Club Arnage

As with the event I organised last year, I am organising another Charity Track Day weekend at RAF Marham, on 22/23 April – the last one was very successful and much enjoyed by all who came, so it would be foolish to miss it.   The track day weekend last year raised £6,000 and the funds raised from this one will again go the selected RAF Marham charities for this year – not entirely sure which they will be yet, but to give you an idea, last year they were the RAF Benevolent fund, Marham First Response Paramedic Team and the East Anglia Air Ambulance.
 
It is an ideal venue for a track day.   The airfield's main runway is one and a half miles long and over 75 metres wide - dead straight, smooth tarmac - enormous fun driving it and plenty of distance to not only achieve terminal velocity, but to hold it there for as long as you wish as the end of the runway looms!   The aircraft taxiway, which connects the two ends of the runway, is a similar width and surface, and provides a further two and a half miles of uninterrupted tarmac, providing a proper full circuit of 4 miles in all.  As a whole, the shape is roughly triangular, but with the width of the runway and taxiway there is ample scope to create everything from sweeping curves to chicanes.   For those who came before, there will be some more curvy bits to add to the challenge.
           
Likely to run it to roughly the same timings as before, from around 1000 to 1600 on both days, with sessions of around 30 minutes (minimum of 6 sessions for all).   All the necessary facilities, such as toilets, catering, drinks, marshalling and medical cover to support the event are available, and given the distance that some had to travel to fill up with Optimax during the day last time, I am going to try and get Shell Optimax or BP Ultimate petrol available on the Station itself for the weekend.   The Station’s kart club will open its doors to visitors, and the Gliding Club will probably offer air experience flights again.  The event would be organised and run properly, with appropriate public liability cover for participants.

So, fellow members, gather together and exercise your steeds, classic or modern, in the way that was intended when they were built.   All this will be for the princely sum of around £60 on the Saturday and probably £40 for the Sunday as we will need to finish in tme for me to reinstate the aiorfield for use on the Monday morning!   Incredibly good value when you compare that to normal track day costs.   Everyone gets a good chunk of the time available – preferably as much as they want and the machinery will stand, but that will depend on how many cars there are in total.   No money needed yet, but what I really need to know now before I commit my time/effort again and get on with any further planning/organising, and provide more detail for the event is quite simply how many CA’ers would be sufficiently interested to go beyond the “great idea” response and actually participate?   

Please post your responses as part of this thread, but please keep the posts on topic and relatively brief at this stage.   Naturally, I am happy to answer questions about the event itself on this thread.

All the best for now,

MG Mark

Good news Mark  ;D  Count me in for both days.

For anyone wondering whether to do this or not, stop thinking and get your name down it's not to be missed!!

Mark.

Its the 24 hour bike weekend......

Mark, I'll circulate this to the usual East Anglian Cobra contingent.  Good news.

I would love to come along as "assistant" and take a room in the officer's mess for saturday night if there is space available after the serious drivers are booked in!  :D - will bring extra thermals next time tho - its a blimmin' cold wind that whips across the airfield!

It's also St George's Day on the sunday. What's wrong with you, you're not Welsh are you?

Sorry about the bike weekend and St George's Day - mind you in terms of the latter, I can't think of a better way of celebrating it!   Just had to fit the dates around other stuff like the Station programme, when all the volunteers on the Station can make it etc etc.   At least it isn't on the third weekend in June (whoch would make it a very quiet track day.....)

Steve - be good to see you and the Cobras there again.

BTW, same rules on needing a helmet, normal seat belts and a fire extinguisher will apply.   Fire extinguisher doesn't have to be a plumbed in system, a hand held is fine provided it is secured in the car.

MG Mark

definately count me in for both days!!!
i missed the one last year due to lack of car, and all the guys i spoke to had a whale of a time!!

I will be there as a passenger and helper where needed. Same arrangements as Dan as I suspect we will travel up together again. Any chance of the officers mess again this year Mark?

Put me down for a Saturday please.
Do you want me to tell lots of other people or will you have more than enough from this board?

Good - look forward to seeing you there.


