05/05/2005 23:07:26 martin peacham Many thanks to Dave and everybody who made tonight happen,I had a great time, sorry if my breakdown held things up it was a broken wire inside the dissy that stopped me:( hope to see you again soon p.s can you arrange one at Snetterton please. Martin

05/05/2005 23:17:52 mgbv8mike Yes, Thanks......I had a great time....will definitely be back for more ( as soon as I've worked out how to get the V8 to stop as little better). Track days definitely show up shortcomings in cars (and their drivers) Mike

06/05/2005 00:45:31 Cannonball Bob Good to hear you both enjoyed it! By the sounds of it so did a great many others who were there tonight, despite the occasional sprinkling of rain. Breakdowns happen, it's a fact of life so no worries there. And they're not shortcomings Mike, just slight increases in the gradient of the learning curve!

06/05/2005 09:16:53 Floyd_England [b]Fantastic!!![/b] [b]Hats off to the MGOT team, it was superb!!!! :D[/b] The no show of other clubs and subsequent open pit lane turned a great evening into a fantastic one. Don't worry about the breakdown Martin, the little hold up was perfect timing for me as I was starting to get a little sloppy and the rest did me good! The rain wasn't a problem, it certainly showed just how right the briefing was. Donington does get very slippy when wet - Sideways through Goddards :eek: ) - I was glad it dried for the final 3/4 hour though. £55 for 92 track miles......what a bargain!!! Once again thank you guys, I nodded off last night thinking of taking the MGF down the Craner Curves :) )

06/05/2005 09:57:39 Hotkiwi [b]Aye Up[/b] here here, big up to Dave and the team for their hard work behind the scenes that made the night one to remember. My investment in an instructor was a wise one , so thanks too go to Ryan and the boys. I got the hang of Craners but found the one onto the main straight hardest to get right. Im not brave enough to turn in blind ! There were some seriously quick beginners out there last night. :eek: And not one bit of damage (that I know of)...... Thanks once again one and all . :)

06/05/2005 10:13:29 Frank Thanks to all who were involved in arranging an extremely enjoyable evening. I had great fun and I've found out (legally) a lot more about what my TF will do. I certainly made the right choice when I bought it. Thanks also to everyone who took part and who all showed great consideration for each other: especially after the rain! The back end stepping out at the Old Hairpin certainly grabs your attention! If anyone is thinking they might like to attend a future track day then go for it! [center][img]http://www.spinningweb.force9.co.uk/TF/Donington.jpg[/img] [/center]

06/05/2005 10:13:47 Shawn Moore [b]apologies[/b] Last night was one I will remember for a long time. Mine was the old english white midget. Last night wasn't really about judging my inabilities, for me it was seeing if I had done a half decent job of building the car. When I restored the car, I decided that I wasn't bothered about originality. I wanted more performance and handling capability. the engine is a 1380, with fully modified big valve, big port head, using Rimflo valves. It has a 286 cam, 1.5 roller rockers, vernier timing gear, wedged ,balanced crank, lightened flywheel, maniflow inlet and exhaust manifolds, and 45 weber. the car also runs a 5 speed ford gearbox. I have made anti - tramp bars and a panhard rod for the rear, and it has Gaz adjustable shocks. the front suspension is frontline with avo adjustables. It is lowered all round with 400lb front springs. The wheels look like standard spokes but are actually slightly wider and stronger (thanks Anita), and enable me to use 165/65 tyres. the car also has polybushes all round. the brakes are standard but with drilled brembo discs, greenstuff pads, silicon fluid and braided hoses. The limits are higher than a standard midget, and to reach them on a road would be a little reckless. I did not know if it was going to understeer oversteer, or what it was going to do. As it turned out it was very neutral and predictable, even in the damp. I was amazed how adjustable cars are with the throttle, when cornering really hard. after braking and selecting the right gear in a straight line, then cornering on a steady throttle, accelerating or backing off had big effects on the attitude of the car. To start with I was driving all wrong. it felt fast, but I was fighting the car. I went round one corner like a threepenny bit, thankfully the car tolerated it. after instruction things got a lot better and smoother. I would just like to apologise for turning my headlights on behind slower traffic. I did not know at the time that this is considered rude. I have never been on a track day in a car before, so I did not know the etiquette. All in all a great success. the weather was just kind enough to make it interesting, no one went off (except my brakes), and everyone as I could tell had a great time. Thanks to everyone involved.

