Track-club, the UK’s first track day car hire club, is updating its track day fleet. The Radical is likely to go and be replaced by a Lotus Circuit Car (see pic) -- the car featured exclusively here on PistonHeads last August (see link below) -- while the Lotus Exige and Elise will be updated with newer versions.
Radical changes to the fleet
2006 will see some new cars. Stephen Docherty from track-club said that the club has listened and learned a lot during the first year of the club's operation and the 2006 fleet will reflect this experience. As an example, he said that the club's highly tuned Elise and the K Series-engined Exige will both be making way for newer more reliable versions.
It's also likely that the Radical will be replaced by a Lotus Circuit Car. Docherty said that the Radical is a superbly capable car but is too much of a race car to be easy for members to use. Docherty said that the Lotus should offer significant benefits in reduced running costs and improved reliability, ultimately benefiting club members over time.
The Lotus Circuit Car is expected to join the rapid Caterham CSR 260 as one of the favourite cars in the fleet. Track-club director Max Stringer said that even though the CSR had only joined the fleet in September it had proved a total hit with every member who had driven the car. The club said that almost one third of members had taken the car out between September and February and it had performed faultlessly on every occasion. Every member found it very easy to drive.
Other changes will see a Clio 182 replace the club's popular but ultimately ageing 16v 205 GTi. The fleet changes will be phased in during the forthcoming months.
Membership and price changes
Prices in 2006 will stay at the same levels as 2005 and existing members will receive a loyalty discount. Track-club said that around one third of members have already renewed or indicated they are renewing, even though most aren’t due until March, April and May. The club said that many members were upgrading to the arrive and drive levels of membership.
The club will continue with its different membership options catering for different levels of track day use. It said it has now refined the Arrive & Drive membership options, making this level of membership better value. This makes life easier for those who’d rather just drive to the track, do their track day and then drive home at the end of the day, said the club.
The Arrive & Drive Monza and Monaco levels of membership levels are priced at £2,995 and £5,995 and cover two drivers, giving between five and 12 days of track time, depending on the cars used. Cars are delivered to the circuit prior to the track briefing and included in the membership is the fuel, insurance and helmets if required. All a member needs is to pay is the track fee -- and the club usually arranges a discount on that -- and have a good time.
Daily track car hire is also available which can work out as low as £70 per day. The club also runs open days from time to time. For more details, contact Stephen Docherty on 0870 24 25 402.
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