Silverstone Trackday Report and Pictures - 12th March

[Silver]

Well, it didn't look good before I started. The weather forecast had jumped between rain and snow all week. We got up at 6am and packed the car (well, I did. Jeanette walked the dog). It was bloody cold, but dry, save for a few solitary flakes of snow that were falling.

Made it to the track for about 7:30 and signed in. It was still bloody cold and there were a few flakes of snow drifting around. After the briefing each group went out for three sighting laps before being unleashed for real. From the three groups, two people managed to crash on these sighting laps!

Anyway, first proper session out and I was a bit wary. Track temperature had been measure at 0.0 degrees C! Gave it a good three laps to let the tyres warm up (which seems an enternity on the GP circuit). After that I wound the pace on a bit. Grip was reasonable considering the temperature, and at least the track was dry. The biggest problem though were my fingers. About halfway into the 20 minute session they began to ache with the cold. Couple of laps later and I was in pain! I was relieved when the chequrerd flag came out to tend the session. I quickly grab my windproof inners for subsequent sessions. It makes wearing my gloves slightly uncomfortable and bulky but it was by far the preferred choice if the alternative was frostbite! Just looked on the web for a windchill calculator - 0 degrees C with a windspeed of 150mph equals -20 degrees. That'll explain it then.

Anyway the temperature seemed to rise a bit before lunch and I began enjoying myself. No incidents to report, in fact that weren't many all day from what I saw. The trackbike performed well, despite having only being used once in the last five months. I skipped the last session as I was tired and chilled to the bone (most people had the same idea!) and headed home for a warm cup of tea.

Here are a couple of pictures that Jeanette took. Looking forward to the warmer weather now!

[Cillit-BANG]

I'm awaiting delivery of new race gloves, and I was only thinking a few hours ago that it's far too cold for that sort of shenanigans just yet, but seeing those pics has put any pansy thoughts like that out my mind again, well done.

Sounds and looks like a good day out, nice pics.

[Zimbo]

Nice one, I did Cadwell last Sunday in similar conditions, dress for it and I found it not too bad, a surprising amount of grip, I used my winter gloves though, and Altberg winter boots, and wore a fleece over my leathers! Had a thoroughly enjoyable day though . . .

[Motkram]

Was my first track day, as Silver says apart from the temperature is was brilliant! Only made one major error, which was on the first proper lap, I went into Copse far too quick and decided to go into the ample concrete run off area rather than try and make it round on cold tyres and colder track. I slowed down, looked over my shoulder and got straight back on it!

I did six sessions and 126 miles, pretty good for $99 without the wsb ticket! Despite having poxy Dunlops on I found no problem with grip after the first lap or so, only a few little front slides when cold and the rear breaking away when downshifting a bit harshly.
The bike performed faultlessly, quite impressed as it has done 16.5k, and I thrashed the pants of it all day without any grumbles.

Some piccies below (copyright Focused events)(I quite like the heat haze on the second one!):
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[Bendy]

You not got any tyre warmers?

[Zimbo]

On his first track day??

Let's see, tyre warmers, 3kVa generator to power them, plus a big van to cart them all around in, equals lots and lots of £££, hardly worth it for the occasional track day!!! No sign of cold tear on the tyre so it's performing OK, it's only a track day so no problem to just take it easy for the first two laps and your tyres are up to temp anyway!

[Bendy]

a) It's not his first track day, Silver does a lot of them.

b) There is free power in the garages at Silverstone. No generators or vans required.


Taking it easy for 2 or 3 laps round the GP circuit is a whole lot of time. At this time of year, tyre warmers let you get loads more out of your day and Silver's certainly enough of a trackday addict to justify a set. Thus I was intrigued to read that he doesn't have any.

[Silver]