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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:	Cars in the UK
Notice:	Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:	COMICS::SHELLEYELD

Created:	Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2584
Total number of notes:	63384

1486.0. "Karting" by SUBURB::THOMASH (The Devon Dumpling) Tue Jul 02 1991 10:57


	Well, I was "encouraged" to going Karting this weekend.

	Alan at the pub said their were a few teams getting together for a go
	around the track somewhere just off the North Circular - Formula Fun
	Racing, or some such.
	They needed a team of 6, and would I like to be included.

	I said I'd have a go, though I'd never driven a Kart before.


	So we go along - and I find out that this is real serious stuff.

	There are 6 teams of 6, the top 15 of which go through to another days
	racing, where they compete against the pros, Millers I think.
	The winner of that will get �500 of equipment plus �100 cash.

	Then, we were asked if anyone had NOT raced before - I was the only one
	who hadn't, and out of 36, I was the only female.

	150cc of sheer menace, I was wondering if I'd get out alive!!!!!
	
	On with the overall things - the large size was too small in the leg,
 	but made up for this with the fact that it was designed for someone 
	whose body was twice as long as mine.

	I thought this was really odd - until I got into a Kart. These Karts
	are made for people with short legs - if you have a 36" inside leg, you
	just can't keep both feet off the pedals! add to this the fact that 
	when I braked, I was also tempted to put my foot on the accelerator (as
 	if it was a clutch and I was changing gear), then you can see the fun 
	I had sliding all over the place.
	Also, the seats are hard and shiny, and at a funny angle, so you keep 
	slipping down. My first reaction was to push myself up in the seat, 
	- using my feet. More slipping and sliding - this was getting fun.

	I resolved Three things after the warm-up laps:

	1. I would not cause anyone else to have an accident
	2. I would not block anyone from overtaking me, in fact, I would watch
	carefully and ensure I was out the way before they needed to try and 
	overtake.
	3. I was going to go for it, and have a great time.

	Well, Alan came second overall, Tom came Third, Paul came 5th.
	the other two were half way.

	3 people had the black flag for dangerous driving, and were disqualified
	from the event - some of these guys were quite nasty, they must have 
	just had a read curtain come down, they were very dangerous.


	I ended up with 9 points from 4 heats. 
	There were 6 in each heat, I finished 6th in the first heat,5th in two
	heats, as a driver crashed out in each heat, and I was third in the 
	last heat - the driver that I beat was not a happy chappie!, I was just 
	starting to get into the swing of things - neadless to say I did not 
	get into the semis!

	This was the lowest score of the day, but joint lowest, I was last 
	with 6 other people also on 9.

	And I got a prize for the most curteous and safe driver on the track!!!
	
	I had a lot of fun, and I'd do it again, but I think I could have had 
	a gentler introduction.	

