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JapFest 22nd May 2004
- Thread starter suzy
- Start date
Tony 260Z
Club Member
Suzy,
I'd dearly love to do both, but fear I don't have quite enough brownie points earned to get away with it!
Only thing I have against Japfest is the distance - it's a good 150 miles each way for me. That's a lot of petrol cost as well as the "will I break down?" stress. I've never done that sort of distance in her. And I'm a natural worrier
To be honest, it'll probably be a last-minute decision. If it's sunny I'll probably gamble on it and enjoy the drive. If not, I reckon I'll bottle it and go for Brands instead. Sorry to be so lame but she's had some ignition gremlins recently which I think I fixed, but the last thing I want is to be stuck on the hard shoulder of the M4 in the rain!
One good thing: I marked down my day-out plan for Japfest on our calendar a couple of months ago, so it won't come as a surprise when I announce I'm going!
Cheers,
Tony
I'd dearly love to do both, but fear I don't have quite enough brownie points earned to get away with it!
Only thing I have against Japfest is the distance - it's a good 150 miles each way for me. That's a lot of petrol cost as well as the "will I break down?" stress. I've never done that sort of distance in her. And I'm a natural worrier
To be honest, it'll probably be a last-minute decision. If it's sunny I'll probably gamble on it and enjoy the drive. If not, I reckon I'll bottle it and go for Brands instead. Sorry to be so lame but she's had some ignition gremlins recently which I think I fixed, but the last thing I want is to be stuck on the hard shoulder of the M4 in the rain!
One good thing: I marked down my day-out plan for Japfest on our calendar a couple of months ago, so it won't come as a surprise when I announce I'm going!
Cheers,
Tony
suzy
Well-Known Forum User
Track time
I have had a few track session tickets returned. Anyone interested? At this moment in time I can not offer a vehicle pass just a ticket to join the Zed track session. Your track ticket will obviously get you into the paddock area but not on to the Z Stand (unless they are not looking )
Let me know ASAP if you are interested in track time
Just to let you know the track briefing session is 9.00am!!
You must attend this session to get on track and have your driving licence.
Everyone else the track session it's self is 9.57, don't miss it, 18 Zeds burning rubber together.
There are a few gauntlets being thrown down, I may even set up a sweepstake at this rate!!
I have had a few track session tickets returned. Anyone interested? At this moment in time I can not offer a vehicle pass just a ticket to join the Zed track session. Your track ticket will obviously get you into the paddock area but not on to the Z Stand (unless they are not looking
)Let me know ASAP if you are interested in track time
Just to let you know the track briefing session is 9.00am!!
You must attend this session to get on track and have your driving licence.
Everyone else the track session it's self is 9.57, don't miss it, 18 Zeds burning rubber together.
There are a few gauntlets being thrown down, I may even set up a sweepstake at this rate!!
Suzy
I have now been given the green light to go to Japfest ( morning only) by my other half. At this late stage, should I just turn up on the day and pay? I did see something about it being free for z club members.
Sorry no z but after Monkey world I am all refreshed with enthusiasm to get mine finished
Any suggestions from anyone about what time to try and get there and parked up to make sure I don't miss the track session.
regards
Andrew
I have now been given the green light to go to Japfest ( morning only) by my other half. At this late stage, should I just turn up on the day and pay? I did see something about it being free for z club members.
Sorry no z but after Monkey world I am all refreshed with enthusiasm to get mine finished
Any suggestions from anyone about what time to try and get there and parked up to make sure I don't miss the track session.
regards
Andrew
suzy
Well-Known Forum User
Times
I don't know, you lot just don't read !
If you look back you will see that the track briefing session is 9.00am (for those doing track time) The Zed track session itself is at 9.57.
If you have a club pass you must bring your car onto the stand before 10.00am.
Russ - your ticket is in the post
I have a long waiting list for the club stand but drop me an email before Thursday and I'll see who has dropped out etc
Hope this weather holds!!
I don't know, you lot just don't read !
If you look back you will see that the track briefing session is 9.00am (for those doing track time) The Zed track session itself is at 9.57.
If you have a club pass you must bring your car onto the stand before 10.00am.
Russ - your ticket is in the post
I have a long waiting list for the club stand but drop me an email before Thursday and I'll see who has dropped out etc
Hope this weather holds!!
suzy
Well-Known Forum User
Directions
Tried to scan in the map but made a mess of it so....
Enter through “Competitors Entrance”; take first right, Club stand will be down on the left-hand side.
If coming from the car parks, find the Strawford Centre (funny building with a marquee on the top of it, this is also where the track briefing takes place), stand with back to the Strawford centre, walk away from the track we will be the other side of the traders.
See you there
S
Tried to scan in the map but made a mess of it so....
Enter through “Competitors Entrance”; take first right, Club stand will be down on the left-hand side.
If coming from the car parks, find the Strawford Centre (funny building with a marquee on the top of it, this is also where the track briefing takes place), stand with back to the Strawford centre, walk away from the track we will be the other side of the traders.
See you there
S
240z
Club Member
OK, so bit the bullet and will be going on track!
My strategy will be to try and get behind someone that knows the track well and try to stay with them, geoff perhaps? (I think kevin bristow might be just a little bit too much to aim for !!)
Does anyone have, or know a link to a guide to the track? I'm sure there are people out there have driven the track well, albrecht perhaps!?
Also what tyre pressures do people normally use?
Looking forward to meetin people there too! who is going?
My strategy will be to try and get behind someone that knows the track well and try to stay with them, geoff perhaps? (I think kevin bristow might be just a little bit too much to aim for
!!)Does anyone have, or know a link to a guide to the track? I'm sure there are people out there have driven the track well, albrecht perhaps!?
