I've been out today.....guess where?

[shimmy]

Just a teaser. Who knows what I've been up to?

This

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp97/shimmylasco/CSL/5d872c61.jpg

Here

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp97/shimmylasco/CSL/40fa0c22.jpg

[O'Neill]

I heard, this morning you went out dressed like the stig.

[shimmy]

I heard, this morning you went out dressed like the stig.

Fat Stig.....:thumbs:

[billyboysm3]

Northwield airfield sprints?

[Yanto]

G.A.Y ??

Then stopped by NW on way homo.....sorry, home ?

[CraigMillwardCroft]

G.A.Y ??

Then stopped by NW on way homo.....sorry, home ?
:hahaha::hahaha::hahaha:

[shane@mbtech]

Where you have been is irrelevant, how you did is important;)

[O'Neill]

Write up and pics :thumbs:

[O'Neill]

I heard, this morning you went out dressed like the stig.

Forgot to add, playing Eye of the tiger full blast :-D

[shimmy]

Not many pics sorry.


So I thought as Lawsy suggested, I'd do a few sprints this year. ONeill and I went to see pinkpanther008 and Andye30m3 last year to see what it is all about and we had a go at the MSV How Fast last year and I thought it might be a good way of getting some competition without spending £000s.

I joined a car club last week (a bit like joining G.A.Y- thanks for the recommendation Yanto) and applied for my Non Race National B Sprint Licence which came Friday, so after a quick check of the weather forecast I rang and booked myself on this Sundays Sprint at North Weald in Essex run by Green Belt Motor Club as part of the regional sprint champs. Total cost was about £50 licence, £10 championship entrance, £63 Sprint entrance. Fuel virtually nil and same with tyre and brake wear. I had to make a timing strutt and buy some race numbers but tbh you could do this with your printer and some old scraps of plastic. It doesn't need to be brilliant.

I knew that in group A5 (production car RWD 2litre plus) that there was some pretty good pork and other cars last year so I had no great ambition other than to set at east one time and not look like a knob.

We had about 50 cars altogether there from Saxos to Ferrari plus slick shod single seaters and top spec Caterhams in between. Our class had 10 cars (biggest class) and included;

996GT3, 997GT3RS, MR2, Ferrari 360 x2, Ferrari 355, Ford Focus, Triumph TR8, Porsche 944, plus my CSL.

A pretty tight course, stop and go type of corners so it was not going to be easy. Two parctice runs and one timed run in the morning and the two timed runs in the afternoon, normally about 50 mins between laps.

My first practice run was about 92s but I did not really try, just attempting to get the course learned. Second particle run about 88s I think.

It was obvious that the 996GT3 was top dollar and full race spec or very close. It was consisitently 5secs faster than anything in our group and he had one the champs for the last 5 years and had been doing this for 30-40 years. So I forgot about him very quickly.

Next was a 997Gt3RS with 460bhp and (lovely drk blue and gold) and a Triumph TR8 at 1100kg and 320 bhp compared to my 355bhp wearing cold hard as nails Cups

So my timed runs went ok, first one was a 85s run and left me 4th in class behind the three cars above. The Gt3 was around 80s so uncatchable(this time out) and the TR8 at 83s also looked too far away, but the 997RS was only a second or so faster.

Next run was after a small shower and the course seemed to run a bit slower for a few kf us and times were about 87s.

Last run I tried a couple of new lines trying to use the power by getting the course laid out so it could be applied earlier. Not easy as brakes and tyres were cold every run. It went well and managed an 83.78s. :)

The 996gt3 was now down to 78s and the TR8 had only just managed to stay ahead of me by 0.5s BUT I had beaten the 7RS by a second or so. He didn't look happy.:hahaha: the winner told me that last year the 7RS drier had written letters to the organisers stating all the rule infringements on his car so now I know what to expect.

Conclusion

So overall it was a good day. The adrenalin flows for sure and the runs do bring a pretty big high for a short period. The people there are friendly and real petrolheads. Costs are low. Some of the cars are bonkers, 500kg and 400bhp.

