MGs on Track - a passenger's view Ralph and Rene Coulson had been drawn to MGs on Track by the various entertaining reports written by other participants and an urge to enjoy our V8 Roadster a little more. Encouraged by the many comments by other first timers, they submitted their entry early for the MGs on Track day at Castle Combe 8th September 2008. Rene describes their day. (7.1.09) Leaving Taunton at 6.00am with a full tank we made good time and arrived at the circuit at 7.20am in perfect conditions - cool, cloudy, good visibility with no wind. Signing on started at 7.30am so we joined the other eager participants in the queue, paperwork ready. After checking in we were fitted with wristbands, red for the driver, green for passenger, and instructed to get the V8 noise level checked, then to return for a briefing at 8am. We joined the queue for testing and waited nervously as the other cars went through. Our turn came - we registered 99 decibels at 4500 rpm and were given the OK. We just scraped through - the limit was 100 decibels! Straight back for the briefing which was very thorough, then in the queue to be fitted with yellow wristbands to indicate that we had been briefed. The V8 group were on track first at 9am so as it was about 8.40am we went straight back to the car, took out all the unnecessary items, donned our helmets and joined our group to get on track. After the marshal had checked our wrist bands, helmets, seat belts etc we were allowed through the gate. Then we were out onto the pit lane and joining the track with the pace car several cars in front. After two laps for familiarization, the pace car pulled off and we were on our own. The first few laps were cautious, but gradually building up speed and rhythm we achieved a top speed of just over 85 mph on the straight. At this stage, we were happy to be overtaken by some of the faster drivers with more track experience. After 15 minutes on the track (about 7 laps) we were shown the chequered flag and cruised into the paddock feeling quite elated. Our neighbour in the paddock, with a 4.2 litre engine and sticky tyres, enquired how we had got on. When we revealed our top speed he replied that he had been "off the clock" on the start finish straight - and, yes, he had overtaken us more than once. You soon get to recognise the profile of the faster cars in the rear view mirror then, as instructed, indicate left and move over on the straight to give them plenty of room. The sound of a howling V8, as it passes, makes it all the more worthwhile. Anyway it was all about driving within your limits and not spoiling the enjoyment of others even if we did have "Captain Slow" syndrome. Between sessions we wandered around the paddock looking at the cars, chatted to the other participants and watched the cars out on track, but we found the time in between sessions was very short and before we knew it we were getting ready to go out again. Over the next three track sessions we improved our top speed on the straight to about 95 mph, and were gaining time through the chicanes, clipping the tyre bollards nicely! Then came the lunch break. The café was packed and the food on offer was very good and popular. We decided that Ralph should do a solo run in the 2 o'clock session so that I could get some Ralph Coulson with his passenger Rene in their V8 Roadster in Camp Corner approaching the start-finish line. photos - quite difficult through the wire mesh between the spectator areas and the track. However there was a serious photographer in the pits who got some good shots which we downloaded courtesy of the MGs on Track website. We both enjoyed the time on track, covering exactly 70 miles, scrubbed a bit off the tyres, warmed the brakes and boiled some grease out of the front hubs. I was a little disappointed we didn't quite make 100mph on the start-finish straight. So next year we hope to do a little better and not be passed too many times by other MGs. The organisation, friendship and discipline on track was very impressive. At no time did we feel, as novices, intimidated by other sometimes much faster drivers, such was the courtesy extended and the emphasis on everybody enjoying themselves in safety. V8 Roadster parked up in the paddock at Castle Combe. (Photo: Rene Coulson) Castle Combe Circuit - a good track for MGV8s.

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