View Full Version : Time Attack at Brands Hatch
Paul Whiffin
03-09-07, 12:18
What a great day we all had, great performances from both Darren and Steve behind the wheel.
The cars themselves are coming on stronger and stronger as they are being developed.
We were at Brands earlier in the week testing and he found the car completely undriveable with the same handling issues we've had all year.
We tried some a completely different (untested!) suspension setup on the RX7 and it was a HUGE improvement from before, Darren now has the confidence in pushing the car to the limit and at the same time it now stops, which is a bonus! We qualified 4th and was in 4th place in the Super Battle until Darren pushed it a little bit to far and went off into the tyres, nothing to drastic, just a bit of scrape, well quite a large scrape actually! Finished in 6th place in the end.
Steve in the Supra was going well to, getting faster and faster all day. We haven't touched the car between the last 2 rounds as we felt everything was working ok. He qualifed in 6th place and ended up in 10th in the Super Battle, a missed gear change costing a few places for sure. I'm sure Steve will fill you in on what happened there! Great effort though Steve, and loads more to come from you and the car, I've got PLENTY of ideas for your car to get ALOT more speed from it as you know. Mainly weight, but also power and suspension setup.
Thanks for everyone that came to watch, sorry I couldn't spend much time chatting to you all, just to busy running around on the 2 cars most of the day!
Big thanks to Darren for driving/preparing the car. Steve for driving and being my best customer! JayDee for rotary engine building and mapping. Peter P for just being you, always happy to help and a pleasure have around.
Any got any pictures of the day, could they post them here?
http://www.whifbitz.co.uk/images/forum pics/rx7 time attack/brand hatch/Photo-0055.jpg
http://www.whifbitz.co.uk/images/forum pics/rx7 time attack/brand hatch/Photo-0049.jpg
http://www.whifbitz.co.uk/images/forum pics/rx7 time attack/brand hatch/Photo-0051.jpg
500+ pictures (and video of a certain incident!) to go through, then I'll post up.
Paul Whiffin
03-09-07, 13:04
Excellent, post them up when you get a mo. Would love to see the crash!
Not much to see really - it was just a bit too far away. Looked like a simple side-slip into the barrier - just a big dust cloud on the video, but I'll get it up anyway.
Paul Whiffin
03-09-07, 13:23
Yeah, I saw it happen myself, didn't look to bad from where I was standing, it went in about 70mph though! The car's ok, just a front bumper and door repair really.
I got quite a close look as i was right on the corner by the straight (by the entrance to the pit)..
didn't look to bad but was a lot of dust, pitty that happened Daz was really flying at that point, full respect to him on the laps in that heat the Rx was flying and Daz was pushing it to the limit, I'm sure with the experience from that and the new set up, next time out will be even better!
Also well done to steve, the supe' looked and sounded awsome and times up there with some drivers who have been doing it for a wile!
Was a great day yesterday, will defo' try and get to more of the events to support the whifbitz team, well done Daz, Steve, Paul and all the others involved..
Also good to spent time with some of the other members off here who went.. cheers for a great day of racing and laughs..
All for £12 bargin
Paul Whiffin
03-09-07, 14:38
Cheers mate. Great venue Brands isn't it, you can see so much of the track there, it also makes a great meeting place for car clubs as well, something the club should possibly look into? When we left there on Wednesday evening there was a big VW meet so its obviously something Brands Hatch allow.
yep, quality venue...
bit spoilt really as its only 10min away and i don't even need to use the m25 to get there..
uuuumm sounds an idea if i get a chance i'll chat to one of the mods to see if its worth looking into doing something there..
I did notice there was a karting track there as well! could pos' tie that in with something?
When you had your practice there (weds?) was the public able to get in then to watch?
Paul Whiffin
03-09-07, 15:18
Good shout. The public can go anywhere on the track days yep, so you can nose around the pit area as well.
what a good day, nice to see some supes there, the supe sounded a look nice paul it was shifting on that big striaght
Cheers mate. Great venue Brands isn't it, you can see so much of the track there, it also makes a great meeting place for car clubs as well, something the club should possibly look into? When we left there on Wednesday evening there was a big VW meet so its obviously something Brands Hatch allow.