06/05/2005 10:17:57 Shawn Moore [b]photos[/b] If anyone has any pictures of my car going round, I would really apreciate them. shawn.dawnatvirgin.net please replace the at with @. I was on my own and didn't have anyone who could take any for me. thank you.

06/05/2005 11:11:05 Dave [QUOTE=martin peacham]sorry if my breakdown held things up it was a broken wire inside the dissy that stopped me:( ... p.s can you arrange one at Snetterton please. Martin[/QUOTE]Phew! Thank goodness it was so simple :) We're hoping to get to Snetterton next year. Thanks to everyone for making the evening a great success - I'm really glad you enjoyed the unprecedented track time - consider yourselves truly spoilt! I'm also jealous, as Donny is one of my favourites and I've certainly not had open pitlane there! I've just opened a new category in the Photo Gallery ([url="http://www.mgs-on-track.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=3016"]here[/url]) if anyone has any photos to add to it. My apologies for not getting an officical photographer. A couple of our normal snappers were busy I'm afraid. Jennie, did you get any photos or were you too busy enjoying the pax rides in the Alpha? :D

06/05/2005 11:31:00 Gavin J What a night, got to be the best £55 i've spent for a long time! Really enjoyed it, already want to book another.......didn't realise it would be so addictive! Shawn your midget was flying round that track, i wondered what the spec was. A big thanks for Tony Crossley for being a passenger with me to give some tips, (i've not felt so nervous since i took my driving test!!) but your tips certainly helped on the last few runs i had on the track where i 'seemed' to be putting your tips into practice. I'm just hoping someone puts a load of pics in the gallery now, there seemed to be a few people with cameras on the pit wall? so fingers crossed. Was nice to see everyone get round with no incidents as such, i hope the person with 'f' plate blue mgb got home after the overheating issues? Would be nice if people could put a pic of there mg on so we could put a username to a car so to speak. Mine was the blaze coloured MGB with '78 on the side.

06/05/2005 11:44:35 wirly what a cracking evening couldn't belive how much i enjoyed it also couldnt belive how poor my lines were till shown round then what a change car was flying:D im hooked now and already looking for my next session thanks for evening and im sure another event like this will get plenty of other folks signed up to try there car on track

06/05/2005 12:16:12 Rob Bell WOW! Open pit lane at Donington for 55 quid?! Flipping heck - I am seriously jealous! :D Great to hear that you all had such a great time - I am seriously itching to get back on track this year!!! :cool:

06/05/2005 12:33:10 Frank Rob, thanks for the Mintex 1144 brake pad recommendation. They made a huge contribution to the fun.

06/05/2005 13:02:14 d.breen fantastic night ,,had a great time and really explored the car and the straight was long enough for over 115mph,,,,,wowzers and the brakes hauled me down repeatedly very heavy and very late with no probs at all ,,my tyres dont even look worn either. Surprising how much speed the car can take through the bends and even when it was losing traction it was easily controllable ,,when i came off the track i was getting butterflies thinking about the speeds id just been doing !!!!Even the elises couldnt match us for acceleration,, and the sad part is the zs aint made anymore. Thanks again,will see you again.

06/05/2005 13:55:59 mikejnunn It is possible Gavin, just click on the UserCP link and add an avatar (.bmp image) to your profile. Mike [QUOTE=Gavin J]Would be nice if people could put a pic of there mg on so we could put a username to a car so to speak. Mine was the blaze coloured MGB with '78 on the side.[/QUOTE]

06/05/2005 15:54:27 Steve Hill A big thanks to all you novice Tracksters for joining us at Donington yesterday. We hope to see to some of you again at Cadwell on June 13th. Cheers Steve Secretary MGoT

06/05/2005 16:07:58 stephanie [b]More![/b] What a great time! After my minor hiccup (big spin at first corner which it seems everyone saw! :o !) I found my feet and had a fantastic time! Can't wait to do it again!

