Update from silverstone

Have they given you any kind of explanation as to why they didn't show up?

Hope to see you on the road again soon

 

Andy good to hear its not to bad m8,the tests i was able to do while i was there confermed it was a mech fault it couldnt have been anything else,
the sodium exh valves will be top m8 and as you say andy they should have been in there in the first place,car looking great now and you'll be back next year for more track fun,

Dale.

 

Great attitude Andy. I nearly fell off my chair at the cost of the flatbed. Good luck in getting the money back.

I was fully expecting us to get past that Porsche - by virtue of the fact that he was going to be on the grass at some point - but we 'did him good and proper' !

<kerching!!> <sound of me ordering a fire extinguisher and a helmet>

Ric.

 

Still prefer my description of the problem.....

 

Stig that kind of automotive enginnering is way past me m8,LOL,

Dale.

 

Andy i rang the rac yesterday to ask if i was covered at silverstone in the car park or any other race track in europe they said yes but not on the track but who could prove that if it helps you let me know and i will try to get this in writing if it helps you i explained your situation to the helpdesk and the lady seemed shocked

 

Hi Andy,
glad to hear the damage wasn't too bad. See you soon.

 

hey Andy, let us know how the repairs go. It would be interesting to see the actual damaged valve as well if you keep it !?
Ade

 

Hi Andy

Was shocked to hear about the RAC. I rang them up and asked them if I was a trackside spactator, would I be elligible for being towed back if i had engine trouble and they said as long as there was proof from the car that it hadnt been on the track then yes it would be ok.

I have a reference number and could get it in writing if you like

Lee

 

PS - Andy, thank you for taking me round the track for a few laps and showing me the line. Would have been sh!tting myself otherwise.

Turns out the tyre pressure was mega low and thats why my tyres were the way they are!! Think they were down to 28 at the front...now up to 32.5.

Thanks again,

Lee

 

I hope the RAC don't look at Fchat. If they do, they can be in no doubt that refusing Andy the ride home was justified....

I wonder if there is anything in the RACs smallprint that says they will not attempt to recover a vehicle that has been used on the track. If there is, how long does this last, ie. if Paul's car broke down today, would they be in their rights to refuse carriage because it was used in the track earlier in the week?

Could one of you RAC members have a read?

And furthermore I can't believe the burden of proof lies with Andy. Surely it is the responsibility of the RAC to prove that Andy HAD been on the track?

Also membership goes with the driver, not the car. So if I was a member of the RAC, I could have called them out to trailer Andy home, as I did not take the car out on the track?

Sorry, more questions than answers makes my post rather useless!

Perhaps it would be advisable to ALWAYS cover up your numberplate when you are on the track!

 

Unfortunately the state of your tyres do tend to give away that you've been on a track!! Especially if you are Andy, Not sure if they would check/notice

 

FYI; the RAC terms and conditions, under general exclusions, they have the following paragrah;

"5. Vehicles which have broken down as a result of taking part in any motor sport event (including, without limitations rallies or stock car racing) which takes place off the road and/or is not subject to the normal rules of the road"

Might be worth bearing in mind when booked on a trackday. I'll bet that the AA/Green Flag all have such caveats. I wonder if it is possible to get trackday insurance that has a recovery option......

 

Well, this is interesting:

From here: http://www.theaa.com/services/breakdowncover/breakdown_terms_conditions.html#type

(Section 18 in the general terms and conditions)

"The AA will not provide service where this is requested in regard to a vehicle which requires service by reason of, or immediately following, participation in any racing, rallying, trials or time-trials, auto test or other motor sports event ('a Motor Sports Event'). However, for the avoidance of doubt, the AA does not consider the following activities to be Motor Sports Events, and thus will provide service to a participating vehicle if properly requested:
'Concours d'elegance' events;
Track test days for road-legal vehicles;
Rallies held exclusively on open public highways where participants are required to comply with all operative speed limits. "

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=13&h=0&t=105861

So I think it is a good idea for all track day enthusiasts to be AA members rather than RAC members.

 

The RAC mainly sub out the recoveries to contractors so they are not going to say look at your tyres you have been on the track so i am not recovering you if so they wont get paid by the RAC

 

Get one of your mates to tow the car outside the circuit, perhaps a local pub car park or layby.

Then call them.

Otherwise 118118 and get a local garage to do the above. Perhaps £60 call out at worst & then no argument as to if the car was used on the track.