Hi Paul, was that like a general VW meet or a track day? We have a few members that like to track their car but not enough to allow us to hire the place. If they had space for a 1/4 mile as well as the track time then that could be a different matter..
JB
supra_surj
03-09-07, 16:21
Yea well done guys. Was great seeing the cars running. Came to say hi but you guys looked busy so left you to it. Look forward to next time.
[QUOTE=Paul Whiffin;1577283]What a great day we all had, great performances from both Darren and Steve behind the wheel.
The cars themselves are coming on stronger and stronger as they are being developed.
We were at Brands earlier in the week testing and he found the car completely undriveable with the same handling issues we've had all year.
We tried some a completely different (untested!) suspension setup on the RX7 and it was a HUGE improvement from before, Darren now has the confidence in pushing the car to the limit and at the same time it now stops, which is a bonus! We qualified 4th and was in 4th place in the Super Battle until Darren pushed it a little bit to far and went off into the tyres, nothing to drastic, just a bit of scrape, well quite a large scrape actually! Finished in 6th place in the end.
Steve in the Supra was going well to, getting faster and faster all day. We haven't touched the car between the last 2 rounds as we felt everything was working ok. He qualifed in 6th place and ended up in 10th in the Super Battle, a missed gear change costing a few places for sure. I'm sure Steve will fill you in on what happened there! Great effort though Steve, and loads more to come from you and the car, I've got PLENTY of ideas for your car to get ALOT more speed from it as you know. Mainly weight, but also power and suspension setup.
Thanks for everyone that came to watch, sorry I couldn't spend much time chatting to you all, just to busy running around on the 2 cars most of the day!
Big thanks to Darren for driving/preparing the car. Steve for driving and being my best customer! JayDee for rotary engine building and mapping. Peter P for just being you, always happy to help and a pleasure have around.
Any got any pictures of the day, could they post them here?]
Aww bless you Whiffy! ;):D
Was good to be me and help out where I could, even got my trolley jack a bit dirty! ;)
All in all thought it was a great day and as peeps have said well done to Daz and Steve for their efforts, both cars looked the part and were setting good times from the start. Shame about the off on what people were calling a really fast lap but that's racing at the end of the day :rolleyes:;)
Hoping to see both cars out there in 2008 and if we can see a few more club members spectating that would be awesome as well :cool:
Did see the stand on my way in and a few peeps in club clothing at the garages but as Paul said, was difficult trying to pull ourselves away from working on the setup for Steve and changing tyres etc.
Glad the damage isn't too severe Paul.
Cheers,
Pete :)
Paul Whiffin
03-09-07, 16:39
Hi Paul, was that like a general VW meet or a track day? We have a few members that like to track their car but not enough to allow us to hire the place. If they had space for a 1/4 mile as well as the track time then that could be a different matter..
JB
It was just a meet there behind the main grandstand, nice venue and there's a nice bar to!
How about a track day but not solely Supra's, just find a date there when a track day is on and we all go?
How about a track day but not solely Supra's, just find a date there when a track day is on and we all go?
Works for me...
Well - where do I start!
Arrived back in the country 01:00 Sunday, got 3 hours sleep, drove to Brands in the Supe and ragged the hell out if it :cool:
The adrenaline kicked in about 2 seconds before the first corner and didn't stop until I got home!
It's already been said by Paul, but definately worth repeating... a big big thanks to all involved : Pete, Paul, Daz, Tony, my dad any anyone supporting ( even though I didn't see many peeps as it was so busy )
I saw a few guys on the mkiv stand when we came in so it was nice to see some support...
The practice sessions went well, but I suffered a misfire in the second session. Then went back out and knocked over a second off my fastest time all day.
BUT - in the final I missed a 4th - 3rd gear change at the hairpin which must have cost me at least 1 sec so the rest of the lap was driven like an absolute nutter because I was so possesed in reclaiming the time!