Will see how we are doing in terms of Mess rooms nearer the time


Will do.   I'll let you know about how we're doing on numbers in a week or so, once I have had the chance to get responsed of this forum and from the station personnel.

MG Mark

Mark, you can put me down for a place on the sunday. May well be two of us, advise you later.

No Commer this time, the new WRX needs "running in"!

Bobblehat Racing would love to do this.........can we let you know near the time.

What are the regs regarding full on race cars?

You can let me know nearer the time, but once I post up the application forms, those who have indicated definitie attendance will come already will get priority, after that it will be first come first served, until the numberds limit is reached.   Also there will be a cut-off point for applications, as I need to get all of the various details needed to enable people to get access to the Station, as people will not be able to pitch up on the day unannounced (well they can but they won't get in)

In terms of a race car, to a degree it will depend on what it is - if the performance differential between it and other stuff is so great as to be dangerous then probably not, but last year, bearing in mind we had a wide range of cars on the track, it is unlikely to be a problem.   Basic criteria is that if it is a road going car, then it must have a current MOT - if its a race car, it must be racing in a current MSA series with recent scrutineering documentation.

MG Mark

I would love to come but the law dictates that my St George's Day celebrations take place as far from cars as possible. I still have a vivid memory of a friend being picked up by the Constabulary for dancing naked on the side of a dual carriageway during the anniversary of VE day.

We shall instead enjoy the day from many of Bournemouth's finest hostelries.

Ahh, looks like we will have to get a MOT on the Supermini :o

Mark, please put me on the list. I don't want to be peering at the thread just after it like last year, saying "Ooh I just wish..."

Give Gary and me a chance to swap drives in each other's cars again but this time Gary, I have a starter motor!

 8)

This is temping.  The yellow peril is out on the sunday, so the Saturday is tempting.  Must rebuild the motor first.

Is it just a triangular track around the perimeter, or are there corners?

The track has a one and three-quarter mile straight (the main runway) with fast corners at the start and end.   The two straight bits connecting those ends to form a triangle have coned chicanes on them and, this time, will also have a few flowing bends.   In addition, the corner linking those two straight bits together is a particularly enjoyable and challenging high speed, double apex corner.   So in essence, yes it is roughly a triangular shape, just over 4 miles long, but with plenty of curvy bits to make it interesting/challenging/enjoyable.

MG Mark

Mark,
could you please put me down for 1 deffinate for Sunday and for a further 3 possibles also for Sunday.
Are there any noise regs?  My mates Exige is quite noisy under load at high revs.
Cheers
Jon

Can do, although the the 3 possibles will need to make their minds up in due course.   No formal noise regulations or test.

MG Mark

Not sure if I can do this myself, much as I might like to but have publicised this on Lotus Elan Central and posted a link to this thread.

Mark

I will join you on the Sunday in my Scooby and I understand a few of the T.W.A.T.S. also fancy a Sunday drive in the country.

Look forward to further details in due course.

Simon

Well done for taking this on again Mark.
I'm not sure if I can make it this time, or indeed if the old girl has recovered from her previous thrashing, but I can highly recommend it to anyone thinking about going along. It's run in a thoroughly professional and very friendly manner, with top notch photographers on hand to record your spectacular driving for what is really only a few bob.
Go on!!
H

Thanks for the info.  When its wound up I only get 5 to the gallon, and with a 6 gal tank, thats only 7 laps.

Having looked at my calendar, its Brands Hatch on the Saturday and Gurston Down on Sunday, so next year perhaps.  Why do these things always clash.

If you do 6 laps you are not doing bad!! I think when me and dan did laps the most we got was 9. Our average speed was around the 100mph mark I think our average lap times were 2m 28.

I believe the sessions were between 20 mins and 30 mins with the longest session being 40mins but that was a long time at 100mph. Plus the tires were getting very hot.

So was it ten tankfulls for the day.

One of my fondest sober memories of last year was coming out of a long series of bends onto a straight and flooring it, only to realise that the tyres were molten.  Bruized elbows were the only problem.  Most cars would have jumped into the bushes.

Mark - Dropped you a PM yesterday and I see now that both Bill and Gary have asked already.

Any space left?

