My new car, testing it around at Knockhill just to feel the acceleration and power.


*waits to get stumbled* I wish, just wanted to post it after driving the car today, plus I like the photo

Here we go . There isn't much pictures, but there is a video clip involved as well to make up for it .

Basically everything kicked off at 11am. Had my name registered for driving the Ferrari, all I had to do was wait for my name to be called out.

As I was waiting, I ran into a famous racing driver, who drives for Halfords in the BTCC. Gordon Shedden . I ran into him a couple of weeks before, when he was testing with a Ferrari Racing team around the track, and had a nice blether with him, he remembered that I told him that I was going to drive the Ferrari, and he gave me a few quick pointers before leaving for his business. Nice bloke. Didn't ask for his autograph because I already got it when we first met .

Eventually my name was called out, and I was introduced to the SEAT. A front wheel drive car. This was so I could get to know the track better, and what lines to take when in the Ferrari. I had instructors in the passenger seat, to guide me through. I would get 3 laps around the track to familarise myself in the SEAT. I knew what gears to take, and where to take the corners, and I didn't mind him helping me at all, its nice to have a refresh once in a while.



^ That's me on the Start Finish straight, clocking at 85mph.

After the 3 laps, I would pit in, and we would swap seats, and the instructor would take over. He would demonstrate a right lap and a wrong lap, the right lap being, where to take the corners, when to brake, and the wrong lap, showing deliberate mistakes, what can happen on a common basis, and basically what not to do.



Eventually, I was put in the Ferrari



I would be introduced to another instructor, who would give me through for the next 6 laps in the Ferrari 360, although it would only last 2 laps of guidance, as the rest of the laps, we just blethered away, and he had complete confidence and trust in me on going round the track without anticipating any possible serious mistakes *going to fast round corners, braking too late, etc*

Just before the end of the 1st lap in the Ferrari, I asked him this simple question.

"Can I put my foot down"
"Go right ahead"

<insert LFS concentration league mode> <insert Racing experience concentration>

From the end of the last turn, to the Clydesdale bridge *that you will see in the video* I went from 25mph - 115mph on the straight foot down, changing from 4th gear, up into 5th, before braking back to 4th. For health and safety reasons, I could only use 4th and 5th gear on the track, which didn't bother me at all, because I still enjoyed every minute of it. There was so much torque in 4th gear anyway, the acceleration was just sheer amazing! I noticed a couple of times on the dash board that the traction control kicked in, but lasted just under half seconds after the hard corners *particulary the last hairpin corner*


^^ One of my personal favourites. You can see me at the other side of the circuit.

Couple of laps later, my experience came to an end, as I was then to come into the pits . But that didn't stop us getting some last few photos .



^^ Me and my best mate Aimee.



Best mate looking on proud . Awwwwww.

And last, the video of my driving experience.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_eBDMILPVE

Wonder what makes them think they are above the law driving wayyyy over the speed limit?

That's me back from it, and I cannot tell you enough, how AMAZING it was . Hopefully my Dad has taken loads of photos, and clips, and I'll be happy to post them on here, and share you my experience in a Ferrari .

"How hard can it be?" :P

Hell yeah, count me in for that! .

Quote from Lateralus :

How did you manage to be able to do this?

Some circuits deal with Driving experiences, with different options, such as driving Rally cars, single seaters, Ferraris, Legend cars etc.

Quote from J@tko :

I think it's his 23rd b/day present? Or was that someone else?!

Treating myself as a birthday present, I turn 22 this Saturday.

Quote from AlienT. :

Have fun mate....and remeber it is NOT your car so don't be afraid to go for it

That reminds me. Is there anything that I should be caution of, I have experienced Single Seaters, but the back end didnt stick out as much, and seeing this is a Ferrari we are talking about, is there anything that I should be aware of, except for expecting the back end to come out a few times.

Quote from thisnameistaken :

Dare you to put a McLaren sticker on it.

You have just given me an idea for tomorrow .