( I reckon I joined a few more religions on that lap praying for grip :blink: )
( For those that don't know, the club class time attackers get 1 warmup lap, 1 fast lap and a cool down so we only get one chance to shine ... not like the pro boys who get 20mins to set a fasted lap :p ... waits for Daz to turn up! )
Anyhow, we did the best we could on the day, learn't a lot of lessons and will definately be back next year flying the flag. By then I reckon the car will have lost a lot more weight - especially if Daz and Paul get near it with some air cutters :innocent:
Cheers again to everyone that was there... it all helped in supporting and getting the job done.
Works for me...
... and me... Brands is an awesome circuit.
Nice to meet you as well Ark :)
Works for me...
me too... and i know a couple of the others who were there said they would be up for some thing along those lines..
uzthedentist
03-09-07, 18:00
me too... and i know a couple of the others who were there said they would be up for some thing along those lines..
what about a toyota day with mr2s gt4s celicas etc
uzthedentist
03-09-07, 18:15
some nice piccies 4 ya
http://uzmanulhaq.info/whifbitz1.jpg
http://uzmanulhaq.info/whifbitz2.jpg
http://uzmanulhaq.info/whifbitz3.jpg
http://uzmanulhaq.info/whifbitz4.jpg
http://uzmanulhaq.info/whifbitz5.jpg
http://uzmanulhaq.info/whifbitz6.jpg
Well to both Steve and Daz looks liek you both had an eventful weekend.
Daz certainly did a good job of going off! I the car is better than it looks in the pics . ouch!
Id be iterested in a trackday. Although it wont be in a supra. Brands is a bit of a treck but would be great to have a shot at it.
A few of us did an open pit track day last year at Brands. It was an absolute blast and only cost around £100 for the whole day. Would definately do it again and recommend it to everyone.
Paul Whiffin
03-09-07, 21:03
Lets do it then! Who wants to organise it? Better hurry before the weather closes in! Doesn't have to be just Supra's as Mr Dentist says...
Track day at brands... :drool:
Sorry I didn't really get a chance to talk to many of you as I was entertaining a few people. Bad excuse I know, but there you go. ;(
Dave, I wish I had a chance to have a chat, I see your car every other day pretty much, a friend of mine (red mr2) lives just around the corner from you. I keep meaning to leave a forum card on your car, but I wont bother now as I know you're already a member. :taped:
I reckon he would be up for it, and I know I will be. :D
Yeah I know the car, when it goes past my place me and the other half always say "red mr2" just from the sound. She still prefers my previous mr2 over the supe. No doubt we'll cross paths at some point matey.
I am interested in a trackday, I have always fancied a go at brands :)
I am interested in a trackday, I have always fancied a go at brands :)
Wez, you'll love it - your single will fly round there :d
Have you replaced your 888's yet - I'm starting to wonder how long they last through heat cycles...
I just remember last time we did a track day and really struggled to get the numbers to justify it.
I will look in to this with Bookatrack and see what they can do for us. Do we want Indy track or full circuit?
JB
Paul Whiffin
04-09-07, 09:35
I just remember last time we did a track day and really struggled to get the numbers to justify it.
I will look in to this with Bookatrack and see what they can do for us. Do we want Indy track or full circuit?
JB
Better off just going straight to http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/brands-hatch/ or http://www.trackdays.co.uk/calendar/
I dont think they open up the full circuit much so it'll probably be Indy I'd say.
thanks Paul.
I will look in to this during the week and do a new thread about it.
As with any track day the costs are not going to be cheap, but we can try and ease that a bit by charging spectator fees like we did for Suprapod.
JB
The full GP circuit costs something like £24,000 (!!!!) for the day, so better go for the Indy circuit.
Paul - couple of crappy videos for you:
Spin 1 (http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/Whifbitz_spin1.wmv)
Spin 2 (http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/Whifbitz_spin2.wmv)
And some pictures:
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/1.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/2.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/3.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/4.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/5.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/6.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/7.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/8.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/9.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/10.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/11.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/12.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/13.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/14.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/15.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/16.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/17.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/18.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/19.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/20.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/21.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/22.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/23.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/24.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/25.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/26.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/27.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/28.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/29.JPG
http://homepages.tesco.net/christopher.nixon/TABrands/30.JPG
Paul Whiffin
04-09-07, 09:53
Excellent pics mate, I'll show Dazza the vids in a mo!