Welcome Toby

For Gary and Toby, what day are you planning on? I was sort of thinking Sunday...

Saturday for me too.

Bill, cobra boys are likely to be there Sunday as before.

Sounds like a plan then Steve. Sithee soon.

bill

Sunday would be most excellent! Best arrange to get Garys car put together right first! (although it would be nice to have someone to beat....them gaps can't be good for aerodynamics!)

If they can aerodynamicise a Transit on Top Gear with Gaffer tape I can't see  why we canny do the same to Gary's red thingy!

I'm fed up waiting for him to bring it to me for a formal brutalising anyway, by now. ::)

If I brought it to you could you put in the new front and rear suspension, new carb, new big brake kit as well as the panel gaps?
Give you somthing to do till the knee gets better.

Oh and the LCB and RC40
I thank You.

Yup - I will be letting people know when it is reaching full and when I need actual confirmations, with details and money being sent in - that will probably be in a couple of weks from now, but if your on the thread now, you have a place (or ppaces if it is a group like the Cobras).

To put a bit more detail to some of the questions:   

1 - The numbers of cars on the track will depend on the mix of cars and bikes I get (no they won't be running together) and how many of each.   Because it was the first running of it last year, to see how it was going to work I limited the numbers to up to 30 cars and 30 bikes on the Saturday, and up to 90 cars on the Sunday (bikes don't run on the Sunday).   I do have a good response so far from here, Pistonheads and a couple of other clubs who came last year, plus Station personnel and am hoping I can increase the numbers.   Even with 40+ cars on the track at a time, it could feel pretty empty at times!   So I know I can get more on and once I have a good idea on numbers, I will be able to work out what length of sessions to run (20-30 minutes is good)or whether to run longer sessions with an open pit lane.   

2 - Track layout as you leave the pit lane will run anti-clockwise.  Starts with a fast double apex (100+mph if you have the tyres and the balls), a straight of a few hundred yards into a right left chicane (v. slow), straight for another few hundred yards, into a tightening left 110 degree corner leading on to the main runway (60-80mph).   Main runway is one and three-quarter miles long, at the end leads into a tightening left 110 degree corner.   (I haven't tried it yet, but I may change that to exit the main runway slightly earlier into a hairpin right, short straight, hairpin left and lead back into the long left at the end of the runway.   After that long left, short straight, right left chicane and back past the pit lane entrance.   Hoping I may be able to replace one of the chicanes with a flowing curve section, so there really should be something for everyone.   Anyone with an old classic worried about it, my MGA loves it.    total length of track 4+ miles.   Whoopee......

The whole purpose of this (other than for everyone taking part having a great time) is to raise money for CHARITY.  Everyone on the organising side, marshals, first aid, fire cover, catering etc are all Marham personnel and we volunteer to do this for nothing.   That way there is a very limited outlay (liability insurance and site licence fee) in making it work - last year's event raised £6,000 so virtually every penny of your entry fee will go straight to charity.

That's about it for now I think, all the best,

MG Mark

A bit late joining the party on this one but now that other plans have been finalised and I know what I'm doing (on a good day at least) can you put me down for Saturday please?  Probably just be an 'assistant' but I may well change my mind (as women are prone to doing) and take the Alfa for a blat.  Can a bed in the officer's mess be arranged for me also?

Cheers
Dx

Dear all,

Just to let you know that, having trawled through the posts, now is the time to confirm to me who wants to come, when, in what vehicle etc etc.   So far, the following have expressed an interest in the Marham Track Day weekend:

Smokie - probable (if he can make it)
Dan Lowe and Rick Cutler - confirmed for both days
Steve Brown + EAC -  (poss one or two on Saturday, but main contingent on the Sunday)
Fran - as an assistant
Rob - both days
Garyfrogeye - Saturday + others?  Or sunday?
Andy Zarse - Sunday + an assistant?
Bobblehat - ?
Perdu - sunday
jonFATBOY Warner - 1 definite and 3 possibles for Sunday
president - Sunday + additional T.W.A.T.S ?
Tony Anscombe - Sunday + 2 others?
Doris - saturday - assistant
Ferrari Spider - ?

