RE: PH Blog: race cars for the road
Discussion
VladD said:
I think I'd have to go for a 22B.
I always look at these in the classifieds, as I do with E30 M3s, and despair at how much they are. I'll have one in a shot on Saturday morning, after I cash in my Eurobazillions win though.The only true homologation car that I've owned was my Escort Cosworth, and that was a fantastic experience at that age (early 20's), and at that time (late 90's) .... I'd not like to revisit one now, and retain my rose tinting on my nostalgia.
If money were no object, I think I'd like one of these please.
Dan, you are spot on me old mucker. Whilst it is great fun to occasionally take mine on the road (yup, road legal for the Summer Months) it is not a pleasant drive and whilst it may get a few admiring looks from the kids at my son's school, it is not a chick magnet and I am convinced most adult reactions are more like "look at that d
head"
As far as the driveability is concerned, my car is overdamped, oversprung, too low, too loud, too fast and too silly to enjoy on the road.
head"As far as the driveability is concerned, my car is overdamped, oversprung, too low, too loud, too fast and too silly to enjoy on the road.
I think the confusion is in the metaphore here. 'Race car for the road' shouldn't actually be applied to race cars. I personally would think it is intended to be applied to track day cars - vehicles one step down from actual race cars. Exige, Caterham, X-bow... Road cars set up to perform on the drive to the circuit and then on it, as opposed to a race car for which absolutely no compromises to road driving are considered that has then been legalized for road use somehow.
Or in other words it depends what direction the car is moving in through the a spectrum of options from completely unsuitable/illegal on-road through to completely unsuitable for race/track work.
Take the Exige. It's a modification of the Elise for track suitability achieving giant-killing performance whilst keeping the modicum of practicality that an Elise has as a road car. The development makes it suitable for racing/track work - clearly a candidate for 'RCftR' status.
Then look at the 962. It's an out-and-out thoroughbread racer with a numberplate stuck on. It's not a RCftR it's just lost on the way to the circuit.
I guess it's all just opinion though, one mans trash/treasure etc. The whole thing is far too close to the bone for me though... because I drove an Exige S last weekend and I can't get it out of my head, and I fear I'm going to be putting a deposit on one by the weekend. :S
Help.
Or in other words it depends what direction the car is moving in through the a spectrum of options from completely unsuitable/illegal on-road through to completely unsuitable for race/track work.
Take the Exige. It's a modification of the Elise for track suitability achieving giant-killing performance whilst keeping the modicum of practicality that an Elise has as a road car. The development makes it suitable for racing/track work - clearly a candidate for 'RCftR' status.
Then look at the 962. It's an out-and-out thoroughbread racer with a numberplate stuck on. It's not a RCftR it's just lost on the way to the circuit.
I guess it's all just opinion though, one mans trash/treasure etc. The whole thing is far too close to the bone for me though... because I drove an Exige S last weekend and I can't get it out of my head, and I fear I'm going to be putting a deposit on one by the weekend. :S
Help.
Ryvita said:
I think the confusion is in the metaphore here. 'Race car for the road' shouldn't actually be applied to race cars. I personally would think it is intended to be applied to track day cars - vehicles one step down from actual race cars. Exige, Caterham, X-bow... Road cars set up to perform on the drive to the circuit and then on it, as opposed to a race car for which absolutely no compromises to road driving are considered that has then been legalized for road use somehow.
Or in other words it depends what direction the car is moving in through the a spectrum of options from completely unsuitable/illegal on-road through to completely unsuitable for race/track work.
Take the Exige. It's a modification of the Elise for track suitability achieving giant-killing performance whilst keeping the modicum of practicality that an Elise has as a road car. The development makes it suitable for racing/track work - clearly a candidate for 'RCftR' status.
Then look at the 962. It's an out-and-out thoroughbread racer with a numberplate stuck on. It's not a RCftR it's just lost on the way to the circuit.
I guess it's all just opinion though, one mans trash/treasure etc. The whole thing is far too close to the bone for me though... because I drove an Exige S last weekend and I can't get it out of my head, and I fear I'm going to be putting a deposit on one by the weekend. :S
Help.
