CAMPING WEEKEND WITH OPTIONAL TRACKDAY

[chris.t]

Whilst at the Nurburgring campsite, sitting around a roaring camp fire, putting the world to right after downing a few Danish Carlsberg Exports (yum yum) we started to talk about our drives on the Ring that day. How we could have done it a bit quicker here and there if we had some idea of the right line to take into a particular corner etc etc.

This is when we started to talk about setting up a track-day back in UK. I suggested Bedford because it is probably the safest track in the UK and is placed relatively centrally. It was also suggested that we combine it with a camping weekend to make it a little more of an event especially for those who had driven a long distance to be there.

Now it will be next year sometime. Depending on the time of the year we're looking at between £99 - £199 with a 10% discount if we have more than 10 cars. We will not have the track to ourselves and if necessary we can go on one of the SELOC days, so at least it will be all Lotuses, otherwise it may well be with the Nova/Focus brigade. If there are significantly more than 10 there could be other benefits which I could try and negociate.

So there you go thats the plan, think it over and post your thoughts as you see fit. We discussed how this should be posted and as everyone sitting around the fire in Germany thought Bedford was good so the decision was made to go there. We have posted Track day stuff before and it just gets into the wrangle of 'when and where' and not 'who and what'. So its Bedford, next year (date TBA based on the best deal I can wangle).

Sign up here!!!

[theelanman]

sounds like fun.......
I am a trackday virgin...although not a track virgin....
have always thrashed someone elses car instead......namely the oulton park driving school cars......

might be interested...what happens about insurance???

track info
http://www.trackdays.co.uk/tracks/bedford.htm

[chris.t]

insurance is always a draw back and insurance co's are getting more expensive. The Bedford people gave me a number for Competition Car ins 0115 9415255 and mention that it's a MSV Day. Don't know what they're like perhaps someone can provide feedback. Lets put it this way we all went on the ring uninsured because no one would insure us (well Jimp managed to get some deal with the RAC but i think that was a one off). The ring is dangerous, unmarshalled, with race drivers to complete novices on it. Bedford however is as safe as you're going to get with loads of run off so if you balls up you and the car will almost certainly be ok (probably, pride might be a bit dented). There are marshalls and it is all supervised. There are instructors on track who will come out with you and show the best lines and give you advice on your driving technique on track. The days i've done have been all Lotus affairs at Bedford and everyone is courteous and aware. I have seen some spectacular spins and the most damage i've seen has been a low spoiler with a bit of dirt on it where a guy did a 960 across the grass on the side of the track. Oh and there was one other when an Elise driver hit a pheasant and broke his windscreen!

It will be interesting to see what others have to say on this subject. I can get insurance for Club lotus events but my excess is hiked to £1500. I will call Classicline on monday to see if they will insure me for an MSV event and see what they say.

[Gary]

Probably up for it. At last a local track

Might get 'er in doors interested too, so that could be 2 of us...

...depends on date etc. etc. etc.

[Dave Eds]

I'd be up for some of this

Especially if you get the added bonus of seeing pheasants with broken windscreens

( sorry Chris - couldn't resist! Promise not to jump on the back of your Donington convoy again as well!!!)

[Paul.P]

Might be, date dependant ?

[a5gcd]

I would certainly be interested but it would be date dependant for me too.

[Monty]

Well done Chris on getting the ball rolling, think jumping in with the SELOC crew sounds the way to go.

Do u know of any camp sites?

Let us know what u`r insurance says about doing the trackday as i`m with the same peeps

[chris.t]

Well done Chris on getting the ball rolling, think jumping in with the SELOC crew sounds the way to go.

Do u know of any camp sites?

Let us know what u'r insurance says about doing the trackday as i'm with the same peeps

yeah i know a site stayed there a couple of years ago. its about 15 mins from the track.

will do about the ins

[markv]

I'm interested as well, but it depends on the date

[Ultimatt]

Myself and the wife would definately be up for it. We were kicking ourselves for not getting involved in the Nurburgring event. And camping for the weekend would be a nice touch.

Keep me updated with date ideas and insurance options.

Matt

[chris.t]

I'd be up for some of this

Especially if you get the added bonus of seeing pheasants with broken windscreens

( sorry Chris - couldn't resist! Promise not to jump on the back of your Donington convoy again as well!!!)

Sorry about the grammar

and dave my motto is "the more the merrier"

[chris.t]

OK i have just been onto Classicline (my insurance company and maybe yours!).

They have told me that as long as it is an all Lotus event they should be able to cover it but it would have to pass via their underwriters. The track events that they won't allow are the mixed make events. So it looks like you need to change to Classicline if you're not already with them - they're cheap as well and the trackday isn't an extra premium its included. The only other stipulation is that you will need to inform them of all the details of the trackday date, organisers etc. Your excess will increase for the trackday to circa £1500 though.

So i would advise everyone who's interested to join SELOC (which is free) and we'll try and get in on one of their events or 'Lotus on Track' events.

I'll contact 'Lotus on Track' and bend their ear about terms conditions costs and the most appropriate event for us.

Incidently, i hope you took it as read that as we're camping this trackday WILL NOT be in the dead of winter!!!

[Monty]

Thats Great news Chris, i`ll have to join SELOC lol.

[Stef]

As discussed at the Ring, I'm up for this!

[stevieshag]

Yeah put me down Chris.

ooooh camping too.. !!!

stevie

[davidjt]

Me, too.

Might even have the car sorted by then.

Have to come up with some new excuses, though; allergic to pheasants?

Or, more plausibly, keep getting lost on the way round???

[davidjt]

Me, too.

Might even have the car sorted by then.

Have to come up with some new excuses, though; allergic to pheasants?

Or, more plausibly, keep getting lost on the way round???

[Monty]

Chris.t,
I`ve been looking at www.lotus-on-track.com/ it cost £30 a year to join and they do plenty of events and cheaper than normal trackdays and should be good for those insured with Classic line as it`s a Lotus affair.




PS NORLOGers get a discount and would only cost £20 a year

[chris.t]

Hi Monty,

I'm talking to LOT at the mo. There could be a problem. If LOT have any spare places they open it up to other 2 seater sports cars. I need to speak to classic line to gauge there feelings on this.
Re discount i will see if LOT will give a discount to LEC

i will be talking to LOT tomorrow to try and get their diary for 2007.

I have found out that tracks in france can do inclusive days for 25 cars. So if we can get 25 cars and we're prepared to travel to france we can have our LEC trackday. However Bedford is very safe. If you are a first timer with LOT at bedford you get free drives with an instructor which is a good thing.

Anyway watch this space as hings develop.

Cheers Chris