The last time I was at Silverstone was in an Aston Martin for an experience day on the International Circuit. This time I’d booked to the full GP circuit.
Preparation
Following on from the advice from a privateer on my last Thruxton track-day to get some track day tyres, I’d bought some new rims and added Yokohama AD08RS tyres to them. This would also be the first outing with the track day wheel alignment settings from Bofi Racing (bofiracing.com).
As I intended to drive there in the car, I needed a serious update to my track day kit in order to mitigate some of the risks of breaking my car on the day. In to the back of our other car went a tower tool box and a second smaller box, 4 wheels, an awning, cool box , table and chairs. This was a proper campaign, so the two cars we went in convoy.
The drive to Silverstone was uneventful, the 07.00 opening time meant we missed most of the rush hour traffic. Sign-in was in the National Circuit paddock race control so we went straight in through main entry gate over the bridges and second left at the roundabout. We set up near the cafe and I registered then set up our gear.
I decided to stop faffing about and hit it with a wheel
First up was changing to the Yokohamas. The fourth tyre (rear left) proved to be a challenge. As is usual with this car it lures you in and then elects to put up a fight; and so it resisted all my efforts to gently knock it off – I was using the Mazda’s jack, having elected not to bring along the heavy low profile hydraulic jack (you live and learn). After some some time trying to pry it off with a tyre lever, I decided to stop faffing about and hit it with one of my new wheels – success! With the new Fox FX004’s & Yokohama’s mounted on the car it looked faster just standing still.
With the clock running down to the sighting laps we pitched the gazebo securing it with the road wheels, set up the picnic table, tidied up and got the jet-boil going for coffee.
Drivers Briefing
This was the usual stuff. No overtaking without consent of driver in front who signals consent by car position, hand or indicator, overtake on left, overtake only on the straights, no overtaking on corners, zero tolerance to rule infringements, Red Flags, Yellow Flags, Checkered Flags; and what to do if you start dropping liquids on track. Lunch break 13.00-14.00.
Interestingly there was no mention of Blue Flags on the briefing this time.
Sighting Laps
We got out second on the first run and then come in after a slow lap and then a quicker one. As we were using the National Paddock the start line was between Woodcote and Copse and the pit exit between Copse and Maggots; the pit entry after the Wellington straight and Luffield.
Game on
Believe me I thought I was going fast, the look of my tyres tell me I was going fast and my times improved with each run, and apart from the faster cars slowing me down by taking me off the racing line. At the end of most long straights I was a touch under 100mph. I drove as fast but as safe as I dared but I have a long way to go in getting anywhere near “average’.
The feel of the day was much different to my previous Thruxton and Castle Combe Track Days. The paddock was full of top-end sports cars form Porsche, Mercedes, Mclaren, Aston Martin, etc., however that did not prevent me from having a great time and as a bucket list event it was well worth the premium over a more standard track day. however having checked my video I can see where I could be better and so faster, even with my standard MX-5. On the day I’d have given it 4 stars as a track day but with more sober reflection I find it’s git under my skin and Ill be back again next year all being well to have another go.
