On-track videos at Brands Hatch, UK

seanp · 06-11-2007, 11:32 PM

These are linked in my sig, but posted here for posterity:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Enjoy

Supersonic · 06-11-2007, 11:50 PM

Awesome Vids man.. I've heard the name Brands Hatch a million times, but don't know much about it. looks like a great track

HotCarl · 06-12-2007, 10:37 AM

Wicked.. nice vids!

Gryphon · 06-12-2007, 04:30 PM

Wow! that is awesome buddy. What kind of speeds are you doing on the straights?

Lennox · 06-12-2007, 05:16 PM

Sweet vids.. that looks like a blast. Brands Hatch sounds familiar, was it an old F1 track or something?

seanp · 06-12-2007, 07:16 PM

Cheers for the comments, folks

Brands Hatch was an F1 track for a period in the 60s,70s & 80s and is still used for many other motor racing events including Superbikes, BTCC etc.

However, they use the full 'GP' circuit (9 turns, 2.3 miles), whereas the vids were made on the shorter 'indy' circuit (6 turns, 1.2 miles).

I note that Nigel Mansell holds the lap record of the GP circuirt of 1:09.593 ~69 seconds which is comparable to some of the laps I was doing on the Indy circuit... Now *that* hammers home the sheer speed & skill of an F1 motor!

It doesn't look much on the maps/vids, but there are some formidable turns like T1 (paddock) which is approached around ~110MPH from the fast Brbham striaght, then hard braking, slightly up-hill and then turning into a blind apex whereby it turns into a very steep downhill run whilst swooping out quickly under power to the LH and trying not to slide off over a some bumps into the kitty-litter, and then steeply up-hill (Halewood Hill) to approach the slowest hairpin turn into Druids... etc.

seanp · 06-12-2007, 07:20 PM

For an idea of what can go wrong, see:

Harpoon · 06-12-2007, 07:21 PM

Amazing vids Sean, that looks incredible

Johnny Drama · 06-12-2007, 07:24 PM

Yikes!

Shame on that RX7 for not giving up and letting it roll backwards off the track..that was a close call!

onebadapple · 06-12-2007, 08:53 PM

Is there alot you have to do to be able to take your car to the track? I'd like to do that once I get my car, but it will be stock.

thanks

seanp · 06-12-2007, 09:31 PM

^^^ onebadapple: Nope -- mine's totally stock, apart from RE050A tyres (after RE040s wore out!), and Mintex Extreme pads on the front; which TBH don't really make that much difference other than curing a persistent squeal

Other than that, make sure your tyres & brakes are in good nick, all fluids topped up (including fuel tank), and away you go!

Try to keep your stints out pretty short - 15-20 minutes max; both you and your car will apreciate a rest between sessions. Make the last lap in a session a slow one, too cool down the engine & brakes. Park up, open bonnet, DO NOT apply hand/parking brake, and take a well earned rest planning your next sortie

The session I did was called an 'open pit-lane', which means there's all sorts of cars and abilities out on track, but they limit the max no. cars at any one time. You can go out and come back in as-and-when you please. A system of flags is used, and overtaking is 'by invitation' (pull over, indicate) and only to a pre-determined side, on straights etc. Blue flags will be used to pre-warn you of somebody much quicker approacing.

Other track-days are run to a stricter schedule and you nominate yourself into a novice, intermediate or advanced group and go out only with your group. I prefer the open pit-lane, as I think there's less pressure for you to 'keep up' with your peers if you chose badly

I took a paid-for session of instruction too, which MUCH improved my lines and enjoyment of the track; videos were taken after the instruction

Most of all, stay calm and relaxed; learn the technique and the course; keep the red mist at bay; don't try to race!

Especially, don't go out for "that one-last-chance to beat your lap record and maybe try taking that Ferrari" It'll end in tears and red-faces all round, at worst you being pulled from the kitty litter and requiring a re-spray or worse!

Basically, just do it, mate

Joker · 06-13-2007, 10:49 AM

Very cool!

