Towing eye question

[blackburn]

First post in this section, please be gentle.

I've just booked a place for me and 'er on a novice track day at Oulton Park. A lot of the track day photography I've seen shows road cars with their towing eye affixed to the front bumper. I can't find anything obvious on the ClubMSV web-site, and I'm wondering whether I should dig out the towing eye and fit it prior to the track day. If it's required (to be fitted), I don't want to be faffing about at the last minute (I'm sure I'll be having kittens worrying about 'the line' etc...)

Can anyone advise please?

Thanks.

[Stephanie Plum]

Yes you should fit it. There needs to be a clear towing point should you need to be recovered.

[blackburn]

Thanks. Either end, or both?

[FlyingTrotter]

If you have a tintop road car and you have 2 fit them - its all about speedy recovery and if no eye the marshals will recover attaching to whatever they can find and damage may result - in fact majority of people fit one at the front but if you have 2 use them

[blackburn]

The car is a Porsche Boxster. Methinks it may be prudent to track down a spare eye from a breaker. Thanks for info.

[Classic Grad 98]

I may be wrong here, but I beleive it's illegal to drive on the road with the removable eyes fitted. Make sure you have them and are familiar with how to remove the blanks without scratching them, and fit them at the circuit instead. You'll need front and back- otherwise the marshalls will hook onto anything substantial enough to drag the car by, inc. suspension parts and anti-roll bars! (yep I've seen that before)

[FlyingTrotter]

Agreed - wasn't suggestion you drive to a track with towing eyes fitted - that wouldn't be a wise move

[LooneyTunes]

blackburn said:

The car is a Porsche Boxster. Methinks it may be prudent to track down a spare eye from a breaker. Thanks for info.

eBay is your friend... especially if you can work out what thread size it takes (seems to be quite a bit of standardisation of thread and you won't mind if it is a touch longer than normal?).

[Ian_sUK]

Mine stays in all the time as it scratches the bumper taking it in and out and I've never had any problems. (It is however a "flappy ring" type so does not stick out from the bumper at all)

[mattdaniels]

My Elise use to have the towing eye in all the time and I never got stopped by the police for it.

Once it's been in a while you can't get it out

[blackburn]

Thanks all. I've tracked down an extra eye from a mate in the trade so sorted for both ends. Hope they're not needed... Thanks for input.

[blackburn]

Well, towing eyes won't be needed now. Nor will my new helmet, new rear tyres, or the two days booked off work (+ the two days Mrs Blackburn booked off). ClubMSV have cancelled the trackday on the 15th and let me know this afternoon (11th) by email - which I didn't read until 7.15pm. We're a pretty disappointed - apparently cancelled due to 'unforeseen circumstances'. Grrr...

[GreigM]

blackburn said:

Well, towing eyes won't be needed now. Nor will my new helmet, new rear tyres, or the two days booked off work (+ the two days Mrs Blackburn booked off). ClubMSV have cancelled the trackday on the 15th and let me know this afternoon (11th) by email - which I didn't read until 7.15pm. We're a pretty disappointed - apparently cancelled due to 'unforeseen circumstances'. Grrr...

Would be interesting to know why its cancelled - I've got two days booked next friday and saturday and hope the same issue won't affect those...

[blackburn]

I've emailed back to express my dissatisfaction and to arrange a refund. The guy has an 'out of office' message telling me he's away till the 21st. I hope it won't turn into a nightmare trying to get the refund from ClubMSV. My guess is lack of bookings led to cancellation.

[spyderman8]

Cancellations sadly do happen - had a Rockingham one cancelled early this year due to a TDO double-booking. Some TDOs fob you off with a voucher rather than a refund - get a full refund if you can.

Oh, and the Boxster front towing eye should be in the tool kit.

[blackburn]

Towing eye was in the tool kit, but I got hold of a second one so that both ends of the car could be towed easily.