Driving race/track car to/from the track?
Discussion
I’m thinking of buying an ex clio cup race car to use on track days. The car is pretty much a full on race car, however, is MOT’d, can be taxed and insured and at the end of the day is road legal when fitted with road tyres.
To avoid the need for a trailer, tow car, etc and the expense/storage issues that come with these i was considering driving it to/from track.
Part of me thinks that this shouldn't be an issue as it is fully road legal, the other part of me thinks driving what looks (and is I suppose) a race car on the road would end up causing all sorts of problems.
I know rally cars drive in between stages on the road and there is probably people that drive to the track but i just wanted to get everyone’s thoughts on this first?
Should i or shouldn't i?
To avoid the need for a trailer, tow car, etc and the expense/storage issues that come with these i was considering driving it to/from track.
Part of me thinks that this shouldn't be an issue as it is fully road legal, the other part of me thinks driving what looks (and is I suppose) a race car on the road would end up causing all sorts of problems.
I know rally cars drive in between stages on the road and there is probably people that drive to the track but i just wanted to get everyone’s thoughts on this first?
Should i or shouldn't i?
It might seem like the low-hassle option but there are reasons why people with track cars tow them.
I found that you can't get much gear in a Caterham and what gear you do manage to bring will have to be left unsecured in the paddock / garages. When you're on the track you'll be constantly fretting about the condition of your car / tyres for the drive home and when you're on the road you'll be lamenting your racy brake pads, tyres, lack of interior etc.
I found that you can't get much gear in a Caterham and what gear you do manage to bring will have to be left unsecured in the paddock / garages. When you're on the track you'll be constantly fretting about the condition of your car / tyres for the drive home and when you're on the road you'll be lamenting your racy brake pads, tyres, lack of interior etc.
R8Steve said:
Technically, none. In reality though i don't think I've ever seen a full blown race car or even anything close to it on the road.
I can't imagine the police would be very happy seeing it driving about the roads, i might be wrong though.
Ah right. I my experience the police couldn't give a toss as long as you're driving normally.I can't imagine the police would be very happy seeing it driving about the roads, i might be wrong though.
And as long as it's all legal, even if you do get pulled over it's not really a big deal.
The clio cup cars are actually quite civilised to drive (as far as race cars go) and my nearest circuit is only an hour away so i don't mind driving it.
Am i correct in saying then that the only thing i really need to do is take the numbers off it (which i believe are illegal to drive on the road with)?
It's Jack Goff's old car for anyone that's interested.
Am i correct in saying then that the only thing i really need to do is take the numbers off it (which i believe are illegal to drive on the road with)?
It's Jack Goff's old car for anyone that's interested.
I drove my track focused VX220 to and from the track. It became a major ballache. It tramlined, crashed and banged on all but the smallest road inconsistencies, was noisy, cold, misted up easily etc etc etc. In the end I got rid and replaced with a semi-tracked M3 but Ive left the suspension in fast-road config as well as leaving in the air-con, carpets and glass.
On track it was epic, but I just couldn't tolerate driving to and from the track. The 3 ring trips in the first year I owned it almost broke me.
On track it was epic, but I just couldn't tolerate driving to and from the track. The 3 ring trips in the first year I owned it almost broke me.
i have a mk2 cup car and wouldn't want to drive it on the road. never driven a mk3 but can't imagine it to be much better tbh. even driving it around the paddock isn't great, it only comes alive when the revs are up on track. i can't imagine how bad it would be on uk roads.
also what happens when you break it at the circuit?
for, what, £15k+ of car, least you could do is invest in a trailer.
also what happens when you break it at the circuit?
for, what, £15k+ of car, least you could do is invest in a trailer.
shirt said:
i have a mk2 cup car and wouldn't want to drive it on the road. never driven a mk3 but can't imagine it to be much better tbh. even driving it around the paddock isn't great, it only comes alive when the revs are up on track. i can't imagine how bad it would be on uk roads.
also what happens when you break it at the circuit?
for, what, £15k+ of car, least you could do is invest in a trailer.
Some things are about compromise though, yes, it'll be crap on the road but i'm not commuting to work in it so i can probably cope. I have a fully stripped and caged 182 at the moment and while not ideal it's manageable.also what happens when you break it at the circuit?
for, what, £15k+ of car, least you could do is invest in a trailer.
If it breaks, which hopefully it won't, i'll just phone the AA!
