Driving race/track car to/from the track?

[R8Steve]

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?

[R8Steve]

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.

[R8Steve]

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.

[R8Steve]

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.

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.

[R8Steve]

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).