gambler Posted August 18, 2009 Posted August 18, 2009 I’m currently sans track car as the impreza is getting an engine rebuild after some problems at brands hatch. Hopefully with over 500Horses I got an invite from a mate with a well sorted Impreza P1 to go a track day on the gt circuit at Bedford aerodrome with some of the lads who I go to spa and the ring with. We arrived on circuit and did the sighting laps. Circuit is 3.5miles long, really wide, fast and has massive run off's. There is only 3 corners where there is something to hit if you come off. 1st toy I was out in was a mutaya. Its impreza running gear with 300hp on an 800kg kit car body. The lad had just built it and fitted adjustable EXE-TC suspension to it. The same as I have in my car. He wanted a hand setting it up and a couple of track tips. He drove for a bit and then he gave me the keys and out we went for a play. The car was really good fun with none of the heavy car weight transfer you get in an impreza. Then my mate who has a 997 GT3 who has not done a lot on track wanted some tips too. I have never been in one and jumped at the chance to ride in the pax seat. We just worked on lines and smoothness on the controls as the GT3 seems to need a lot of respect. Parting with some of my limited knowledge seemed to help him and I was really impressed with the grip and balance of the car. The next toy was the track spec P1. Excellent fun. Not quite as grippy or stiff as my car but this makes is so easy to have a laugh and slide around as sideways as you like in. Really enjoyable car We were then approached by a company with a racing radical and asked if we wanted some pax laps. The cost, zero pounds they just wanted feedback to see if people would pay for the experience on a track day. I signed the disclaimer and jumped in. There was a lovely girl there to assist with the harness. Lucky, as im not sure what happened, but I must have forgotten how a harness works and I had to get her to strap me in The car was amazing. It could brake so late and the G-Forces on the corners were unbelievable. It changed direction like a fly. I was then offered some pax laps in a mates Nissan GTR.After all the hype I was looking forward to this. As a piece of engineering it’s a masterpiece. Although, i found it a bit dull. Great lap times but zero driver involvement. It just does everything for you. I appreciate i come from the world of 4wd but to drive an impreza with no fancy electronic diffs you do have to balance the car and steer on the throttle in the corners. Not that dissimilar to my M3 on track. Just more forgiving when you do make an a*** of it. I was then back out in the P1 for another play. Much more exciting and if I was given the chance, I would much rather drive the P1 than the GTR. Then, all my Christmases and birthdays came at once. I was given the keys to the GT3 and told to go and have some fun on the track. The 1st lap I was absolutely papping myself as I knew how much it would cost to fix . I then got into the grove and stopped driving it like a pussy, as that would have just been rude. I decided to push it on a bit. What an amazing car. So much feel and feedback. When it’s going to go a bit sideways it gives you plenty of warning and it pretty forgiving when you do push it. It’s just so fast and smooth. Not as quick or as brutal as my impreza by a long way but amazing to drive on track (a dry track with lots of massive run-offs) If Carlsberg did track days. And friends!
green_goblin Posted August 18, 2009 Posted August 18, 2009 That sounds like a great day out....you lucky bas
johns Posted August 18, 2009 Posted August 18, 2009 Awesome!! Great write-up, and you are very lucky indeed! Hope to see you and your car back in action at Knockhill soon John
scooby222 Posted August 18, 2009 Posted August 18, 2009 and i suppose you got home to find your euro millions winning ticket had been delivered?? sounds amazing,sort of thing that only happens once,good on you for making the most of it-any pics of harness girl
dipsy Posted August 18, 2009 Posted August 18, 2009 That sounds brilliant .You have some very good mates
gambler Posted August 19, 2009 Author Posted August 19, 2009 Thanks guys. It was an awesome day. No euro millions jackpot yet. So im going to have to wait for the GT3 John- I cant wait to get the car back to knockhill with more power
jcscoob Posted August 20, 2009 Posted August 20, 2009 Gambler i always dig your wee storys, sounds like an amazing day. canny beat your own car eh!!
~ ~ Cal ~~ Posted August 20, 2009 Posted August 20, 2009 Sounds fantastic - thanks for taking the time to write up ! I have a severe GT3 fetish so welcome more feedback ? How were the brakes and steering ? Glad to hear the Scooby reigns supreme though
uRaBu5 Posted August 21, 2009 Posted August 21, 2009 Gambler, Great write up on what sounds an amazing day/experience! Knowing my luck,mine would be more Kellogg’s than Carlsberg – all happened the same, then wake up and have my corn flakes. You’re a very lucky man with some very generous mates. Derek
gambler Posted August 21, 2009 Author Posted August 21, 2009 Cal - Steering was amazing. So much feedback from it. And the whole car in general. You could just feel it move around. The brakes were the steel ones, not ceramic. They were also impressive for what is quite a heavy car. The car just talked to you the whole time. I would have one in a minute. I cant wait to take my own car there. It will be 500hp by the end of next week, hopefully. When it was 400 it was beating 911turbo and GT3RS around Spa. So it should be pretty quick round Bedford. There is so much run off you could just go mental. Especially in the wet. Luckily i did not damage the GT3 or it would not be Carlsberg doing track days. It would be SPAM doing dinner, every night for a long time
murtayamartin Posted August 21, 2009 Posted August 21, 2009 i take it it was ian from stan palmer in the p1 and chris in the green murtaya-sounds a great day,a lot of the notrthloopers love bedford oh and lucky barsteward! martin
gambler Posted August 21, 2009 Author Posted August 21, 2009 It sure was mate. I have been to spa and the ring a few times with them. Chris has made a great job of the mutaya.
~ ~ Cal ~~ Posted August 23, 2009 Posted August 23, 2009 Cal - Steering was amazing. So much feedback from it. And the whole car in general. You could just feel it move around. The brakes were the steel ones, not ceramic. They were also impressive for what is quite a heavy car. The car just talked to you the whole time. I would have one in a minute. I cant wait to take my own car there. It will be 500hp by the end of next week, hopefully. When it was 400 it was beating 911turbo and GT3RS around Spa. So it should be pretty quick round Bedford. There is so much run off you could just go mental. Especially in the wet. Luckily i did not damage the GT3 or it would not be Carlsberg doing track days. It would be SPAM doing dinner, every night for a long time Insanely jealous ! This clip does it for me every time :- this too 500 ponies in your lightweight beastie must be endless fun & games Cal
gambler Posted August 24, 2009 Author Posted August 24, 2009 Nice clips. They are the ultimate track toy. The car is endless fun.It makes me laugh everytime i drive it. Hopefully it will be appearing at an SIDC day soon. Anyone is welcome for pax laps
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