Conditions couldn’t have been better at a sunny Kirkistown Circuit on the Newtownards Peninsula for the first Trackskills bring-your-own track day. There were clear sunny skies and despite the low temperatures the grip levels were good.
The turnout was decent for the first track day of the year too: 206 GTis, an RX8, a v10 M5, Leons, Fiestas and a Z4 engined 3 Series compact among others turned out along with myself in the Lotus Evora and an M135i (above).
I’ve driven here several times on and off over the years but following on with what some of my friends have done at the ‘ring and got some pro tuition I thought why not do the same here. On chatting with Donal O’Neill, one of the event organisers he arranged for me to get some hints and tips on driving the Kirkistown Circuit from a race competitor.
Greer Wray hopped into the passenger seat and before I knew it I was putting in faster and smoother laps than ever. Turning and braking points were finessed and my confidence grew enormously especially when approaching the debtors kink at maximum attack. I’d highly recommend this to anyone – just speak to Donal and the guys on the day.
Trackskills returns to Kirkistown on Sunday 11th March.
Photos by Jimmy Graham
