32 replies to this topic

[Captain Vimes]

Pleased you had the weather for it. Im there on Wednesday and just nervous that itll be snowing/raining all day. On race day theyve introduced a free practice session which will be a good opportunity to get some experience of being around other racers. Youll be surprised how competitive everyone is in all the free practice and qualifying sessions. Even if your much quicker, very few will move over to let you through (and rightly so). So you end up with very few perfect laps in qualifying or race. Trying to nail that perfect qualifying lap in 15 minutes, starting on cold tyres and fighting with the traffic is totally different to a track day and loads of fun though! Youre going to love it!

[Zoobeef]

Hardest thing in the world is not getting in a battle with someone in qualifying

[SteveA]

There was hail, sleet and rain for the first two hours. It was proper cold all day and the track was closed till 1pm. Thankfully the rest of the afternoon was good. I really wanted some wet seat time though.

[Captain Vimes]

After snetterton, I dislike the wet in a Caterham on AO48s with no lights or windscreen. You cant see anything or anyone. Everyone drIves like a nut and aqua planing is just a fact that you need to anticipate and drive round. I thought it would be about being brave but its about being smooth and intelligent - probably why I dont like it!! Lets hope the race is dry!

[SteveA]

Just been looking at my footage, I only managed four sessions on the day but I was out for 22 mins, 27 mins, 55 mins and 35 mins respectively.

[Tony H]

Thats mad i cant concentrate after 20 min.

[SteveA]

I spent a long time extending my sessions to prepare for 25 min races and am used to it now but I didn't even realise id been out that long. I'd have stayed out longer if I hadn't needed fuel

[Captain Vimes]

I was at Oulton today. It was snowing in the morning, raining in the afternoon. The track was icy/wet all day long and we had 25mph winds. I learnt that 3 year old 2nd hand AO48s have no grip on snow. Lap times were well north of the 2 minute mark... On the plus side my rebuilt car ran perfectly!

[SteveA]

I think the wet pace is around 2:17 but obviously that doesn't account for track temps. Glad your day today was a bit less eventful than the last time you were there.

[SteveA]

Just had a look ans the wet pace for my class is around 2:13.

Edited by SteveA, 14 February 2018 - 07:38 PM.

[Captain Vimes]

I hit a 2:13 when the snow stopped in the morning but was running in the 2:20s in the afternoon - the 3 degree temps were challenging. I went out in one session and couldnt get the oil to warm above 35c so went back into the pits and let the car tick over for 10 mins to warm up. Must remember to tape up the radiator next time! I was trying to avoid buying a new set of AO48s until later in the season but I think the new/soft rubber would make a big difference in weather like today vs my used race set.

[SteveA]

Have you got a second set of rims?

[Captain Vimes]

Have you got a second set of rims?

 

Yep. I actually have 11 wheels all with used AO48's and an extra 4 loose tyres.

 

I think I'm going to get a fresh set of tyres so I have:

  1 - NEW - Wet Race

  2 - USED  - Dry Race

  3 - USED & OLD - Testing/Track days

 

If you want some used/old AO48's for testing/track days, let me know.