Post by nigel on May 31, 2010 11:44:01 GMT
Shenstone & District Car Club - 'Introduction to Sprinting' - Curborough Sprint Course
Having nothing planned for the bank holiday weekend, except for the inevitable gardening.
Yes 'Mod Nats' in Peterborough was on, but just didn't fancy it this weekend, so I got to thinking what to do. A rummage around the INTERNET and a visit to the 'Shenstone & District Car Club' – SDCC website, owners and operators of the Curborough Circuit and where the very 1st Annual Moggers Meet – AMM is to be held later this year.
I noticed that they had organized A FREE
“Introduction to Sprinting” day on the Sunday, on the good side it could get me out of doing the garden, ;D but on the down side it would mean I'd miss watching the Turkish GP live, 
there again it might just give me the edge to overcome mattsmev's R888. 
Its a 2hr 30min drive from north wales but the forecast was good so I set off at around 7.30am intending on getting there around 10.00am for the opening. A rather uneventful but very present journey and apart from stopping for fuel for both car and me (McD Break'y) all went well.
The Circuit is located just north of Birmingham, (middle of the country) access gained via the Fradley Park Junction of the A38 duel carriageway between Litchfield and Burton on Trent.
The Circuit was well signposted and is surrounded on all sides by farmland, arriving at 10.30am I was surprised to see that things were in full swing already, while not crowded, the event seem well supported. I think its worth mentioning that although the Circuit from aerial pictures looks small (Short Course: 900 yards Long Course: 1557 yards) the facility itself is quite large, Westfield SCC for example will have over 300 in attendance for there sprint day meet.
Following the usual registration process and receiving my batch number I had a look around at the other vehicles, as the event was open to all, most cars were production saloon cars, apart from a few Westfield/7's the Sonic as always drew lots of interest and attention.
It soon became apparent that this event was not going to be a quick thrash round the circuit, as the title clearly states “Introduction to Sprinting Day” the event was geared to wards the SDCC increasing there membership and they when into great detail to explain what it takes to get involved in Sprinting. So after 3, yes three, separate 15 min lectures on, the Sport, how to register, obtaining a license, a summary of the rules and regulation, the type of personal protection gear and vehicle preparation needed etc, some of the boy racers among the group by this time had completely switched off, mind you the best was still to come.
Eventually our group of 10 moved down to the start line, where we were met by an equal number of SDCC senior members all seasoned, experienced sprint enthusiasts. We then all got out of our cars and piled into there family runarounds for a familiarization lap of the 'short' circuit. This experience, while not exciting, was probably worth the trip alone as the instructor slowly went through where best to position the car on the circuit for each and ever corner, pointing out reference markers for braking and turning in points. After the drive round “Circuit Walk” he then took us on a second lap increasing speed putting theory in practice. I had been fortunate to have grabbed the front passenger seat and videoed for you all to experience.
Finally it became time to have a go in our own cars, I harp back to the title once again “Introduction to Sprinting Day”. I was amused by the look of disappointment on the faces of some of the young boy racers in our group, when it was announced that a Senior SDCC member would be riding shot gun in the passenger seat with you, and that you would only get a second lap if you behaved yourself, and he deemed you were capable. Just to make it worse for me and the other Kit car boys they ruled no crash helmets were allowed, reason given, the instructor's didn't have one plus it would hinder there ability to shout instructions to the drive, the true reason I suspect was that they just didn't want anyone going to fast.
With 3M safety glasses on we set off, + 60mph you start to lose your glasses which meant I had to hold my glasses on with one hand, while powering down the home straight.
Hard acceleration and a long sweeping up hill left hander entering into the low speed technical mid section chicane and tricky bottom corner before blasting down the finish straight. I'm pleased to report that my instructor approved me a second lap even though I managed to get the Sonic going sideways through both the chicane and the bottom corner, on both my laps.
My top circuit tip would be “If you don't get it wright at the start its almost impossible to recover and get the racing line back”
This concluded my introductory day to Sprinting, the facility is in general more than adequate with proper clean porta-cabin toilet facilities with fresh mains running water, my only concern would be the lack of mains power so if someone can bring a generator for the AMM for those intending camping that would be great and my only other concern would be how to restrain both Stuart and Paul from perfecting there donutting skills in the paddock area, from the tyre marks it looks as though they wont be the first to have played at that game.
For those that are put off by the prospect of camping at the AMM but consider it too far for a day trip, the SDCC recommend:-
Common Farm Bed and Breakfast
Hazel Cliffe
Bromley Hayes
Lichfield WS13 8JE
Tel:- 01543 472 228
Prices start from £35 per person per night for full details please check out there website on www.commom-farm.co.uk
Following on from my day visit, I've noticed that 'the Management' have been somewhat quite for a while about the AMM and have not as yet provided payment facilities, therefore could I request that they get a move on as I for one am very keen to attend.
nigel
Having nothing planned for the bank holiday weekend, except for the inevitable gardening.
