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Victorian Track Days

Discussion in 'Australia' started by stephens, Mar 13, 2005.

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  1. stephens

    stephens F1 Rookie
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    #1 stephens, Mar 13, 2005
    Does anyone have any suggestions/advice for getting more track time at PI? I know about Winton on Fridays, as well as plenty of Sandown events, but I'm specifically interested in getting track time at the island. Are there other clubs you can join, or get invited to their meetings?
     
  2. nwocorp

    nwocorp Formula Junior

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    #2 nwocorp, Mar 13, 2005
    Do any of the v8, porsche etc teams use it for testing ? if so just give them some money and use it while the are in the pits/changing settings etc. Apparently some of the smaller teams that cant afford to hire the track sometimes do this (konica etc)
     
  3. ferrarifixer

    ferrarifixer F1 Veteran
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    #3 ferrarifixer, Mar 14, 2005
    Don't forget Calder on Wednesdays too, but I'm not a fan, it's just convenient.

    Alfa club run good days.

    It deserves it's own topic, but the recent Ferrari/Maserati club days have been disappointing.

    The volunteers are really trying to hard to orchestrate things, and should just let the day run itself. EVERY user yesterday complained, yet they still wouldn't listen.

    All you need is a track density that suits the track (calder 6, winton 8, PI 12)....10-15 minute sessions and NO GROUPING. All in together is safest for all.

    Also, VERY simple things...like queueing the cars in the service lane at the island was a joke, when it would be SO SIMPLE to queue everyone in the through lane, and leave the service lane free for access to garage and services.

    As I said, it deserves it's own topic.
     
  4. stephens

    stephens F1 Rookie
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    #4 stephens, Mar 14, 2005
    Forget Calder and there are plenty of opportunities to get on the other tracks.
    So far I am going to contact the WRX, BMW and thanks to Phil, the Alfa car club, and let them know I am intersted in being invited to their track days.
    It's a little difficult, without knowing any of the race teams, to get invited to help subsidise their testing costs. Are their any web istes, or forums, where teams would announce/discuss any such opportunities?

    On the subject of the recent track day, I am mindful of the fact that the organisers are volunteers and are probably trying their best. It is a thankless task, and impossible to please all of the people all of the time. I would suggest however, that the organisers attend a bike ride day for some tips on organising these events for maximum participant enjoyment.
    My suggestions would be;
    Larger groups - 12 cars
    Longer practice sessions 20-25min instead of 10-15minutes
    Five laps in timed session, with fewer sessions. There were 5 timed sessions in the afternoon for some. Three longer sessions would have been better.
    With longer sessions, there would be less time wasted changing groups, effectively giving more overall time on the track.
    As to no grouping, this would only work with an open pit system, otherwise drivers should be grouped into approximately similar timed groups.
     
  5. AHG

    AHG Karting

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    #5 AHG, Mar 14, 2005
    BMW Car Club Vic are planning a day at the Island on Saturday 23rd April.
    This subject to enough members showing an interest, as the cost issues are the same problem as it was for FCA.
    I will keep you all posted.
    I should know more by the end of this month.
    PS. It was great to meet Stephen and his black beast after reading so many of his posts on FChat.
     
  6. stephens

    stephens F1 Rookie
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    #6 stephens, Mar 14, 2005
    Andrew, likewise, it was a pleasure to meet you and your immaculate 355, you are a true gentleman. BTW, Yasmin says to say hello.
    You can put us down for three spots in the BMW day, I can probably rustle up another two or three if needed to get the day on.
     
  7. nwocorp

    nwocorp Formula Junior

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    #7 nwocorp, Mar 14, 2005
    Not that i am aware of. Best bet would be to just turn up and ask, mayby offer a certain amount per lap. You have track experience and are obviously are not some boy racer, probability is they will let you if it means someone else is paying for lunch :)
     
  8. Aircon

    Aircon Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 Aircon, Mar 14, 2005
    He IS lovely, isn't he?........sexy too!
     
  9. ashsimmonds

    ashsimmonds F1 World Champ

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    #9 ashsimmonds, Mar 14, 2005
    are the administrators aware that you're using this site for dating purposes?
     
  10. stephens

    stephens F1 Rookie
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    #10 stephens, Mar 14, 2005
    A rare breed in this day and age AND a Ferrari owner too. Don't know about the sexy bit though, only seen him in a race suit, nothing revealing yet......
     
  11. stephens

    stephens F1 Rookie
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    #11 stephens, Mar 14, 2005
    Jealous??
     