06/05/2005 16:10:55 d.breen who was driving the silver grey elise i was having so much fun with!!?

06/05/2005 16:22:27 Steve Hill [QUOTE=d.breen]who was driving the silver grey elise i was having so much fun with!!?[/QUOTE] Max Ferrari!

06/05/2005 17:33:34 Heebeegeetee [QUOTE=Gavin J]Mine was the blaze coloured MGB with '78 on the side.[/QUOTE] Hi, and nice to see you traveling to work in it this morning. Saw you queuing for the Pipehill lights. Amazingly, I had just seen the lovely pale green MGA making its way along the A38 towards Bassetts Pole.

06/05/2005 17:40:23 Gavin J Your right i was on the way to work, do you live local to lichfield then ? What car were you driving?? Gav

06/05/2005 17:46:29 stephanie [b]Video???[/b] At last nights briefing there was some mention of a video, does anyone know if this was a video of the night and if so are copies available??? :D

06/05/2005 17:57:19 mgbv8mike Stephanie, I had a video camera mounted on the passenger headrest (green V8 roadster),...... lots of camera wobble ( I viewed it at 12,30 last night...couldn't wait), I got some steady shots of the pit-lane , and cars on the main straight, I'll try to put it on a DVD this weekend. Mike

06/05/2005 18:08:02 stephanie Thanks, that would be great. I had someone taking stills however most of them have only half a car in view or none at all! :rolleyes: The ones I do have are very blurred so I'm keeping an eye out for postings in the gallery! [QUOTE=mgbv8mike]Stephanie, I had a video camera mounted on the passenger headrest (green V8 roadster),...... lots of camera wobble ( I viewed it at 12,30 last night...couldn't wait), I got some steady shots of the pit-lane , and cars on the main straight, I'll try to put it on a DVD this weekend. Mike[/QUOTE]

06/05/2005 20:14:12 Dave [QUOTE=stephanie]At last nights briefing there was some mention of a video, does anyone know if this was a video of the night and if so are copies available??? :D[/QUOTE]The reference in the briefing was to the closed circuit TV used by event control to monitor the circuit. I'd imagine that the tapes get re-used and not kept and that it would be difficult to get copies anway. Sorry :-( We do have a couple of brothers who have been to a number of MGoT track days recently (Brands, Silverstone and Anglesey) and they have made fantastic DVDs. If you come along to the MGCC Silverstone International Weekend in July, we'll be showing it on our stand. Maybe one day they'll capture you on film :-)

06/05/2005 20:34:07 Georgina [b]Photos[/b] I'm afraid I didn't get take many photos this time. Partly because of the weather, but also because had a great time out with Bob giving me some guidance (Thanks Bob). If you can bear with me, I will have the 9-10 images from my film camera transfered to CD over the next week or so. I can't promise anything brilliant as the light conditions were against me and the camera does not like the rain. Thanks everyone for a brilliant evening.

07/05/2005 06:40:06 nickmgb [b]Whoops ![/b] Can I also apologise for turning my headlights on, I didn't know it is considered rude. I had a great evening in my B (Damask Roadster), it's the first time i've been able to get the car on the road never mind a track for 18 months (young family + also have now bought a V8 to play with). I was also nice to meet people who were like me relative begineers. A top evening and great value.

07/05/2005 10:14:21 mgbv8mike Stephanie & Dave, I've had a look at the video shots, not terribly professional I'm afraid (only my second try at high speed video), I'll try and tidy it up and put it on DVD, E Mail me if you would like copies......I seem to have been overtaken by just about every other car during my lappery, so if you overtook a green open top V8 there is a possibility that you will have your five seconds of fame. Mike

07/05/2005 11:31:48 Dave [b]Great photos now in the Photo Gallery[/b] Loads of great pics now in the Photo Gallery, courtesy of Jennie, Gavin and Frank :D More to come from Stephanie when I can get them uploaded for her.

07/05/2005 15:33:13 Gavin J Jennie you have made my day with those pics of my car, thanks alot!!