Yes 'Mod Nats' in Peterborough was on, but just didn't fancy it this weekend, so I got to thinking what to do. A rummage around the INTERNET and a visit to the 'Shenstone & District Car Club' – SDCC website, owners and operators of the Curborough Circuit and where the very 1st Annual Moggers Meet – AMM is to be held later this year.I noticed that they had organized A FREE
“Introduction to Sprinting” day on the Sunday, on the good side it could get me out of doing the garden, ;D but on the down side it would mean I'd miss watching the Turkish GP live, 
there again it might just give me the edge to overcome mattsmev's R888. 
Its a 2hr 30min drive from north wales but the forecast was good so I set off at around 7.30am intending on getting there around 10.00am for the opening. A rather uneventful but very present journey and apart from stopping for fuel for both car and me (McD Break'y) all went well.
The Circuit is located just north of Birmingham, (middle of the country) access gained via the Fradley Park Junction of the A38 duel carriageway between Litchfield and Burton on Trent.
Circuit Location
The Circuit was well signposted and is surrounded on all sides by farmland, arriving at 10.30am I was surprised to see that things were in full swing already, while not crowded, the event seem well supported. I think its worth mentioning that although the Circuit from aerial pictures looks small (Short Course: 900 yards Long Course: 1557 yards) the facility itself is quite large, Westfield SCC for example will have over 300 in attendance for there sprint day meet.
Circuit Entrance
Circuit Layout
Following the usual registration process and receiving my batch number I had a look around at the other vehicles, as the event was open to all, most cars were production saloon cars, apart from a few Westfield/7's the Sonic as always drew lots of interest and attention.
Registration Hut
It soon became apparent that this event was not going to be a quick thrash round the circuit, as the title clearly states “Introduction to Sprinting Day” the event was geared to wards the SDCC increasing there membership and they when into great detail to explain what it takes to get involved in Sprinting. So after 3, yes three, separate 15 min lectures on, the Sport, how to register, obtaining a license, a summary of the rules and regulation, the type of personal protection gear and vehicle preparation needed etc, some of the boy racers among the group by this time had completely switched off, mind you the best was still to come.
Paddock Area
Sprint Start Line Area
Eventually our group of 10 moved down to the start line, where we were met by an equal number of SDCC senior members all seasoned, experienced sprint enthusiasts. We then all got out of our cars and piled into there family runarounds for a familiarization lap of the 'short' circuit. This experience, while not exciting, was probably worth the trip alone as the instructor slowly went through where best to position the car on the circuit for each and ever corner, pointing out reference markers for braking and turning in points. After the drive round “Circuit Walk” he then took us on a second lap increasing speed putting theory in practice. I had been fortunate to have grabbed the front passenger seat and videoed for you all to experience.
Finally it became time to have a go in our own cars, I harp back to the title once again “Introduction to Sprinting Day”. I was amused by the look of disappointment on the faces of some of the young boy racers in our group, when it was announced that a Senior SDCC member would be riding shot gun in the passenger seat with you, and that you would only get a second lap if you behaved yourself, and he deemed you were capable. Just to make it worse for me and the other Kit car boys they ruled no crash helmets were allowed, reason given, the instructor's didn't have one plus it would hinder there ability to shout instructions to the drive, the true reason I suspect was that they just didn't want anyone going to fast.
With 3M safety glasses on we set off, + 60mph you start to lose your glasses which meant I had to hold my glasses on with one hand, while powering down the home straight.
Hard acceleration and a long sweeping up hill left hander entering into the low speed technical mid section chicane and tricky bottom corner before blasting down the finish straight. I'm pleased to report that my instructor approved me a second lap even though I managed to get the Sonic going sideways through both the chicane and the bottom corner, on both my laps.
My top circuit tip would be “If you don't get it wright at the start its almost impossible to recover and get the racing line back”
This concluded my introductory day to Sprinting, the facility is in general more than adequate with proper clean porta-cabin toilet facilities with fresh mains running water, my only concern would be the lack of mains power so if someone can bring a generator for the AMM for those intending camping that would be great and my only other concern would be how to restrain both Stuart and Paul from perfecting there donutting skills in the paddock area, from the tyre marks it looks as though they wont be the first to have played at that game.
Paddock Toilets
For those that are put off by the prospect of camping at the AMM but consider it too far for a day trip, the SDCC recommend:-
Common Farm Bed and Breakfast
Hazel Cliffe
Bromley Hayes
Lichfield WS13 8JE
Tel:- 01543 472 228
Prices start from £35 per person per night for full details please check out there website on www.commom-farm.co.uk
Following on from my day visit, I've noticed that 'the Management' have been somewhat quite for a while about the AMM and have not as yet provided payment facilities, therefore could I request that they get a move on as I for one am very keen to attend.
nigel
