Now being a typical, red blooded male I like to think I can drive a bit. I mean I've sat and watched the BTCC and imagined that if only I had been given the sort of chances those guys had I could probably be pretty good. I mean, how hard can it be?
So, when I finally found my way to the track the first thing was the noise test. I had to hold my car at 4 500 RPM and keep my fingers crossed it stayed below 101 decibels. It read 94.4 - result.
I parked up with all the other BMW's that were taking part as it was a BMW only event. It was also limited to novices with less than 3 prior track events having been done. There were a selection of new M3's, an 840, a few e36 M3's, an e34 M5 and an e30 with an s52 conversion. Mine was the oldest car and only e21. Anyway, I registered, grabbed my crash helmet and joined the drivers briefing.
In the briefing we were told about things like safety flags, where to over-take etc but we were also given good advice about looking after our cars. I never realised just how punishing 3 hot laps would be on my car. Certainly much harder than anything we do on the road anyway. When you think about it, 3 laps is about 12 miles and when do you ever drive totally flat out for 12 miles? We were also advised to take the time to do a cooling down lap before coming into the pits. I took that advice on board and whilst it might not be exactly exciting pottering around with hazzards on, I know my car benefitted from making the effort. After the briefing we headed out onto the track.
Initially, we went out 6 cars at a time and followed one of the driver schools M3's. We cruised around at about 60mph and it gave us all a chance to see the circuit for the first time. It was also the first time I had driven my car wearing a crash helmet with was a bit weird in itself. I also had to concentrate on keeping my hand at 10 to 2 on the steering wheel as advised. We did 3 laps before pitting and I could tell the old adrenalin was kicking in by the hand shakes!
It was actually far more nerve racking than I'd ever imagined it would be and this was just the start! 
Once everyone had done their 3 ''sight laps'' the pit lane was open. As everything was new to me I waited for another car to go and figured that I could try and tag on to them and let them show me the way round. There were cones showing turn in points, apex etc and so I headed out on track. I didn't want to be one of those people who goes barreling into the first corner way too fast so I took my time and gradually let my speed build. It was great to be able to push a little harder through the corners and really start to test, not only my driving, but the limit of my car too. I tried to be smooth, braking later and keeping a good line through the corners. There was a lot to take in though and I found it hard to look as far ahead as I knew I should be. I wanted to be looking through the corners rather than at them. As I pushed harder, and drove quicker, I began to feel the limit of my cars ability too. 4 laps and the brakes began to fade so I kept to 3 laps plus one for cooling with a bit of a rest in between. I have to say that it was the best £40 I have spent in a very long time.
After an hour or so and about 16 laps, I had a half hours instruction. It turned out my instructor was a bit of an e21 fan and had owned a 320 himself. He let me drive the first lap at my own pace and than began to guide me around the circuit. He told me what gear, where to brake, where to lift and help turn-in, where to run wide and where to corner flat. Till this point, I thought I had driven quite quickly but, with his help, I began to lap a whole lot faster. I was really surprised and just how hard I was able to push my old e21 and at just how well it went. I also became aware at just how physically demanding driving flat out could be. My arms still ached a day later! It was just so addictive too. The feeling when I got a corner right, combined with hearing the instructor tell me I had done it well, was fantastic. At some points on the circuit, particularly the corner that brings you out onto the pit straight, I would never have believed you could pedal an old e21 round so quickly! As you can probably tell, I enjoyed myself! I know it was an added expense having instruction, but I learnt so much in that short time. It was worth every penny.
Hopefully, I'll have some action shots soon and I have some in-car video to upload although I imagine it'll be pretty boring to anyone but me.
There's another event at Bedford in August and I'm definately up for going back. There's also Silverstone in October. If you get the chance to do a track day, take it. It was just so much fun and it would be great to get a few more e21's going.Oh yeah.... So, how hard can it be? Bloody hard.
fun story Mark! Compliments for not being an ass and taking that instruction... that's where the big steps are made, glad you feel the same way. Now you are exploring the boundaries of your own skills and some of the tech limitations of your cars' current state... nothing wrong with the car but the limitations of the car are much further than you think... driving skills is the limit in 99% of the cases. You think it has to do with grip or suspension, but actually it has to do with you balancing the car, choose the right turn in, drive the right lines, and yes looking ahead much further... which will help you in everyday traffic as well.