For those who wish to confirm their attendance, I do need the following information as soon as possible - full name and UK address, date and place of birth, vehicle type and registration number - that goes for all attending, including any passengers, helpers, suport vehicles etc etc.   Any doubts please ask.   If you came to the event last year, and your personal/vehicle details have not changed, then I already have them, so please confirm your attendance.   Limited accommodation is available in the Mess - so far I have Smokie, Rick/Dan, Fran and Doris booked in as provisionals in that respect - I may have one or two more rooms - please let me know if you want accommodation; if we're out of rooms, I may be able to swing being permitted to pitch a few tents next to sports changing  facilities near the Mess.

Please don't post the information here or via PM on the forum - please send it to me at:
MRM-Adm-OCAdmWg@marham.raf.mod.uk

Any other CA'ers still thinking of attending, please get names and details in - I will be able to get people in for another week or so from now, but after that it all heads rapidly into the too diificult category. Please remember that anyone trying to just "pitch up on the day" without having advised their details will simply not get access to the station - sorry, but that is the way it is with running it on an active RAF airfield - arguing with the business end of an SA-80 is not recommended.

I am max'd at work for most of the rest of this week, but I anticipate being able to come out with definitive details, times, directions etc to you individually, either at the end of this week or within the first day or two of next week.

All the best for now,

MG Mark

Right myself and Dan lowe are off, see you tomorrow guys

Dear all,

             Many thanks to Smokie, Doris, Rick Cutler, Dan Lowe, Rob Pettafor and Perdu (and sorry if I missed anyone else) for supporting a great weekend.  Subject to the final count, I know that we have cleared £6,000 for Marham's Charities and Appeals from the event.   Sadly, Dan's FTO succumbed to either a timing problem or something more terminal early in the weekend and had to be trailered home.   Otherwise al in all, a grand event again, all the best for now,

MG Mark

had a great weekend mark - cheers for everything you and everyone else put in, i could get used to the RAF hospitality ;) second to none - ill definately be going to the next one

Rob

Mark,
a big thanks also to you and all of the people involved for a great day yesterday.  The Exige went well, except for being a little more thirsty than usual.  We will certainly be up for another one.

We had to leave before the last session and I was wondering if there is any way of getting hold of any of the photos that were taken?

Thanks again,
Jon

Mark should be able to take extra orders for the Photo CD's at £5, Very good last year! This year there is also a DVD available for £10.

Mark,

Glad it went well, just wish I could have been there!  Never mind if you organise another I will try to make it, good effort on the fund raising, speak to you soon.

I'm not surprised the Exige was thirsty, the rate those Lotuses (Loti?) were going as they left me in their wakes.

A great way of doing a little bit for charidee folks.

Thanks Mark (extra thanks for letting me have someone similarly powered to run with too!)

 :D
 ;)

I enjoyed meeting some of "us" there, Mark, Doris and Smokie and Rick, though I met Smokie and Rick at the poo bar amongst other places last year!

Jon, I must have missed you while passing me, so to speak...

Oh yes thanks to the RAF crew helping out too, great roast pork on a bap!

Can you tell I had a stonking good time. definitely do it again.  :)

Jon - sorry I missed you off the list of who came - I thought I had missed someone but couldn't work out who!

Folks - thanks for the kind comments - for those wanting piccies (and who did not fill in the form/pay for them on the day) let me have your order - as Rick says, the photo CD will be a fiver and the video DVD a tenner, or fifteen quid for both (all for charity).   Please send a note to me with details of want/how many you want and enclose a cheque for the requisite amount made payable to "Service Funds RAF Marham".   Send to me at PA to OCAW, RAF Marham, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE33 9NP.

Here's a couple of nice piccies - one of one of the Ultimas, and one of a rather over exuberant Vauxhall........

MG Mark

mgmark.

Apologies for my "no show".
I'm kicking myself for not joining Perdu and all you others yesterday.
I had complete brain Brain Fade due to a dead frogeye.

No worries - such is life, and a dead frogeye is never a good thing - see you there at the next one

MG Mark

Wonderful day, thank you Mark. Would recommend to all.

However it's time this thread was de-stickyed...