18/04/2008 13:19:31 P10PGS What a fabulous day we had - with rubbish weather each day either side of it, one has to say the sun shines on MGoT. I tried to find an organiser to thank for the day, but failed, so apologies to them and thanks for -as ever - a brilliantly organised day. But ... ... what happened to our friendly style of driving ?? We were displaying one of the new 'N' stickers which was supposed to warn of a novice, who might be very nervous ... many drivers appeared to take it as meaning 'nuisance' - someone to be hustled past without any consideration. Let one car past and the next three would follow through, without any consideration for the N-driver's approach to the next corner. It got so bad that I made a formal complaint against one driver, which seemed unfair because so many did it. I was very hacked off about it because my lady was having her first attempt back on track after being totally freaked when overtaken on the wrong side by an orange MGB at Donnington last year. Fortunately we got through the really timid bit, and all was well in the end - but come on guys (and girls) - how about some thought and consideration for a newcomer - remember we need them to keep our numbers viable - and just give 'em a bit of patience, I'm sure your rush to challenge Louis will keep for a couple of minutes !! Finally, for next time or if anyone is just going up (or down !) for the weekend, BIG recommendation for Lime Kiln Farmhouse B&B ([URL="http://www.limekilnfarmhouse.co.uk"]www.limekilnfarmhouse.co.uk[/URL]) £30 pp/n - four miles from the circuit and quite outstanding. Couldn't believe that peeps had been up at 4am to get to Snetterton, when we still had over 2 hours sleep to go, before a splendid farmhouse breakfast ... Cheers All

18/04/2008 14:55:18 Tim Guy [quote=P10PGS]... what happened to our friendly style of driving ?? We were displaying one of the new 'N' stickers which was supposed to warn of a novice, who might be very nervous ... many drivers appeared to take it as meaning 'nuisance' - someone to be hustled past without any consideration. Let one car past and the next three would follow through, without any consideration... .. but come on guys (and girls) - how about some thought and consideration for a newcomer - remember we need them to keep our numbers viable... Cheers All[/quote] Good point well made. Its difficult when you have multiple cars all wanting to come past ; there is a limit to just how long you can stay off the throttle and still be in shape for the next corner. I just stick on the left winker and make it clear that I'm coming back onto line. We can only encourage people to give consideration. So any others want to give their impressions on how the new 'N' stickers worked. Are people keeping clear or are they a red rag to get round before the next corner.

18/04/2008 17:20:49 Bigfoot MGF I had a great day but i was new to this track and had to learn it before i could build to the speed that my car could go round the track. I did find that some people did leave it a bit late when coming up to a corner to overtake:eek: As i got faster less cars were catching me up! even though i will never be able to keep up with the V8's:rolleyes: I was in the non novice group of cars so can not speak of the new "N"s. All i worked out from the day is i need more power and better brakes:D Paul looking forward to the next track day:cool:

18/04/2008 17:51:35 Tim [quote=Bigfoot MGF] All i worked out from the day is i need more power and better brakes:D [/quote] But can I suggest not i that order...:) Tim

18/04/2008 20:20:38 Dave Hi Peter, Thanks for the feedback on the N sticker experience with Louis. We were rather hoping the N sticker would make things easier for our newcomers than worse! Anyone else got any experiences to share? Its obviously difficult for us old hands to know what goes on first-hand as we're not in the same session. Is the N sticker useful or not? Any other suggestions for helping first-timers or maintaining the on-track etiquette we strive for? Regards, Dave

18/04/2008 21:35:16 JP12 [COLOR=black]Interesting thread this. I was going to start one after the Silverstone track day, but for the opposite reason. [/COLOR] [COLOR=black] [/COLOR] [COLOR=black]The MGoT day at Silverstone this year was my first MGoT day in over two years. For me, even in the faster group, it was noticeable that the driving standards had dropped considerably. I am fully in favour of the passing by consent rule, but when I have to follow someone for two laps of Silverstone GP circuit when my lap speed is probably 10-15secs quicker does get a little frustrating. I realise that the person in front wasn't doing this deliberately, but it was clear from their driving that they had no spare capacity to look in their mirrors!! [/COLOR] [COLOR=black] [/COLOR] [COLOR=black]I attend many bookatrack, motorsport events and direct with the circuit track days. There are always many cars that are far quicker than my standard class MGB racer, but I never find getting out of the way of faster cars a problem. As soon as a quicker car approaches I let it past immediately. If, as in the initial post, you find you are letting 4 cars past at one time it usually means you should have looked in your mirrors earlier.[/COLOR] [COLOR=black] [/COLOR] [COLOR=black]This issue is always going to be a problem with MGoT days because some of the slower cars are very very slow, while the quick MGFs, V8s and racers are actually quite quick cars being driven by some very competent drivers. I think this issue is more apparent at an MGoT day than a commercial track day. However, there is always plenty of track space on an MGoT day and room for everyone. In my opinion it is the responsibility of the slower driver to immediately let the quicker car past and then continue to enjoy the track space that is available. There is no reason for anyone to have a queue of cars behind them.[/COLOR] [COLOR=black] [/COLOR] [COLOR=black][FONT='Times New Roman']Joe[/FONT][/COLOR]

