SPA Trackday

Trackday Report

GBH goes to the Nurberg Ring and Spa’ with the MLR.

 

On the morning of Saturday the 26th Bob and Dan from GBH loaded up the trusty old Silvia trackcar and set off for Dover. On route we met up with Alan Zini who had his rare old Lancer Turbo and Jim who was towing a slightly aged Cavalier SRI130. Jim races a BMW but after a last minute problem the old Cavalier was dragged out of a field,(where it had sat for a couple of years since its last trackday, given a wash and had the brakes freed off - a main dealer service then!). We had signed up for a trackday at the famous Spa circuit, in Belgium, organised by the MLR (Mitsubishi Lancer Register: www.lancerregister.com). We regularly attend MLR days as they offer excellent value for money, open pit lane, good organisation and a high standard of driving. Spa was the first MLR day across the water so we were looking forward to a memorable trip!

There was a small ‘extra’ to the weekend, which was a trip to the Nurberg Ring on Sunday. Despite the nearly constant rain it was cracking day with a wide variety of interesting cars to look at. Everything from a Lambo Murcialargo to an Audi V8 (with Nitrous) and plenty of Porsche GT3 RS’s. Jim took his Cavalier for a quick lap, which didn't look out of place, what with the tourist coaches, builders vans and dodgy old estate cars going round... some of the MLR lads got hot lap rides in an Evo 9 FQ360, driven by a ‘Ring instructor, which was a real eye opener... (The Silvia stayed on the trailer as its not road legal). Later in the afternoon regular customers Rob Horne and Kevin Hales turned up in their 34 and 33 GTR’s, along with a couple of mates in 33’s and 32’s. Rob’s 34 GTR caused quite a stir in the parking area when the bonnet came up. Nothing like a big single turbo to get tongues wagging!

After a good nights kip (aided by a couple of beers and a nice meal!) we were at a rainswept Spa’. It was pi**ing down!! Signing-on and drivers' briefing were short and professional and then we were out on the sighting laps peering through the spraystorm of the car in front. We’d just fitted a new set of tyres to the Silvia - Yokohama Paradas, in a sensible 215/40 profile and these turned out to be absolutely superb in the wet conditions. If it rains heavily on a trackday we normally park the Silvia as 300+bhp through the rear wheels, with old part worn road tyres, makes things too hairy, but the Paradas transformed the car. Alan took the car out for a few laps as well and was also amazed at the grip levels.

Even streaming wet you could really lean on the car and get traction during and on the exit of, the bends. All the Evo boys seemed to be enjoying themselves, with the extra grip provided by all-wheel-drive, the rain wasn't spoiling there day either. There were a few odd shunts on the day unfortunately, happily none in the Evo camp. Although two Porsches and two Skylines went home on the back of recovery trucks looking decidedly second hand... Jim in his old ‘fifty quid’ Cavalier (his words) had a blinding day and covered over 300 miles on-track. Jim now reckons the ‘Cav’s worth £75 as it has ‘pedigree’! Alan’s Lancer went all day with no problems, except a steering problem which meant it struggled to go in a straight line! Rob and Kev in their Skylines ran reliably all day too. (What did you expect with GBH built engines?!).

The day was all the more memorable as Darin (who runs the MLR) had organised with the Spa officials for children of any of thedrivers, to have the chance to ride round the circuit with their parents, following a course car, at the end of the day... Bob’s son Zack was waiting patiently since around 10.00am for his ride out! What circuit in the UK would ever dream of doing that??

As the circuit closed there was a fast loading up of the cars and a mad dash to the ferry to make sure we could be back at the workshop in the morning. (Most of the Evo boys stayed on for the free Barbeque the MLR had laid on at one of the hotels). Our only hic-up was Jim running out of diesel in his Transit (tow)van, which saw us tying it to the back of our trailer and towing the lot down the E40 motorway behind our poor old VW transporter!! Never let it be said, GBH dont get everybody home!!

Big thanks to Darin and Mechell at the MLR for a blinding weekend. And Yokohama, without who things would have been very different!!

Next trackday is back in this country: Cadwell Park on Friday the 29th of September. If you want to go along check out the MLR website or drop us a mail.