Track Day Transport

[CaterhamJoy]

Hi All

Hoping to get to a few more track days and drift days this year, I am toying with the idea of taking the second car off the road, and just using it as a track toy. Not having a pre 1997 license means I can only drive up to 3.5Kg combined weight, meaning that to trailer it to places myself, would require training and a new license which will cost around £500, not to mention I would need a tow car and trailer. Does anyone know of a firm on the South Coast that offers a track day drop off and pick up service, tracks are the usual suspects (Santa Pod, Lyden Hill, Castle Combe etc) or should I just try and keep the track car road legal?

[mrmr96]

I imagine that you basically just need to employ a normal kind of car transport service. These are usually used for moving broken down or crashed cars around. Don't know how much they charge, but seem to remember £1/mile being mentioned somewhere before. Please do check their prices, because it could soon become pretty expensive depending on how many trackdays you want to do. (You're also relying on them delivering/collecting at a specific time.)

If I were you I'd just keep the car road legal. This is then much easier for taking it places for servicing/setup work. Also means you can test it on the road if you fit new brakes etc. Also means you can take it for a drive every now and again (between trackdays) just to keep it in good working order (i.e. not seizing up etc).

[HaylingJag]

If it's a Caterham your moving around it may be cost effective to buy a beaver tailed Transit or similar. Sure you could drive this on a regular licence and it wouldn't take you over any weight restrictions?

[Steve_D]

Arranging transport will have many issues. Getting them to pickup at your timing. What will they do during the day whilst you are playing? if they stay there they will want paying for that time. if they leave will they make it back when you want?
You could burn your £500 on the first trackday.

Steve

[CaterhamJoy]

All good points! Its not a Caterham, its BMW E36. I was hoping there might be a company that specializes in Track Days, rather than just a recovery specialist.

Trouble with keeping it road legal, is insuring all the modifications gets expensive!

I suppose I best get looking into a trailer license!

Thanks for the advice people!

[mrmr96]

CaterhamJoy said:

All good points! Its not a Caterham, its BMW E36. I was hoping there might be a company that specializes in Track Days, rather than just a recovery specialist.

Trouble with keeping it road legal, is insuring all the modifications gets expensive!

I suppose I best get looking into a trailer license!

Thanks for the advice people!

If insurance is the problem, then look for a specialist broker who can deal with heavily modified cars and who can offer you a limited mileage policy. It might not be as bad as you think.

Who are you currently insuring with, and who have you had quotes with?

PS - I don't mean to throw your thread off track, but rather help you out with the actual underlying issue of wanting to do trackdays in an modded car. (I'm in the same boat!)

[maser_spyder]

I did the trailer test. Cost £40 to hire a trailer for two days and about £90 for the test. Cheaper than a track day!

You hardly need training, just practice and read the book (it's a horsey book, based on towing horse trailers, but the principle is the same).

I might even have a copy you're welcome to!