I gotta get this out of my head, first thing tomorrow morning, I will be driving a Ferrari 360 Modena around the Scotland Knockhill circuit.



Ohhhh yeaaahhh.

I'm extremely excited, because this will be the first time I will ever drive a Ferrari. I have already had Rear wheel drive experience on the Single Seater last year, and I still havent forgotten the sounds, the g-force and the sheer thrill!

I'll bring up photos and clips if anyone is interested in seeing them tomorrow after the event.

^^ Had to get that out of my system, reality kicked in, can't believe this is going to happen tomorrow!

Last edited by BigDave2967, Mon 17 Dec 2007, 23:53.

Quote from SamH :

I must have absolutely nothing to do. I beat Jak to posting. Holy...

I'll finish that sentence.

Holy Cupcakes Batman!!

Quote from Nathan_French_14 :

Who are you? WTH?!? WHOS HOUSE IS THIS??....

*walks around* *hears in distance* Whos washing machine is this???......Whos TV is this?...

What the bloody 'ell are you doing in my house?!

*boot*

Quote from harjun :

yes, they are £50 on ebay...and around £5 for postage and packaging

Ask your mum to buy you one

Wow you are a right tight fisted git aren't you?

Quote from garph :

Other things have gone on that would make a GP, espcially in the XFR, not such a good idea right now, there are a few people who are a little all raced out at the moment to put it in a nice way....I did tell you but you'd already posted this

I think you should do a GP with the new car round Blackwood as soon as it comes out Even is the update was on a Firday and the GP was on the Sunday there would be loads of people wanting to race it.

With the new car for the ATC GP, you'll get a mega turn out thats for sure . You can definately put me down for that.

Since we are talking about the 8800gt. Which is recommended? I see 8800gt with 340mb DDR3, (which was what I was thinking of asking for christmas) but I ran into a 8800gt 512mb DDR3 on ebuyer, I didnt recognise the company, looked a new manufacture for nVidia.

2 examples:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/136561

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/134871

Was going to ask this for christmas, but which one to choose, there are so many 8800GTs to choose from! .

Quote from SamH :

PC World Scam! Beware of your Wallet!!!

Here's how the scam works:

Two seriously good-looking 20-21 year-old girls come over to you as you are packing your new hardware into the boot of your car. They both start wiping your windscreen with a rag and Windowlene, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy T-shirts. It is impossible not to look.

When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say "No" and instead ask you for a ride to another PC World, Currys, Staples or Dixons store. You agree and they get in the back seat. On the way, they start undressing. Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and starts crawling all over you, while the other one steals your wallet.

I had my wallet stolen October 4th, 9th, 10th, twice on the 15th, 17th, 20th, & 24th. Also November 1st, 4th, twice on the 5th, three times just yesterday and very likely again this upcoming weekend.

So tell your friends to be careful!

Do they accept pound notes, coppers and a cheap looking wallet?

Quote from tristancliffe :

Being a very good driver, and not making mistakes, will count for nothing on your first proper track day in your own car, when you can push as hard as you like in a car you already know. Very different from 'Driving Experience' days when it's alien cars, mostly with instructors alongside or watching like a hawk.

Just realised I'm starting to sound like Lep lol.

You are quite right on that, I meant both in track and in proper driving. I wouldn't normally push my own car on the track on the first few laps, until I get a lot of experience out of it.

Least I know what to expect if I eventually have the money to do something like this in the future .

Least I got the Ferrari drive to look forward to next month .

Quote from lococost :

wow 40 quid! Go for it mate! I agree on the brakes, they do take a beating. If you're scared of the car taking damage, you don't have to drive constantly (I presume), I've been to the ring a couple of times and I only drove a couple of laps a day, that may not seem like a lot, but together with all the off track spectating and taking in all your driving experiences it is great. Man, 40 quid, why dont I live in Brittan.

Well, it all seems like a good idea, but in the end, I did speak to my Dad about this, I need a car to get to work, go to places, and I can't risk getting the car damaged, even though I'm a very good driver, and I don't make any mistakes, a ned can simply knock me off, and think its funny and drive on. I won't get any claims of it because I'm on the racing track.

