My First Trackday!
Posted: Mon 23.07.2007, 21:12Well, the local Lotus dealer sponsored a track day for all his Lotus customers (and a few others) this past weekend and I decided to take the plunge! It was quite an experience for someone like me who's never been on a track before. This track was actually ideal for a Lotus being reasonable short, plenty of turns and short straights. I started sweating 4 days before the actual date.
I'll post some pics when I get them off the camera but the day was dominated by Elises (14) with 2 Exiges, 2, Caterhams, 1 V8 Esprit and single, solitary m100 looking pretty darn good in white. Also on the track were 2 Ariel Atoms and 2 Ferraris plus a smattering of other vehicles. Go figure.
When they were breaking us up into groups of 8 the prime differentiator was track experience. When they asked me how much experience I had I asked if Xbox experience counted.............apparently it doesn't. Who knew. My group of 8 included the Esprit (chipped, brakes, exhaust, etc.), 4 Elises, 1 Ferrari and 1 Honda Civic that wasn't even close to stock anymore. We were all track novices.
I have to say that I think the Elan held up pretty well. The combinaiton of Alan's chip, the new exhaust and Wilwood brakes were fabulous. While its was certainly not a race, I figure I was running 5th. The Esprit had a tough time in the corners and even with its power, it couldn't get away in the short straights. I was on his ass all day until they started to let us pass. Never saw him again after that. The Ferrari was much the same - only looking much better. I was faster than 1 Elise which I chalk up to the driver being a bit nervous. The other Elises were out cornering me easily but I was surprised to see that my Elan could keep up with them on the straights quite well and I pulled out further ahead of the Elises on many occassions coiming out of the corners.........until we got to the next corner
I had to wave a few past. That damn Civic was as hot as the Elise though. Quite a bit of work in that car.
I learned a lot that day. I took the time to read a link that Brian posted some time ago about the Physics of Racing. Excellent read. While I learned the theory of balancing and unbalancing the car, hitting the apex, slow in, fast out, etc. it really falls into place when you feel it on the track. I only had the back end get loose once when I braked in the turn instead of ahead of it. Leson learned - good thing it stayed on the track.
I think I'll try this again some day but not too often. I enjoy the normal, every day drive too
Although, on the way home, 100 kmph never felt so slow 
I'll post some pics when I get them off the camera but the day was dominated by Elises (14) with 2 Exiges, 2, Caterhams, 1 V8 Esprit and single, solitary m100 looking pretty darn good in white. Also on the track were 2 Ariel Atoms and 2 Ferraris plus a smattering of other vehicles. Go figure.
When they were breaking us up into groups of 8 the prime differentiator was track experience. When they asked me how much experience I had I asked if Xbox experience counted.............apparently it doesn't. Who knew. My group of 8 included the Esprit (chipped, brakes, exhaust, etc.), 4 Elises, 1 Ferrari and 1 Honda Civic that wasn't even close to stock anymore. We were all track novices.
I have to say that I think the Elan held up pretty well. The combinaiton of Alan's chip, the new exhaust and Wilwood brakes were fabulous. While its was certainly not a race, I figure I was running 5th. The Esprit had a tough time in the corners and even with its power, it couldn't get away in the short straights. I was on his ass all day until they started to let us pass. Never saw him again after that. The Ferrari was much the same - only looking much better. I was faster than 1 Elise which I chalk up to the driver being a bit nervous. The other Elises were out cornering me easily but I was surprised to see that my Elan could keep up with them on the straights quite well and I pulled out further ahead of the Elises on many occassions coiming out of the corners.........until we got to the next corner
I had to wave a few past. That damn Civic was as hot as the Elise though. Quite a bit of work in that car.
I learned a lot that day. I took the time to read a link that Brian posted some time ago about the Physics of Racing. Excellent read. While I learned the theory of balancing and unbalancing the car, hitting the apex, slow in, fast out, etc. it really falls into place when you feel it on the track. I only had the back end get loose once when I braked in the turn instead of ahead of it. Leson learned - good thing it stayed on the track.
I think I'll try this again some day but not too often. I enjoy the normal, every day drive too
Although, on the way home, 100 kmph never felt so slow 
with Dico, before i started and did some pax rides and was a big help even thought it was in and Exige and Elise, it gave u an insight in speeds and lines.
but u could of done more then one lap LMAO