Donington Park, GP Circuit OPL - Mon 18th July £117 BKCC Price, 10 Required NOW

[tickious]

I'm up for getting there the evening before, what about here. Should be ok for carparking spaces http://www.premierinn.com/en/checkHotel/EASPTI/east-midlands-airport

So staying over:

Grin+1
RobP
Dave
Tickious
Tickious's mate Stew vx220 booked today.
Any thoughts on the premier inn?



Do you think the place you stayed last time will be ok for car park space etc?

Any other takers?

[tickious]

Any thoughts on the rooms, I'm just guessing they don't become cheaper and more available the later we leave it. Anyone got the details for the B&B?

[David H]

Ken might know. I'm happy with that place as a venue if everyone else is

Have you got the details Ken?

[robp]

It's World Touring Cars at Donington the day before we go.  Shouldn't  think it'll be an issue for us as far as accommodation is concerned as most people will leave the area on Sunday. 

['The Gaffer']

Dont forget it's quite a steep drive to that B+B and my clutch was smoking too by the top. Also trailers can bottom out on the road at the start of the climb.



Nice place though and a great host. Mention a block booking and I'm sure you will get a discount.

[Grin-a-lot]

It seems that it's a toss up between the premier inn and the clutch burning B&B.  Overnighters are:

Grin +1
Dave H
RobP
Tickious
Tickious' Mate

I reckon that 3 twin rooms might be good, a natural division might be Rob & Dave with grin & tickious with their respective guests.

If there's no complaints I suggest we go ahead with that plan.  It'd be wise to get this sorted this week so that we can book by Friday.  As always, other accom options/plans greatfully received!

[Grin-a-lot]

What about camping!  Could be fun!

[robp]

I potentially have a couple of guys coming from work too to act as ballast in my car. Therefore may sort accom. via them.

[tickious]

As I don't know or like the suspicious sound of the "Bottom Out" B&B  everyone's talking about,
me n Stew have just booked the Premier Inn, £56 per room, so pretty cheap if you don't mind sharing 

Dont forget it's quite a steep drive to that B+B and my clutch was smoking too by the top. Also trailers can bottom out on the road at the start of the climb.



Nice place though and a great host. Mention a block booking and I'm sure you will get a discount.

[stantman]

 
Sorry but missed this lot as per normal for me!!

Am interested in going up the night before what is teh final verdict on accomodation?

Also as I am driving up what time is everyone heading out from Bristol?

Cheers

[tickious]

Another mates just booked a place too. He's bringing his Atom
Passenger ride here I come! 

[Grin-a-lot]

As far as accommodation goes we've got 2 people booked into the Premier Inn.  I'm still considering the camping option on the basis that it'll be fun and its only 5mins from the track.

Marlborocar is driving up Monday morning and I think the start is around 0830 so I assume he'll be leaving 0530 ish but i'm sure he'll come along and let you know soon enough.

Any other takers for overnight accommodation?  Premier Inn, Camping, Other?  Some contenders here:

http://globaltrips.lastminute.com/trips/hotellist/listInternal?pTxId=539898&startIndex=0&checkInDate=2011-07-17&checkOutDate=2011-07-18&hotelMaxReturnPerPage=25&guestCounts=2&guestCodes=ADULT&configId=S72722479&city=castle+donington&numRooms=1&intcmp=home1_hotels&path=hotels&mappingName=

[Daley Down Under]

As far as accommodation goes we've got 2 people booked into the Premier Inn.  I'm still considering the camping option on the basis that it'll be fun and its only 5mins from the track.

Marlborocar is driving up Monday morning and I think the start is around 0830 so I assume he'll be leaving 0530 ish but i'm sure he'll come along and let you know soon enough.

Any other takers for overnight accommodation?  Premier Inn, Camping, Other?  Some contenders here:

http://globaltrips.lastminute.com/trips/hotellist/listInternal?pTxId=539898&startIndex=0&checkInDate=2011-07-17&checkOutDate=2011-07-18&hotelMaxReturnPerPage=25&guestCounts=2&guestCodes=ADULT&configId=S72722479&city=castle+donington&numRooms=1&intcmp=home1_hotels&path=hotels&mappingName=

Back from the week's bike ride to Ireland and back.  Excellent trip but will stick to kit cars from now on!!!  I am driving up on Monday 18th morning.  I will be leaving Thornbury at 6am

Adrian

[crag]

Hi I'm down to do the Donnington event on Monday (Craig from the WSCC club).  Just been looking at the weather forcast and it looks wet for Monday  

I'm after a bit of tyre advise from those with a bit more track experience than me.  I have a set of Yokahama AO49's and also Toyo Proxy T1R as road tyres.  If it's wet would you advise sticking with the Toyo's rather than the track focused Yoko's.  Sadly I can't transport both sets of wheels to Donnington...