07/05/2005 16:09:07 stephanie that would be great! it is nice to see so many pics being put up and special thanks to jennie as iv'e a couple of pics of my car but hers is by far the best! [QUOTE=mgbv8mike]Stephanie & Dave, I've had a look at the video shots, not terribly professional I'm afraid (only my second try at high speed video), I'll try and tidy it up and put it on DVD, E Mail me if you would like copies......I seem to have been overtaken by just about every other car during my lappery, so if you overtook a green open top V8 there is a possibility that you will have your five seconds of fame. Mike[/QUOTE]

07/05/2005 16:48:55 Jennie Thanks - I'm glad you like the photos! :D If anyone wants full resolution versions, send me a Private Message with your e-mail address and I'll e-mail them to you. :)

07/05/2005 17:14:18 Gavin J Private message sent:)

07/05/2005 17:47:32 Jennie You should now have mail! :)

07/05/2005 19:40:19 stephanie [b]miles?[/b] I meant to reset my milage but forgot, did anyone happen to record how many miles they did on thursday night???

07/05/2005 20:07:05 Cannonball Bob I heard a figure of 92 mentioned in one conversation. :eek:

08/05/2005 09:03:00 Floyd_England I managed to clock up 92 miles, so with Donington national circuit being 1.957miles long, I managed 47 laps!! :D

08/05/2005 19:57:45 Giles [b]Wheelnuts[/b] A big thanks to the organisers. That was a lot of fun:D I really appreciated the atmosphere and the good manners on the track. I hope I didn't upset anyone with my driving. Stephanie, was that you spinning the Green TF at Redgate right at the beginning? It doesn't count if you don't leave the track, hit something or stall it :rolleyes: I was treated to a really good view of a B spinning right in front of me at Coppice, ending up on the grass on the inside of the circuit. I thought the driver was brave not braking before turning into the corner. I was relieved to see it regain the circuit again afterwards. I was watching in my rear-view mirror as I was braking for Goddards ;) I did 70 miles (35 laps), so I must have been on track for at least 15 minutes... On a cautionary note, I found all four of my front left wheelnuts had loosened off about a sixth of a turn. I'd recommend checking yours if you haven't already.

09/05/2005 09:26:35 Floyd_England [b]What a bargain!![/b] [QUOTE=Rob Bell]WOW! Open pit lane at Donington for 55 quid?! Flipping heck - I am seriously jealous! :D [/QUOTE] Just checked the Donington Park website, and an evening open pitlane session cost £125!!! Nice one MGOT!!!!

09/05/2005 09:44:16 Dave [QUOTE=Floyd_England]Just checked the Donington Park website, and an evening open pitlane session cost £125!!! Nice one MGOT!!!![/QUOTE]We aim to please ;) Of course, we may not be quite so lucky next time. The pricing we negotiated was based on us having one session out of three - with two other clubs involved. We were fortunate that no other clubs could make the date. However, that said, you should still find very favourable comparisons with commercial days, as we are a club. Our pricing is calculated to break even with just a small margin to cover admin costs and provide a few quid to fund future circuit deposits. Our accounts, as with any club, are open for scrutiny at our AGM. If anyone would like to get involved we'd welcome some help on the committee :)

09/05/2005 17:43:01 stephanie yes that was me spinning! and i ended up facing to track but not quite on it! quite spectacular!!! glad i wasn't the only one though!! but we all lived to tell the tale and i can't wait to do it again! 35 laps in 15 minutes is good going! lol swear i could hear my poor car whimpering for all of the next day! :D [QUOTE=Giles]A big thanks to the organisers. That was a lot of fun:D I really appreciated the atmosphere and the good manners on the track. I hope I didn't upset anyone with my driving. Stephanie, was that you spinning the Green TF at Redgate right at the beginning? It doesn't count if you don't leave the track, hit something or stall it :rolleyes: I was treated to a really good view of a B spinning right in front of me at Coppice, ending up on the grass on the inside of the circuit. I thought the driver was brave not braking before turning into the corner. I was relieved to see it regain the circuit again afterwards. I was watching in my rear-view mirror as I was braking for Goddards ;) I did 70 miles (35 laps), so I must have been on track for at least 15 minutes... On a cautionary note, I found all four of my front left wheelnuts had loosened off about a sixth of a turn. I'd recommend checking yours if you haven't already.[/QUOTE]