That last vid is freaky, I bet you your heart was pumpin after that one.

seanp · 06-13-2007, 11:10 AM

^^^ Joker: Thankfully the last one wasn't me; but that vid alone nearly put me of going, as the weather forcast was similar. Thankfully the weather held out and track was damp->dry for the sessions, until the last session where it starts raining, so I came in

Lenny · 06-13-2007, 11:15 AM

Sean, at the risk of stereotyping.. you guys must be better in the rain then most, no?

Everyone always says ohhhh go to the track when it rains, you learn so much more, better car control, etc.. I just want to go fast! so I try to stick to the dry days

Lorigurl · 06-13-2007, 12:01 PM

That looks neat..and scary!!

SteveO · 06-13-2007, 02:26 PM

Awesome vids Sean!!

I agree with Johnny, that 7 should have got of the track, not ballet'd around like that, I've been that chase car before, it's a pucker moment for sure!

That looks like a brilliant track too, curious what does it usually run you for a track day out there?

seanp · 06-13-2007, 06:34 PM

^^^ lenny: Can't say I have a lot of experience in the wet on-track -- thankfully that '7 moment wasn't mine

However, I have done some "Prodrive" days (Mazda throws one in upon purchase, I returned a couple of time organized via RX8OC. The first one *was* very wet though, and I can say that the RX-8 performed very admirabily in those conditions during braking tests, high-speed circuit and adverse-handling. Returning on dry days just showed me how well the car was behaving in the wet conditions!

^^^ lorigurl: Thanks. The 'normal' bits aren't scary; the spinning 7 -- I think I would have T-boned him; the skill of the following driver are commendable! The reaction of the instructor (using the dashboard as a brake) are priceless

^^^ SteveO: Yeah - no idea what the '7 was up to - the ettiquette on that track says you keep the the right if you're going slow etc., and you can hear the instructor commenting as they enter the straight about his behaviour, and position going into the corner... Far too wide / late in! In the dry, he'd have been off into the kitty litter on the left, IMO.

The 'track evening' I did at Brands Hatch cost £99 + £10 helmet hire + £25 for 20 minutes instruction (I took all three)... I also took out some additional track-day insurance which was around £150 (including recovery from track), with £1200 excess, others were quoted from around £99 without the recovery element. Others didn't bother with the additional insurance, but this is my daily ride, so can't really take that gamble.

We've booked in for a follow-up full track day on 27th, which is £199 + same add-ons above; insurance should be a bit cheaper with each event... But this is turning into a rather expensive hobby (no doubt I need new tyres a few-thousand miles earlier than otherwise!)...

Oh, and of course the extra fuel / oil etc....

How does it compare 'over there'?

Mindcore · 06-13-2007, 06:58 PM

Wow, that sure adds up.

Over here it's pretty simple. Rent the track, depending which one, and wether it's a weekday or weekend. That costs form $4000-$8000. that includes corner workers, ambulance and tow truck.

Divide that by the number of participants and that's what you pay. Usually comes out to around $200-$250 for the whole day. No fuss No Muss

My trips to the US tracks are usally the same.

06-11-2007, 11:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
seanp Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK Posts: 57	On-track videos at Brands Hatch, UK These are linked in my sig, but posted here for posterity: Part 1: Part 2: Part 3: Enjoy __________________ RX-8 High Power, Titanium Grey, Black Leather = BIG smiles Bare-naked as the day she was born. RE050A Boots, Mintex Extreme front pads, average 18.4 MPG 3x Prodrive, 1xThruxton, 2xBrands Hatch (Vids: Pt.1, 2, 3, Photos) http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk, http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com

06-12-2007, 07:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
seanp Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK Posts: 57	Cheers for the comments, folks Brands Hatch was an F1 track for a period in the 60s,70s & 80s and is still used for many other motor racing events including Superbikes, BTCC etc. However, they use the full 'GP' circuit (9 turns, 2.3 miles), whereas the vids were made on the shorter 'indy' circuit (6 turns, 1.2 miles). I note that Nigel Mansell holds the lap record of the GP circuirt of 1:09.593 ~69 seconds which is comparable to some of the laps I was doing on the Indy circuit... Now that hammers home the sheer speed & skill of an F1 motor! It doesn't look much on the maps/vids, but there are some formidable turns like T1 (paddock) which is approached around ~110MPH from the fast Brbham striaght, then hard braking, slightly up-hill and then turning into a blind apex whereby it turns into a very steep downhill run whilst swooping out quickly under power to the LH and trying not to slide off over a some bumps into the kitty-litter, and then steeply up-hill (Halewood Hill) to approach the slowest hairpin turn into Druids... etc. __________________ RX-8 High Power, Titanium Grey, Black Leather = BIG smiles Bare-naked as the day she was born. RE050A Boots, Mintex Extreme front pads, average 18.4 MPG 3x Prodrive, 1xThruxton, 2xBrands Hatch (Vids: Pt.1, 2, 3, Photos) http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk, http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com

