Marulan Driver Training Day July 2016
06 July 2016 / Story: Andrew Digny Photos: Grant Webber
After an early rise at a Goulburn Motel and stepping outside to a car covered in ice, it was a quick trip up the highway to the Thredbo sorry Marulan Driver Training Centre. What exactly was this day going to provide. There was a little trepidation as I have never taken a car around any type of race track. Sure I have been faster than Daniel Ricciardo (in my dreams) around a number of leisure go-kart tracks over the years, but the outward bravado did hide a few nerves, never the less.
To be honest I wasn’t sure what such a small track could provide other than as it is named, ‘a driver training centre’. I stand corrected, as the day was an extremely fulfilling day, the track is technical and demands constant attention, but let’s start at the beginning.
We all arrived, signed on, then received a driver briefing before a walk of the track. On the track walk I did note that some of those tyre walls and embankments do look close to the track, most notably the tyre wall surrounding the final bend before the main straight and inclusive of paint deposits from previous mishaps. Even a driver training track can bite.
So my time has arrived (I’m in group 2) and it is time for that first experience on the track. I don my helmet, slip into the car to move it to the track entrance for my adviser, only to discover I can only drive my car with the roof down when wearing a helmet (I’m only 175 cm tall). Here’s hoping all future track days are sunny.
The first three rounds included instruction from three different experienced drivers and thanks to my advisers (Steve Green, Luke Kovacic and Ed Cory) I quickly learnt a few new skills. I particularly appreciated the insights into the best racing lines around the track and even learning that a quick change up to 3rd gear, followed by a quick tap on the brakes for weight transfer and then foot to the floor was faster around a particular corner rather than trying to redline it in 2nd gear, see you can teach an old dog new tricks (thanks Luke).
After that it was as many rounds as possible of trying to improve my track skills (in preparation for that inevitable Daniel Ricciardo race confrontation that is going to occur in some dream in the future). From a first timer’s perspective it was interesting to watch some of the more experienced drivers meticulously adjusting tyre pressures in the pits, visions of a Yokohama Time Attack event sprung to mind.
So it is 3pm and my wife is bored and wants to go home (she has sat in the café since 9am this morning, god bless her soul) and the flag marshall’s box still has the ‘group 7’ sign displayed. So with seven groups at 10 minute intervals, that takes us past the 4pm closing time. It’s now 3.01pm, will he, won’t he, will he, won’t he, and the flag marshall leans out the window, removes the ‘group 7’ sign and put the ‘group 1’ sign out again, yee haa, be with you in 20 more minutes darling (this is going to cost me).
Absolutely fabulous day and many thanks to the organisers and advisors.
More of Grant's Photos: HERE
