John Boggiano

Anyone here going to the PCGB track day?

I will be there (on track) and so will Rob (RobMug) - both in 964s.

robmug

John - assuming my roof is fixed...or at least safely closed (there'll be rain of course!).

Already had to cancel my 4 wheel alignment next Thursday (booked a business trip to Perth instead).

robmug

Just you and me then John!

I received my pack from PCGB today - I'm even more excited now. Noticed that we'll be using the international circuit too. 2.7 miles.

John Boggiano

It's a cracker, Rob!

robmug

John

I'm getting very excited about my first track day...any hints and tips for preparation & on the day (open to anyone, not just John!)

PS - got a cold. My fault for not sending everyone home from the office when they all turned up last week with colds. Bugger.

John Boggiano

Hi, Rob.

Be wary of the speeds - we both know that, as a passenger it feels very fast but, as a driver, you'll be surprised how 'under control' it can all feel until it gets out of shape!

Do your own thing, don't try to follow someone faster.

Look after your brakes, especially when you get back to the paddock. DON'T put your handbrake on and make sure they've had a chance to cool before you come to rest.

I remember that, when I first started, one of the hardest things was to do the 'cooling down' lap. That's when it can be hardest to 'keep it on the island', as your concentration drops.

You're a good, smooth driver - I really don't think you'll have any problems.

P.S. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed/Galpseud) is good for relief of your cold. Won't make you drowsy. But not if you have high blood-pressure or asthma. The herb 'Echinacea' is meant to boost your immune system to fight it off quicker - might be worth a try.

robmug

Thanks Mr Pharmacy man! Do I smoke the herb?

Re the 964; this is the summary of my weekend fiddling:
- washed (and windows cleaned inside & out)
- fitted my new (to me) colour crested centre caps
- topped up the oil (to half way). Poured some directly onto the garage floor to save the engine the trouble (the old 'cut out the middle man' gag)
- tyres are all new
- brakes and fluid are all new
- tyre pressure gauge in the glovebox. Pump worked (last time I checked!)

Do I really need to fit the towing eye (per the PCGB instructions)?
What about tape over the lights? I don't really want to look like I know what I'm doing - it will give people the wrong impression!

John Boggiano

Towing eye and taped lights are required (but I bet not many people do it!)

Watch out for twitchiness on those new tyres.

Oil at halfway is good.

Don't forget a suitable plate (I won't post a pic!)

P.S. No, you swallow it!

robmug

Thanks John. I'm having trouble keeping up with all the threads I'm on tonight. This extra UK forum certainly keeps me busy...

John Boggiano

Me too!

I just said exactly that to Paula!

I'm off to bed now - cu.

Wikkid911

Just found this uk FORUM!!!!Nice one on the painted centres Rob!

robmug

Thanks Dave. Ebay - £40.

robmug

Update...Oulton Park trackday was fantastic! Wet this morning (a couple of damaged cars unfortunately) but dry in the afternoon. Also tried to blag a ride in a Ferrari 360 Challenge racer, but it trashed its brakes before I could get a ride.

Plenty of 964s, the usual 993s, 2 996 GT2s, 2 996 GT3 Cup racers, seceral 996 Turbos. A good gathering.

Highlights:
I took a new plate and John didn't even get a photo of it!
John finally managed some diy on his own car - he fixed an annoying buzzing noise I'll leave John to explain!

John Boggiano

Damn it!

Now everyone knows about the buzzing noise, but I can't retaliate with a plate picture!

Don't have much time now (yeah, sure!), but I might explain it later. Probably in some quiet backwater like the Japanese forum.

(No offense meant to Japanese Rennlisters!)

John Boggiano

Here's my update.

First of all, I don't want this to sound like a mutual back-patting thread, but I must say a couple of things...

Bear in mind that, whilst I am no great whizz on a track, I have done Oulton Park on many occasions and know my way around it pretty well.

So on comes Rob, track-day virgin complete with tiptronic gearbox and cabriolet body. A couple of gentle laps to show him (my version) of the line and he's away. The track was absolutely soaking, very, very slippery - pretty lethal in fact. I didn't ease off very much at all beyond my normal 'wet' driving, but Rob was obviously keeping up without much difficulty and settled into a rhythm very quickly.

Some time later, Rob took some instruction from a pro, but seems to have been largely a waste of time, as he was doing such a good job already!

Later in the day, with Rob leading, I found it quite difficult just to stay in touch with him!

Paula and I had a bit of a moment when the '911 virgin.com' dayglo GT3 came storming past just after Druids. I pulled offline and eased the throttle to let him pass (let him pass - hahaha!) - BIG sideways moment! I actually ran out of opposite lock and hit the lock-restrictors. Somehow it all got gathered up. Which was lucky because, as Rob said, there was a fair bit of off-roading going on.

Later on, as the track dried somewhat and the tyre temperatures rose, I actually let some air out of my tyres (I've never bothered before - just accepted the lack of grip). My rears had risen to 49psi (should be 36, though I run them at 40 cold). Back onto the track, the increased grip saw us catching a 964 RS whose owner we had been chatting to. Because of this, I stayed out rather longer than usual - probably about a dozen or so fast laps. During the last lap, I was dismayed to hear a buzzing noise begin.

Having pulled off into the paddock, I set about finding the source of the noise, which continued even with the engine off.

Oil-cooler fan? No.
Air-con fan? No.
Blower fan? No.
HVAC temp-sensor fan? No.

Then I realised it seemed to be coming form the door...

Stereo speakers? No.
Central locking motor? No.
Mirror motor? No.

What the hell is it?!!

Then I remembered the electric shaver in the door pocket...

Summary: I avoided an accident, but did have a close shave!