09/05/2005 21:52:10 Cannonball Bob [QUOTE=stephanie]swear i could hear my poor car whimpering for all of the next day! :D[/QUOTE] Nah! Wait til a whole DAY of open pitlane, a la Bedford Autodrome! :D

10/05/2005 07:37:07 Floyd_England [b]Bedford < 3 weeks![/b] [QUOTE=Cannonball Bob]Nah! Wait til a whole DAY of open pitlane, a la Bedford Autodrome! :D[/QUOTE] I can't wait!!! :D Less than 3 weeks to go!!! Mind you the MGF is cowering in the back of the garage at the thought!! :eek:

10/05/2005 15:22:08 Frank [QUOTE=stephanie]did anyone happen to record how many miles they did on thursday night???[/QUOTE]76, ie 38 laps. However, I only stayed until around 7:50 when management announced she was hungry. I couldn't argue as she had been brave enough to sit in for a few laps (still can't quite believe she did!). The 76 miles took 4 gallons. A few less mpg than usual.

10/05/2005 15:30:55 Floyd_England [QUOTE=Frank]she had been brave enough to sit in for a few laps (still can't quite believe she did!).[/QUOTE] But did she enjoy the ride? My passenger for the night was a mate who's been a bit dismissive of the F (hairdressers car, all show no go, etc). The drive home was quite enjoyable as he was eating quite a bit of humble pie!!!

10/05/2005 15:42:05 Giles [QUOTE=Frank]The 76 miles took 4 gallons. A few less mpg than usual.[/QUOTE] I worked out my fuel consumption to be about 19mpg too! Could have been even lower if I hadn't spent some of the time cruising around in 4th gear admiring the traffic. Wonder if anyone managed to get into single figures?

10/05/2005 16:04:21 Dave [QUOTE=Giles]I worked out my fuel consumption to be about 19mpg too! Could have been even lower if I hadn't spent some of the time cruising around in 4th gear admiring the traffic. Wonder if anyone managed to get into single figures?[/QUOTE]Just as a benchmark, my 1998 MGF VVC normally does around 16mpg on track :D

10/05/2005 19:24:26 Frank [QUOTE=Floyd_England]But did she enjoy the ride?[/QUOTE]Yes! She actually complained that the first 20 minute session was too slow. She wasn't complaining about later laps though!

10/05/2005 19:27:00 Frank [QUOTE=Giles]Could have been even lower if I hadn't spent some of the time cruising around in 4th gear admiring the traffic.[/QUOTE]Sitting in the pit lane for a while waiting for the start/finish straight to go quiet was time well spent...

11/05/2005 14:58:46 Giles [QUOTE=Frank]Sitting in the pit lane for a while waiting for the start/finish straight to go quiet was time well spent...[/QUOTE] I did the same, but in any case I was content to cruise around for a few laps in each session to let things cool off.

12/05/2005 15:29:28 Jim Gibson [QUOTE=Giles] I was treated to a really good view of a B spinning right in front of me at Coppice, ending up on the grass on the inside of the circuit. I thought the driver was brave not braking before turning into the corner. I was relieved to see it regain the circuit again afterwards. I was watching in my rear-view mirror as I was braking for Goddards [/QUOTE] That was probably me you saw. I was actually going off at the end of Macleans - for the second time - rather than at Coppice. I would like to say that I was progressively modifying my entry speeds/angles to try to neaten up my course through Macleans, but that would just be beginner's BS, I just got it wrong really. Great fun though.

13/05/2005 13:27:15 Giles The spinner I saw was definitely at Coppice. I think someone is being a little shy! I found the entry to McLeans was the trickiest part of the circuit, with the car squirming under braking prior to turning in. I also saw several puffs of dust from other cars that cut across the inside of the track just before the kerb. Its good to know that despite there being at least 3 spinners no-one has modified bodywork. [img]http://website.lineone.net/~mouser/ineson/Track_Days/dpmap2.gif[/img]

13/05/2005 13:33:38 Frank [QUOTE=Giles]The spinner I saw was definitely at Coppice.[/QUOTE]An orange MGB GT (?) spun in front of me at Coppice and ended up on the grass on the inside. Quite graceful: 9/10 for artistic impression! They were obviously having fun!

