Driving an Exige Slow on Track
Discussion
Quiet afternoon, daydreaming... I've always loved the Exige S2s, especially an Exige S in white or green. I also like trackdays.
It's a natural daydream to think about getting one in the future, and tracking it. However, I'm not a massively quick driver on track. I approach track driving like a fast country road drive where I can push a little harder and not worry about oncoming traffic or police. I dont push for lap times.
If you were at a track day and saw someone in an Exige S, for example like the above, but driven relatively sedately, or to phrase it differently 's
t', what would you think?No problem whatsoever. Plus, if you go on Lotus-on-Track track days you'll be amongst the nicest driving standards of any track day (i.e. etiquette etc, not speed).
I once went on one of Goodwood's own track days and it was similar to what you would like to do - quite a few of the attendees had nice road cars (e.g. Ferrai 355, Morgan Aero 8, Aston V8) and just wanted to have a fun drive. It was expensive, but reassuringly so.
I once went on one of Goodwood's own track days and it was similar to what you would like to do - quite a few of the attendees had nice road cars (e.g. Ferrai 355, Morgan Aero 8, Aston V8) and just wanted to have a fun drive. It was expensive, but reassuringly so.
buy that colour. I'd be glad you were driving slow enough I could keep passing and enjoy the view
got held up last year by a guy who was not so confident but had the budget/taste to be in a 360CS
wasn't much of a hardship to be honest sitting behind him every time he nailed the throttle :-)
got held up last year by a guy who was not so confident but had the budget/taste to be in a 360CS
wasn't much of a hardship to be honest sitting behind him every time he nailed the throttle :-)
I only think it's a shame that a particular car is being driven slowly if it should be more or less evenly matched with mine - then I'm being deprived of a good comparison! As you would be enormously faster than me in an Exige S anyway, carry on
Seriously though, as long as you're courteous to other drivers and aren't doing one lap to everyone else's two or three, nobody will mind in the slightest.
Seriously though, as long as you're courteous to other drivers and aren't doing one lap to everyone else's two or three, nobody will mind in the slightest.
I've seen someone is essentially the same car (different colour), driving around very sedately at Cadwell.
They were pretty keen on rear observations and moved over as soon as they could to let cars past, so really didn't care. Must have been new, not so confident, everyone's been there. No one should think less of slow drivers.
They were pretty keen on rear observations and moved over as soon as they could to let cars past, so really didn't care. Must have been new, not so confident, everyone's been there. No one should think less of slow drivers.
I've only been on General track days where the vast majority are race cars/roll caged up etc. As long as you're abiding the signals to let others through I can't see anyone complaining.
Just by being at the track you are getting more out of the vehicle than the majority or car owners.
In my experience everyone is friendly and happy to see someone new with an interest in having a blast.
Just by being at the track you are getting more out of the vehicle than the majority or car owners.
In my experience everyone is friendly and happy to see someone new with an interest in having a blast.
I think nothing of slower cars on track days, especially the type of car. I just think it's a fellow enthusiast driving to a different rhythm.
So long as everyone is watching their mirrors and showing courtesy and giving the right amount of space, no problem. Issues normally only arise through ignorance of the rules or arrogance to whom they apply to.
So long as everyone is watching their mirrors and showing courtesy and giving the right amount of space, no problem. Issues normally only arise through ignorance of the rules or arrogance to whom they apply to.
I agree with the consensus.
You drive to your comfort zone and so long as you check your mirrors and let others pass - then you are the perfect trackdayer.
No different to what people do on out and in laps where you often see them indicating as well to make it obvious all other cars should pass.
You drive to your comfort zone and so long as you check your mirrors and let others pass - then you are the perfect trackdayer.
No different to what people do on out and in laps where you often see them indicating as well to make it obvious all other cars should pass.
I think you would be wasting the car and you should let me drive it!! I only say this because I am jealous and want one myself :P
On a serious note, I’ve seen all sorts on a track day. From people with "little money" driving "crap cars" "fast" to people driving "super cars" with not an ounce of talent.
All of this makes not a jot of difference to how I perceive them, as long as they are having fun, they are safe and courteous on track so they aren’t spoiling other peoples enjoyment then that’s really all that matters. There are no prizes on a track day. The only people “winning” are those smiling all day and taking the car home in one piece.
The only people that get the odd looks from me are the ones giving it large in the pit lane, with a fully stripped and "race preped" car, standing in their racing baby grow, that are getting passed all day by shopping car.
On a serious note, I’ve seen all sorts on a track day. From people with "little money" driving "crap cars" "fast" to people driving "super cars" with not an ounce of talent.
All of this makes not a jot of difference to how I perceive them, as long as they are having fun, they are safe and courteous on track so they aren’t spoiling other peoples enjoyment then that’s really all that matters. There are no prizes on a track day. The only people “winning” are those smiling all day and taking the car home in one piece.
The only people that get the odd looks from me are the ones giving it large in the pit lane, with a fully stripped and "race preped" car, standing in their racing baby grow, that are getting passed all day by shopping car.
Munter said:
I spent Monday in my MX5 passing a number of Exiges at Spa. 
Until it dried up and most of the owners felt able to push. 
If nothing else you'll make the guys in "slower" cars happy that they are able to catch or keep up with something "fast".
Yep, when it rains all the MX5s go out ;-) Until it dried up and most of the owners felt able to push. If nothing else you'll make the guys in "slower" cars happy that they are able to catch or keep up with something "fast".
Apart from having very controllable oversteer they're also cheaper and easier to fix. you really don't want a cracked Lotus clam... that plays on the mind.
Please bear in mind buying this car is probably a year or two away! Also, I do drive fast on track, but I dont have a large amount of testicular fortitude. I'm more of a "try it a little bit fast/brake a little later, next lap" type of driver. I also have an inferiority complex - evident by this post!
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