Downsides are that it is a long day for not much track time. I was there 8am to 4pm (stayed late to pick up my 3rd place trophy:thumbs:) and had 10km (5 runs) all day. I think it really needs a few mates to do it together so you can talk bullshit I between runs and get the BBQ on in the sun.

Next one will probably be RAF Honnington in Norfolk on Sunday 13th May and Snetterton in June. Who's in?

[CraigMillwardCroft]

Well done Shimmy :thumbs:

[shane@mbtech]

Sounds good fun. But at the MLRSS you seem to get more track time. 5 practice and 5 timed runs. Sometimes more depending on numbers.

Below is the calender

DATES, VENUES & CIRCUITS

Saturday 31 March: SILVERSTONE - Stowe Circuit, approx 2.5km, 105dBA
Saturday 21 April: OULTON PARK - Full Rally Circuit, 105dBA
Sunday 20 May: BLYTON, approx. 2.25km, 105dBA
Saturday 21 July: KAMES, approx. 1.6km, 105dBA
Saturday 25 August: MIRA, Handling Circuit, approx. 2.2km, 103dBA **
Saturday 15 September: CASTLE COMBE, New layout tbc, 105dBA
Saturday 13 October: TEESSIDE AUTODROME (Night; 3:30pm – 10:30pm) - International Circuit, 2.5km 103dBA
** The MIRA Sprint is waiting for one detail to be signed off before being 100% confirmed, but is considered by MIRA to be a foregone conclusion and will certainly go ahead. If in the unlikely event that the event does not go ahead however, any bookings taken will be refunded in full.

[Yanto]

Nice one mate :beer:

Think am free that Norfolk date. Will have a ride out and support with disposable BBQ and Pom poms :supz:

[O'Neill]

Good show:thumbs: 10 km, how fast is better value, lets get a few of us to do another how fast.

At least you don't have to wear a romper suit.

[shimmy]

Sounds good fun. But at the MLRSS you seem to get more track time. 5 practice and 5 timed runs. Sometimes more depending on numbers.

Below is the calender

DATES, VENUES & CIRCUITS

Saturday 31 March: SILVERSTONE - Stowe Circuit, approx 2.5km, 105dBA
Saturday 21 April: OULTON PARK - Full Rally Circuit, 105dBA
Sunday 20 May: BLYTON, approx. 2.25km, 105dBA
Saturday 21 July: KAMES, approx. 1.6km, 105dBA
Saturday 25 August: MIRA, Handling Circuit, approx. 2.2km, 103dBA **
Saturday 15 September: CASTLE COMBE, New layout tbc, 105dBA
Saturday 13 October: TEESSIDE AUTODROME (Night; 3:30pm – 10:30pm) - International Circuit, 2.5km 103dBA
** The MIRA Sprint is waiting for one detail to be signed off before being 100% confirmed, but is considered by MIRA to be a foregone conclusion and will certainly go ahead. If in the unlikely event that the event does not go ahead however, any bookings taken will be refunded in full.


Was my first choice Lawsy but the venues are really not local enough for me.

[shimmy]

Good show:thumbs: 10 km, how fast is better value, lets get a few of us to do another how fast.

At least you don't have to wear a romper suit.

I agree HOW FAsT is good value. I will do it again if we get a few together (I'm all organised out!)




HOW FAST CAR*CALENDAR
BH Monday 7 May Bedford Autodrome West Circuit How Fast How Fast £99
Saturday 9 Jun Bedford Autodrome West Circuit How Fast How Fast £99
Friday 29 Jun Bedford Autodrome West Circuit How Fast 16:30 Session £99
Saturday 14 Jul Bedford Autodrome West Circuit How Fast How Fast £99
Friday 24 Aug Bedford Autodrome West Circuit How Fast with Evo Magazine How Fast £99

[shane@mbtech]

Was my first choice Lawsy but the venues are really not local enough for me.

non are really local to me either.

Im up for how fast.