06-12-2007, 07:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
seanp Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK Posts: 57	For an idea of what can go wrong, see: __________________ RX-8 High Power, Titanium Grey, Black Leather = BIG smiles Bare-naked as the day she was born. RE050A Boots, Mintex Extreme front pads, average 18.4 MPG 3x Prodrive, 1xThruxton, 2xBrands Hatch (Vids: Pt.1, 2, 3, Photos) http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk, http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com

06-12-2007, 07:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
Johnny Drama Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 555	Yikes! Shame on that RX7 for not giving up and letting it roll backwards off the track..that was a close call! __________________ MazdaSpeed6

06-12-2007, 09:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
seanp Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK Posts: 57	^^^ onebadapple: Nope -- mine's totally stock, apart from RE050A tyres (after RE040s wore out!), and Mintex Extreme pads on the front; which TBH don't really make that much difference other than curing a persistent squeal Other than that, make sure your tyres & brakes are in good nick, all fluids topped up (including fuel tank), and away you go! Try to keep your stints out pretty short - 15-20 minutes max; both you and your car will apreciate a rest between sessions. Make the last lap in a session a slow one, too cool down the engine & brakes. Park up, open bonnet, DO NOT apply hand/parking brake, and take a well earned rest planning your next sortie The session I did was called an 'open pit-lane', which means there's all sorts of cars and abilities out on track, but they limit the max no. cars at any one time. You can go out and come back in as-and-when you please. A system of flags is used, and overtaking is 'by invitation' (pull over, indicate) and only to a pre-determined side, on straights etc. Blue flags will be used to pre-warn you of somebody much quicker approacing. Other track-days are run to a stricter schedule and you nominate yourself into a novice, intermediate or advanced group and go out only with your group. I prefer the open pit-lane, as I think there's less pressure for you to 'keep up' with your peers if you chose badly I took a paid-for session of instruction too, which MUCH improved my lines and enjoyment of the track; videos were taken after the instruction Most of all, stay calm and relaxed; learn the technique and the course; keep the red mist at bay; don't try to race! Especially, don't go out for "that one-last-chance to beat your lap record and maybe try taking that Ferrari" It'll end in tears and red-faces all round, at worst you being pulled from the kitty litter and requiring a re-spray or worse! Basically, just do it, mate __________________ RX-8 High Power, Titanium Grey, Black Leather = BIG smiles Bare-naked as the day she was born. RE050A Boots, Mintex Extreme front pads, average 18.4 MPG 3x Prodrive, 1xThruxton, 2xBrands Hatch (Vids: Pt.1, 2, 3, Photos) http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk, http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com

06-11-2007, 11:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Supersonic Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: New York, NY Posts: 345	Awesome Vids man.. I've heard the name Brands Hatch a million times, but don't know much about it. looks like a great track

06-12-2007, 10:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
HotCarl Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 195	Wicked.. nice vids!

06-12-2007, 04:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
Gryphon Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 45	Wow! that is awesome buddy. What kind of speeds are you doing on the straights?

06-12-2007, 05:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
Lennox Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Erie, PA Posts: 41	Sweet vids.. that looks like a blast. Brands Hatch sounds familiar, was it an old F1 track or something?

06-12-2007, 07:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
Harpoon Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 59	Amazing vids Sean, that looks incredible

06-12-2007, 08:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
onebadapple Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Phoenix Posts: 59	Is there alot you have to do to be able to take your car to the track? I'd like to do that once I get my car, but it will be stock. thanks

06-13-2007, 10:49 AM	#12 (permalink)
Joker Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 51	Very cool! That last vid is freaky, I bet you your heart was pumpin after that one.

