'TRACKDAY', Brands Hatch Indy Circuit (Kent) - ***Friday 6th December 2024*** £169

[MightyCondor]

I’ve got my MX-5 back so hoping to get this booked soon.

Finally!

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[LeeW]

After a sudden swell in drive to get mine back in a drivable state ( lord knows what state it’s actually in after being outside and neglected for so long), I’d love to book this as a way of pushing me to get it done ready for it. But I just think it’s probably too optimistic
Also it’s the wife’s birthday, and doubt it would land very well. Maybe I’ll be able to pop along to say hello for a few hours and the least.

[Conan]

Did you book yourself and then Mercedes as an additional drive?

Yes I did Chris, although it doesn’t matter which way round you do it
I thought it easier with my email etc

[Mpv2k3]

Hi all. This event is now on the edge of my radar, so I need to start to sort out:

Garages
Who's staying to eat afterwards

Can everyone:

1. Please check if your name is on the list in the first post and your details are correct
2. Confirm if you have already booked a garage and, if so, if you are willing to share with 1 or 2 others
3. If no garage booked, whether you would like a garage share for ~£10 each
4. Confirm if you (+?) will be eating afterwards (probably the usual Beefeater place) at about 5pm

Thank you

[MightyCondor]

Will share a garage and will come for the meal afterwards.

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[Mpv2k3]

Hi

I'm going and my name isn't on the list.

I want to share a garage and will attend the meal afterwards too.

[nightfire10]

I'd like to share a garage please

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[Conan]

I’d like to share a garage please
Meal for two if at the beefeater

[Ian.Mothersole]

Garage share please, and meal afterwards

[ChrisHolmes]

Hi all. This event is now on the edge of my radar, so I need to start to sort out:

Garages
Who's staying to eat afterwards

Can everyone:

1. Please check if your name is on the list in the first post and your details are correct. CHECK
2. Confirm if you have already booked a garage and, if so, if you are willing to share with 1 or 2 others NOTHING BOOKED
3. If no garage booked, whether you would like a garage share for ~£10 each. YES
4. Confirm if you (+?) will be eating afterwards (probably the usual Beefeater place) at about 5pm. YES x 2

Thank you

[ChrisHolmes]

Thanks, list updated with all info above

[SteveBishopRx8]

Just booked on
Garage share please & meal afterwards

[SeanP]

Any Garage Shares available? Also put me (+friend tentatively) down for the meal.

[SeanP]

I'll be contacting Nick in the next few days to book some garages.

I'll add you and your friend to the table booking, Sean

[ChrisHolmes]

Checked in with MSV

[ChrisHolmes]

I've checked-in!

Everyone ought to have received an email with check-in details for this trackday. I received mine from "nick.dougill@mottrackdays.com" on 15 December.

I like the fact that "in person" safety briefings are back, rather than the covid era online briefings

GARAGES - I have requested 4 garages from Nick, which will mean approx 3 cars per garage for those who requested a share. This ratio seems to have worked well over many years.

IF YOU REQUESTED A GARAGE SHARE, PLEASE BRING £10 CASH WITH YOU, WHICH I WILL COLLECT ON THE DAY

IF YOU PREFER TO PAY IN ADVANCE VIA PAYPAL FOR YOUR GARAGE SHARE, PLEASE "GIFT" £10 to paypal@casecomputers.co.uk and post up in here (or PM me) that you have done so.

MEAL AFTER - we are now up to 16 people requesting to eat afterwards. I have emailed the restaurant today to increase the table booking. I'm not expecting any issues, but will confirm when I hear back.

[nightfire10]

I've checked in !

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[Mpv2k3]

MEAL AFTER - we are now up to 16 people requesting to eat afterwards. I have emailed the restaurant today to increase the table booking. I'm not expecting any issues, but will confirm when I hear back.

The restaurant have replied:

Hi, unfortunately our maximum party size is now 14 people due to location of the table it only allows this many, by all means you can try and squeeze 16 on the table but it may be a squeeze, the usual area that we use for big party's is no longer available so this is the only table I have now I'm afraid

I've said yes, we will squeeze on somehow!

No room for any more though, unless we split across 2 tables!

No request for deposits or pre-ordering either, which is a relief

[ChrisHolmes]

Its looking good so far

[nightfire10]

Just a quick reminder to everyone, we will have tea/coffee in the garage (I'll bring a few mugs with me, but feel free bring your own).

There will also be some homemade cake

[SteveBishopRx8]

Another reminder (apart from the usual "remember to bring your driving licence" ) for those who have requested a garage share, PLEASE BRING £10 CASH. I'll have some cash for change, if needed.

Nick is charging us £100 for the 4 garages, so a discount of £20. 10 of us have requested garages, so that works out perfectly.

Initially at least, Ian and I will share a garage and will set up the refreshments gear in there.

That leaves 8 drivers to share the remaining 3. I'm sure you can sort that out on arrival. As the day progresses, we can be flexible about who uses which garage, if anyone needs to work on their car. There is just room to fit 2 cars in a garage, but we can park either side easily.