[shimmy]

HOW FAST CAR*CALENDAR
BH Monday 7 May Bedford Autodrome West Circuit How Fast How Fast £99
Saturday 9 Jun Bedford Autodrome West Circuit How Fast How Fast £99
Friday 29 Jun Bedford Autodrome West Circuit How Fast 16:30 Session £99
Saturday 14 Jul Bedford Autodrome West Circuit How Fast How Fast £99
Friday 24 Aug Bedford Autodrome West Circuit How Fast with Evo Magazine How Fast £99

I could do these two although 7th May only has 9am session and best chance of dry conditions is probably later in the day!

saturday 9th June?

[rstoughy]

Sounds great Shimmy :thumbs:well done for going for it.

Whats the deal with the car / class, do you need to have rear seats, in date harness seat etc?

[O'Neill]

How fast dates: http://www.howfast.co.uk/events.aspx

Mon 7th May
Sat 9th June
Sat 14 July
Fri 24th Aug

Sat 14 July??

[shimmy]

I could do these two although 7th May only has 9am session and best chance of dry conditions is probably later in the day!

saturday 9th June?

How fast dates: http://www.howfast.co.uk/events.aspx

Mon 7th May
Sat 9th June
Sat 14 July
Fri 24th Aug

Sat 14 July??

Keep up

[O'Neill]

9th June is good, Eye of the tiger:wink:

[shimmy]

Sounds great Shimmy :thumbs:well done for going for it.

Whats the deal with the car / class, do you need to have rear seats, in date harness seat etc?


Main rules are non race nat B licence, timing beam breaker, tow hook, numbers both sides, helmet, gloves and race suit (all within date).

It does say various items are free but certain items must be as produced. I think you are meant to keep seats in etc, harnesses can be used echo. But tbh it's not policed heavily. There scrutneer the car but are looking at the basics and not the detail. I doubt the scrutineer knows the class rules and probably they rely on other drivers grassing you up!

[shimmy]

Here are the results, all production cars on first sheet.

You can see by the times how even the small cars like this stop/start circuit. I was 16th fastest overall which isn't too bad and I would imagine there is another 2-3 secs in it yet.


http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp97/shimmylasco/CSL/e2e1072e.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp97/shimmylasco/CSL/ec84c7ff.jpg

[pinkpanther008]

Congrats Shimmy, you finally got the stuff together and got stuck in. Feels different once your on the start line and have to nail every corner to get that time down.:banghead:

You did great looking at the times and always nice to put it to the cars with more BHP/tech/£££'s, well done mate. If you can take a second off every lap it feels good dont it.:thumbs:

When im recovered i'll be joining you, perhaps well have a group and get our own CSL class with class!:partyman:

Unfortuantely Andye30m3 has sold his car, but kept it in the BMW family and entered grown-up series PBMW with his E30, good luck to him.

How did you find the NW course, i know last year the surface seemed past its best?

How was your sprint club, well organised etc?

PP

[northernjim]

I was just about to congratulate you, but the I noticed you got beat by an ordinary M3?!:whistle:


Good on you for giving it a go tho :beer:

[shimmy]

I was just about to congratulate you, but the I noticed you got beat by an ordinary M3?!:whistle:


Good on you for giving it a go tho :beer:

'twas an E36 race car.



I was slightly embarrassed as well :-D

[AlexGTT]

Cool Shim, sounds like a fun day! Glad you duffed up the 7RS.:-D Would love to come along and enjoy a day or two.:beer:

[shimmy]

Congrats Shimmy, you finally got the stuff together and got stuck in. Feels different once your on the start line and have to nail every corner to get that time down.:banghead:

You did great looking at the times and always nice to put it to the cars with more BHP/tech/£££'s, well done mate. If you can take a second off every lap it feels good dont it.:thumbs:

When im recovered i'll be joining you, perhaps well have a group and get our own CSL class with class!:partyman:

Unfortuantely Andye30m3 has sold his car, but kept it in the BMW family and entered grown-up series PBMW with his E30, good luck to him.

How did you find the NW course, i know last year the surface seemed past its best?