Wez, you'll love it - your single will fly round there :d
Have you replaced your 888's yet - I'm starting to wonder how long they last through heat cycles...
Hiya Steve,
My R888s are pretty much shot now, maybe a couple of laps left in them at most, not sure what to go for next, I will prob follow Mr Wilsons advice and get some P Cups :)
Hiya Steve,
My R888s are pretty much shot now, maybe a couple of laps left in them at most, not sure what to go for next, I will prob follow Mr Wilsons advice and get some P Cups :)
Hi mate,
I think Daz tried some Yokos at Brands - maybe Paul can comment on how good/bad they were.
I'll also probably try some others as well so I'll let you know how I get on.
Paul Whiffin
04-09-07, 14:43
Basically the Toyo's were instantly 2 seconds a lap faster! But the Yoko's we had were medium hard compound so probably not a far comparison. I'd like to try some Kumho's out, a few people have said how good they are.
supra_surj
04-09-07, 16:15
I run kumhos on my supra and have been impressed by them but not been on a track so cant compare.
I didnt rate the Khumo road tires at all, maybe there trackday tire is better.
Paul Whiffin
04-09-07, 17:54
Kumho road tyres are pretty dire yep, the semi slicks they do are suppose to be very good from what I've been told, you never know who to believe though do you!
Dangerous D
04-09-07, 21:28
Thanks for the coments guys , purhaps I was trying a little bit to hard but I atleast I know I was giving it my all with what setup we had on the day, as usuall changing things at the last minute again but at least we are going the right way with the car now.
Vid 2 : don't look to bad from that angle, mad a bit of a thud though :) only a little stiff neck one side. If the gravel wasn't there I think it would off gripped and I would of been able to just get round but there you go thats racing.
Bring on next year we have lots of changes to be made to the car and I feel real confident on some podiums.
Great progress for Team Garage Whifbitz
Mr Linton you could always bump up into the Pros if you can handle it :) :) c u soon
Mr Linton you could always bump up into the Pros if you can handle it :) :) c u soon
Glad to hear you got away with just a sore neck!
.... get the cutters ready :)
I reckon I'll stay in the club class and lose a lot of weight first.
I'd like to embarass some of the 4wd's more...
Mind you, by the time we've removed most if the car, I'll need a cage and fire ext. anyway - so there won't be much left to do!
Stevie Boy
06-09-07, 16:49
Thanks for the coments guys , purhaps I was trying a little bit to hard but I atleast I know I was giving it my all with what setup we had on the day, as usuall changing things at the last minute again but at least we are going the right way with the car now.
Vid 2 : don't look to bad from that angle, mad a bit of a thud though :) only a little stiff neck one side. If the gravel wasn't there I think it would off gripped and I would of been able to just get round but there you go thats racing.
Bring on next year we have lots of changes to be made to the car and I feel real confident on some podiums.
Great progress for Team Garage Whifbitz
Mr Linton you could always bump up into the Pros if you can handle it :) :) c u soon
Thanks for the Vids and pics Ark, glad to see the Rex didn't fold in 2 there's nothing to that front end!
Well done Daz, good show, shame about the off. Look forward to seein you guy's next year.
Well done Steve too, Supra sounded awsome down the straight. Pro Class watch out eh!:d
Good effort all guy's associated with Garage Team Whifbitz, keep up the good work!:thumbs:
I am interested in a trackday, I have always fancied a go at brands :)
Me three :)
(chances are they're less bolts there to drive over too :D )
Stevie Boy
06-09-07, 17:02
Me three :)
Out of curiousity, roughly how much is trackday insurance?
Out of curiousity, roughly how much is trackday insurance?
I used Competition Car Insurance who insured my car for the time attacks for about £180 per event - but that may be cheaper for a track day rather than competition.
Morris also quoted a similar policy.
These are total loss policies so may be different clauses as well.
Out of curiousity, roughly how much is trackday insurance?
Never used it.
Out of curiousity, roughly how much is trackday insurance?
Depends...
I use Keith Michaels for my main insurance, and they add track day cover for £60 per day.
