Oulton Park was rather eventful, I arrived early to find the car park filling nicely and feeling apprehensive about what lied in store. I decided a few weeks back to hire a garage which I would advise to anybody who's considering a track day as a worthwhile outlay, great for storage and a place to keep dry and warmish when the inevitable happens. I jumped out of the car to pop open the garage door to find that it wouldn't budge, I tried to bully it into submission and failed miserably so retreated back to the warmth of my car feeling even more of a novice and waited for the arrival of my mates. Turned out to be locked which made the situation a little more bearable.
It had rained heavily throughout the night and showed no signs of slowing, in fact the temperature was falling and the rain quickly turned to hail and snow, ideal conditions for a newbie on AD08's. Signed on and went through to the restaurant for the safety brief and a brew, everyone seemed really relaxed despite the weather worsening, I wasn't and when the inevitable question was asked by the briefer, 'do we have any novices with us today?' My todger shrank further and I gingerly raised my hand, nobody in front of me did, I can't be the only newbie here surely, I glanced over my shoulder to see a few more hands in the air, thank God for that.
It was time for sighting laps, I gave the car a quick once over and headed out into the cue trying to keep my composure, we were off. Jesus wept isn't the pace car supposed to take it steady, I'm properly scared here and he's minced off at an alarming rate, clinging on for dear life my first lap was completed. The second lap was rather amusing and annoying at the same time, heading into cascades at many leptons I notice oil all over the tracks surface glistening in the sun and try to scrub off as much speed as possible before turning in. It didn't seem to make much difference I was sideways and applying opposite lock, exiting the corner with a nice stain on my lucky pants but the car unscathed the pace slowed for the remainder of the sighting laps. Back in the garage the news was announced that the track was closing while they clean up, a focus dropped it's oil at cascades and all the way along to the aptly named shell oils.
What a great introduction to track days.
The track finally opened after midday and I was itching along with everyone else to get out, the weather had now improved and the track was moist but drying. My first session couldn't have gone better, fourth lap in and a black flag is waved in my direction, it doesn't make sense I've done nothing wrong. I headed back to the naughty box for a good telling off, 'sorry we have got the wrong car' and with that I headed straight back out. I had a few moments on that first session much to the amusement of my mate who was sat in the passenger seat.
https://youtu.be/jrcVg9BPPM0
I will add some more to this when I get a little more time over the next few day's, I've got a load of footage to go through and numerous photographs but here's the first session including black flag.
https://youtu.be/fc81RkjHtf4