How was your sprint club, well organised etc?

PP

Iirc course was similar to last summer when we watched you except first turn right was very tight, like a gate and chicane before fence was very slow. Surface is bumpy and potholed

Thanks for all the advice. :thumbs:

[3wheels3]

Well done shimmy carrying csl flag! :thumbs:

[shimmy]

9th June is good, Eye of the tiger:wink:

http://www.cslregister.com/forum/showthread.php?p=112180#post112180

Check this out.

[pinkpanther008]

No worries mate, always willing to support a CSL in battle:supz:

Iirc course was similar to last summer when we watched you except first turn right was very tight, like a gate and chicane before fence was very slow. Surface is bumpy and potholed

Thanks for all the advice. :thumbs:

[shimmy]

my second sprint was today at RAF Honington near Snetterton in Norfolk. Pinkpanther008 also was booked on so this time i had someone to talk to.

gorgeous weather, big mix of cars again and top notch toasted bacon rolls and burgers with real cheese.

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp97/shimmylasco/CSL/e8197f84.jpg

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp97/shimmylasco/CSL/46c5d67a.jpg

[CraigMillwardCroft]

Glad to hear you had fun and you certainly had the weather for it, I use to sprint many years ago when I next meet up with you may get more info off you. :thumbs:

[shimmy]

About 78 miles from home but managed to get there in 55 minutes this morning meaning I managed to get there before the RAF had opened the side gate :mad:

We had a few less cars than last time but production class was still pretty busy with the F355, Gt3, 7GT3RS, Jaaaag, 2xCSLs, FocusST.

The track was a mix of concrete and tarmac, but both were covered in loose material and grip was a real issue. The concrete with stones turned out to be not too bad, but the main runway was covered in asphalt cinder and we were spinning up the wheels in every gear, even to the point where you wondered if you'd make it in a straight line. Car is stone chipped a bit!

As last time we had 2 practice and 3 timed runs. Each run was about 100 secs and 2.84km long.

Based on last sprint at North Weald where I had lost by 5 secs to the GT3 (race spec) and TR8, but beaten the 7RS, my target was to be closer to the GT3 (say 3 secs) and beat the TR8 and 7RS.

The TR8 with Land rover 4.4 didn't show (he bought his wife's Jaaag). On the first 4 runs I was at about 98-99secs whereas the porkers were both pulling 95 secs.

On the last run I decided to change my approach to the corners and straights so I worked out 3 main changes to try to REDUCE the wheel spin, SHORTEN the circuit and get longer straights. My last run was 94.74s, just 1.7s off the Gt3 and EXACTLY the same time as the 7RS, so effectively second fastest item in our group, tenth overall. However I lost my second place trophy due to the regs and ended up with a third. (again).

Just before our last run, a Saxo managed to roll on the chicane on the main straight. No injuries but a poorly looking car!:119:

Just as enjoyable as last time on track and less boring in between as we had the sun, some company to chat to and loads of cups of tea. :partyman:

[Bounce]

Sounds like you had a good day Shim :thumbs::thumbs:

[shimmy]

For those interested here is the circuit plan


http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp97/shimmylasco/CSL/b2c5d723.jpg

[s.mac]

Nice one Shimmy

[giraffe]

good stuff that fresh oil must have made you quicker :-D

[northernjim]

Well done shimm

Getting a dab hand at this now mate :thumbs:

[Yanto]

Nice one Shim, good to know the diet isn't suffering after all the bacon this w/e :beer:

[pinkpanther008]

Happy Days:beer:

[Funkster]

Happy Days:beer:


Well done shim :supz: and great to be slaying some pork :whistle:

Looking fashionable as ever....... With your vest on the outside :blalalala:

[CraigMillwardCroft]

For those interested here is the circuit plan


http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp97/shimmylasco/CSL/b2c5d723.jpg
Nice looking circuit tests the old grey matter out, :whistle:

[shimmy]

Nice looking circuit tests the old grey matter out, :whistle:

I'll post the vids when downloaded and youtubed