Paul Whiffin
07-09-07, 10:58
Some more pics of the RX7 at Brands a few days before
http://www.whifbitz.co.uk/images/forum pics/rx7 time attack/brand hatch/DSC02601.jpg
http://www.whifbitz.co.uk/images/forum pics/rx7 time attack/brand hatch/DSC02597.jpg
http://www.whifbitz.co.uk/images/forum pics/rx7 time attack/brand hatch/DSC02598.jpg
http://www.whifbitz.co.uk/images/forum pics/rx7 time attack/brand hatch/DSC02599.jpg
http://www.whifbitz.co.uk/images/forum pics/rx7 time attack/brand hatch/DSC02600.jpg
So when we looking at doing a brands day and who is going to start a dedicated thread?
Guys, just been sent an e-mail from Motorsportvision there are a couple of open pit lane days coming up at Brands. Tuesday 9th October £199 all day, Thursday 1st November £139 all day and Wednesday 7th November £89 afternoon only.
I could be interested in Thursday 1st November £139, anyone else up for it?
Paul Whiffin
14-09-07, 08:01
I could be yes, just got to get one of my cars working! Supra should be run in and mapped by then, so yes from me.
Full day on the 1st sounds good to me..
(cant be sure on time off work at the moment though)
Not sure at the moment, can only really commit to w/e events until 2nd week of Nov :-(
Guys, just been sent an e-mail from Motorsportvision there are a couple of open pit lane days coming up at Brands. Tuesday 9th October £199 all day, Thursday 1st November £139 all day and Wednesday 7th November £89 afternoon only.
Did they say anything about noise limits?
Stevie Boy
14-09-07, 11:04
Did they say anything about noise limits?
:yeahthat:
and how does this open pit work? Is the whole day open to everyone/different cars and
is there a limit on numbers and how many run on track at the same time?
Did they say anything about noise limits?
Hmmm, this could be a prob with my current setup :innocent:
Hmmm, this could be a prob with my current setup :innocent:
... Brands is normally 105dB
:yeahthat:
and how does this open pit work? Is the whole day open to everyone/different cars and
is there a limit on numbers and how many run on track at the same time?
you go out and come in when you want.... no time limits :blink:
Stevie Boy
14-09-07, 12:19
... Brands is normally 105dB
105dB, any ideas what stock twins with Blitz NUR Spec R and both cats out is around?
you go out and come in when you want.... no time limits :blink:
I just wondered if the track could end up looking like the M25 if it was a free for all, with loadsa people trying to run at the same time, I assume there'll be a lot of people attending if it's only £139 per person to have the track for the whole day? thought it was like £20k for the days track hire?:blink:
I wonder if the more expensive day has a higher DB limit.
They normally are more expensive for louder days.
My stock turbos with Nur spec and 2nd decat runs 100db.
There is normally a maximum number allowed on track...maybe 35 cars.
Hmmm, just called BH and they said they test to 105db at 3/4 revs at approx a meter.
Might have to use the bung, i cant remember what mine registers, i think it was approx 111db :(
EDIT: just to add, they do also have driveby noise monitoring but its rarely enforced unless a car is silly loud but then you could always ease off past the noise meter ;)
Hmmm, just called BH and they said they test to 105db at 3/4 revs at approx a meter.
Might have to use the bung, i cant remember what mine registers, i think it was approx 111db :(
EDIT: just to add, they do also have driveby noise monitoring but its rarely enforced unless a car is silly loud but then you could always ease off past the noise meter ;)
..They allowed the Timeattack cars on there without any problems, and some of those are silly noise even on closed throttle!
( eg : Olly Clarks Scooby / RC Developments Evo's )
Fortunately the track is in a valley so a lot of the noise stays local, and from what I've found they are one of the better tracks for this kind of 'problem' .
Also found out that the cost difference is due to the track hire rates, they drop at the end of sept which is why the latter days are cheaper, nothing to do with allowing noiser cars :(
Me and Adam (trig) both have Na's that are very loud and there was no problem with regards to noise limits
Most people seemed to do 10-15 laps and then come in for a breather and cool down and there was no problem with having no track blockage.
Don't forget guy's - motorstv tonight at 19:30 and 23:30 tonight - the Brands Hatch round of Timeattack :)
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