Castle Combe talk through laps and opinions with costs

[@StephenBanyar]

This track's great! I partipated in the Year 9's Greenpower F24 electric kart race with nine classmates at this track two years ago. Unfortunately, because of lockdown, we ended up doing it a bit later, we were heavier Year 11s by the time we got the chance to build our kart and race, we were at a disadvantage, especially compared to the lightweight Year 9's with their souped up, CAD-designed, aerodynamic fibreglass karts. Our un-aerodynamic, aluminium paneled, bodged-together kart finished 36th, but at least they gave us the 'Best newcomers' award. (Probably because we didn't break down.) Once I'm done with the insurance black-box, I'll return to Castle Coombe in my '06 Swift. Great video as always, Richard!

[@neblolthecarnerd]

Castle Combe is probably the track closest to me. I've been to quite a few race events there (including the one where the lap record was set). Hopefully I can go to a track day there one day but that's probably at least a few years away since I've only just started learning to drive. Fun fact (that's I think decently well known): Quarry is statistically the most crashed corner on a UK race circuit

[@fatihuguz.]

will you try nordschedelife nurbirngring

[@RichardFanders]

It's far away but it's something I may do in the future.

[@shadgrind]

I have an MX5, 2019 spec, but dosen’t have lane keep assist or blind spot/cross traffic monitoring. You would like it, live quite near Castle Combe (used to do driving instruction, in and around Andover. I watch a lot of your stuff, you are both knowledgeable and interesting. Must do another track day soon, only done about four in cars, but about 20 on big motorcycles 600-1000cc. Cadwell was the first trackday I did, both on bikes, 1996 and car 2014! On the bike at Cadwell I came off the track onto the grass on Park Corner but didn’t drop it and early on an autumnal day in the car, had a huge slide on Barn Corner, under trees in, at the start of the day, damp and cold, eejit!!

[@RichardFanders]

That must have been scary!

[@joshsmith1507]

Just a note on tyres, which i find personally on this track. FWD, nankang AR1'sand the car weighs around 900kgs. The circuit is nearly all right hand bends and fast ones at that, and i find that the tyre on the N/S/F wears excessively, whereas the O/S/R barel wears at all. Aslong as you rotate the tyres where needed though its not too bad. Brake pad wear is situational ofcourse, but running at 100% and being very heavy on the brakes (Willwood Superlites with DS3000 pads) i found they last approx 3 days on this circuit. Avon rise into Quarry is a very sketchy corner, takes alot to master, personally i enjoy the back straight into tower the most, going 120+ into a tight right hander with no run off takes alot of guts!

[@DonMagicJosh]

Loving your videos mate, just put a deposit on an MX5 and these track day videos have me so excited to pick mine up this weekend. I've heard you mention you have the Bilstein Dampers but so you also have the Eibach Pro springs? Also do you run with traction control/ stability control on or off?

[@ik749]

At 9:55 I realized that when you changed gears the engine sound was high pitched, then rpms dropped a little bit and then started accelerate once you fully depressed clutch. Is it because you added gas before releasing clutch to bite point? And does this burn the clutch? Huge fan of you and your other channel called Conquer driving.

[@ianwilson2204]

Hey. Just in the process of buying an mx5 and have been enjoying your videos. Just wondered, when you go for a track day, I presume you change the brake pads at home first? And how are they for road driving on the way over / back. I presume they like more heat, so are they a bit sketchy on the Road? Thanks.

[@highsoap]

good thing i finished the vid. i was wondering why it's a bit sluggish after coming out of the bends.

[@RichardFanders]

I didn't film the driving I did when I left the hand brake on. What you saw is what it does.

[@CdotPoppy]

Enjoyed that!

[@oliverattwell8013]

Great video!!

[@animationcreations42]

It'd be interesting to know what your process is for visiting a new track for the first time and learning it. Do you do research before you get there to see what the best lines are, do you play the track virtually in a game, or do you just go in blind and try and just get a feel for it on the sighting laps? Also, have you thought about tracking the mighty Leon?

[@RichardFanders]

I just turn up and drive, I don't have any computer games. I have tried watching videos before but I don't remember it. I find 150 miles is what it usually take for me to learn a typical circuit.

[@RichardFanders]

I have thought about tracking the Leon but it's my work car and it would mean I'd have to prefer it for track with different brakes. Doesn't make sense when I have a sports car, so far I've only ever tracked rear wheel drive cars.

[@walkwithmokey]

Decent video 🤙 looking forward to going there next year. Only 50mins from me

[@keithevans4643]

Nice one turn your lane assist OFF turn ABS off as well. I would agree with keeping to the right and braking until you’ve gone over the rise or the car can go light especially if you’ve go a lot of power. I thought that was good driving

[@UnH1ng3d]

I imagine quite a few mx-5 customers may want to use the handbrake for drifting, I doubt they would appreciate a warning noise. It would be best if you could choose to disable each chime individually in my opinion. Thanks for the video :)

[@RichardFanders]

That's a very good point, I didn't think of that, it's probably a deliberate choice. However, not a over 100mph though.

[@keiserious]

Do all tracks in UK allow windows up?

[@RichardFanders]

They encourage windows up. Personally I prefer windows up and roof on when on track so I don't get blown around. It also provides some protection from flying debris at high speed.

[@cankut98]

Hello; your mx5 is 2.0 liters or 1.5liters?

[@RichardFanders]

It's a 2.0 with 184ps

[@richfixescars]

Cool video, reminds me of my day there in my ND in 2021. Have a look at my video, lots slower than you, but I was doing almost 100mph on the straight. Have you thought of using Race Render for telemetry, it's free. I think you can turn the lane keeping and attention assist off.

[@RichardFanders]

Thank you. I've not heard of that app, I will check it out. I keep the lane attention system off.

[@AKAMustang]

Does this mean you bought some new brake pads after the disappointment with the last ones?

[@RichardFanders]

Yes, I used the last set and went back to DS2500s.

[@markwarne-d1y]

Too far left on the first corner. Aim for the lights hanging from the fence

[@dorsetdriver9692]

That's 2 things you totally suck at, driving instruction and track driving. Quite an achievement.