Also, I will be going straight to the event on the day as I have relatives in Leicester who I will stay with on the Sunday night. 

Looking forward to it and to meeting you all

Cheers

Craig

[robp]

I'd use the A049s but you must get some heat in them.  Problem is Donington is not a nice circuit in the wet.  Being next to an airport means the surface has a fine film of aviation fuel. 

Anyway, it'll be dry, don't worry! 

Sadly I can't transport both sets of wheels to Donnington...

I assume you have a Westfield.  If so, yes you can take two sets of wheels.  I take a set of slicks and strap them to the rear roll bar.  Gets some funny looks on the motorway!

[robp]

Six of us are staying overnight near the circuit.  We have a spare twin room available for £50-55.  My friend Adam has booked it.  Need to cancel it today but if anyone wants somewhere speak now or forever hold your peace.

[Grin-a-lot]

I reckon we're looking at passing showers over the weekend so although it may not rain Monday we might end up with a damp track and a film of aviation fuel; magic!

My money's on it being dry though...

[Krazyken]

Hi Guys

Well done to Darren Minty (Grin a lot) is organising this and getting the BKCC/WSCC contingent up together.  I spoke with Neil at Focussed Events today and there is still 1 place that he has requested we fill if possible at the same price of £117.  Although we have 10 booked and the price is not affected, Adrian Tillin (Marlborocar) used a credit he had with FE and they did not make the connection to the BKCC so still have 1 place left open for us.

If you know of anyone who would like a bargain £117 as opposed to £165 now on the website please get them to book quoting BKCC or Ken Robson to get the price.  I will also open this up to other clubs to fill the last place so first one in gets the deal.

Have a great day, I will start a seperate link but we can do it all again on the 22nd August as they have just released this date and I have reserved 10 places.

Cheers  Ken

[David H]

Hi I'm down to do the Donnington event on Monday (Craig from the WSCC club).  Just been looking at the weather forcast and it looks wet for Monday  

I'm after a bit of tyre advise from those with a bit more track experience than me.  I have a set of Yokahama AO49's and also Toyo Proxy T1R as road tyres.  If it's wet would you advise sticking with the Toyo's rather than the track focused Yoko's.  Sadly I can't transport both sets of wheels to Donnington...

Also, I will be going straight to the event on the day as I have relatives in Leicester who I will stay with on the Sunday night. 

Looking forward to it and to meeting you all

Cheers

Craig

Take AO48s. The T1Rs are not a lot better unless your car is heavy. i've used both. AO48s all the way for me

[tickious]

I was told that I'd get an email receipt, but haven't yet. Has anyone else?
Also me n stew will be setting off about 8pm from Trowbridge, what time are the other overnighters leaving?

[Grin-a-lot]

Yeah I had an email the other day/week. not so much a receipt but some instructions/guidance really.

[robp]

Yep, me too.  Got an email confirmation a couple of weeks ago with a pdf attached with a form to fill in and sign.  These forms are available on the day if you forget it.  I'd contact Focused Events if you have not received anything just to make sure all is OK and you're in.

I'm planning to leave Bristol about 6ish on Sunday evening.

Darren, what's the score with pit garages?  Can I share yours?

[Grin-a-lot]

Yeah we can be garage buddies!  I might call them tomorrow to check how many we've been allocated but sure it'll be fine.  May need somewhere dry on the day!!!

['The Gaffer']

You can get 4 cars in those garages - they are huge.

[robp]

You can get 4 cars in those garages - they are huge.

More like two cars, Phil. Each one is in fact two garages. Luckily last time we went both garages we booked were side by side.

['The Gaffer']

You can get 4 cars in those garages - they are huge.

More like two cars, Phil. Each one is in fact two garages. Luckily last time we went both garages we booked were side by side.

Ah, I thought they were being a bit generous

[tickious]

Just setting off, praying for sun!

.This hotel air con is nearly as loud as my car. You have to choose awake coz you're too hot, or the AC noise. 

[David H]

Awesome day!!!

Mixed bag of weather but all in we were really lucky as there was plenty of track time. The event was well run as usual. There was a serious level of car there from Radicals to a V8 E30 M3 to a GTR.

