Astra H VXR Sprint

The latest information:

Nankang’s latest MSA approved tyre is on its way…

The new NANKANG AR-1 will be available in 15″ to 18″ in the first phase, with more sizes to be added over the coming months

The AR-1 is looking to be a faster, more refined track tyre, aimed at the track enthusiast who is hunting lap times.

With only one compound option and with all tyres being produced with 5.5mm tread depth, the AR-1 is positioning itself in amongst the greats of the track tyre market.

Though the AR-1 is a List 1C tyre (for 2016), it has recently achieved EU tyre labelling meaning it could easily fit in amongst the MSA List 1B tyres for 2017.

The RAC MSA 2016 Approved Tyres Listing:

RAC MSA Blue Book Section L Tyres 2016

RAC MSA Blue Book Section L Tyres 2016

Saturday’s trackday at Snetterton (20th February) was yet another enjoyable event. Great organisation by MSVT and the staff at the circuit.

Conditions were however tricky to say the least. It was dry and overcast upon arrival and overnight rain had left the circuit damp and the racing line was slippery and conditions too some getting used to. Even crossing over the dry line in the wet caused the rear to loose grip on occasion, with only one minor off onto the grass just after Riches. A drying track towards mid morning made it much easier and a reasonable dry line appeared.

Expected heavy rain at lunchtime was only an hour or so of light rain so it was back to using the wet line in the afternoon, on a much emptier circuit.

A mid morning alternator light after only a two or three sessions, brought that session to a premature close, the fault being a shredded multi-v belt. Strange considering it was an almost new Conti belt. Fitted a spare previously used Gates belt which sorted the issue getting the car back up and running, with no further issues for the rest of the day.

Other than a failed alternator belt, the car performed faultlessly all day. All in all another great day.

A routine check of the front brake pads prior to the first trackday of the year. With around 6.5-7mm of material remaining (new pads have 10mm of pad material), these pads are about half worn so will be fine for the next couple of trackdays.

Prior to this season’s trackdays it was time to check over the rear brakes as on visual inspection the pads looked a little low.

Rear pads are not expensive at under £25 a set, so it made sense to replace them as they were about 60% worn. Having covered 4,000 miles, they certainly wouldn’t last the coming 2016 season.

New set of Pagid pads:

Pagid Rear Pad Set