Team Durango - UK Winter Series

[lotussmart]

Hi guys, glad the majority enjoyed it, we like to give racers a challenge and looking at these posts we achieved that. We like to do things differently :-) and with everyone on control tyres it was an even playing field with everyone caught by surprise and having to change setups. We haven't decided what the surface will be next time round, we had planned on a painted surface but as it's only 3 weeks off and we won't have time to test it before we commit with a paint brush it will, most likely be 60% wood 40% carpet, so there's a bit of an insight for you. (last one was 90% wood, 10% carpet).

Now to address the comments on the heating, we reached a peak temperature at the far end of the pits of 13C, at that point the outside temperature was -6C, that's a 19C difference. Still cold but the insulated roof over the pits made a big difference. We use profits to improve the facility (just look at our opening pictures on the website) so bear with us, we'll get there eventually. We are just a bunch of racers with day jobs having fun and covering our costs :-).

[RogerM]

I must say that I really enjoyed the first event but much less so this one.

For me the biggest problem was the car killing main jump ... I can't remember the last time I saw so many broken cars in a single event. I spoke to lots of people who had shock tower failures just from landing flat past the jump and I personally got taken out so many times by people jumping through me as I tried to land on the top to save the car it wasn't funny. I think a bit of "give" under the landing zone would have sold those problems.

The wooden surface, well that is a matter of taste I guess. What did I think personally? Have to say I liked it but thought it would be good to have a blend with more carpet, maybe 50/50 of 60/40 in favour of the carpet as the slippy stuff seemed to eat tires on some cars (luckily not mine!).

I have to say a big thumbs up though for the crew at Ardent learning from each event and being brave enough to try new things ... much better than the "we know best and will do the same as we have for the last 20 years" mind set of some places.
Stick at it guys, your definitely getting there!

See you again for the next one.

[telboy]

I liked the surface, much better than silly high grip of carpet. If we wanted high grip racing we'd all be racing touring cars.

The only gripe I had with the track was that some parts were a little narrow and that the jumps seemed to blend in with the rest of the track, so a different colour wooden surface would be ok possibly green or grey, just so that everything is a bit easier to see.

Other than that, well run.

For some reason I had bad glitching from the middle of round one, but then as soon as the kitchen closed, it vanished and it was fine. Is there anything in the kitchen that could mess with 2.4gh frequencies?
Just strange that as soon as the kitchen closed I didn't have the glitching anymore. Blitz had the same problem too and his vanished as soon as the kitchen closed...wierd.

[jamiew]

Any vids from the 2nd round

[Smartalec]

Originally Posted by telboy

I liked the surface, much better than silly high grip of carpet. If we wanted high grip racing we'd all be racing touring cars.

As I saqid, i'm sure some would love it and others wouldn't, bit like Marmite
Nothing wrong with a bit of slippy here and there, just not the whole track.

From speaking to a lot of people on the day the opinion seemed to be that the carpet was removed to stop the touring car guys moaning, not sure if that's true or not but from my experience the most "damage" to a carpet comes from screws in the chassis of touring cars that are run too low, hence why most indoor tracks throughout the country have bits of tape stuck all over the rips ............ definitely not caused by buggies.

Aylesbury club ran the same carpet for about 10 years when all we had were buggies, they've had 2 lots of carpet in the last four or five years since they've been only running touring cars

[lotussmart]

No, I can assure you it's not because the TC drivers moaned about the grip as it wasn't affected last time and we only had 1 hole created at round 1 and that was our fault as we didn't have the carpet covered at that point. We just wanted to do something different and push some boundaries. :-) Hope you come back for Round 3 on the 19th. Those already raced here and wanting to book in just need to supply name and car type, we have your other details. Might even have some Halogen heaters on the rostrum and in the pits. Dead posh eh! :-)

No idea how the kitchen could be affecting radios, but will investigate. we have wifi in the building might disable that next time just in case.

[DaveG28]

Do you have CCTV, I think that's 2.4ghz if it's a wireless system?