18/04/2008 23:53:21 happychappy With regards to Davids request for feedback on the "N" sticker situation I would like to pass on my thoughts on this subject. My first track day was at Silverstone, I thoroughly enjoyed myself but I was anxious not to upset other the more experienced drivers due to my lack of track experience and thus was pleased that there was some kind of identifying mark on my car to outline this. I think on the whole I avoided upsetting anyone and made a big thing of checking my mirrors as often as possible. I used the "indicator method" to move out of peoples way and at times more than one passed me but I was just pleased to get them out of my way rather than have them bearing down on me and impeding their progress, it was after all not just "my" track for the day. As I have already stated I feel its an essential thing to have some kind of identifying mark for us newbies to warn the faster drivers behind what they are about to come up against!

19/04/2008 20:46:58 Gary&BVZ Having read the posts on the subject of " Other Drivers " I suppose I have to say we are all on track to have fun and it must be " lets show some consideration for others " ... Having been " HELD UP " by drivers in the experienced group who obviously were not experienced ,, and another driver who held me up for 3 laps before noticing that I was tailgating him , then dropping back for 150 Mtrs before catching him up again ,, and that I was not able to out drag him down the straight ,, I would recommend that all drivers have a lesson in looking in their mirrors and assessing whats going on behind them ... I looked to the Marshals to put out a move over faster car behind flag but they seemed to be otherwise engaged ....:( Even with these niggles I had a SUPER day and Snetty must be in my top 2 circuits .... I cant wait for our next event at Snetty ... Aint driving with MGs on Track FUN, FUN , FUN ....:D

20/04/2008 20:53:34 CR15COX [b]'N' stickers and 'other drivers'[/b] some good comments on this thread. i agree that mirrors are a must whilst out on track (and on the road all) but also, just because someone is fast on the straights it doesnt mean they're lapping faster!! lifting off and letting the nimble cars through is also a must!! the comment about not getting a queue behind you is a valid point but not always the newbies fault, bunching up can happen all too easily with the abilities of drivers on track being so varied. personally i think the 'N' stickers are a good idea to make you aware of the newbies, but must admit that i too saw it 'as someone get past' asap all in all the MGoT etiquette is carried out very well and i havent had any experiences of selfish or 'blind' drivers. i also feel comfortable being a good / quick driver in a novice session than a slower driver in an experinced session. although i need get my engine put back together in the right order before anything can happen :(

23/04/2008 08:35:46 gavinsmith I wasn't at Snetterton, but was a first-timer at Silverstone in March, wearing my 'N' sticker and (I hope) not holding the more experienced drivers up too much. In the light of this post, I just thought it might be of interest to relate what the Silverstone instructor told me when I went out for my 'assessment laps' - my first two laps of a track as a driver! I happened to be out with the more experience group for my assessment and on a couple of occasions I moved over to let 3 or 4 cars past me on the start/finish straight and as a result, completely messed up my line through Copse corner. I hadn't held up these cars (or at least I don't think I had) - they'd just got bunched up in the normal course of things and caught up with me at that point. In essence, the instructor felt that I was being too timid and told me that I should, reasonably assertively, be moving back onto the racing line well in time to take the corner correctly, and if that meant 'slotting back in' after just 1 or 2 cars had gone through, not 3 or 4, than that was fine. He felt that it was the responsibility of the following drivers to leave room for me to do this. I should say now that I didn't feel hassled by anyone - I was just a bit nervous as it was my first foray onto a track. I dare say that some drivers were perhaps wondering why I [I]hadn't[/I] moved back in front of them, so thought they might as well shoot through... Everyone was a newbie at some point, or new to a particular circuit, so they just need to remember how it felt to have more rapid cars approaching them at speed when they're trying to concentrate on getting the right lines, braking points, looking for flags, etc. etc. Equally, novices like myself do need to think a bit more about what's going on behind them and not just what's ahead - that's part of the learning process and, ultimately, will allow us to get more out of each trackday too. A bit of give and take from everyone will ensure that we all continue to have a great time. Personally, I can't wait for my next spin on track!:D