Tracking your Maser

[mjheathcote]

I'm looking at doing a track day at Blyton Park soon. It's a new circuit developed from an airfield with Tarmac I believe, so plenty of run off, bit like Bedford.
Anyway what can I expect, with a standard car in everyway.
Compared to my old Elise that I tracked a few times, I am sure it will be very different!
Thanks
Mike

 

[lozcb]

I'm looking at doing a track day at Blyton Park soon. It's a new circuit developed from an airfield with Tarmac I believe, so plenty of run off, bit like Bedford.
Anyway what can I expect, with a standard car in everyway.
Compared to my old Elise that I tracked a few times, I am sure it will be very different!
Thanks
Mike

Just keep the thing in sport , unless you like sailing in a force 6 with high swells hahaha , it'll be fine my first time round Goodwood with an instructor driving without sport was tanking it round at high speed with two fingers on the wheel , car was leaning into the bends and he just dropped a gear or two and floored it ,and she came straight back into line and out the bends no problem so in sport its mush easier and i felt a lot safer and more confident , the car has a lot more ability than our talent to challenge it, just make sure your tyres pressures are 2.2 bar atleast or 32/33 psi , normal is 2.1 so let a bit out before you go home , otherwise enjoy and drive within your limits so you feelk comfortable , first and foremost its to be enjoyed rather than a worrying challege to keep up with other people , just do your own thing ,

What sort of money are they charging for the day


regards loz

 

[Emtee]

Turn the MSP off Mike. Serves a purpose on the road, but way too intrusive, perhaps even dangerous on a track. Drive to your limits and those of the track / conditions, not the computer under the hood.

 

[hodroyd]

Hi Mike,

Where is Blyton Park, not heard of it, if it's up north I might have a go?

Cheers
R

 

[Emtee]

It's in Lincolnshire Robert. Been up and running for a couple of years now. Looks simple and safe. I've posted it previously with a vague view to organising a track day there. Similar format to how Andy organises Llandow, but Midlands?

http://www.blytonpark.co.uk/

 

[mjheathcote]

http://www.javelintrackdays.co.uk/trackday/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=119&Itemid=1

£99

Don't have MSP, only Traction control, MSP came along later I believe.

A good friend of mine has a Porsche GT3, done a few track days with him when I had the Elise. He did Blyton Park late last year and he said it was great, only 6 cars attended on the open pit lane day! He's wanting to go again this time with me taking the Maser!

 

[mjheathcote]

It's in Lincolnshire Robert. Been up and running for a couple of years now. Looks simple and safe. I've posted it previously with a vague view to organising a track day there. Similar format to how Andy organises Llandow, but Midlands?

http://www.blytonpark.co.uk/

Yes my mate said it was simple and safe, main reason why he wants to go again!

 

[Emtee]

When are you thinking of doing it Mike? Open pit event? Might be interested as it's sorta local.

 

[lozcb]

Mee too just google earthed the track , sort of oval with some bends ,£99 not bad for a localish track ,



regards loz

+

 

[hodroyd]

It's actually not that far from me, it could be a good spot to visit. What does the £99 get you, track, food, young ladies to wipe your brow??

 

[mjheathcote]

When are you thinking of doing it Mike? Open pit event? Might be interested as it's sorta local.

Sorting out some possible dates with my GT3 and Cockster (I mean Boxster..) friends, most likely in May, will post when booked. Would love to see your MCV!
Cheers
Mike

 

[mjheathcote]

It's actually not that far from me, it could be a good spot to visit. What does the £99 get you, track, food, young ladies to wipe your brow??

Just the track, but £99 is very good value, many 'proper' circuits are now over £200 and more.
There is usually a burger van as a minimum.
Young ladies...feel free to bring your own!

 

[bigbob]

Personally I would not bother. I have driven loads of cars on the track and for me it has to be a Lotus or a Caterham. Masers are too big, heavy and soft and eat their brakes when you really try.

Why not rent a Caterham or buy one? £10k will get a nice one - split it between four mates?

 

[blue520]

Would agree with bigbob did one last July at an airfield just north of London first did a few laps in a Elise a 430 and an impressa before going in my Spyder. Major dissapointment
way to soft when pushed in fact i`d say almost embarassing. The Masser is a great GT and should be left at that.

 

[bigbob]

Indeed! I have never felt my Masers lacking on the road but round the twisty circuit that is Knockhill, I could not quite keep up with the Cayman S in my 4200GT. Afterwards the brakes were frying.

 

[Emtee]

Depends on what lights your fire I guess. I have to say that I've enjoyed tracking my previous Maserati around Llandow, not because the 4200 is a sublime piece of track-oriented engineering ('cos it patently ain't), but just because it's simply fun to test my own assumptions of my car and my driving skills in a safe environment. If Dan checks in, he'll certainly note that he lapped me in his Lotus with regular ease, indeed one time around Llandow the Clio's were chewing me up, but that's fine. I still feel I'm a better driver for having done it, and have had a great deal of fun along the way.

 

[ENZ525]

Depends on what lights your fire I guess. I have to say that I've enjoyed tracking my previous Maserati around Llandow, not because the 4200 is a sublime piece of track-oriented engineering ('cos it patently ain't), but just because it's simply fun to test my own assumptions of my car and my driving skills in a safe environment. If Dan checks in, he'll certainly note that he lapped me in his Lotus with regular ease, indeed one time around Llandow the Clio's were chewing me up, but that's fine. I still feel I'm a better driver for having done it, and have had a great deal of fun along the way.

Exactly right...

 

[mjheathcote]

I know my 4200 is not going to be a track day weapon, but want to know what it handles like...good or bad...in a safe environment.
My Lotus Elise was if anything, too good, the limits where very high, that actually cost me on my first ever track day many years ago.
Cheers
Mike

 

[marcos]

but want to know what it handles like...good or bad...in a safe environment.

Exactly the reason I try and take all my cars on track at least once - I treat it like the public road but know there's nothing coming the other way, there's nothing on a blind bend and there are no police. Driving quickly and smoothly, rather than flat out, means the brakes don't overheat and you keep your tyres. You just concentrate on smoothness and carrying speed rather than outright nailing it, stamping on the brakes and wrenching the wheel; basically drive it like the heavy GT it is and it can be very rewarding, just in a different way to an Elise etc.

The limits of grip on my 4200, DB7 and DB9 astonished me considering their weights!

 

[Andyk]

Depends on what lights your fire I guess. I have to say that I've enjoyed tracking my previous Maserati around Llandow, not because the 4200 is a sublime piece of track-oriented engineering ('cos it patently ain't), but just because it's simply fun to test my own assumptions of my car and my driving skills in a safe environment. If Dan checks in, he'll certainly note that he lapped me in his Lotus with regular ease, indeed one time around Llandow the Clio's were chewing me up, but that's fine. I still feel I'm a better driver for having done it, and have had a great deal of fun along the way.

Agree 100%......Its not about who is the fastest or if you have the best handling car... ...Its all about having fun and learning about you and your cars limits in a safe area...........and that can be in an anything from a Roll Royce to a Caterham.......I have had many Elise/Exge and they are brilliant and perfect for the track but I wouldn't say I've had less fun in the other cars I've had on track.......