For what it's worth, I love slippy, in fact even slippier if possible (canvas!), but it would be good to know before we go what the surface is, for example I sometimes don't take any spare/new tyres if I'm expecting a surface where they won't work!

Only other thing, any chance of colouring the track markers at the corner apex's, might be my eyes but I have struggled to see them at both rounds so far?

Keep up the good work though, I've enjoyed both meetings so far and 13/14 heats in your first year of buggies is a great turn out!!

[RogerM]

Dave, good call on the corner apexes ... I think both Alex and I raised that last time along with yourself ... no need to go to town, a bit of coloured tape would do fine!

Count me in for the 19th, all details the same as for the first 2.

[estebandonde]

fficeffice" />>>
Microwave frequencies work between 300Mhz and 300Ghz and some mainly work between 1Ghz-----2.4-------300Ghz>>
>>
It’s definitely possible that the use of the microwave will cause some glitching---Futabas should be ok though>>
>>
Just make sure you don’t order a meat pie before it’s your turn to race!>>

[DaveG28]

Originally Posted by RogerM

Dave, good call on the corner apexes ... I think both Alex and I raised that last time along with yourself ... no need to go to town, a bit of coloured tape would do fine!

Count me in for the 19th, all details the same as for the first 2.

Is the next round 19th Dec?

[lotussmart]

Sure is, see:

http://www.ardentracing.com/teamdura...eries/when.php

Bet it's the microwaves!!, if we put alu foil top and bottom of the counter and at the back of the counter where they sit would that help does anyone know? My knowledge of Microwaves is limited :-)

[lotussmart]

Results available online, see http://www.ardentracing.com/teamdurangowinterseries/ and click on results.

Combined results shall be done shortly to show current series standings.

Here's a couple of track pics of what we are now referring to the "Slippy Desert Track".

[Dudders]

Originally Posted by lotussmart

Sure is, see:

http://www.ardentracing.com/teamdura...eries/when.php

Bet it's the microwaves!!, if we put alu foil top and bottom of the counter and at the back of the counter where they sit would that help does anyone know? My knowledge of Microwaves is limited :-)

Put the foil inside, more fun!

[simoncrabb]

Wowah! That's not carpet! You crazy Ardent kids!

What's the surface going to be for Petit?

[mikeyscott]

Originally Posted by simoncrabb

Wowah! That's not carpet! You crazy Ardent kids!

What's the surface going to be for Petit?

My thoughts too, would like it to be carpet and control tyres

[super__dan]

Hi,

Could I also ask if we could know well in advance that the next round will be asimilair surface to the Petit race as that's why I'm coming. I don't mind whatever it is, but broadly similair to Petit surface.

Many thanks,

Dan

[lotussmart]

I believe, but check the rules do not take my word for it, that providing you have Schumacher tyres you are ok. Surface will be 60% slippy, 40% carpet, or 50/50.

Also those causing panic in France over the temperature on Sunday, please note highs of -6 is pretty extreme for the UK and judging by the number of frozen and burst coke and pepsi bottles on the car park it caught you out too. We managed to get the pits up to 13C. If it's looking like it will still be VERY cold for the Petit then we will simply hire some heaters!!! It's not a big issue, job done, we are intelligent people (kind of :-).

[GRIFF55]

I quite enjoyed the surface, it was different and the grip level wasn't bad at all. My only gripe would be as the light was fading the track markings were blending into the wood, brighter marking corner markers would work.
One thing that i also think would be an improvement is to add another lot of steps on the other side of the rostrum to exit after the race/practice.

Sorry i had to leave before the finals but it was getting colder outside and thought the journey would be safer earlier. Thanks for a good day

[njc11]

I really enjoyed the surface.. but as others have said i think track markings especially the corners need to stand out!!

Im happy with any mix of surface for the next one and petit..you best get those heaters booked for the petit 'cos it aint getting any warmer lol!

[mikeyscott]

For the amount being charged for the Petit entries and the numbers that have booked in I would expect their to be heating