How to get started at Manfield?

jacobrjett · Post by **jacobrjett** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 2:03 pm

how does one go about getting to manfield in a normal car?

also what kind of atmosphere is it there? very competitive or what?

I wanna go and try it out for a while as its something ive always wanted to do, but i googled about it and all the threads i found are like 5 years old, on the manfield site they have test days but they say you need a rollcage etc.

I dont really want to try and push my car to its limits for a while either, one thing i need to work on is judging stopping distances before a corner and i hear manfield is where your likely to run out of brakes and fly off the track!

Leon · Post by **Leon** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 2:22 pm

It's pretty low key atmosphere, have a look at the Road and Track series that Manawatu car club run.

The best advice I would give you, is go along and watch how a day runs from start to finish before you run yourself.

Turn up nice and early (ideally with another competitor) and see how the paperwork goes, the scrutineering process, attend the driver's briefing, and get some rides in the silly seat of a caged car. Or say to the officials that you'd like to assist with some first time flag marshalling (it's really easy, they will put you out with somebody experienced, and they will feed and water you for the day, plus you can get some good photos).

That way, when/if you decide to enter something yourself, the whole process is familiar to you. Take *heaps* of pressure off when you know how everything works during a normal sprint day.

jacobrjett · Post by **jacobrjett** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 2:31 pm

wicked. had a look for that manawatu car and track thing - http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/2 ... 600x0w.jpg i think this is what you mean?

so im allowed two rookie events, and then i have to join a car club and get a motorsport license before I can keep going?

Wonder if theres anyone on here that would be happy to drag me along for a day...

1I1 · Post by **1I1** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 2:41 pm

What Leon said. Raod and Track are nicely run, sessions are only in 3 hot laps at a time.

The organisers also take people for driver training were they take a car load of people aound pointing out braking points, lines etc.

Other option is Playday on Track. But theres normally a pretty decent number of cars on the track at one time.

iOnic · Post by **iOnic** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 6:18 pm

Blew a hole in the sub :lol:

Replaced with one of the bigger rated subs.

Also got told to "Get a soobiee" at the lights. By a dude on a [human powered] bike. iLol'd.

So good day all in all.

phoenix · Post by **phoenix** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 8:36 pm

1I1 wrote:Other option is Playday on Track. But theres normally a pretty decent number of cars on the track at one time.

Trackday Promotions. Twice the price, half the cars, open pit, lunch provided, can take kids around at lunchtime, no cage for passengers, way more interesting cars present.

nz_climber · Post by **nz_climber** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 11:43 pm

+1 for the road and track series

Single car sprints, only about 6-8 cars on track with over a 5 sec gap, so plenty of room to move and do your own thing..

Only $75 for the day, for that I did 8 sprints and 1 10min(7 fast laps) session at the end of the day. (45-50 laps total for the day)

Paperwork is simple, turn up and sign in pretty much, scrutineering is easy I was there at 8am and the guy just came over for a chat and checked a few simple bits - helmet, overalls, extinguisher, battery and seat.

Come along and get involved, its great fun.. Next one is November from memory

jacobrjett · Post by **jacobrjett** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 9:37 am

sounds wicked. i might try it out! can the more nervous first timers like myself etc. choose if they wanna stick to the back of the pack or what?

1I1 · Post by **1I1** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 10:17 am

They always ask for the faster cars to start at the front, so you can start off the back if you like.

jacobrjett · Post by **jacobrjett** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 11:12 am

wicked.

im definately keen to come along to one of these. sucks to be a poor student wanting to do one of the most expensive hobbies. id really love to make what i have to do at 2am on weeknights on backroads a reality. (dont judge me you all do it) but i have my whole life ahead of me to build a proper car i guess.

id love to buy a runabout, remove every bit of deadening and carpet and unecessary stuff from my car, and get a cage, bazdas adjusties and some good tyres but i know that if i even think of trying that its probably going to end in tears on a student budget!!! :lol:

jacobrjett · Post by **jacobrjett** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 11:35 am

looking at the entry form for november.

http://www.motorsportmanawatu.org.nz/wp ... y-form.pdf

says roll cage - is that needed for rookie class?

getting a fire extinguisher and helmet is fair enough, but i am hoping to head along without any major modifications lol

STR · Post by **STR** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 11:39 am

jacobrjett wrote:(dont judge me you all do it)

No, no we don't. Some, sure but certainly not all!

1I1 · Post by **1I1** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 11:41 am

Have a read through here Jacob
viewtopic.php?t=88961&start=0

Cage isn't required - only if taking passengers. November rounds are the back track rather than the normal 3km circuit.

touge_ae101 · Post by **touge_ae101** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 12:20 pm

Racecars suit student life 100%! Strip it out and get serious about it. can be done on the cheap if you do all the work yourself. standard cars make perfect racecars for a beginner!

I spent more time on my car being a student than now that I'm working.

Don't be stressed out about manfield. join the car club (email Julian on the website) and join up for $75. Then you can do single or dual car sprints as well as days like the backtrack coming up.

Drive to track-->race it-->break it-->fix it-->drive it home-->thrash it erryday

jacobrjett · Post by **jacobrjett** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 2:10 pm

starting to think i should have taken headshotnz's offer for his widebody gt4 a few months ago... that would have made a sweet car for this...

STR wrote:
jacobrjett wrote:(dont judge me you all do it)

No, no we don't. Some, sure but certainly not all!

allow me to rephrase then lol... im sure that at some point, everyone on here has done it, back in the day even if they dont do it anymore, and if im wrong, then im surprised!!!

Quint · Post by **Quint** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 3:00 pm

When you're a student, you're too poor, when you have a job, you don't have the time.

Shrike · Post by **Shrike** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 3:44 pm

Quint wrote:When you're a student, you're too poor, when you have a job, you don't have the time.

When I win lotto

STR · Post by **STR** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:02 pm

jacobrjett wrote:starting to think i should have taken headshotnz's offer for his widebody gt4 a few months ago... that would have made a sweet car for this...

STR wrote:
jacobrjett wrote:(dont judge me you all do it)

No, no we don't. Some, sure but certainly not all!

allow me to rephrase then lol... im sure that at some point, everyone on here has done it, back in the day even if they dont do it anymore, and if im wrong, then im surprised!!!

That's better :wink:

Truenotch · Post by **Truenotch** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 6:43 pm

Good advice on here. Road and Track is the easiest way to get into entry level motorsport and you've got the added bonus that the club runs the day efficiently.

If they offer a morning session to see the lines, go and do it! The guys that drive you around have done a lot of laps and have helped people to develop as drivers this year.

+1 to racing during study. I did 3 years of Road and Track, Winter racing etc while studying... It can be done if you manage your funds / course related costs.

touge_ae101 · Post by **touge_ae101** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 7:25 pm

Where course related costs = new set of race tyres! (For transport and whatnot)