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02.04.2004: The bigger Saabs |
Sadly, only one of them will be on the track today. I'd really like to
see that black Aero in action.
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02.04.2004: Nine Hondas |
Of 28 student cars 15 were Hondas, including nine S2000's. Those always
stayed together.
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02.04.2004: Hondas |
How do they tell one car from another? ;)
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02.04.2004: Instructors |
In the red cap on the left is the school chief, Blake Nancarrow.
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02.04.2004: Derek Hanson's class |
The classes are useful and entertaining.
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02.04.2004: Entering the skidpad |
The first group of beginners is lining up.
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02.04.2004: In line |
A Corvette is getting ready for the braking exercise.
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02.04.2004: 400 horses in action |
It sure can accelerate fast.
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02.04.2004: Vette on the grass |
Oops! There's a lot of room for improvement. Not so much room on the
skidpad though.
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02.04.2004: Take off |
A red 900 Turbo is rushing forward.
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02.04.2004: 900 braking |
All the cones are intact. Good job, Cameron!
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02.04.2004: Back to the skidpad |
Coming back for another run.
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02.04.2004: Cameron |
You can tell this guy is happy ;).
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02.04.2004: Saab generations |
Two elder Saab fans are stopping by to discuss the car and the old times.
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02.04.2004: 1992 Saab 900 Turbo |
One of the last "true" Swedes produced. I too like the looks of the
classic Saabs.
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02.04.2004: In line to the skidpad |
My Saab is two generations newer. Still, it's already 6 years old.
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02.04.2004: 9-3 getting ready |
And here's the latest fruit of Trollhatten engineering.
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02.04.2004: The second group |
There were only three Saabs on the track that day.
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02.04.2004: S2000 accelerating |
This is the excercise to learn the oversteer and understeer control.
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02.04.2004: S2000 doing a 180 |
The instructor is pulling a handbrake in your car, and you need to recover.
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02.04.2004: Balancing out |
Cameron is sliding sideways.
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02.04.2004: 9-5 speeding up |
Then you get to play on your own, combining the braking with steering and
throttle inputs.
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02.04.2004: 9-5 leaning |
I had a chance to apply these skills just 20 minutes after this exercise,
when I nearly spun out...
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02.04.2004: 9-5 turning |
...in that nasty puddle in the corner #14 (the puddle is seen in the
video),
but I was able to recover.
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02.04.2004: 535 taking off |
This 8-cylinder 1990 BMW is fast. I had him on my tail for some time on the
track...
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02.04.2004: 535 skidding |
...Being heavy, he couldn't keep up in the corners, but the rate he
was gaining on me on the straights was amazing.
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02.04.2004: 535 backwards |
He just did a 180.
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02.04.2004: Ready to go |
Corvette looks fast even when it's not moving.
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02.04.2004: Slalom exercises |
In slalom, you had to navigate between the cones on the slippery road.
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02.04.2004: Slalom exercises |
These tires must have a lot of grip.
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02.04.2004: Skidpad |
Skidpad is a round patch of pavement covered with water, which makes it
quite slippery.
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02.04.2004: S2000 on the skidpad |
The plate on this yellow S2000 says "NOTDADDS".
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02.04.2004: S2000 on the skidpad |
Another S2000. White body, blue top.
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02.04.2004: Robin |
Rob looks excited. It is his first time with this school.
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02.04.2004: Heading out |
Driving behind a slow car is awkward, as you tend to follow it
and repeat the same mistakes.
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02.04.2004: Stuck behind the Honda |
Once you overcome that, you can take time to refine corners at low speed.
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02.04.2004: About to pass |
Finally, his instructor is telling him to let me through.
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02.04.2004: In the pit |
The track session is over, I'm discussing the mistakes with my instructor.
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02.04.2004: Good company |
My car is in the good company of an S2000, a Corvette and a Viggen.
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02.04.2004: 240Z onto the straight |
A 1971 Datsun from the advanced group.
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02.04.2004: Integra accelerating |
One fast Integra Type R.
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02.04.2004: 325 on Nelson 7 |
A BMW entering the straight.
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02.04.2004: The grandstands |
You can watch the race from here if the weather is good.
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02.04.2004: Washrooms |
The most important facility on the track ;).
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02.04.2004: 20.1L/100km |
The average fuel rate through the day. I can tell it
peaked much higher, as I burnt 40 litres of gas.
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