Good to have you on board Barrie. Just in before it sold out ( optimistic glasses on today ) On a plus, I can't wait to see your roomster. I half wonder if I should not of sold mine way back when.

 

I've been umming and ahhhing about whether to return to standard and get something else, but the lure of (eventually) getting a 200+bhp Roomster is just too much, and in fairness at nearly 95k miles its worth Fork Hall for trade-in.

Just got this from my contacts at the IAM. Seems its not just Blyton that's not selling...

 

"Just a quick note to inform you that we still have some places left on the forthcoming skills days at Croft Circuit on Tuesday 26 August (cars) and Wednesday 27 August (bikes).  I would be grateful if you could remind your members through your various group meetings, newsletters and websites.  Please be aware that these days are also open to non-members who may be looking to improve their skills or just want learn more about the high quality training the IAM provides. Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment"

Tyre buying time and need your opinion.

I know Federal RS-R seem to be flavour of the season and there is nothing wrong with that.

 

So which one in order of my preference:

 

1.

Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta 215/40 ZR17 87Y

http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/vredestein/ultrac-sessanta/215-40-zr17-87y-49494

 

Review: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Vredestein/Ultrac-Sessanta.htm

 

2.

Federal 595 RS-R 215/40 R17 83W

http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/federal/595-rs-r/215-40-r17-83w-182538

 

Review: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Federal/595RSR.htm

 

3.

Yokohama Parada PA01 205/40 ZR17 84W - cannot get the 215's...

http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/yokohama/parada-pa01/205-40-zr17-84w-28907

 

Review: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Yokohama/Parada-Spec-2.htm

 

4.

Avon ZZ3 215/40 R17 83Y

http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/avon/zz3/215-40-r17-83y-284057

 

Review: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Avon/ZZ3.htm

 

 

Thank you for your input

we are camping James, and gillywibble too!

 

as for the tyres the avons are damnerous in my opinion, had them on the mark I and they went oval, and cracked on the inside where the tread met the wall......

 

federals are the only rack tyre, all else will loose out....

Just a thought on tyres.....  new tyres with deep tread are poor on track, they melt, just ask Sharkrider about his chocolate tyres at Bedford.

 

 I would go for part worns or any of the above with the shallowest tread pattern. or just get Federals these work well.

Federals it is then

 

The only other one I was seriously considering were Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta since for exaple (those who remeber him) vRSy was very complementary about them. Also, they are actually useful on the road as well in wet where RS-R's are not so much

I do remember Bedford when Dave literary destroyed those tyres within a space of few laps! I am scared to go on the track with him now after all the track experience he has under his belt and the way his Shark is modified - he will eat me for breakkie now!

Just a thought on tyres.....  new tyres with deep tread are poor on track, they melt, just ask Sharkrider about his chocolate tyres at Bedford.

 

 I would go for part worns or any of the above with the shallowest tread pattern. or just get Federals these work well.

 

Have you seen 4 No 215/40R17 used RS-R's somewhere available to buy? I looked and nada in the size...

Have you seen 4 No 215/40R17 used RS-R's somewhere available to buy? I looked and nada in the size...

 

He's talking about used road tyres.

 

Federal RS-R and all other track day tyres usually start with around 5-6mm so they don't suffer with this problem.

Less tread depth as standard than a road tyre so no issues with the blocks moving around and overheating.

He's talking about used road tyres.

 

Federal RS-R and all other track day tyres usually start with around 5-6mm so they don't suffer with this problem.

Less tread depth as standard than a road tyre so no issues with the blocks moving around and overheating.

 

Sorry, my bad, I thought James was suggesting buying used RS-R's from somewhere. Agreed with road tyres though. I personally hate new tyres as I can feel them move way too much for my liking. Am I suffering from OBS - Over-sensitive Bum Syndrome

^^ What he said.  I went to the track with brand new RS-R's and after a few heat cycles they were really good from new.  Call Demon Tweeks, they stock them and will match Camskill price.

Cheapest I've seen Federals for my size, 225/45/17 in these, is at mytyres.

Camskill and Demon Tweeks were much more expensive.

Cheapest I've seen Federals for my size, 225/45/17 in these, is at mytyres.

Camskill and Demon Tweeks were much more expensive.

 

Yes, I got mine from mytyres too.

How much did you pay for one/set of four?

Tyreleader sells them for £350 for a set of four

When I finally came home last nigh this was waiting for me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fitting time over the weekend!

^^ What he said.  I went to the track with brand new RS-R's and after a few heat cycles they were really good from new.  Call Demon Tweeks, they stock them and will match Camskill price.

 

I sent "Price Beater" request to Camskill, will see what they come up with

Thinking of booking a half day here. but I'll be in a Mini Cooper S (new shape, not the cool old British one) but I can't find half days on the list? Are they still available and would you let an interloper in a mini on (I do have a MKII Octavia VRS I can park nearby if that helps)

Bring the Mini and PM Colin or call him.