But its definately something to do when I get a bit of money rolling and have a full time job.

That was quick, his page was already vandalised.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_mclaren

"NA NA NA NA, NA NA NA NA, WAHEY HEY GOODBYE!!

(Scottish by the way! )

Quote from Linsen :

I don't know if they offer it at Knockhill, but have you thought about an instructed Track Day? That would seem a safer solution if you're worried about the wannabe race drivers wrecking you ...

Yeah they have a day where its a Novice training day. I was thinking of attending them first before taking part in the Track Day events next year.

Quote from tristancliffe :

Oh dear. I didn't want to put you off. You SHOULD go for it!!!!!

Just make sure the car is safe, paying particular attention to the brakes.

Boy Racer Helmet Designer? You make think of Eygpt when you say that It's never quite as easy as just turning up in your daily runabout, as trackdays will stress you and your car a lot more, and you still have to drive home afterwards.

£500 is still a cheap car, and as such it might have worn out bits (worn out in terms of track, not in terms of MoT passing).

It really REALLY REALLY is worth the journey, and the money and the time. You don't need to get a garage to check the car - you, some common sense and a Haynes manual will be enough, perhaps with the phone number of a local mechanic/garage/friend who can give you tips if/when you get stuck.

Don't give up so easily. Please. I just wanted to make sure you took the safety side seriously, because it could help you (although chances are you car won't get a single scratch, but it's best to be careful beforehand than simply wise afterwards.

Oh I did take it seriously, you got my post the wrong way .

I'd love to do it, but like you said, chances are I could get my car scratched, could have a failiure. When I said I needed a kick in the balls, I needed one, because I was high on momentum on the past few weeks, and I needed someone like you, with proper experience, to kick the momentum back, because I needed it. I didn't want to jump the gun and then suffer unexpected consequences that I didn't think would happen.

Brakes are no problem, what I'll do though, is give the car a once over with a local mechanic, and take it from there. Its a standard car, the brakes are absolutely fantastic. and I can get very good tyres for cheap prices. I'm just not sure about the track insurance at Knockhill, how does that work out?

Quote from danowat :

Trackdays are awesome, just do it, I have done a few now, all be it on a bike, but it's still awesome none-the-less, best way I can think of to spend £50 and a Saturday .

I would give you some tips, but they would probably be bike specific, so I won't fill the post up with useless (for you) information.

Just don't drive like a tool, and you'll be fine

Don't worry, I won't . I drove a Singler Seater at Knockhill last year, and I enjoyed every moment of it *pats DFP and LFS* I know where to cross the line of being a boy racer and a sensible driver. It's the neds/chavs that I am worried about, I have seen their driving on Knockhill track days and they claimed to be "good at it" and show their driving online only to spin off a couple of times and nearly caused serious crashes.

Last edited by BigDave2967, Wed 21 Nov 2007, 13:30.

Quote from tristancliffe :

Your road insurance will not work on the track, and it is VERY unlikely to work even if you pushed the wrecked car (if you crash) down the road away from the circuit - they're not that stupid!

Your brakes will get a work out - I'd suggest decent pads, not cheap road pads. Check your discs as well, because if they are worn (thin) you might have problems towards the end of the day, even if it's just severe warping rather than cracking/explosion. Also, check your brake fluid - if in ANY doubt change it, because, again, you will be working the brakes hard, and you don't want the hydroscopic action taking you to hospital.

Brakes are important. If your engine breaks you stop. If your steering breaks or your tyres go flat you can usually stop (using the brakes). If your brakes fail you end up in a plywood box.

Once you are 100% happy with your brakes (bear in mind accidents don't wait for you to be prepared, and a 100mph crash in a road car is a 100mph crash. The cheaper the car the more likely you are to get hurt (generally)), you can look at your tyres (bulges, tread etc), steering (balljoints, CV joints), suspension (broken springs, weeping dampers, solid mountings). Also have a quick glance at your exhaust (not about to drop off through rot) and fuel (not dripping, and no dampness around injectors caused by fuel).


