track day – AUSmotive.com

Waiting for the karma bus to arrive

More often than not track days are fun. If you like them the next step is amateur level club racing. That can be fun too. You get out on track, with like minded souls wanting to push themselves and their cars to the limits.

Sadly, sometimes some club racers confuse ambition for talent. Sometimes they confuse fun for win at all costs. And sometimes that ends up in arsehole moves like you can see in this video.

Thankfully, the affected driver walked away unharmed from this totally unavoidable incident which took place recently at Croft in the UK. Just make sure you watch the video again, and pay special attention to the head movements of the red baron.

This happened on lap three of a schedule which consisted of two 30 minute races. We’re only seeing one side of the story here, of course, but it’s pretty hard to mount a defence for the dickhead in the red MX-5.

Unfortunately the camera car ended up as a total write off. If you feel strongly enough about the plight of our unsuspecting victim, follow this link and lend a hand.

[Thanks to Pete for the tip]

MRT Performance track day at MDTC

On Friday I attended an MRT Performance track day at the Marulan Driver Training Centre. It was my first experience at the tight Marulan track, just off the Hume Highway, and my first track day for almost two years. I was keen to get out there and have some fun.

The day started with a track walk guided by circuit owner and operator Garry Willmington. He spoke about the best lines to take, giving tips tailored to front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive cars. The surface is generally very smooth and the twisty nature of the circuit means speeds are relatively low (see video clips after the jump). This is a good thing as thereâ€™s not a lot of run-off in some areas. The track is around one kilometre in length and the ten or so corners keep you very busy.

After the track walk Brett Middleton and his fellow instructors Wayne Boatright and Len McIntosh gave a driver briefing where it was explained only four cars would be allowed on track at a time. This was a welcome initiative as it reduced the risk of on-track contact. To ensure plenty of track time was available for all participants a general limit of four flying laps also applied. Of course, risks to car and driver are apparent at any track day, but this relaxed and open approach from the MRT organisers helped ease any tension that may have existed before anyone took to the track.

The day was split into three open sessions, which roughly ran from 9â€“11am, 11:15amâ€“1pm and 2pmâ€“4pm. In between, morning tea and lunch were also provided as part of the MRT package.