3200's and track days

3200's and track days

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Discussion

bad loser

Original Poster:

259 posts

239 months

Monday 9th August 2004
quotequote all
Perhaps this is the wrong forum but does anybody have experience of track days and would you recommend them in a 3200 automatic?

I was talking to an acquaintance (sp?) with a BMW M3 - he said he couldn't afford the insurance and went to one without, making the experience not as pleasurable as it might be.

I know CraigW does his VMax, which I think I will attend, but it would be nice to push the 3200 around a track.

mr_tony

6,328 posts

269 months

Monday 9th August 2004
quotequote all
Comes down to insurance - not cheap unless covered on your usual policy - few do cover trackdays these days however, and getting 30k's worth of cover from a specialist is reassuring but expensive.

Brunters is the best place to start to be honest, VMAX is very well run and very safe by all accounts and as well as the straight theres a circuit to play on after you've gone through the timers. Having said that it is possible to leave the track, and people do, but the biggest danger there to your car is more likely to be mechanical failure due to pushing too hard / overheating etc.

Personally I'll keep the 3200 for the road, and invest the cash that it would cost to insure on track in hiring track cars for track days. That way, no matter what you do on track you get to drive home in the Masser...


MOD500

2,686 posts

250 months

Monday 9th August 2004
quotequote all
Yep, Brunters is a very well run, safe day.

I found it a good place to learn to push your car to the limits on the straight and through the twisties. When you go beyond these limits round the corners, there is plenty of run off onto grass areas to safety come to a halt with out hitting anything.

Is a great day all round, plus you get to go as a passenger in other people's cars too, and take others out in yours if you wish.

HTH

Martyn.

bad loser

Original Poster:

259 posts

239 months

Tuesday 10th August 2004
quotequote all
Thanks lads for two slightly differing opinions.

I need to check my warranty but I'm sure it must be covered against mechanical failure, even if I'm doing 160 plus when it happens since the car is supposed to be able to achieve that??

mr_tony

6,328 posts

269 months

Wednesday 11th August 2004
quotequote all
Chris and I managed 169/170 through the lasertraps at VMAX IV..

Not saying don't take it on track - you can and it will be fun indeed. However I have stuffed a car on track before and as such that makes me err towards hire cars rather than my pride and joy! Given the cost of insurance per day in the 3200 to spend a little more to hire a caterham or elise and not have to worry.

bad loser

Original Poster:

259 posts

239 months

Wednesday 11th August 2004
quotequote all
I'll be in a Caterham this Sunday at Oulton Park - a Christmas present from the wife.

I imagine it'll feel a bit different than the Masser.