Really pleased with the M3. A few adjustments to the geo and a change to 18inch alloys made all the difference. The car went like a train and was handling so well, especially for a 1.5 tonne family car!

Thanks again to the patient member of BKCC driving his VX. I forgot we weren't racing and got quite close. He was good humoured though and we were all fine. Apologies again!

Just to let everyone know... he does a very good vinyl wrap. His own car completed in carbon. I will be asking him to do my roof soon!

Piccy of the M giving it stink

['The Gaffer']

Great pics mate, glad the car went well

Anyone else get any pics?

[Grin-a-lot]

My good lady wife took stacks of pictures, I'll post them when I get home at the weekend.

A great day, slightly slippy to start but the track soon dried out and it was great.  The efforts sorting out the cooling and fuelling of my car seemed to pay off; minimal overheating and no misfiring/other weird behaviour.  The first full day of good behaviour.

Now I need to investigate some geometry setting up since I span more times than I care to remember.  Clearly it was the car's fault not mine...

Thanks to KrazyKen for giving us the chance and everyone for making it so friendly and enjoyable.

['The Gaffer']

My good lady wife took stacks of pictures, I'll post them
When I get home at the weekend.

Excellent.

Now I need to investigate some geometry setting up since I span more times than I care to remember.  Clearly it was the car's fault not mine...

Haha, give Dave a ring at Track Developments, he will sort you out - with preferential rates too

[crag]

A second vote here for Dave.  I took my Westfield into him as soon as I got it and it's handling really well.  No spin outs yesterday, just the odd squeaky bum moment mainly down to lack of talent!!

Great day yesterday, good to meet you all - I have some pictures my brother took which I will post later.

[robp]

I had another great day at Donington.  Fab circuit.  I was a little worried about the weather when we got up in the morning but the circuit was dry in a hour.  Thanks for the ride in the M3, Dave.  Nice job you've done there.

Got my slicks on the car mid morning and started having some proper fun.  I've had these tyres for a couple of years and they've lasted well although they're in the twilight of their life.  Must sort out some fresh ones before my next trackday.  Really happy with how the Westfield was running with new dampers. 

I had loads of track time.  Open pitlane was great and I never waited more than a minute to get out on track.  Like the Focused Events days; well organised, minimal faffing about and loads of track time.

Lots of interesting cars were at the event.  My favourite was an orange BMW E30 with a LS1 V8.

[Daley Down Under]

Really disappointed I didn't get to Donnington yesterday. My wife's broken toe was operated on today. So far I've spent 11 hours at Frenchay since midnight Sunday. Some good news - she's on the mend.

Adrian

[Krazyken]

Adrian

Sorry to hear the news but glad to hear that your wife is on the mend now.  Your last chance to do Donington at a bargain price this year is on Mon 22nd August, please see the other thread for details.

[Daley Down Under]

May be able to do that but due in Brisbane again that week

['The Gaffer']

Really disappointed I didn't get to Donnington yesterday. My wife's broken toe was operated on today. So far I've spent 11 hours at Frenchay since midnight Sunday. Some good news - she's on the mend.

Adrian

Good news things are on the mend, all the best to your wife.

[tickious]

http://thumbsnap.com/5VMoQoM9

[David H]

Black flagged again

oops.

[robp]

One of the red flags on Monday was down to me.  Very sorry to everyone out on the circuit at the time.  My engine stopped on the exit from the chicane and wouldn't re-start.  Once I had been towed back to the pits I discovered there was no power to the fuel pump.  I managed to lash up a direct feed and was back out on the track again soon. 

I managed to have a look at the car last night and finally discovered what has caused the problem.  My car has an inertia switch which cuts the power to the fuel pump in the event of a crash.  Inside a recess is a ball bearing that completes a circuit to the fuel pump.  If the ball bearing leaves the recess through heavy G-force loading or the switch (and the car it's attached to) rolling or inverting, a magnet in the top of the inertia switch grabs the ball bearing mid-air, the circuit is broken and the fuel pump gets no power.  The switch has a button.  I just pressed it and everything was working again.  This is what it looks like....



It cut out going across a rumble strip at the chicane.  Don't remember particularly big shakes but must have been enough to upset inertia switch.  I understand some Sprint and Hillclimb cars usually do not fit the inertia switch as pulling big G forces or having a slight visit to the scenery it cuts the fuel.  Thought of removing it myself but it's there as a safety feature so it'll stay for now.