Bedford Autodrome - 29th January 2011

This has to be the best trackday to date.

The day was full. So much so that Easytrack sent an email the day before saying if anyone can't make it to let them know because there was a reserve list and a full credit available. I think there were about 80 odd people there. A real mixture of cars, from full on race cars to factory standard cars. And the standard of driving was excellent.

Bedford is quite similar to Rockingham. Longer at nearly 4 miles and maybe not as technical but a fast and flowing track. I personally preferred it to Rockingham. I'd definitely do it again and recommend it to anyone else.

It may be my best trackday to date because I've got even more confidence in the car. So much so that I spun twice! First time was because I gave it a bit too much on coldish tyres and ended up doing a 180 and rolling backwards on to the grass. Second time was a forced error, locking the brakes getting a bit too cocky and ended up going sideways in to the infield. No damage done luckily.

Car behaved itself. As always. Not properly inspected the tyres but they look pretty worn on the insides. Probably from the spinning and brake locking. It did it's usual thing and spewed 1/2 litre of oil in to the catch tank but I've come to the conclusion there's nothing wrong, just the long right handers and pressure forcing it out.

A few professional pictures of me:

























Next up: Llandow for a bit of fun and then Goodwood. Nothing else planned as of yet.

Loooking good Dave love the way 106s Man Meat a rear wheel. You not doing Anglesey with us?

Looks like a good day mate! Can see you have more confidence in the car from the 3 wheeling!

good pics, i once tracked my daily drive 106 gti and had the same oil breather issue. pretty common i think.

Looks like a good day and epic fun...

Looks like a great day dave! Glad to see you got some Man Meat.....ing in there.

Good stuff dave, after donningion l want to do bedford!

Loving this pic mate

lmao great write up Dave, glad you had a good day and you feel more at home with the car now. What tyres did you end up with in the end to replace the Goodyears?

Have you got any plans for Donington yet?

They're really strict on sound at Bedford. I passed the static noise test without any issues. Static limit is 101dB. But out on track I got shown the noise board. Second time out I got blag flagged. When I asked why they said it was a warning about noise. They were pretty fair and told me to look out for the noise sensors and back off a little as I go past. Didn't have any trouble after that.

Drive by limit is 87.5dB measured from 20m.

That's worse than Goodwood, which has a drive by limit of 96dB.

lol, I'll claim thats why we got blacked at brands dave

did Jenny go along?

Used Proxes CF1s which were excellent. On par with KU31s. Wear rate wasn't bad considering I was out a lot and had two spins. I'll keep them on for Llandow as I'm not planning on going crazy there and then swap front to back for Goodwood.

Haha, at least you managed to stay in control at Brands. I gave up and took hands off of all controls. Was far too gone both times!

Jenny was in attendance but she didn't drive or passenger. She's down as a driver for Goodwood though. Should be a good track for her.

Nah no plans yet dave but ill be disappointed if im not able to do donington this year.

same as what I had at brands then, I really enjoyed the CF1's tbh prefer them to the KU31's little more initial bite on turn in, wear rate was relatively good and they react nicely when getting the arse end out.

Good read, certainly seems worth the trip and money.

Don't suppose you managed any video's?

Keep in mind that it's completely flat which is why I'd say it's not as technical as Rockingham. But it is a longer circuit and IMO faster than Rockingham.

Unfortunately I didn't get any video. I did take my little 808 key chain cam and even got it out but totally forgot how to get it to record. I might invest in a Flip MinoHD (click here) but need to find somewhere to securely mount it in the 106 to satisfy all tracks (and I don't have a cage). Answers on a postcard please

Is it not just a simple record button? Instead of buying the keychain one i opted for the MD80 clone and it's been pretty spot on so far. Simple to use too.

two buttons, unless you have the instructions with you it's a mystery with them tbh, you have to press it quick to take a pic and hold it if you want to record then do something when wanting to end the recording iirc.

Sounds tricky, i know the instructions are useless but thought recording would of been easier.

if you have the instructions to hand it's a doddle I keep mine in the glove box...without them good luck

Dave-R wrote:

...ended up going sideways in to the infield. No damage done luckily.

Thought I'd follow this up Damage was inflicted from the "turn in" cone I obliterated:





Only small but annoying now I know it's there. Going to see if it can be removed with some Paintless Dent Removal.

They should be able to get that out ok, only downside is the slight crease in the dent!

Are creases impossible to remove?

No, but some creases sometimes involve filler if you want it perfect. Depends on the person doing if but I would imagine that ding is probably ok to get near 100% without filler/respray. Only other downside being so low is if the framework of the door will get in the way on the insde! Depends on the method they use to though really!