	Heather

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
1486.1		HAMPS::LINCOLN_J	Where sheep dare	`Fri Jul 05 1991 13:41`	4
	Isn't there a place out Windsor way that provides these sort of facilities? -John
1486.2		HUGS::AND_KISSES	Scott Marshall	`Fri Jul 05 1991 13:47`	1
	The place you're thinking of is in Crouch Lane, Winkfield, I believe
1486.3		JUNO::WOOD	Pooh didn't use a blindfold	`Fri Jul 05 1991 15:58`	8
	It may be fun, but do you really call this Karting ????? Alan ~~~~~~
1486.4		SUBURB::THOMASH	The Devon Dumpling	`Tue Jul 09 1991 13:50`	7
	There is, apparently, a place near Bracknell, which you can do 40 laps, and isn't serious racing. We'll probably give it a go in a couple of weeks. Heather
1486.5		HUGS::AND_KISSES	Scott Marshall	`Tue Jul 09 1991 15:02`	8
	Heather et al, At least two people in DEC are organising DEC group visits to this place. I won't post their names here without their permission, but if anyone's interested contact me and I'll pass on the info... Scott
1486.6		KNAB06::WHEELWRIGHT	Lapsed atheist	`Tue Jul 23 1991 12:23`	12
	So did anyone-else potter over to the Flowing Spring in Sonning Eye and indulge in some wanton cross country karting? Imagine the scenario, fine day, fine beer, prize for the fastest time and the course bounded on two sides by the steam that gives the pub its name. The question is why was it mainly the lager drinkers who ended up with an unexpected swim? Incidently, the chaps who run this little show are cheaper than Winkfield Row and because their stuff is either cross-country or road they can organise a locale to suit. I even have their number here somewhere if anyone is vaguely interested.
1486.7	How were we supposed to know it was on ?	SHIPS::ORCHARD_T	Neither cheap nor cheerful	`Tue Jul 23 1991 12:43`	10
	J.W. Where was the note to tell us it was on ???? :-) I passed it Sunday afternoon and wondered what it was all about - I'd love to have had a go. Did you try it? - tell us more. Have you any information about any more of these events ? Tony O.
1486.8	I've got to start somewhere!	PEKING::ATKINSA	PRC Vauxman.	`Mon Apr 26 1993 16:39`	8
	Does anyone have any information about Karting clubs? By this I mean the proper Karting that todays great fromula 1 drivers started off in. I'm looking preferably in the Reading area. Cheers Andy..
1486.9	Welcome to the realms of Karting.	MUGGER::LEACH	There's a hole in my fuel pipe...	`Mon Apr 26 1993 16:56`	6
	re -.1 I don't have any details here, but I could look them up for you tonight. Shaun.
1486.10	Any help	VIVIAN::G_COOMBER	Insured by Smith and Wesson	`Mon Apr 26 1993 17:05`	6
	I think the nearest would be at Blackbush but I don't have peoples names here. You could try ringing the RACMSA. I do have a number for them 0753-681736. They must have the details. Garry
1486.11	Days gone by....	CHEFS::MARCHR		`Mon Apr 26 1993 19:57`	20
	I suggest buying Karting Magazine (if you can get), getting hold of the RAC Blue Book or ringing up the RAC MSA. All will have names of clubs. However, IMHO, I would avoid Blackbushe (a bit third world). I'd try Shennington (mansells old track) near Banbury, Kimbolton in Cambridgeshire or Rye House in Hoddesdon (they have a shop on the circuit, but they tend to see you coming, especially "new boys"). Oh yes, Rye house is open for practise except on race days - other aren't. However what you really need is the services of a good dealer. One that really knows what he's about and still has time to look after novices aswell as run National teams. I have some names, but it's some years since I was Karting (gave up 3 years ago - money/family etc) and they may not still be the bast bet. I think Simon Wright is still going. He got me my first wins. Rupert
1486.12	RE-1 what cc was your Kart!	PEKING::ATKINSA	PRC Vauxman.	`Tue Apr 27 1993 07:56`	11
	RE.9.10.11 Thanks chaps I had no idea about where to start looking. I shall have a look for Karting magazine,but i've never seen it in any newsagents to date.(maybe I haven't been looking hard enough) A great help! Andy..
1486.13		CHEFS::OSBORNEC		`Tue Apr 27 1993 09:00`	7
	Karting is in all local (ie Reading) WH Smith's. Available to order from anywhere. Colin
1486.14		VIVIAN::G_COOMBER	Insured by Smith and Wesson	`Tue Apr 27 1993 10:32`	14
