Silverstone GT86 Experience

[Subota Boy 402]

Took eldest daughter to Silverstone on Sunday for her to try out the GT on track (birthday present for her, opportunity for me).  Saw a nice Giallo driving out when we arrived – anybody here?

It’s been thirteen years since I last went on track at Silverstone, and I had forgotten how wide the track is (for obvious reasons) compared with other circuits I have used.

I managed to get my 9 laps in, many in the pouring rain, and the things I noticed most were how well the car handled on the wet surface with a lot of standing water, and just how underpowered it felt going down the pit straight.  The instructor was saying “give it some more welly” when I already had my foot to the floor.  Still, my late braking improved.  I never managed to determine what tyres were fitted, because the weather intervened further just after I came off track.

Just as my daughter was about to go out, part of the roof on the new pit complex blew off, and there were panels flying across the complex, which meant they had to shut the track for the rest of the day.  Still, she could have been travelling down the pit straight when debris was flying about.

Now need to rebook for her to complete the experience.

 

Here’s a few photos, including bits of roof flying about.

 

 

 

Close up

[JamesP1991 222]

It wasn't much better at Snetterton either buddy! Was getting blown from pillar to post in between getting soaked

[Squadrone Rosso 82]

We got our experience day tickets today, FOC from the dealer / Toyota UK.

Hoping this will help my wife transition to a RWD car for the first time.

I learnt on RWD but after years of FWD & 4WD cars, they now scare me, even though I drive a RWD classic Alfa Spider frequently in the summer.

Are the days good for this?

Cheers,

Simon

[Lauren 2259]

I think anything helps, depends upon the format of the day really. If it's driving the car on the track obviously that's ideal for exploring the limits etc. Enjoy.

[rob275 1817]

Simon,

 

Don't forget we have a few track days throughout the year also Check the event section, I think the only way to get used to the car on it's limits is plenty of track time. Have fun at this day though, not done it myself but it looks like Keith had fun

[keelerad 256]

If you leave all the electronics on then the car is easy for FWD drivers to drive, my Wife has never had a RWD car and has had zero issues with the GT86 in nearly 3 years of ownership (and she has driven it in the snow in Winter, as I had winter tyres when her Ford Galaxy didn't)

 

Alec

[Subota Boy 402]

What I would say, and I did have fun, is that the instructors will not let you explore the limits of the car really. This may be due to the fact that there is more powerful machinery out there with you at the same time. Also, Silverstone is very wide compared to other tracks I have driven, and it proved difficult for me to get to place the car sweetly in the time available (20 mins).  I had been hoping to take advantage of the fact that it was not my car I was exploring the limits of.  Oh well!

 

I was however surprised how sure-footed it was in the very wet conditions - lots of standing water about! 

 

Back there towards the end of June so my daughter can complete her session, which was cancelled due to the damaging winds.

[Lauren 2259]

It's because instructors see you as 'billys', which is short for 'silly billys'. So they don't allow you to get anywhere close to getting into trouble or exploring the limits. Far, far better to go out in your own car so you can really learn I would say. 

[Subota Boy 402]

Can't fault you there, Lauren  

[Lauren 2259]

Don't get me wrong, it's okay if you've never been on track before type thing. But decent instruction in your own car on track is the way to go I think. 

[Subota Boy 402]

Yes, I agree Lauren.

 

I have done a good few track days over the years, but always in AWD cars..Got invited to a track day at Goodwood on the launch of the Impreza hatch in 2008, and enjoyed the fact that I was in "their" car (with instruction) and could explore what it could do.  I never really enjoyed a track day in my own car after that, especially as the last one I did at Brands in 2010, where people were overtaking on both sides of other cars and were not black flagged.  I loved my Impreza too much at the time!!

 

I was hoping at Silverstone that I could update my knowledge of RWD in someone else's car for the reasons stated above.

[Squadrone Rosso 82]

We're here now. 15:30 session. Seen this whizzing around the track.

[Squadrone Rosso 82]

We had 9 laps of Stowe split over two sessions.

Great fun. I even overtook an Aston N430.