Physician
07-09-2004, 02:52 PM
Silverstone track
A Virgins appraisal:
After the five laps or so I came off the track with mixed feelings, some of which will be controversial.
Like most of you, I'm sure, I love driving and driving well, albeit too fast at times. I pride myself in being able to judge the driving line correctly, judge distances and generally being aware of what is happening all around me, and well ahead of the car immediately in front of me. (Talivans excepted - lol!)
Out on the track I was very uncomfortable. It was unfamiliar and I was on a steep learning curve. Why?
Well, on the first lap I took it easy to try and learn the various bends. I was aware that I was watching my rear view mirror excessively but I just didn't know what sort of cars were on the track with me and possibly going to catch up unexpectedly within a few seconds. This, in turn, took my mind off my braking points and driving line.
I found the helmet particularly obstructive. You all know those slight movements, dark shadows, glinting bodywork in your peripheral vision of the rear view mirror and side mirrors and windows that tell you 'something' is there. I found that I was getting incorrect peripheral vision information because what I was actually seeing were corners of the helmet or visor etc. This led to having to make large head movements to check what was behind and beside me ..... again, not conducive to smooth driving.
The Galant itself really isn't a track car in it's standard form ........ please don't shout at me! It has a crap chassis and the only reason it stays on the track at all is because it's bristling with safety systems - ABS, ASC, AYC and TCL. But, of course, it's not manufactured to be a racing car - it's a luxury executive car with a moderately high powered engine providing extra 'kick' due to it's twin turbos.
As for the brakes ...... I've read it on the forums before - they are absolutely useless. Into my second lap I was charging down the Hangar Straight at 110-115 mph and slammed the brakes on to take the right hander and almost nothing happened ...... I just carried straight on. Almost total brake fade which I found very disconcerting, as I'm sure you can imagine. From then on I had a lousy time because I was now very concerned that if anyone was overtaking me (on the left) as we approached any bend I may go straight on and take them off the track with me.
When I was exiting the track after the run I was stopped momentarily in the queue and couldn't see a thing for a couple of seconds as smoke billowed up from the car in front of me ......... only to realise a moment later that it was MY brakes creating all the smoke!
I quite possibly didn't put enough air in my tyres ........ 35 psi all round which had them squeeling on just about every bend and my daughters even said there was a strong smell of rubber when I returned. AYC and TCL were also lighting up on most bends.
I guess 5 laps is nothing really and one can't expect to learn much in such a short session but it's certainly taught me a few things about the car in general.
I'm interested in what the 'experts' and other 'virgins' think. In particular, those of you that have had new brakes fitted - does it make a huge difference?
Richard
A Virgins appraisal:
After the five laps or so I came off the track with mixed feelings, some of which will be controversial.
Like most of you, I'm sure, I love driving and driving well, albeit too fast at times. I pride myself in being able to judge the driving line correctly, judge distances and generally being aware of what is happening all around me, and well ahead of the car immediately in front of me. (Talivans excepted - lol!)
Out on the track I was very uncomfortable. It was unfamiliar and I was on a steep learning curve. Why?
Well, on the first lap I took it easy to try and learn the various bends. I was aware that I was watching my rear view mirror excessively but I just didn't know what sort of cars were on the track with me and possibly going to catch up unexpectedly within a few seconds. This, in turn, took my mind off my braking points and driving line.
I found the helmet particularly obstructive. You all know those slight movements, dark shadows, glinting bodywork in your peripheral vision of the rear view mirror and side mirrors and windows that tell you 'something' is there. I found that I was getting incorrect peripheral vision information because what I was actually seeing were corners of the helmet or visor etc. This led to having to make large head movements to check what was behind and beside me ..... again, not conducive to smooth driving.
The Galant itself really isn't a track car in it's standard form ........ please don't shout at me! It has a crap chassis and the only reason it stays on the track at all is because it's bristling with safety systems - ABS, ASC, AYC and TCL. But, of course, it's not manufactured to be a racing car - it's a luxury executive car with a moderately high powered engine providing extra 'kick' due to it's twin turbos.
As for the brakes ...... I've read it on the forums before - they are absolutely useless. Into my second lap I was charging down the Hangar Straight at 110-115 mph and slammed the brakes on to take the right hander and almost nothing happened ...... I just carried straight on. Almost total brake fade which I found very disconcerting, as I'm sure you can imagine. From then on I had a lousy time because I was now very concerned that if anyone was overtaking me (on the left) as we approached any bend I may go straight on and take them off the track with me.
When I was exiting the track after the run I was stopped momentarily in the queue and couldn't see a thing for a couple of seconds as smoke billowed up from the car in front of me ......... only to realise a moment later that it was MY brakes creating all the smoke!
I quite possibly didn't put enough air in my tyres ........ 35 psi all round which had them squeeling on just about every bend and my daughters even said there was a strong smell of rubber when I returned. AYC and TCL were also lighting up on most bends.
I guess 5 laps is nothing really and one can't expect to learn much in such a short session but it's certainly taught me a few things about the car in general.
I'm interested in what the 'experts' and other 'virgins' think. In particular, those of you that have had new brakes fitted - does it make a huge difference?
Richard