Lakeside Breakfast Laps - Sat 14 Feb 2015

[seangti]

Plus it's more sociable and welcoming of new participants.

[Water Boy]

You guys are very lucky to have access to Happy Laps.

A while ago I did a few laps in the trusty van! I coped a bit of flack for being slow...
Just remember its happy laps. Its there for some spirited driving! No need for PB's or late braking.

[Water Boy]

Also does anyone know any groups/forum doing Happy laps weekend of 28/1?
Ill be in Brisbane and keen to join!

[seangti]

Jump on the QR website and look at the calendar. I went to the BRZ/86 day a couple of weeks back, QR will typically provide contact details to reach the organiser and ask to join.

when there is great disparity in pace than it becomes dangerous and frustrating. For safety sake, some parity is required, I have a vague feeling I did the happy laps when your van was out, in no way to be disrespectful or discouraging to others with slower cars, there was an undue increase in risk as cars would back up behind for 3/4's of the lap.

[Wolfman101]

There is an all day BMW one that you can register for in 2 Fridays time. PM me if keen.

[steve_666]

I think new people to the track and happy laps should have a better briefing.
As experienced lakeside venturers we should provide the rules before they venture onto the track, i had a chat with the other BMW owner before he went on and i hope it helped him with the advice even though brief i think he had a good time.
just an idea
Is there going to be another one?
Somebody going to take over while Clay is away?

[h100vw]

Somebody going to take over while Clay is away?

Yes. I'll be on the case. It's going to be a while though as the calendar is full.

I'll be offering a ride in what ever I take to newbies, for a couple of laps.

Gavin

[louis19]

I think new people to the track and happy laps should have a better briefing.
As experienced lakeside venturers we should provide the rules before they venture onto the track, i had a chat with the other BMW owner before he went on and i hope it helped him with the advice even though brief i think he had a good time.
just an idea
Is there going to be another one?
Somebody going to take over while Clay is away?

I agree, yesterday being my second happy laps, there was a big difference in the briefing from the first one to yesterday's. The first one had another guy do it and he was far more in depth explaining things such as the consequences of driving beyond the limits of your car or yourself which would as yesterday showed, the session being terminated. Not to say it was trying to scare anyone, but ending the briefing with that comment did put a thought in your mind of remembering to get a feel for the track and your car as well as not to try and test the limits as it's only happy laps and you don't want to ruin the rest of the groups session because of it.

[team_v]

I think a review of new participants is needed.
Obviously we want to encourage new people to attend to keep things fresh and grow our friendly SE-QLD community but at the same time, the safety and continuation of our events is paramount.

I will be implementing (and would recommend for Gav) a policy whereby new people must ride shotgun for 5 hot laps with a veteran driver to get the feel for how the event works and the speeds/overtaking procedure for safety of the new participant and the rest of the group.
I would be happy to let someone ride shotgun with me and will try to find another 4/5 people who are happy to show the newbies how the event works for the first 5 minutes etc.

The speed/power disparity isn't so much of a concern so long as everyone plays it safe and people allow overtaking.
I know it's fun to give it a burl and prove yourself but at the same time if there is a car sticking to your tail through most of the lap you need to let them past or it creates a dangerous situation whereby they try to maneuver around you in other parts of the track.


I would also be looking at a FWD/AWD only system since the 3 issues we have had have been with RWD cars and we had a lot of complaints about the RWD cars taking corners a lot slower then smashing down the straight.

Obviously there is limited exceptions to this rule for proven attendees such as Keato in the SLK as he knows the rules and played the happy laps game with us very well.




Happy to hear some more input from the group as to what we can do/change/mix up to keep these things going and fun but most importantly, safe for our attendees.

[h100vw]

L plates

[Mullens]

i think 5 laps is over kill, obviously everyone is different but a general idea of lines would deffs help out

i think one lap with a vet, ask the 1st timer if they feel confident, if they are they are free to jump in their own car, if not then keep going until they feel comfortable

i think people are being hard on the new comers, lakeside isnt a easy course, lots of camber changes etc can make you get unstuck rather fast, i guess thats just a reminder to ease into pushing yourself

also owning FWD and a RWD car, i can say that just remember guys FWD is alot easier to drive with confidence vs RWD, i imagine that most if not all of the people that have left that track would have little to no experience with correcting oversteer, maybe they just need some more track knowledge

just some food for thought

[Wolfman101]

I'm also happy to take anyone for a spin if they want a feel for it or whatever...
Also, tragically, the SLK may only be around for a couple more months... Need to make room! The new place may not have enough car parks after the move...
In other news: what's happening with the lotus thingo?

[seangti]

I think 3-5 laps, one lap you won't learn anything or the driver to show anything. It's up to the driver to give additional information about the track, e.g camber changes, not overdriving it, point out where people have balls'd it up, driver etiquette, etc. So if you don't know what you're doing in giving useful tuition and be honest with yourself, if you've never had it, you probably shouldn't be giving it... don't be offering a passenger ride unless they just want a lap in your car. Just my opinion.

In saying that, if the your passenger is comfortable getting out there and they've had a few laps, let em go.

[team_v]

i think 5 laps is over kill, obviously everyone is different but a general idea of lines would deffs help out

i think one lap with a vet, ask the 1st timer if they feel confident, if they are they are free to jump in their own car, if not then keep going until they feel comfortable

i think people are being hard on the new comers, lakeside isnt a easy course, lots of camber changes etc can make you get unstuck rather fast, i guess thats just a reminder to ease into pushing yourself

also owning FWD and a RWD car, i can say that just remember guys FWD is alot easier to drive with confidence vs RWD, i imagine that most if not all of the people that have left that track would have little to no experience with correcting oversteer, maybe they just need some more track knowledge

just some food for thought

I get what you are trying to say but i think 1 lap is way to little for newcomers.
5 Laps at pace is approximately 6 minutes so you still get 24 minutes in your own car after the demo (minus changeover time of maybe 2 minutes) and it ensures the safety of the group and the continuation of our events.
Lakeside isn't able to give the briefings on safe braking points, safe overtaking opportunities, the feel for the car, the proper lines to take to allow safe driving and how a car reacts at speed and how others participate in the event.


Whilst lakeside isn't an easy course the point of happy laps is to have a bit of fun while in a safe environment and not to race/push the car at 10/10ths.
We have never had any problems with a FWD or AWD car going off the track and in a FWD it is a lot easier to deal with due to understeer vs oversteer on a RWD car.


I personally had no issues with the way you were driving out there but as you pointed out you have done happy laps before.
The Clio and the BMW hadn't and people have raised concerns with their actions and it has also happened in previous happy laps where new attendees don't understand the rules on the front page and on the sheet they ticked on their attendance to receive an arm band.





Dylan, the Lotus DTC event is still on i belive and you should have received a pm from An7on.
I can flick it on to you if you like.

[team_v]

I also agree with Sean's point that people giving the newbies a ride should preferably have carried out driver training courses or participate in a proper race series such as time attack or sprint series.
Happy to have others nominate "teacher" drivers for the newbies such as our lovely R8.


Also might be a suggestion that newbies take their lessons in similar cars (i.e. FWD ride with a FWD as the lines and grip levels are completely different)