None of the above will make you go faster - that's not the point. Don't bother with sticky tyres, as it'll make the car less 'fun', and don't go for racing brake pads (crap on road cars as they won't get hot enough). But the above should ensure you have an above average chance of not being removed in an ambulance and a road sweeper lorry.

Don't borrow a helmet (not even from the circuit). Buy your own. A motorcycle one is fine, but it MUST cost more than £100 minimum. Make sure all your cloths are cotton (naturally fire retardent), and ideally not screen printed (not fire retardent). Try to avoid jeans if possible, but they aren't SO bad. Wear gloves of some sort (cotton ideally, and preferably ones that will help you grip the wheel).

Obviously if you don't care about safety, ignore all or any of the above. But accidents can and do happen, so you might as well take precautions which will allow you to double the enjoyment of the day (less worry about injury every time the car slides).

That was the kick in the balls I needed. Thanks Tristan . I didn't want to go super duper fast, I just wanted to experience of going round the track in my own car for fun.

I'm not your average boy racer helmet designer, I was just wondering, because I know there were going to be flaws, and I knew there was going to be a kick in the balls, I just needed the kick to happen.

The car was cheap because it happened to be a friend of mine that was selling it, and the car is that damn good, was a fluke that I got it from a friend who would have sold it for 500.

Thanks for the reality check, definately not gonna go, not worth the journey.

Quote from ajp71 :

I'm sure you're already aware of it but it should be pointed out that unless you pay for it you'll be uninsured. Other than that repeated track days will knacker your car and it may affect resale value of a car, that only really applies if you've got a car which is likely to draw questions about past abuse.

Well I got the car for £350, and I can take it to a local scrappies and get a hundred quid out of it. But I did drive around 1,200 miles back in August, most of the hours an average 70mph, and the engine was fine, but I understand it would be less different due to high revving.

As for the uninsured. I am insured for the car, its MOTed and Road Taxed. But if you are talking about Insurance in Knockhill itself to drive on, I'm not too sure, because I had a look, and I haven't seen any mention about insurance when driving on the track at all.

Thought I'd come out in the open. Might as well give an explanation on what gave me this idea to do this. Past few weeks have been exciting.

I'm turning 22 next month, and booked myself a Ferrari 360 Drive in Knockhill just a few days before my birthday *cheaper, since my 22nd was on a weekend*

And just recently last week, I was up in Knockhill, doing some Go Karting, and on a damp track I was just 1.5 - 2 secs off the official lap record. *I'm also a big build lad* And the employee of the track was impressed. And I was about to leave, I saw that a Ferrari Racing team, were doing testing around the Knockhill curcuit for the day. One of the drivers happened to be Gordon Shedden driving the Racing version of the Ferrari 430. Had a chat with him and got his autograph . Lovely chap, didn't seem to mind me having a quick blether.

I had the privilage of watching him in action whizzing past me in the pitlane at 140-160mph. Was a quiet day, and was just pure luck that I decided to go up to Knockhill on a quiet day. Only wanted to go in and out to ask about the Ferrarai driving experience I would be doing soon.

And I'm going Go Karting with a friend this Saturday against a few others, and its franky got me fired up and excited to try out a track day in Knockhill where you take your car out for a spin for a few hours for just 40 quid *or 50 on arrival*

http://www.knockhill.com/trackdays/speed-sunday.php

And I won't be doing it this soon, want to get Christmas and everything out the way, thought this would be something to do later on in the New Year. The novice drive seems like a good idea, so I could familiarise with my car and avoid major mistakes.

Now this all seems fun to do, but I know that there will be flaws:

Tyres
Fuel
Cost of entree *not really that much*

Could someone also show me what other flaws there could be?

Thanks.

Sorry about the long post, had to get that off my chest, a lot has happened the past 2 weeks in Driving experience terms.

EDIT: The pic attachment is me and the car, ignore the big bellies you see, I lost a stone since that photo was taken.