06-13-2007, 11:10 AM	#13 (permalink)
seanp Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK Posts: 57	^^^ Joker: Thankfully the last one wasn't me; but that vid alone nearly put me of going, as the weather forcast was similar. Thankfully the weather held out and track was damp->dry for the sessions, until the last session where it starts raining, so I came in __________________ RX-8 High Power, Titanium Grey, Black Leather = BIG smiles Bare-naked as the day she was born. RE050A Boots, Mintex Extreme front pads, average 18.4 MPG 3x Prodrive, 1xThruxton, 2xBrands Hatch (Vids: Pt.1, 2, 3, Photos) http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk, http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com

06-13-2007, 11:15 AM	#14 (permalink)
Lenny Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 153	Sean, at the risk of stereotyping.. you guys must be better in the rain then most, no? Everyone always says ohhhh go to the track when it rains, you learn so much more, better car control, etc.. I just want to go fast! so I try to stick to the dry days __________________ Mazda 3 ownnzz

06-13-2007, 12:01 PM	#15 (permalink)
Lorigurl Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 110	That looks neat..and scary!! __________________ 04 Miata Gurlz

06-13-2007, 02:26 PM	#16 (permalink)
SteveO Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 92	Awesome vids Sean!! I agree with Johnny, that 7 should have got of the track, not ballet'd around like that, I've been that chase car before, it's a pucker moment for sure! That looks like a brilliant track too, curious what does it usually run you for a track day out there? __________________ 94 RX7..no seats

06-13-2007, 06:34 PM	#17 (permalink)
seanp Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK Posts: 57	^^^ lenny: Can't say I have a lot of experience in the wet on-track -- thankfully that '7 moment wasn't mine However, I have done some "Prodrive" days (Mazda throws one in upon purchase, I returned a couple of time organized via RX8OC. The first one was very wet though, and I can say that the RX-8 performed very admirabily in those conditions during braking tests, high-speed circuit and adverse-handling. Returning on dry days just showed me how well the car was behaving in the wet conditions! ^^^ lorigurl: Thanks. The 'normal' bits aren't scary; the spinning 7 -- I think I would have T-boned him; the skill of the following driver are commendable! The reaction of the instructor (using the dashboard as a brake) are priceless ^^^ SteveO: Yeah - no idea what the '7 was up to - the ettiquette on that track says you keep the the right if you're going slow etc., and you can hear the instructor commenting as they enter the straight about his behaviour, and position going into the corner... Far too wide / late in! In the dry, he'd have been off into the kitty litter on the left, IMO. The 'track evening' I did at Brands Hatch cost £99 + £10 helmet hire + £25 for 20 minutes instruction (I took all three)... I also took out some additional track-day insurance which was around £150 (including recovery from track), with £1200 excess, others were quoted from around £99 without the recovery element. Others didn't bother with the additional insurance, but this is my daily ride, so can't really take that gamble. We've booked in for a follow-up full track day on 27th, which is £199 + same add-ons above; insurance should be a bit cheaper with each event... But this is turning into a rather expensive hobby (no doubt I need new tyres a few-thousand miles earlier than otherwise!)... Oh, and of course the extra fuel / oil etc.... How does it compare 'over there'? __________________ RX-8 High Power, Titanium Grey, Black Leather = BIG smiles Bare-naked as the day she was born. RE050A Boots, Mintex Extreme front pads, average 18.4 MPG 3x Prodrive, 1xThruxton, 2xBrands Hatch (Vids: Pt.1, 2, 3, Photos) http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk, http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com Last edited by seanp : 06-13-2007 at 06:37 PM.

06-13-2007, 06:58 PM	#18 (permalink)
Mindcore Administrator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Look Out!!! Posts: 1,299	Wow, that sure adds up. Over here it's pretty simple. Rent the track, depending which one, and wether it's a weekday or weekend. That costs form $4000-$8000. that includes corner workers, ambulance and tow truck. Divide that by the number of participants and that's what you pay. Usually comes out to around $200-$250 for the whole day. No fuss No Muss My trips to the US tracks are usally the same. __________________ core Mazda Forums .