be waved, depending upon the mood of a Marshall or some FBI agent - I think!? Oh, and a little bit about moving to the right to let faster cars pass and not overtaking in the braking zones or on corners.
Lotus's out first and then the MG's, (this is where I woke up!!) and what a mixed bag they were: F's, TF's, ZR's .B GT's and Midgets. There was an MG Metro but it broke down before leaving the pit lane. All producing more BHP than me!!! (Except the Metro, that was more like a lame duck at Welney).
A Midget with a V8 giving 235BHP!- might as well go home now!!
First session and followed pace car for 3 familiarisation laps before the free for all (NO overtaking during these laps said the marshalls). It was so we could all get to see the racing line. Great! Except the driver of the car two in front of me wouldn't go more than 40 mph, so we all had to overtake or get lapped! Didn't find the racing line either (someone must've painted over it!).
Got very intimidated by an *rsehole in a fully raced prepared ZR would overtook either side, came through in the braking zone and overtook me on the second bend I came to. 14 drivers lodged complaints during the first 20 minute session and his behaviour improved (slightly).
I admit that after that session I wondered what the hell I was doing there and would cheerfully have gone home!
Second session and I had an Instructor slot booked. The guy was ACE!! I suddenly found out I could drive. Drive well and drive fast. I was keeping up with some of the 135's and some of the BGT's were having problems finding the places to get by.
All went well and got better until session 4. Half way round there was a loud clattering from under Lady Jane and the battery warning light came on and stayed on.
My lucky day! The guy I was sharing the pit garage with is an MG mechanic. He quickly identified the problem as alternator belt failure (basically mate it's F**k@d, I think he said).
A quick chat with others around identified a guy who had a full set of tools, someone else had a contact in a local MG specialist and someone who would drive me there to pick up the part.
1 hour and 10 minutes later and Lady Jane Grey is back on the track after the lunch time break, and it took over half of that to go and get the part! Well done guys, my sincerest thanks to you all. Just a shame you all drive ZR's or BGT's and can't join the Register. They are worthy of honoury membership. Craig and Nigel - owe you both a biggy!!
The next three sessions were nothing short of AWESOME!! Each one got better and better. I was holding my own, and folks were moving over to let me past!
All too soon it was OVER
Lady Jane Grey was sprightly and obviosly having fun. The camaradarie was fantastic amongst the MG folks. One guy even bought me some sarnies from the restaurant in case I didn't have time to eat whilst fixing the car.
An adrenaline filled day shared with lots of unselfish and helpful people.
An MR2 flashed past me on the way home with one finger up and I just thought 'Saddo!'
Had to stop at Tesco's for some Brillo pads and 10litres of bleach. 4 hours later I still can't get rid of the HUGE silly grin on my face!!!
If you've never done a track day -DO IT!! It's all you could wish for and more. Snetterton is a very narrow circuit though, but great fun.
And the final bit:
My lowly 115bhp MG TF got through the chichane (that don't look right) faster than the testosterone filled Ferrari than came to grief during one of the Lotus sessions that split the MG sessions!!! He! He! GB Rules OK!!!!
