What ? Sub-8 in this weather ? Bloody hell. I guess the air intake temp is low but tyre temp is a little low too ? I am happy with a 8.30 when all is optimum...
I put some new Medium compound Federal FZ-201's on and after a couple of sighting / warm up laps got temperature in the tyres and altered the pressures....seemed OK to push on a bit.... Safe driving.
Paul lives there, and knows the Ring like the back of his hand. I hope to be at Spa in April for a couple of days, so hope to meet up with him.
Hi Arthur, How's the car?? Hope it's still giving you lots of pleasure. Still a novice out here but starting to get the hang of things.... Regards and best wishes to you.. Cheers P&S x
Hi Paul. Car is fine, but up for sale. I now have a Clio, with a Megane 250 engine, running 320/340. Hope you and Susie are both well.
Tbf it isn't that hard to pilot a Megane around there in 8mins, loads of "novice" drivers with minimal laps doing so, I was surprised when I was out this year the pace that a lot of the newbies had, Just need to be committed and a little bit unhinged with low self preservation if your not experienced
Nice lap.. I have done a few laps around the ring before but never in a megane. I have just bought a 250 cup that's been tweaked a little, what tyre pressures would you suggest for 19" rims?
I would suggest changing the 19" rims for the track and going 17", wider off-set and 45 tyres and keeping the bigger rims just for the road. Depending on how much track time you do there will be a saving on tyre cost, a bigger selection and better handling. I have never used 19" rims on my car so could not advise on pressures.
Fair enough Jamie - I never want to go under 8.30 in my stock Cup-S on cheapo NS2Rs 180. That's probably 8/10ths of the car but 10/10ths of my preservation instinct !
I've seen 100% stock cars on road tyres do it as well, it's amazing how little gains other than it feeling better you get by modifying them haha. I would never feel confident pushing that hard on anything other than a proper TD anyway, TF is good but carries a massive risk for UK drivers
Hi Jamie, With respect not that many experienced or novice drivers are under 8.00 on the Nordschleife (despite lots of car park chatter) and my experience tells me that there is a BIG difference between an average 8.30 / 8.45 and a sub 8.00 lap. Getting the big 10 secs cuts from 10 mins down to 8.30 is mostly about learning which way the track goes and getting the car better set up. The last seconds from say 8.20 to sub 8.00 are normally the most difficult and most expensive in these types of car's as you are constantly driving at 95%+ of the car's limitations. I have lapped the Nordschleife in a McLaren 12C in 7.26 and would suggest I used less than 80% of the car's potential but was driving at just about the top of my comfort and skill limit. The most important thing IMO is to have FUN, drive within your limits, have respect for others and don't go chasing lap times....it nearly always ends in tears! Cheers and safe driving.
Agree with you on laptimes though, my most enjoyable laps to date are ones that I am chasing something that should be quicker, ie GT3s [emoji23]
Agreed 100% People often ask what time did I do, Answer:I dont know as I dont time myself I just enjoy driving the 13miles of the roller coaster. On TF days the ring is not a racetrack..
YES I honestly have no idea what times I've done on the TF in the 5 years I've been going and don't really want to know - I suppose I could get it off the go pro videos very roughly, definitely not anywhere near 8! I lose time letting people past and I cool my brakes a bit on the long straight at Kesselchen etc and coast. As long as I get around in one piece that's all that matters. You can't realistically do a timed lap on a busy TF - traffic and safety come first, not times. I strongly believe this whole, 'what time did you get' thing is one of the main reasons for crashes and bellend drivers. Totally not directed at anyone at all I assure you. I've seen R26Man vids a few times and all I can say is respect! Obviously done a lot of laps! I'm more on about the have a go hero's who look to gain an extra few inches.........sorry - shave a few seconds
I posted the full spec somewhere on here but it's mainly the following. KW Clubsport suspension Currently Federal FZ-201 Medium compound. Milltek exhaust with 200 cell sports cat. Brake lines, fluid and pads Roll cage Drivers seat and steering wheel. Back seats, floor and shelf removed (natch) Mainly safety items as the exhaust and suspension were on the car when I bought it.