  12. Aircon

    Aircon Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #12 Aircon, Mar 14, 2005
    Not so rare...just like me, and he's not even a MULTIPLE ferrari owner..........yet! :)
     
  13. stephens

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    #13 stephens, Mar 14, 2005
    I'm waiting for Phil to chime in on this one :D.
    Must catch up and trade tall stories over a drink sometime.
     
  14. Aircon

    Aircon Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 Aircon, Mar 14, 2005
    We really should. It'll have to be orange juice though. I don't drink. Why don't you come along to one of our dinners some time? We suffer during them...it's only fair you do too.
     
  15. stephens

    stephens F1 Rookie
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    #15 stephens, Mar 16, 2005
    Gee thanks. I was going to pass on the club dinner, but since you've made it sound so interesting, I'll have to change my mind.
    Based on the Track day thread, I think it might be a good idea for a 1/2 hour catch up between interested parties, before the club meeting of the 23rd, so we can at least have a cohesive voice representing our interests at the meeting.
     
  16. ashsimmonds

    ashsimmonds F1 World Champ

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    #16 ashsimmonds, Mar 16, 2005
    how about a movie... say Miss Congeniality 2 and i'm in.
     
  17. gva

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    #17 gva, Mar 17, 2005
     
  18. stephens

    stephens F1 Rookie
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    #18 stephens, Mar 17, 2005
    Graeme
    I think it is fair to say that EVERYONE appreciated yours and the other volunteers efforts. You were nothing but helpful and polite. I needed a car scrutineered out of order, so it could be used by my wife for the begineers first session and you didn't bat an eyelid. You guys ARE appreciated and we have taken your suggestion aboard to attend the meeting. Don't let some offhand and sometimes ill thought comments detract from the real debate. My single biggest concern in this forum was people such as yourself feeling your efforts unappreciated and unwanted, which is not the case at all. Remember after all this is an Internet forum and as such, like email, it is not the best form of communications.
    I am prepared to stand up and be counted on the track day issue, so I will also help, where ever possible in the organisation and running of the event.
     
  19. AHG

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    #19 AHG, Mar 17, 2005
    Well said Stephen.
     
  20. ferrarifixer

    ferrarifixer F1 Veteran
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    #20 ferrarifixer, Mar 17, 2005
    Graeme, I had no problem with your efforts, indeed quite the opposite. I also did not witness anyone give you abuse, but if you say you got it, then that's a shame.

    Your implication that I am looking out for myself is totally out of line, and you should retract it. I had no bones with you and you have no business throwing snidey comments about without good reason.

    I was most annoyed with the queueing arrangements, as they were SO easily fixed, and it was causing ME to be in MANY other peoples way (and vice versa). So I was actually more concerned for the general smooth running for all.

    To me, it was a simple observation, but maybe I'm just tuned into pitlane movement better than some. Everyone was suffering because of some over organising, and when it was pointed out in a polite way, I got abused. This also happened at Winton a while ago.

    The volunteers are under too much pressure from all angles, and therfore, the pressure should be reduced by...

    1) Changing the over officious CAMS regulations.
    2) Removing timing, therfore freeing up some more volunteers to run the day.
    3) Getting more Volunteers, or raising entry fees slightly to cover the wages of a club appointed official that will go to all State days and handle things with consistency and knowledge.

    I have been a volunteer for many things, but my work and family committments make me an unreliable one, so it's best left to those with the proper talents.

    Anyway, my threshold for tolerance of idiots is very low (due to being a volunteer too many times)... So I'd be no use any more.
     
  21. gva

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    #21 gva, Mar 17, 2005
    Phil, my comment was NOT directed at you - if you re-read carefully you will see that rather than a snide comment, my point was that EVERYONE at a track day wants to get themselves and their car onto the track as soon as possible for as long as possible and not necessarily with consideration for other track users.
    As for your comment on getting more volunteers, there are thousands of community and charitable organisations out there who would love to hear how!
     
  22. ferrarifixer

    ferrarifixer F1 Veteran
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    #22 ferrarifixer, Mar 17, 2005
    In that case, I'm sorry for my defensive post, but when you insert a quote, then pick it apart, it sure looks like you're being critical of the quoter.
     
  23. ferrarifixer

    ferrarifixer F1 Veteran
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    #23 ferrarifixer, Mar 17, 2005
    and as for volunteers....

    It's not the Salvos....

    Pay them! We're all Ferrari owners here, if we can't pay for our play time, who can?
     
  24. stephens

    stephens F1 Rookie
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    #24 stephens, Mar 17, 2005
    Phil, but I hadn't noticed you paying for our play time, being paid yes......
     
  25. ferrarifixer

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    #25 ferrarifixer, Mar 17, 2005
    Ask my wife what it cost me......
     

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