Lydden experiences or video footage

[Critchetti]

Hi all
Will be competing in spirnt at Lydden this weekend in Caterham Academy. Not even visited the circuit to spectate before and no chance of driving it before first practice, although will walk and mountian bike a few laps on Friday afternoon. Has anyone got any expereinces they wouldnt mind sharing or on board or tracksdie footage I could download to help work out the lines and see where the circuit goes.
Cheers
Critchetti

[Stephen Green]

Try sending Rob Birley a PM, he races there often and may be able to help.

[Fan]

It's a nice little circuit although the facilities aren't great - a bit like racing in the 50's and 60's with no pits, etc. The circuit is quite straight forward: Down the main straight, keep to the middle/left hand side. A slight left kink downhill (flat in F/Ford) then down a gear or two for a long right hander which is up hill. Keep to the inside for that and at the exit let it drift out. Down a "straight" before heavy braking for Devils Elbow. It's a left hander with a bit of camber on the exit so you can carry a bit of speed through it. It's then up hill to the hairpin. You can brake very late for it as it's go quite a bit of camber. Flat down the hill before the last corner (right hand). Probably the most difficult part of the circuit as it's up hill and quite quick.I think you might be able to use the pit exit on your quick lap and that will give you more space (and speed) for the entry of the corner. Make sure you don't run wide on the exit otherwise you'll end up in the outside wall or spin onto the infield, which isn't exactly smooth.

Last drove it in '98 so I hope it's as I remember... PM me if you need more help.

[ss_collins]

Attack it

[Fan]

Originally posted by ss_collins
Attack it

:-)

[Dunnes]

If you download this video its From Lydden RallyCross on the 12th April. Will show you some of the track and some of the offroad section, although i shouldnt imagine that you would need that!!
http://rallycrossireland.com/vids/

Mike

[howard]

There is a on-board video clip of a FR going round. But haven't got the address. Do the normal search via Google etc.

Howard

[Gnomex]

Hi Critchetti

I'll be there marshaling on Saturday. I think it's generally recognised that for a good time, it's essential to get the Elbow right. The left handed Elbow is pretty tricky, and many fall off there, but get it right and you have good speed up the steep hill to the Hairpin. Get it wrong and the car will bog down trying to get up the hill.

Best wishes for the weekend.

[Critchetti]

Thankx Gnomex, come over and say hello and share a beer after the event.
Critchetti
Car 24, black.

[Critchetti]

Gnomex, just checked the organisors finals, will be car 44 for this event, post event beer stays the same!!!. 24 in the races later in the year.
Critchetti

[Gnomex]

That's very kind of you.

[Critchetti]

Thank you Stehpen and Howard.

[Critchetti]

Cheers guys. Will attack and let you know the outcome.

[spottymarshal]

Hi Critchetti

As you come down the hill from the hairpin don't cross the white line as you near the paddock as it often results in a BLACK/WHITE Warning Flag as you are gaining an advantage by changing the line of the corner.

Other than that have fun and enjoy it.

Hope this helps

[Gnomex]

Originally posted by spottymarshal
Hi Critchetti

As you come down the hill from the hairpin don't cross the white line as you near the paddock as it often results in a BLACK/WHITE Warning Flag as you are gaining an advantage by changing the line of the corner.

The BLACK / WHITE is only used in circuit racing so shouldn't be seen for a sprint. I presume though that the Clerks for the sprint will still be watching for this.

[Critchetti]

Thanks for your assistance everyone. A few drivers fell foul of the white line rule on the run down the hill, penalty was a no time. I managed 12th overall, despite having more seat time in the lav than the car due to stomach bug!!!! Good to meet you Gnomex, you guys do a top job. Cheers.

[Gnomex]

Congrats Mr Critchetti - 12th is very impressive considering I think you said it was just your third ever event.

You probably noticed our very basic amenities at Lydden, but I hope you found us friendly! Did you know Lydden is actually owned by the great McLaren? They bought it some years back with the intention of making a test track/development centre for their new McLaren/Mercedes road car. However, there were problems with planning consent and as we all know the new McLaren/Mercedes road car is now being built at Woking. This has meant very little investment at the circuit for some years but those of us who know it well love the place.

Finally, many thanks for your kind comments.

[Critchetti]

Not only third event, but never even seen the circuit before. Enjoyed the event and facilities(!) and very friendly atmosphere. The circuit manager told me all about the recent history and Mclaren link. Hope to be back one day. Pass on my thanks to your colleagues, especially those in orange.

[sjw75]

Excellent footage, very useful.

Thanks.

Simon.

[Chris Griffin]

A bit late now but we've got a lap of Lydden in-car here CTCRC Classic and Historic Saloons.

[Gnomex]

Originally posted by Chris Griffin
A bit late now but we've got a lap of Lydden in-car here CTCRC Classic and Historic Saloons.

That is sooooo good. In fact I think I'll keep a copy to sustain me through the long winter months!

[Instructor]

You've probably already done the Sprint by now..
How did it go??

I concur mostly with Fan.
One issue will cretainly be getting off the line.
You leave from the dummy grid exit.
This is often not as easy as it seems.
Make sure you point the car to the entry of the corner when you line up at the lights.
You'd be amazed how many sprinters leave the start line with some steering lock on.

Sprinting is ideal practice for race starts and being 100% out of the blocks. Also you do need to be tindy with your lap as whn you mess up a corner you are penalised in your times.

Best regs
Steve L
Sprinter, Hillclimbs and racing

[spottymarshal]

Just seen this video great footage.

It's a shame we don't get crowds at Lydden like that any more except for Rally X.

Not a lot has changed there except the bank just to the right as you get onto the start finish straight.

[Gnomex]

Originally posted by spottymarshal
Not a lot has changed there except the bank just to the right as you get onto the start finish straight.

The famous (infamous?) bank was "Mabbs Bank", the downfall of many a rallycrosser. All it took was for a car to drift out wide on the exit of Paddock Bend (the rallycross one, not the circuit one) and, hey presto! Mabbs Bank sucked you in and spat you out over the top. Manys the rallycross shell that ended its days there.....

Mabbs Bank was taken away a few years ago now, I think from what I heard at the insistence of the bike people. I did have visions of it being sold off, rather like the turf from that little place in London where some cup final used to be held.