Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Absolute porn.

Look at time serts, instead of helicoil.

Is this the first time you fid an oil change? Is issue the sump plug or the sump. Is there a flange on the sump plug for a washer?

Think that belongs to Merlin McCormack who owns Duke of London. Seen it on his IG a few times.

Thanks.

Second one, definitely the sump as I tried it with a new plug and the original. Little bits of half circle aluminium pieces as well around the heads. Not sure but I had a new copper washer.

Are the serts a better option than tapping a large size?

Finally tried out the rockbros seasucker copy - seemed to cope fine on the windy b roads to cx today fine

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It must be that one given the location - can't be too many of them around this neck of the woods.

Regardless that it's a kind of an advert for him, it's pretty cool if it gets enough use that he's comfortable popping to the supermarket in it.

Why can’t they make cars like this anymore. But new tech.

Renault 5 got turbo for example.

Bit nerve wracking aren't they? I run mine (treefrog) right up next to the windscreen. It might just be because it feels like where it would be if it was a roof rack.

I find them easier to use than helicoils.

Yeah - was it bit at first tbh.

Decided to run it further back as that seemed like the flattest part of the roof.

Watching the rear wheel wobble through the rear window was fun - no worse than normal roof mounting but it’s different when you can see it :)

You're supposed to run them close to an edge, so either near the windscreen or near the rear screen, depends on how long your bikes are and if you need to open your boot or not.

My seasucker got nicked when they cleaned out my garage so debating whether to get another or try for a cheaper copy. I was using some treefrog mounts on mine so feeling fairly confident with treefrog as a company

First track day (ever) with my bro coming up, thought it would be fun and a bit of a treat for his bday. Taking my 996 which I think is pretty healthy, had fresh brake fluid recently. It's just the short/indy track at brands, open pit lane. Any tips for enjoying/surviving it? I'll be getting insurance for the day from Moris.

Treefrog has been good, you do have to clean the plungers and regrease periodically.

I mainly got it because at the time it was insurance approved in Europe, whereas Seasucker and RockBros weren't.

Drive short sessions - 20 minutes or so; check the tyre pressures regularly and drop them as they heat up; don't put the hand brake on when you park up in the pits.

Sounds like great fun!

I've never IRL driven round there but maybe get some practice in on Gran Turismo? The adverse camber on the Paddock Hill & Graham Hill bends is horrific.

don't put the hand brake on when you park up in the pits.

How come?

The discs will be red hot (or quite hot, at least).

Brands Hatch Indy is a brilliant track, it's short but that helps you get more practice on each corner and learn all the braking points and lines.

Car: I'd say drop the tyre pressures about 5psi before you get there or at the track. They're going to get hotter than normal so the pressures will end up higher than on the road, which you want to account for.

Check the fluids at the start of the day, after lunch break(when it's had time to cool down), and before you go home.

Park in gear, leave the handbrake off, the handbrake shoes can get stuck on because your brakes have got much hotter than normal.

Check your wheel bolts ever time you come back in, if you have a torque wrench take it with you.

You: drink water after each session out on track, you're going to sweat way more than normal.

I also find it helps to eat little and often rather than eating a big lunch.

This is your first track day so I don't want to overwhelm you with pointers specifically for Brands, instead here's some good general trackday pointers:

Build yourself up over the course of the day, slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

There's going to be much faster cars on track so keep an eye on your mirrors, but don't stay glued to them. If you spend your whole day letting people past, you won't really get to practice proper lines.

If a car has caught you up, even if it looks like it's got 50bhp, it's faster than you, just let it past when it's safe and convenient to do so.

If there's a lot of traffic and you're just getting stuck letting people past or getting stuck behind slower cars, just go into the pits and come straight back out. You'll come out in a different sequence of cars and sometimes it can be the difference between getting frustrated and having the best day.

After the sighting laps, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO THE SIGHTING LAPS!!, come in and have a sit down and just gather your thoughts for 30 minutes. The first 30-45 minutes of open track is manic. Everyone's chomping to get out and I've seen some batshit driving with some people trying to swing their dicks around. Let them piss each other off and just have a little sit, watch some cars going round, have a look at a few lines that people are taking, then after 30 mins go out on track. It'll be a lot more settled and sensible driving at that point.

One Brands specific point I will say about letting people past and overtaking:

The short uphill stretch between Paddock and Druids, faster people will want to bully past you, but you don't have to let people past there unless you feel there's a long line behind you.

However between Druids and Graham Hill, the good line is drifting left from Druids to right at Graham Hill. So, it's easy for people to overtake you off-line, so let them past if you can. Stick to the racing line but put your indicator on, they'll work it out and come past before you start braking for Graham Hill.

If you can get instruction, I recommend it, and if you see someone who looks like they know what they're doing then ask for a passenger ride so you can see their lines. Everyone's friendly and if you ask someone for a passenger ride they're most likely going to say yes because at a bare minimum you're giving their ego a good stroke.

Last of all, have fun!! Which day are you going?

That’s amazing thanks! Will take the torque wrench, fluids to top up, pressure gauge ordered 👍

Will do some familiarisation with the track, I may have a game on my old computer that will have the track on it. Thanks for the pointers, awesome 🙌

It’s next Monday

If you intend to drive it home then have that in the back of your mind. If you're trailering it there and back then go for the blast.

IIRC the stability control uses mainly the rear brakes so they can get very hot- worth doing a cooling down lap before coming into the pits.

film it and post it on here!

When was the brake fluid last changed.

Warm the engine up with a gentle lap. Also don't turn the engine off when back a the pit let the engines hot spots cool down

Thanks for the tips guys, was wondering about the the PSM @Dammit and @lynx it had fresh fluid less that 6 months ago

Power steering? Be fine. Not hydroscopic so doesn't degrade. But does get dirt in and gets worn hence needing regular changing to keep things save.

Was more thinking if the brake fluid being 18 months to 2 years old so might me worth a change but then I have suffered brake fade once and do not wish others to have that happen.