Do it, buy the Exige, you will not regret it.Or in other words it depends what direction the car is moving in through the a spectrum of options from completely unsuitable/illegal on-road through to completely unsuitable for race/track work.
Take the Exige. It's a modification of the Elise for track suitability achieving giant-killing performance whilst keeping the modicum of practicality that an Elise has as a road car. The development makes it suitable for racing/track work - clearly a candidate for 'RCftR' status.
Then look at the 962. It's an out-and-out thoroughbread racer with a numberplate stuck on. It's not a RCftR it's just lost on the way to the circuit.
I guess it's all just opinion though, one mans trash/treasure etc. The whole thing is far too close to the bone for me though... because I drove an Exige S last weekend and I can't get it out of my head, and I fear I'm going to be putting a deposit on one by the weekend. :S
Help.
However to say the Exige is a race car for the road is a bit strong. Great track day car out of the box but would need a load of prep and investment to make it a proper race car.
cliffie said:
Do it, buy the Exige, you will not regret it.
However to say the Exige is a race car for the road is a bit strong. Great track day car out of the box but would need a load of prep and investment to make it a proper race car.
It's not really that track focussed, either - a Radical or maybe a superlight Caterham is a track focussed car. The Exige is primarily a road car, with a few compromises made to make it capable on the track (most obviously the tyres). However to say the Exige is a race car for the road is a bit strong. Great track day car out of the box but would need a load of prep and investment to make it a proper race car.
kambites said:
It's not really that track focussed, either - a Radical or maybe a superlight Caterham is a track focussed car. The Exige is primarily a road car, with a few compromises made to make it capable on the track (most obviously the tyres).
Some are more track ready than others but all will need a decent amount of work to be called a race car.cliffie said:
Do it, buy the Exige, you will not regret it.
Ugh. Not helping. I've got myself in a stupid position with cars and I just need to straighten it out:
E46 M3
Toyota Celica GT-FOUR
And I drive the M3 most of the time. Wrong way round. Should be putting the miles on the older cheaper car.
Hence swapping to:
Lotus Exige S (with soft top conversion
) Subaru WRX Wagon
Hence keeping access to 4 wheel drive for the winter, gaining access to a fast convertible for summer and track and increasing the 'practicality diversity' of the fleet - no point having two four seaters when you could have a 2 and a 5 right?
cliffie said:
Dan, you are spot on me old mucker. Whilst it is great fun to occasionally take mine on the road (yup, road legal for the Summer Months) it is not a pleasant drive and whilst it may get a few admiring looks from the kids at my son's school, it is not a chick magnet and I am convinced most adult reactions are more like "look at that dhead"
As far as the driveability is concerned, my car is overdamped, oversprung, too low, too loud, too fast and too silly to enjoy on the road.
How wrong had things gone at that point!?head"As far as the driveability is concerned, my car is overdamped, oversprung, too low, too loud, too fast and too silly to enjoy on the road.
My ideal car, realistically, would be a race car. I hate the compromises to the driving experience we have to deal with in regular road cars.
I guess being fairly young and fit allows me to deal with the less comfortable nature of this type of car.
A BAC Mono is #1 on my lotto win list for a reason
I guess being fairly young and fit allows me to deal with the less comfortable nature of this type of car.
A BAC Mono is #1 on my lotto win list for a reason
I find the whole obsession with road-going 962s, CLK-GTRs, etc. bizarre. I cannot honestly see the appeal of something so vast, with appalling visibility and set up to go on track. My Exige is pretty focused as road cars go and it's a big compromise for road use, certainly as far as I'd go. It's brilliant on the right road when you're in the mood but most of the time it's rubbish. Most of the homologation specials are trinkets and collectors' items. Personally I'd far rather have a genuine race car with provenance or a proper road car. At least something like an Exige has good visibility, light weight and short overhangs.
Oh and Ryvita, don't hesitate in buying an Exige. However, if you want real thrills buy an S1. They're mega!
Oh and Ryvita, don't hesitate in buying an Exige. However, if you want real thrills buy an S1. They're mega!
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