Well that was an eventful day!
For me, first couple of sessions out on the slightly green surface, I really struggled for grip. So, after enough of slaloming through the chicanes even at stupidly low speed, I thought I'd change the 'more worn' pair from the back to the front.
Only when I took them off did I realise quite how 'worn' they were
So, this prompted an early lunch and a trip to a nearby tyre place that had 225/45/16 profile in stock.
The afternoon sessions mostly in heavy rain and spray felt so much better for the new rubber. Although, the old girl seemed a little sluggish compared to normal. Turns out I was so preoccupied with grip (finding any), vision and monitoring the high oil temps I was running (I saw 130 that afternoon) that I didn't see I was only getting 0.4 bar of boost.
Now the car is back home, with a pair of Maxxis tyres and a to do list of major items (belts, oil cooler and pipes, boost issue, wheel bearing(s) for a start). Maybe she'll be ready for a festive trackday...
All in all though, still a very enjoyable day, familiar faces and some interesting other vehicles (80's Rover SDI and an old school Capri with mahoosive rear wing that did little to stop its tail sliding wildly at every turn, was comical following it for a lap!). Would urge anyone to do a day at Oulton, fabulous circuit.
Thanks to dave_t for the ride out in the upside down rowing boat, you are definitely coming to terms with its capabilities since I last went out with you. It never stops to amaze me how much grip these things have through the twisties. Jodie also says thanks for her laps. Now she wants one - maybe if she gets a good corporate bonus from BT next year (unlikely going by their latest stock market results just published!!)...
Thanks for Joe for the swift wheel bearing change he performed first thing
Lastly, shame that Taffy has lost the love of his coop and ended his last track day early
Someone will profit from the fruits of his labour and pockets with his setup. I don't think I'll ever join you for a bike track day you crazy son of a! I like my protection too much!
Took a bit of video, have a few laps following Joe in Bessy so I'll edit that and post up sometime next week...