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So a bunch of us met at the track yesterday, DXB Autodrome (my local), for a grand day out.
Open track day from 8am to 12 am, open pits and pit lane.

After prepping the car, installing a new Braille battery and some other hiccups with work, we all met at the brief at 8am, with big grins all around. Had a coffee, talked rubbish with some of the guys and then headed out to the paddock, to do final preps. (camera mounts, wheel nuts, tire px, removing anything loose, and then getting suited up)

The start siren goes off while I am still doing stuff (is it me, or is there always soo much still to do just before hand, like there is never enough time) so cars start heading out, while I am doing tire pressures.. My mate starts egging me on about, come on.. any time now and all that

Just about to jump into the car, and all the cars come back in again... seems someone caught on fire on the frisking warm up lap... (they, him and pax got out okay though) so car hasta be removed from the track before we get to go out.. gives me an extra 15 mins to finish what ever I was doing and have a quick coffee before donning the helmet.

Great!!




we head out and (I always) leave traction on for the first 2 laps while I warm up the tires and get into the groove of things, while other guys are fanging on past me on cold rubber. One guy even chucks itinside me on turn 6 (on the freaking warmup lap) (guy in a BRZ, or 86, hard to tell those apart)

after passing the start stop for the 2nd time, I turn off everything (including aircon l which I have had nicely running up to now to give me some cool cool breeze and proceed to get on the throttle. Car is handling like a complete dream, and more so after a few laps, when the tires are really up to heat/px.

I come in after 3 or 4 laps and get my mate to remove the tow hook (which has come astray from its position in the boot, my fault, should have checked it before hand , remember all those little things you need to do before donning that helmet), check tire px and I head back out.

another easy lap to get tires back up to heat, and then get on it. Turned in some really nice laps, but traffic in the way a lot. Thats ok, thats how it rolls. after I do about 13 laps. (1/2 tank of gas..lol) some okay ones. (2.05)
I start chasing this super charged mini, (I find out later he's on slicks lol) and slowly but surely start catching up to him, but then disaster strikes and on downshifting just before turn 3, the clutch slave cylinder lets go and leaves me stuck in neutral..

I pull off the track just after coasting past turn 4 and remove myself way, way from any position where I or my car might be a hinder/issue...

Lol, I jump outa the car, have a quick look and then jump back in trying to engage the clutch.. nothing.. can't get it into gear at all..
remove my helmet, and do the walk of shame back to the paddock.. lol.. still grinning from ear to ear.. lol

Car gets towed back to the pits, where I then have another look see, and pretty much determine the the clutch slave cylinder.. (car goes nicely into gear when engine isn't running) .. organise a flat bed tow truck and then share the drive home with the tow truck driver, who proceeds to show me pics of his LS2 modded 86 corolla.. lol..

What an AWESOME day!!! .

got home, cracked a beer and will look at the car today...

Great vids, sounds like an awesome day. Get the clutch sorted and pop some spike on.

Vanne wrote: ↑Sat Mar 09, 2019 4:12 amOne guy even chucks it inside me at turn 6

Whoah, what kind of track day was this???

Love it. Good post, great attitude.

greg81 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 09, 2019 9:47 am

Vanne wrote: ↑Sat Mar 09, 2019 4:12 amOne guy even chucks it inside me at turn 6

Whoah, what kind of track day was this???

Haha!

Lucky man Vanne, please post more vids

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lol thx guys. yeah it was an AWESOME day, really was..
Clutch slave cylinder ordered.. waiting for it to arrive and then get under it. It will however mean ill miss my track day on the 30th.. , but ill make my next one after that on the 5th... hopefully.

How would you describe the effects of the weight reduction, so far?

MrPt, no idea really mate, I am not of the calibre that I could notice a 10 percent weight change mate, I can't even run most laps withoutout hitting traffic and getting stuck behind much slower guys, But I did run my PB last session, and I do feel I could have gone even quicker, if my clutch haden't gone walk about. (Was kinda on a roll there and in the zone) it's probably placebo, but it sure as heck can't hurt. I also noticed the top speed being higher on both straights. Maybe it's just that I am doing lots more seat time, or the car is lighter.. beats me, but I am absolutely loving it ATM..

I really think the biggest difference has been getting my car properly set up and corner balanced.. that's where I CAN tell the biggest difference.

Vanne wrote: ↑Sun Mar 17, 2019 5:20 pm MrPt, no idea really mate, I am not of the calibre that I could notice a 10 percent weight change mate

Hah, love the honesty. 10% is about the same as a full boot/tank plus fat passenger, so I bet you're feeling the benefits.