	Re:- Rye House.... Great track, but as a club it is Mega competitive, snobish even. Also be warned about open practice at Rye. I think its the only track that is open 7 days a week, with the exception of race days and bank holidays. The upshot of that is that it can be a bit hectic and not all the people on the track are regualar racers, plus the added bonus that sometimes they have pleasure karts out. Don't bother with KART and SUPERKART, its published by ZIP , it is mostly about gearbox karts. Kart Magazine is by far the best. Garry
1486.15		MUGGER::LEACH	There's a hole in my fuel pipe...	`Tue Apr 27 1993 12:02`	6
	Clay Pidgeon is also open every day. Its been quite a while since I've been there (Aug 1991) but at the time it was 12 pounds per Kart to practice for the whole afternoon, regardless of how many drivers were there (seemed sensible as only 1 could be out on the track at a time !). Shaun.
1486.16		VIVIAN::G_COOMBER	Insured by Smith and Wesson	`Tue Apr 27 1993 12:38`	5
	Sounds a damed site better than Rye. Do they have Marshalls???? Rye house have none, Medical facilities are provided by those at the track, first aid box etc. Finally if bad enough, phone for an ambulance.
1486.17	A very exciting track !	MUGGER::LEACH	There's a hole in my fuel pipe...	`Tue Apr 27 1993 13:00`	13
	>> Sounds a damed site better than Rye. Do they have Marshalls???? No. But then again, I can't recall ever seen any at Chasewater or Birmingham Wheels during pratice days either. The track at Clay Pidgeon was very impressive. I thought I had driven my Kart fast untill I went there ! I was also very lucky that at one of our excursions there a guy turned up who had held the 100cc track record a few years ago, and he helped us set up my Kart as best as we could. Of the three visits I made there, he was the only other person I saw on the track (it is a little out the way though). Shaun.
1486.18		VIVIAN::G_COOMBER	Insured by Smith and Wesson	`Tue Apr 27 1993 13:15`	4
	Thats the difference. Rye strikes me as a hostile environment. I have never seen anyone offer that kind of help. The only people I ever spoke to over there were either friends or people at the same level as me.
1486.19	Great people, shame about the track !	MUGGER::LEACH	There's a hole in my fuel pipe...	`Tue Apr 27 1993 13:28`	5
	The atmosphere at Chasewater has always been tromendous, everybody helps everyone else (good for a complete incompetent like me ;^). If only the track was more demanding, it could be very popular. Shaun.
1486.20	Walk before you run...	CHEFS::MARCHR		`Tue Apr 27 1993 18:55`	21
	My experience of Rye is a little dated, however it doesn't seemed to have changed. Take 'em off or be taken off! For that reason, plus the general air of unnecessary agression, I chose not to race their. I also found that the track was difficult to learn on. It favoured the experienced driver. When I went to more "power" orientated track I found the differential reduced, my confidence returned and my driving improved. Clay Pigeon is fast! Rather prone to bad weather though - due to it's location. A fun track with a strong local contingent. I'd suggest using either as practise tracks - simply out of convenience - but do your racing initially on something more foregiving, in terms of track and competitor. No knowledge of Chasewater, but from what Shaun says it sounds ideal to get started on. Karting is an intensely agressive and skillful sport (thats why only Kart drivers really can make it in Formula 1), but don't make harder for yourself than you need to when you first start. Rupert
1486.21	Local Karting	REOSV1::ATKINSP	Paul Atkins- UK Transmission Services	`Fri Apr 30 1993 13:19`	5
	There is an indoor track in Woodley just of the "Just Tiles" Roundabout, Headley Road West. I dont know anything about it, apart from its location as I drive past it often. Regards
1486.22	Clay Pigeon	WOTVAX::BROWNR	Andy Brown	`Fri Apr 30 1993 17:59`	10
	re Clay Pigeon If you need any info regards location and cost etc I can find out if you want (unless you find other sources) as I live about 15 minutes drive from the circuit. I had a go around the circuit once and crashed!! Still I'd like to have another go one day. Cheers Andy.
1486.23		MUGGER::LEACH	There's a hole in my fuel pipe...	`Fri Apr 30 1993 18:18`	7
	>> drive from the circuit. I had a go around the circuit once and >> crashed!! Still I'd like to have another go one day. So thats what happened to the TVR :^) Shaun.