ESS VT Track Report

[mikem7709]

Just back from another trackday in the `vert at "Croft." This was my first time at Croft and while not the fastest circuit in the world (about 120-125 down the 2 longest straights) it`s quite technical with a high speed S that links onto 2 right handers forming a 180 thats taken at around 90-100 all the way through on a balanced throttle, great test of nerve with the DSC off. :excited:

The format for the day was open pit lane all day with an hours break for lunch, there were 50 cars in total with a limit of 25ish on the track at any time, this seemed to work really well as nobody was rushing to get out in their "session" and nobody had to wait longer than a few minutes to get on track. The day was primarily for BMW`s at is was organised by BMW Car Club GB but their were a few others there that were known to the organisers and track as well as a couple of BMW`s from our Kumho Championship, including a N/A E30 M3 pushing just over 300 hp that sounded insane. :excited:

I did just under 160 track miles in total (2.1 miles per lap) combined with a 300 mile round trip to the track itself and the car performed faultlessly. Oil temp stayed at around 110 C on the track (ambients were 14 C) and the water temp satyed bang on the centre, it was great to pace the car down the straights against E36 evos and Z4m`s, easily passing them.

I got a few laps with an instructor early afternoon which made a huge improvement for me (meant I stayed on the throttle where before I was lifting or tapping the brakes and also learnt how to change your corner line with the throttle rather than steering input half way through a bend.) The instructor did a few laps in the driving seat and it was great to see what the car was really able to do safely, we flew past the Yellow E36 racer on the long sweeping bendwhich I would never have thought possible.


Here`s some pics and a couple of vid`s.

Me on track

http://www.shgphotographic.co.uk/BMWCARCLUBCROFTOCT08/Croft%20BMW%20Car%20Club%20Track%20Day%20Oct%2008%20AM%20Ses sion/slides/NZ6K3269.html

Eyeing up another kill :craig:

http://www.shgphotographic.co.uk/BMWCARCLUBCROFTOCT08/Croft%20BMW%20Car%20Club%20Track%20Day%20Oct%2008%20AM%20Ses sion/slides/NZ6K3165.html

Supercharged Ariel Atom, unbeleivably fast

http://www.shgphotographic.co.uk/BMWCARCLUBCROFTOCT08/Croft%20BMW%20Car%20Club%20Track%20Day%20Oct%2008%20AM%20Ses sion/slides/NZ6K3482.html

One of 2 CSL`s

http://www.shgphotographic.co.uk/BMWCARCLUBCROFTOCT08/Croft%20BMW%20Car%20Club%20Track%20Day%20Oct%2008%20AM%20Ses sion/slides/NZ6K4857.html

Gorgeous 964 RS

http://www.shgphotographic.co.uk/BMWCARCLUBCROFTOCT08/Croft%20BMW%20Car%20Club%20Track%20Day%20Oct%2008%20AM%20Ses sion/slides/NZ6K3429.html

The E36 evo kumho race car

http://www.shgphotographic.co.uk/BMWCARCLUBCROFTOCT08/Croft%20BMW%20Car%20Club%20Track%20Day%20Oct%2008%20AM%20Ses sion/slides/NZ6K3918.html

Here`s a vid of me passing one of the CSL in my heavy arsed `vert (excuse my passengers excitement)

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v313/plowy/?action=view&current=MOV02355.flv

Finally here`s a vid from inside an E60 M5 that eventually passes (after 10 min`s)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3HhKOZoPG2U

[maxnathan]

You the daddy mannnnnnnnn!!! :4ngie:

Great pics and looks like an overall fun day mike! I thought for a sec that you were going to plough into the CSL :yikes::rofl:

When are you going to upgrade to stage 3 ?

[mikem7709]

When are you going to upgrade to stage 3 ?


Me and Raj are both ready but ESS want to wait `till there`s more VT kits in the field before the upgrade kit is manufactured, do dig deep and get on the phone to Simpsons. :thumbsup:

[mikem7709]

Here`s a couple of traffic free laps from inside mine, check out the supercharged Aerial Atom and Caterham R500 that pass me, seriously, seriously quick.........and yes I need to loose a few pounds from my chubby face. :moon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HijiAfciDV4#