Sandown yesterday

Yesterday was an absolute blast of a day at Sandown... fantastic weather, some great cars and all really great people. Cars included the Challenge Stradale and 550 Maranello (stephen's), at least half a dozen Porkies, a mad Maserati Trofeo (one of only 150 odd built) and even a CLK 55.

I spent most of the day giving hot laps to the punters in the caterham (over 120 laps), time instructing in a couple of Elises, the 360CS, Boxter S and managed to steal a dozen-ish laps with stephen in the 550 - man, he's done well with that car, it's well sorted and bloody quick (SS what did the datalogger say about turns 2,3,4 and dandenong kink???).

Poor Asis managed to loop his Boxter S twice, each time when I was a passenger in the car behind him. First of all at turn 1 with a first-timer in an Elise (scary) and then in front of Stephen who at the time was having a serious play with his mate ion a crazed STI - a car either side of the spinning Boxter got the heart pumping...

For me, a highlight was defintely half a dozen laps as a passenger with Alan Simonsen driving the caterham - the first time I have EVER been a passenger with a professional race driver wheeling - a great experience and I learned quite a bit (particularly how to take Dandenong corner flat without even a jesus lift) - great for the punters later in the day

A great day, no accidents, and a heap of driving for all. If you're in Victoria, and not attending these days then you're an absolute git...

 

Sounds like alot of fun, stephens car is something I really want to see (shame he couldn't make it to Alice Springs).

Are these trackdays open to the public (just in case I'm in Victoria)?

 

Invitation only, security guard on the door... but it's okay, I know people Because of the clientele these are strictly closed door affairs.

 

Fair enough.

 

there's regular days in both Sydney and Melbourne, and brissy starts next year...

no plans on WA yet unless 25 or so of you can come along, and an events oneill day can be yours too! (no cost-benefit done yet do don't hold me to it...)

 

The O'Neil track days are awseome value and great fun. During a typical club track day, you manage 25-35 hot laps and pay $120-$300 for the privelege.
The O'Neil day, even when fully booked gives you 100+ laps if you want them, plus good food, drinks, lattes (yes they have a lovely lady equipped with a coffee machine to satisfy the Melbourne double decaf latte set) and between four to six professional instructors. On top of that there are also joy rides available as a passenger in the Caterham. The only draw back of the O'Neil day I can see is Luke (O'Neil) talks too much!

Great people, great day, great facilities. Anyone who lives in Melbourne, or close by, who is into cars, whether it is a Holden, Ford, Nissan, Subaru, Lotus, Ferrari or Porsche, it doesn't matter, who doesn't go is missing out on a fantastic opportunity.

Whether you are just looking to try a track day (beware it is seriously addicitve) in a non intimidating environment, or looking to improve laptimes for your next club event or race, the O'Neil day is the way to go. It is as good for the track "virgin" as it is for the more experienced punter. The number of instructors is such that you can virtually have someone go out with you every time if you like and the quality is such, Mark aside, that I challenge anybody to not be able to learn from these guys!

I spoke to the boys at BM Autohaus today, who spoke glowingly about John Bowe days. John charges $100 more and has LESS instructors available.

Sorry if this comes off as an advert for the day, but it is REALLY that good!

 

Have you spoken to the exotic car dealers here (Barbagallo, Chellingworth...)? I'm sure they could get 25 of their customers interested in something like this.......

 

yeah yeah yeah....blah blah blah....never mind that....how much HP, what lap time and did AS drive it again?

 

nup, not biting

oh, heck, you know me too well, I'm biting... so what did the datalogger say... did we find anytime through 2/3/4 or dandenong...

 

nope. but I'll pass this on to Luke.

 

Cool, thanks.

 

Yes Allan did drive, I've still got the **** stained undies!!
No worthwhile laptimes, pads lasted one session, then no brakes, so spent time working on the one corner that Allan is faster than me. I was running around in 1:23-1:24, should have been 1:20's

Mark, only a few km's under Allans speed through Dandenong. 2,3 and 4 slower in second than third. Doesn't feel as good but it is quicker. I'm actually quicker than Allan through there, so back to third it is.
Next time out will have the brake upgrade and we'll go for a real hot lap.

 

a drop of 4 seconds would've been justified with the early braking done when I was jockey.

slower in second???? where the **** are you making it up? because drive out of fourth turn is certainly NOT the spot. Seems the better balance and smoother rev range allows better feel through 2/3 to negate the better drive from turn 4. I'm personally still reckoning we can get a heap more from that 2/3/4 combination to make 2nd the better bet... the datalogger will tell after some more experimentation...

Cool to hear about d'd'nong... the first time we tried the 'Code approach you tipped in 15k faster (on speedo viewed from p'ssenger seat) than previously and it went up from there so I was hoping for a big a number - you got it... great driving...


btw, I was downstairs from your office today having a cuppa with P Halstead (of giocattolo fame) - would've called but obviously you saw me first as I saw you driving out to avoid me

 

I was dropping the car off with Dixons, not only were the pads non existant, there was a huge crack in the disk from the top hole all the way to the edge. The disks were less than two months old. Thank god I didn't try anything silly.

 

and I too am very happy for that too! [as for your outbraking mate... ]

are you still using genuine rotors or racebrakes alternatives?

 

Genuine Brembo, just not up to the task. Tony's still loating about that insane move at turn 1.

 

shoulda, woulda, coulda

 

Still faster than you, by a good margin

 

yeah...and?

 

Just wanted to point out that you have become a geriatric, living off past glories! You could always prove me wrong though..

 

there's too much at risk for PP to hit the track again... wouldn't want reality to hit

 

Oh you two boys! I can understand your jealousy over not being me, but please, try not to make it so publicly obvious!

 

you're right. sorry PP. But sometimes when I talk to the poster of you that's framed over my bed you just don't respond and I think I'm not your favourite anymore... then I read your emails and know you REALLY care about all us peasants in the world...








one day I hope I can buy a red bicycle

 

Was I that transparent?

 

Yes. I'll have to give you lessons on how to be subtle.