13/05/2005 20:03:20 mgbv8mike Giles, I managed to get a bit of video of you from my car (green mgb) going through Redgate as I came out of the pits,....... you were last seen going through the Craner curves at a rate of knots. I'm putting it onto a DVD (eventually)....will let you know the outcome. Mike

14/05/2005 15:43:31 Giles [QUOTE=Frank]An orange MGB GT (?) spun in front of me at Coppice and ended up on the grass on the inside. Quite graceful: 9/10 for artistic impression! They were obviously having fun![/QUOTE] You've just described exactly what I saw! Clearly orange MGBs spin gracefully...

14/05/2005 16:05:41 Giles [QUOTE=mgbv8mike]Giles, I managed to get a bit of video of you from my car (green mgb) going through Redgate as I came out of the pits,....... you were last seen going through the Craner curves at a rate of knots. I'm putting it onto a DVD (eventually)....will let you know the outcome. Mike[/QUOTE] Thats fantastic Mike. I was just thinking that it was a shame that I didn't have any photos. A short bit of video would be so much better. Did you take footage the whole time you were on track? You must have video of a lot of cars.

14/05/2005 20:37:08 Frank [QUOTE=Giles]You must have video of a lot of cars.[/QUOTE]Do we have a list!? A silver TF?

15/05/2005 13:11:42 mgbv8mike There is about 15 mins in all......I took some shots of the first (red) session from the pit wall, then mounted the camera in the car for about 10mins early on and another short session just before the red lights came on for the Midget that broke down....got a short shot of the cars in the pits, and the Midget being towed in...and that's it . Quite a number of cars overtook me during the sessions, the V8's fast on the straights, but a bit of a beggar to corner and stop at the moment, still neds work on the suspension (and driver). If you overtook the green B roadster with gold Minilites and a boot rack, you've probably been captured for posterity!! I will try to post a list, and put the film on DVD....unfortunately the picture quality & sound need working on before the next track day. Mike

18/05/2005 10:41:00 Frank [QUOTE=mgbv8mike]I will try to post a list, and put the film on DVD[/QUOTE]Thanks - looking forward to it!

18/05/2005 15:27:24 Shawn Moore I'd be interested to know if my white midget is on it. would you sell copies?

18/05/2005 22:01:39 mgbv8mike Shawn, I promise you, it isn't nearly good enough quality to ask money for, but when I've got it sorted I'll circulate a copy somehow Mike

19/05/2005 08:45:27 Giles Is the video digital or on film? If you can get it onto DVD (preferably not DVD-RAM) it should be easy for someone with a computer to edit it and compress it. I see that you can get el cheapo digital camcorders from Amazon for as little as £75. I'd be tempted if I planned to do a lot of track days. I guess the key to good quality footage is mounting it properly.

19/05/2005 17:34:54 mgbv8mike Yes, it's analogue, but I've got a plug in thingi, and some software called Studio version 9 which edits, and transfers it onto DVD, camera shake is a problem, as there is nowhere good to mount it in the B, this time I bolted 2 pieces of ally 'U' section back to back between the headrest columns, with a support which ran back to my boot rack, so the camera was next to the passengers headrest, at about head height......and a mike in the rear over-rider just above the exhaust.... not very scientific , but better than my last attempt at the MGCC Silverstone parade laps last year. Does anyone have a website I could stick it on when it's finished....it's neck end of 15mins long, so much too long to send over the internet I guess. Mike

19/05/2005 17:50:27 Giles I can stick it on a web server at work. How big is it though?

23/05/2005 11:07:52 Steve Hill It's really encouraging for us to hear how much you have all enjoyed the Donington Beginners Evening. How many of you will be joining us at Cadwell on June 13th? :)

23/05/2005 11:51:23 Gavin J [QUOTE=Steve Hill] How many of you will be joining us at Cadwell on June 13th? :)[/QUOTE] Would love to but i've managed to a tear a cartilage in my knee which means i can't even get in my MGB:o luckily i can just about get in my sensible car! Think my next one will be Donington 5th August.