Reyt then, Cadwell Park 31/07/2024.
I left Cadwell in June feeling frustrated with myself and the car. Feeling like I have failed the car in a way. Sure I had a good day and enjoyed my time on track as I always do unless there's outside factors effecting enjoyment (Such as a migrane part way through the day that happened at Cadwell in March.). But I was left thinking I've wasted so much money on the car to not have the confidence to drive it properly; that in tandem with the car not really being fun on the road anymore left me thinking if it was time to sell up and start again on an R26 or something that would be more road based.
Well the good news is I've seen the light and stop talking nonsense and to quote Jordan Belfort the clio is currently saying "I'm not F*cking Leaving" whilst it is sat in the garage.
Moving on from the trials and tribulations of Callum Tart; the Cadwell Trackday:
As mentioned in a previous post I wasn't flying solo on this day and was joined by friend Bean in his Cammed 200, Kris in his 182 and Tom in his Mk7 fiesta with a hybrid turbo. There were also a few other Mk3's there too, a mk4 as well. I think there was 15 clios in total, Like a mini cliosport fest.
First session came and went and weren't anything to note until I followed Kris out in his 182. I've never done a trackday with Kris before but he is what I'd call a bit of a vetran of cars and trackdays; as he has been doing them for almost 15 years at this point. I decided that it was my mission to try and keep with him as much as I could. Throwing out my nerves and sending it. Much to my amazement it worked. I was driving faster than I ever had before and managed to keep with him and even pass him! Which was great until the plastic part of my accelerator pedal fell off going into Park. So i decided to call it a session and returned to the pits.
Repaired the clio and headed out with my new found balls and found myself flying; even being asked by a guy in a meglio if my car was supercharged! As he couldn't believe I was keeping up with him... we will take that.
The afternoon came and went with the smile on my face growing as I gained my confidence in the car. With the only thing that came past on me on pace being some well sorted E36s, a 200 Race car and a GT4RS
I also went as a passenger for a session in Kris' 182 and realized 2 things. I am terrible passenger on track and that the mk2s are comnpletely different to mk3s. I think I might need one in my life at some point...
All in all I am extremely happy from the day and still a week on I am on high from it. Despite the car having a French moment during the last session of the day as has been detailed above
Things needed following this day:
- seat time
- tuition
- stop worrying
I really want to go back to Cadwell but I am currently feeling drawn towards Donington another track that I love but a track I always have bad luck at: span into gravel x 2, engine went pop and stuck fuel door on the clio when it went for a collecting cars meet. So we shall see.
Here are some photos of the day.
Mine and Kris' Baguettes
Tom;s MK7 FiST with my Harry's new to him GT4 (didn't go out on track as it needs PPF apparently)
clio197.net