Also what tyre pressures do people normally use?
Looking forward to meetin people there too! who is going?
Albrecht
Well-Known Forum User
I've done hundreds of laps at Castle Conbe over the years - but still can't get it 'right'........ I wouldn't say I've ever driven it 'well' - even after a driver course there.
I've spun every time I've been there ( especially at 'Quarry' ) and the two new 'chicanes' make it much more of a stop and go track than it used to be. On track days, I seem to always have trouble with being crowded at the chicanes. I think I'm too paranoid about getting hit by spinners.....
At Castle Combe, "Quarry" corner is legendary. Its the first big corner, and is approached blind with a slight left over a brow whilst braking from one of the fastest straights on the track. Many many cars have come to grief here, and its easy to see why. You need to have the car settled quite early and get your braking over and done with pretty much before you see your line through the corner. If it seems easy, you are going too slow!
Two stories from me about Quarry; Once I was approaching the corner and cleared the crest - ready to turn in - and came across an MGF upside down on the left side of the track. Very surprised to see the two occupants hanging from their seatbelts, and the loose contents of the passenger compartment ( coins, camera, umbrella, packed lunch etc ) scattered over the braking area. Most disconcerting.
Second story involved a track day lunatic ( there's one at every event ) in a Mitsu GTO. First lap out ( ie - first time approaching Quarry ) he braked much too late and spun into the grass on the inside at Quarry. He continued spinning across the grass wildly and proceeded to spin back across the track in the middle of the corner - passing right between me and the car in front of me BACKWARDS, with grass, mud and smoke flying everywhere. He hit the inside kerb at Quarry so hard as he came back onto the track that he smashed the starter motor off the engine ( along with a big chunk of engine block ) and started spewing oil everywhere. He also took a huge chunk out of a wheel rim, and his front spoiler was wrapped under the car. He narrowly missed us.........
I thought he would drive slowly back to the pits and retire hurt. Not a bit of it. Mr Lunatic continued FAST around the track and caught up behind us at Quarry again. Once more he lost it, and stuck it on the grass. This time he revved it so hard with spinning wheels and hardly any oil that he threw a conrod out of the side of the engine block. Cue red flag and recovery truck. We wandered over to give him a talking to ( and complain to the marshalls ) and found that the car was wearing an Irish registration number and a tax disc from a Nissan 300ZX. All very iffy.
Remember - anything can happen on a track day, and it probably will. I would recommend track day insurance if you can afford it. Without that you are on your own.
Combe is still pretty fast - even with the chicanes - but Quarry is without doubt the biggest challenge. I cracked a front brake disc on my Alfa there, so you might find you get your brakes a bit hot. The track briefing is usually very good there, so I recommend that you pay attention to that - even if everybody else seems to listen and then ignore what they have been told!
Watch out for lunatics. If its a Z-only session then you should be OK.
240z
Club Member
great reply, thanks!
not too sure whether it has put my nerves at rest too much though, I'm sure there are no nutter Z drivers out there, are there !?
The two stories sound crazy, I've been there a couple of times and never seen anything quite like that. I have seen a cinquecento trying to keep up with a WRX and ending going straight, instead of round tower bend.. he then got out the car shouting that it wasn't even his car it was his mates (who was taping it all)
Trying to sort out the insurance as we speak!
any clues about tyre pressures anyone, I know it is quite a complex issue, but thinking of putting an extra couple of psi all round, thing is, with my tyre combination (215/45/17 front 235/40/17 rear) I'm not sure what it 'should' be.
thanks again!
not too sure whether it has put my nerves at rest too much though, I'm sure there are no nutter Z drivers out there, are there !?
The two stories sound crazy, I've been there a couple of times and never seen anything quite like that. I have seen a cinquecento trying to keep up with a WRX and ending going straight, instead of round tower bend.. he then got out the car shouting that it wasn't even his car it was his mates (who was taping it all)
Trying to sort out the insurance as we speak!
any clues about tyre pressures anyone, I know it is quite a complex issue, but thinking of putting an extra couple of psi all round, thing is, with my tyre combination (215/45/17 front 235/40/17 rear) I'm not sure what it 'should' be.
thanks again!
240z
Club Member
just contacted them, the rates (in case people are interested) are
Jap Fest if you are doing either 1 or 2 x 15 min sessions
Option 1 Option 2 Option3 Option 4
Sum Assured 5,000 8,000 11,000 14,000
Excess 750 1,000 1,250 1,500
Cover 4,250 7,000 9,750 12,500
Premium per Track Day £60 £80 £100 £125
Option 5 Option 6 Option 7 Option 8
Sum Assured 17,000 22,000 27,000 32,000
Excess 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000
Cover 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000
£140 £160 £200 £225
All cars MUST be insured for around 50% of the total value
sorry if it doesn't line up right, but you should be able to work it out..
seems pretty pricey, but would definitely give some peace of mind...
Jap Fest if you are doing either 1 or 2 x 15 min sessions
Option 1 Option 2 Option3 Option 4
Sum Assured 5,000 8,000 11,000 14,000
Excess 750 1,000 1,250 1,500
Cover 4,250 7,000 9,750 12,500
Premium per Track Day £60 £80 £100 £125
Option 5 Option 6 Option 7 Option 8
Sum Assured 17,000 22,000 27,000 32,000
Excess 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000
Cover 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000
£140 £160 £200 £225
All cars MUST be insured for around 50% of the total value
sorry if it doesn't line up right, but you should be able to work it out..
seems pretty pricey, but would definitely give some peace of mind...