Can I request that any non-participants park their cars along the fencing at the bottom of the paddock, or the lower part of the paddock parking, to allow easier access to the garages - thank you

Weather is still looking pretty good for teh morning, although there is an increasing chance of rain during the afternoon.

The track normally closes at 4pm, as the light will be rapidly fading.

Looking forward to seeign you all soon

[Studle]

Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow. I’ll be bringing a small coffee pod machine, some nibbles, disposable cups and lids, milk and an extra table if required to add to the supplies.
Weather forecast looks promising.

[nightfire10]

I hope everyone got home safely yesterday.

Full post-event report later, but I'm looking at the weather reports for today, listening to the wind blow stuff around outside, and reflecting on just how lucky we were with the light breeze, sun and dry track yesterday! Such a contrast in 24 hours!!

The QE2 bridge is currently closed, with southbound traffic diverted through a Dartford Tunnel bore, which would have made travelling to the circuit problematic for me and several others.

[ChrisHolmes]

What a great weather day yet again for this annual event.
Managed a PB of 1.01 in the i8 on Bridgestone Road tyres but generally times were 1.04s & 1.05s
Track etiquette was super all day, plus only two red flags all day.
Had a good couple of laps “play” with a Porsche GT3 which unfortunately ended sadly when he spun exiting Druid and brushed the barrier!
My daughter Margaret drove the car for the first time ever and on track too. She drove well and thoughly enjoyed the driving and the company.
Great dinner afterwards with 14 of us squeezed into one long table!

EDIT (Casey) - 16 of us on the table, so very cosy!

[nightfire10]

What a day! Disappointment for some, but glorious for others.

Firtsly, the sad bit. I feel for Steve Bishop and Alan, who both had issues with their cars at the outset of the day and were unable to capitalise one of the best December days on track at Brands for a long time. Thankfully, both were able to dive home. Alan, sadly, with serious oil burps, confirming he needs a new engine. Steve, with the admiral assistance of Aston and Ryan Osborne at Essex Rotary, seems to have got his issue sorted (MAF and MAF screen issue), but too late to partake on track. Again, many thanks to Nick Dougill for agreeing to a 50% credit refund to Steve. Given that Nick only sold 53 of the 60 places and lost serious money at Croft earlier this year, a fair offer.

Next, thank you to everyone, regulars and newcomers alike, who continue to support this “traditional” event in the club calendar. One that I have attended every single time, in the same car, since Nick D started it in 2008. There was such a friendly vibe at this event throughout the day and at the apres-track meal, which saw an attendance of 16 of our group. I thought the food and the service was 1st class – our waitress remaining polite and cheerful throughout the lengthy split payments ordeal!

Special thanks to Stuart attending socially and for bringing his coffee pod machine (luxury!) and some food supplies. It was great to see Brian (“Shaggy”) join us socially too. Great to see Aston and Ryan take the time out of their bust workload to join us in the paddock in the afternoon and join us for the meal afterwards.

Extra special thanks to Ian.M for bringing a load of refreshment supplies and, made with his own hands, this superb rotor theme cake, recognising our sadly departed Ray Harrison, who, in large part, persuaded me to take my RX-8 on its very first track day (at Brands too) in May 2007, and who unfailingly supported this event from 2008 with me, until he was no longer able. I can attest this fruit cake was truly delicious and, having enjoyed a small piece to start with, couldn’t resist and went back for a 2nd piece later

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Now onto the track day bit. It’s been a long time since I have arrived at this event to find the entry roads and most of the track bone dry. I arrived just before dawn, so it was a delight to be greeted soon afterwards with clear blue skies and lovely sunshine, which stayed with us until well into the later part of the day. Cool temperatures, a dry racing line and limited numbers meant plenty of track time could be enjoyed without any concern over engine temperatures, just management of brakes and tyres (plus oil & fuel of course ). Track etiquette was amongst the best I have experienced. Amazingly, we only had 2 (short duration) Red Flag incidents, both identical, resulting in cars (an MX-5 and then RX-8) in the gravel at the bottom of Paddock Hill. No damage to the cars, just stuck, needing recovery. The RX-8 was a surprise to see - driven but Michael, who was not part of our group, but spotted on social media that we were to be there and decided last minute to book the day. I spoke to him in the paddock, prior to his “excursion”, and tried to encourage him to join us on the forum!

As usual, I have my in-car camera running, but have yet to review the compile some edits, which I will post up on here later. I had a real blast on track. My new Tein Mono Sport coilovers (replacing my 14+ year old Tein Mono Flex units, mainly due to spring breakage, plus age) were a revelation, giving my car a sharper turn-in and a much more planted feel. As a result, even with passenger ballast on board, I clocked a new PB lap of 57.86 seconds (RaceChrono – no live timing visible I stress, only post session reviews!).

Ray H was much missed, but I hope he was watching from somewhere with a smile.

An excellent day overall, and I can’t wait to book for next year

Look at that that light and shadows!

Ian cutting the cake

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The apres-track meal at a local Beefeater (apologies, Pete and Mercedes missing from this photo as they joined us later).

Marc took the photo and didn't want to be left out, so took this selfie