My first track day

[NW76]

Hi Guys,

I did my first ever real track day and my first track day in the Exige on Saturday at Bilster Berg. So far I have only done a couple of track events with BMW M ... but never been to a track day by myself in my own car, so, as you can imagine, I was quite anxious about it... 

Bilster Berg is close to where I live, thats why I ended up there in the first place. I honestly didn't even know it existed prior to doing some research after I bought the Exige. Hands down its a phenomenal track. Just built in 2013. Hard to see from the video but it feels like a roller coaster ride. So many up and down hill parts, as well as blind corners, I doesn't get boring for a second...

I attached a video link to give an idea. I am sorry for the quality - I have to mount the GoPro somewhere else and I think I missed accidentally changed my GoPro settings.

The video is from my first Stint... I was able to shave some more seconds of my time. But I still think there is a lot of room for my to go, working on the line etc. ... a sub 2 min. time should be doable in the Exige by someone more capable than I am ;-)

I am even more impressed now what the Exige is capable of and I really had a blast. I am already looking forward to my next track day and I ordered a 4-point harness today ;-) 

Cheers

Norbert

 

[Waky]

No problem with the noise limits? 

This circuit is like a mini Nordschleife, but for me NS is closer and no noise limits, so easy choice  but maybe some day. 

 

[NW76]

Hi Waky,

you name it ;-) They pulled me out in Stint two - supposably with 135db?!? (didnt even know the Exige Exhaust was so loud) in one of the long left corners. I ended up using 4th or 5th gear in that corner from there on and was fine.

Cheers

Norbert

[quantum2000]

135dB is equivalent to a gun shot, 140dB is about the human threshold of pain.

There meter needs recalibrating lol

Standard exhaust averages around 98dB on track

[NW76]

I couldnt believe the messuring either and told the track marshall that this can not be true, as I have the standard exhaust, which definitely is less than 100dB. He then mentioned, that I might have been at very high rpm ... and he was right that I was at (6000 rpm plus) and told me that it will just be a warning and that I should just shift 1 or 2 gears up.

Still can not believe that the standard exhaust gets up to that level even at 6000 + rpm...

 

 

[quantum2000]

You would have needed about 20,000rpm to reach 135dB. 

Sounds like the marshalls hearing needs attention.

[NW76]

It cost me a couple of rounds ... as they pulled me out with a black flag, I had to drive up to the marshall etc. ... 

Despite the noise issue ... its still a great track and a big challenge for a beginner like me... will go there again ;-)

 

By the way: are you guys using racing brake pads on the Exige? I am not sure if I should ... in case you do... have you used the Pagid pads before? or which ones do you recomend? 

[quantum2000]

I use the standard OEM pads, never had an issue. I have changed the brake fluid to Castrol SRF 

[NW76]

Thats what I did as well so far... Castrol SRF and standard pads... worked w/o issues at BB .... but I do not really have much experience ... a friend just told me he would change to the Pagid, as they are so much better... 

[Jokke Vlo]

Very nice track !

[NW76]

It really is ... like a small Nordschleife... very exciting to drive... some more footage a found from the outside ;-) and much better track view:

 

 

[geartox]

Castrol SRF DOT 4 ?

[NW76]

Yep - SRF Racing ... which is think is DOT 4 ...