The cost is not the issue, the storage of both a trailer and a tow car is, i just don't have the room.
well i don't know what spec your 182 is but with solid engine mounts, spherical bearings and the sadev the cup will be several steps along from uncomfortable on the road.
our sadev dealer recommends an oil change every 2 trackdays and we use the clutch on downshifts. with the 1hr each way you'll be wanting to do this every time. perhaps look at the cost of all your maintenance against the cost of recovery to the track and back. i sold my tow car but lucky enough to live close enough to the track to get a reasonable price for having it taken there/back on a flatbed.
our sadev dealer recommends an oil change every 2 trackdays and we use the clutch on downshifts. with the 1hr each way you'll be wanting to do this every time. perhaps look at the cost of all your maintenance against the cost of recovery to the track and back. i sold my tow car but lucky enough to live close enough to the track to get a reasonable price for having it taken there/back on a flatbed.
shirt said:
well i don't know what spec your 182 is but with solid engine mounts, spherical bearings and the sadev the cup will be several steps along from uncomfortable on the road.
our sadev dealer recommends an oil change every 2 trackdays and we use the clutch on downshifts. with the 1hr each way you'll be wanting to do this every time. perhaps look at the cost of all your maintenance against the cost of recovery to the track and back. i sold my tow car but lucky enough to live close enough to the track to get a reasonable price for having it taken there/back on a flatbed.
Cheers for the info. Getting it 'recovered' there and back is another option i'm looking into and it might work out to be the better option once you factor in maintenance/fuel (and be a lot more comfortable of course).our sadev dealer recommends an oil change every 2 trackdays and we use the clutch on downshifts. with the 1hr each way you'll be wanting to do this every time. perhaps look at the cost of all your maintenance against the cost of recovery to the track and back. i sold my tow car but lucky enough to live close enough to the track to get a reasonable price for having it taken there/back on a flatbed.
Just get a tow car and trailer, would you really want to drive a race car after going around track all day back home.
I track a mev exocet kit car it could be made road legal but its rather uncomftable on anything but smooth tarmac and as someone pointed out earlier you got no storage for stuff to take on the day.
Plus if something happens on the day it can and does happen, mechanical fault or damage your stuck at the track.
I wouldn't really want to drive any race car on the road tbh.
I track a mev exocet kit car it could be made road legal but its rather uncomftable on anything but smooth tarmac and as someone pointed out earlier you got no storage for stuff to take on the day.
Plus if something happens on the day it can and does happen, mechanical fault or damage your stuck at the track.
I wouldn't really want to drive any race car on the road tbh.
I've done it with several race cars that I used as track cars over the years - XR4i, XR2 and a 4th Gen Civic. The XR2 only had a small ~10l tank, so was a bit limited in range & was pretty harsh with very stiff rear suspension. None of them were very pleasant to drive, but the Civic was the best of the 3 - did 2 nurburging trips in that & I'd say it was more pleasant than a standard DC2 (no ventilation & very noisy).
I wouldn't fret too much about breakdowns at the track, as everyone who drives there has to deal with the same issue. Having a road legal car can be useful in testing / problem solving work in between track days. Of course you need to check out tax/insurance costs, I never found insurance to be much of a problem.
Depends how much you need to do to make it road legal - check out the MOT regs, but there can't be any harm in trying it out & see how you get on.The only other thing I'd say is make sure the cage is well padded for road use - and that FIA stuff is pretty hard.
I wouldn't fret too much about breakdowns at the track, as everyone who drives there has to deal with the same issue. Having a road legal car can be useful in testing / problem solving work in between track days. Of course you need to check out tax/insurance costs, I never found insurance to be much of a problem.
Depends how much you need to do to make it road legal - check out the MOT regs, but there can't be any harm in trying it out & see how you get on.The only other thing I'd say is make sure the cage is well padded for road use - and that FIA stuff is pretty hard.
Trev450 said:
R8Steve said:
Am i correct in saying then that the only thing i really need to do is take the numbers off it (which i believe are illegal to drive on the road with)?
HustleRussell said:
Displaying competition numbers is not illegal
But it is frowned upon by the RAC/MSA who tell you not to drive to or from events with race numbers displayed, though I am sure plenty do. Not sure what the stewards would do if they saw you drive through the gates with your race numbers on display thoughIndeed but as you say the risk is low and the consequences of upsetting the MSA are non-existent for most. I suppose if you're a member of the MSA they could rescind your membership if they became aware that you were displaying race numbers and driving in a way which could 'damage the sport's reputation'.
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