Brembo HP2000 pads installed and being bedded in. Nice coincidence I will be driving around 500 miles next week so they will be perfect for Blyton.

 

 

Old onese, notice cracks in the middle

 

 

Brembo HP2000 new pad (piston side) next to the well used OEM one

 

 

 

 

EDIT: Federal RS-R's ordered as well from tylreleder.co.uk

Edited 26 July, 201411 yr by Jabozuma

Opening post updated with buy links for full, half, am or pm sessions. 

 

For taster sessions, please call me.

 

On the day, cash can be paid before briefing at 9am.

The cafe does have wifi, if you trust it, you can paypal the funds on the day too.

A list. Nom - Car - Declared Skill

 

1.David - Fabia - Intermediate

2.Hadyn - 218Rover - Experinced

3.Peter - Octavia - Novice

4.Jamie - Golf - Experinced

5.Paul - Octavia - Novice

6.Kevin - Octavia - 1st timer

7.Richard - Yeti - Intermediate

8.Jason - Fabia - Intermediate

9.Tom - Clio 172 - Intermediate

10.Charlie - Fabia - Intermediate

11.Ben - Fabia - Intermediate

12.Andrew - Fabia - Intermediate

13.Jonathan - Octavia - Novice

14.Shane - Leon - 1st Time

15.Colin - Citigo - Novice

16.Barrie - Roomster - Novice

17.Damian - rebadged Skoda - 1st time

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30am. Peter - Fabia vRS - Intermediate

30pm. 

31am. DannyP - OctaviaMk1 - Int/Nov (CoD)

31pm.

32am.

32pm.

33am.

33pm.

34am.

34pm.

35am.

35pm.

36am.

36pm.

37am.

37pm.

38am.

38pm.

39am.

39pm.

40am.

40pm.

When I finally came home last nigh this was waiting for me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fitting time over the weekend!

 

Four boxes of brake pads?

 

You are certainly keen.

Hope you all have a great day out at Blyton Park.   I went to the Westfield w/e in July and we used the Eastern cct.  which is a different layout and is a lot more twisty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5WhnwO40Gs

  I guess you are using the standard layout which is more suited as a power cct. for non lsd axled cars.  The track is narrower than most but enough room for passing each other safely. Here is how it should be done https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDpNBz8pytQ

 

As for tyres, if you are going on regular trackdays you should be buying a second set of wheels with some track rubber.  If you are relying on your roadwheels for the track, then do short sessions, about 4 to 6 laps at a time and give them time to cool.  You will know when they have had enough, the car will feel like you are driving on a road made of jelly.

Right, I'm paid up   Full Day + Instructor

Four boxes of brake pads?

 

You are certainly keen.

 

One can never have enough of the good stuff

 

Put them on Saturday and despite doing only 60 miles on them and no hard braking at all the difference is substantial. Before it felt like there was nothing but air in the brake lines and now it feels like I have some normal brakes. By the end of the week they should be fully bedded in and ready for some punishment.

 

RS-R's were ordered last week as well and will be going on light(ish)weight spare rims as soon as I get them as I'd ideally like to put some miles on them before the track.

I presonally will be on stock everything and as such only doing shortish stints:

 

not sure if best to go:

• 2 laps cooling laps > 4 quickish laps > 2 laps cooling laps > 4 quickish laps and so on...
• 6 - 8 quickish laps > 15 min break > 6 - 8 quickish laps > 15 min break and so on...

Can those in the know (Boss, Sharkey, Jab etc.) give some indication of best method?  The car itself is heavier than the Fabia (Audi A5 Quattro) and the tyres are big and wide 275/30/19s

 

EM

Give a go and see how it feels. If you have oil temp readout monitor that to check how hot is she getting. 

I go slowly and build up speed gradually say over 3-6 laps depending on traffic, which we will not have at Blyton

Then I go back in to have a look at everything, give her 10 mins breather with open bonnet and go out again, this time full blast from the start. When I see oil getting hot again I go back in, in my case it is getting to 130C. Let her cool down and all over again. sounds obvious but watch out for fuel levels as this thing simply dissipaters magically and it is rather embarrassing to be stuck empty in the middle of the track. Maybe other people do not have that problem but when I drive I concentrate 100% on driving and tend to "forget" about looking at anything else but oil temp readout . 

In he end do not pay too much attention to other people advice, just take it slowly, build up to speeds you and your car can handle and play it by the ear.

One thing you will find is that going in slower will make go go faster overall - no point going into turns sliding, it will not only ruin your tyres for no gain but will also make you very slow.

The most important thing is not to try too hard, drive relaxed and enjoy yourself - no white knuckles on steering wheel!