Classic car for track

[carlosvandango]

Do you think with some work a classic could mix it with the big boys on track?. Maybe MGB V8 TR7 V8 3.0 Capri.
Anyone seen a quick old car at a track day?

Cheers

Carlos

[Flying Peach]

I take a Mini cooper 1.3 on the track at the same time as the Impreza and evo boys are out, some of them are on here. I've never been intimidated and always felt safe. Classics are great on the track in my opinion.

[shim]

depends what you mean by big boys.

all three of those cars with like for like drivers will struggle with stock suspension against any track orienated road car but you will probably have fun nonetheless.

Just avoid tracks like donnington on a noisey day where you will likely have a queue of 997 Rs behinf you

[crofty1984]

have at look at the photo album linked on page 3 of "cadwell park tips". sunbeam tiger. Easily the best sounding car there and very nippy. also went to see the MGB racing with the 750 motor club, they were the only cars regularly lifting the front wheel. (admittefly, they may not have been stock!) but yes, you can have plenty of fun in a classic. Especially as they're pretty light.

[Birdthom]

Some old cars are great on track. I had an elan sprint which was really nice to drive the one time I took it on track, but also had an E-type which I wouldn't have fancied tracking much at all - just plain scary. Capri would be great fun IMO, old TRs are easy to modify and get some pace out of too. Spitfires are meant to go well and are really light and cheap to run. Then there's always loads of old race spec minis and midgets around. Do it - it's always more interesting to see well driven old cars out there than the run-of-the-mill modern stuff.

[ginettajoe]

Birdthom said:

Some old cars are great on track. I had an elan sprint which was really nice to drive the one time I took it on track, but also had an E-type which I wouldn't have fancied tracking much at all - just plain scary. Capri would be great fun IMO, old TRs are easy to modify and get some pace out of too. Spitfires are meant to go well and are really light and cheap to run. Then there's always loads of old race spec minis and midgets around. Do it - it's always more interesting to see well driven old cars out there than the run-of-the-mill modern stuff.

.....even "three wheelers"!!!

[pikeyboy]

I race a 1960 frogeye sprite in the healey championship. Great fun, i did run in the road going class and eventhat car used to embarass much more exotic things

[rallycross]

there's a really quick (trick) old 240Z that I've seen at Goodwood track days, was very quick

[custardtart]

Check out Jellison's TR6 &4 - both more than capable of embarrasing most things on a track day.

Edited by custardtart on Friday 28th March 19:11

[blackscooby]

The other weekend we had a MK1 bubble arch Escort on a trackday at Croft. Bloody brilliant.
It's just a 2l Pinto, but certainly doesn't isn't slow !

Video here
http://mwarren.myzen.co.uk/public_downloads/Croft/Croft%2016th%20March%20Escort%20MW.wmv 
Approx 40mb

Just wished my brother would shut up about braking... admittedly it's his car.. but really shut up about the f*cking brakes !!!

Edited by blackscooby on Friday 28th March 21:25

[thermister]

i agree absolutly,do they have classic only trackdays

[bolide]

I run a 1973 BMW 2002 and it's tough, lots of fun and quick round corners. It's not quick in a straight line but, with there being lots of turbocharged Japanese cars on track days, being fast in a straight line isn't easy

I wouldn't ever discount a good Classic car as a track day special. You get a lot more interest than if you're driving a boring modern as well

Nick Froome

[Birdthom]

Yeah, H, the only problem with the old three wheeler was stability on right handers. Otherwise it went pretty well.

[mgv8dave]

Classics on track are great fun any retro car is a good laugh
with no abs etc .........
took my Mg to the Ring this week but did not get on to the track due to snow
however i went there last November and had a blast hoping to go Bedford on April 5th
Mg at the Ring last November

However this week it was a 900 mile drive for 0 Laps



Retro Cars on the track are always good fun

[mmm-five]

Seen a couple of original Lotus 7s on track, along with some great looking BMW CSLs & 2002s, Alfa Suds & Sprints, Imps, MGs, etc.

The 7s looked more than capable, but they're as basic as the modern models.

[smckeown]

It's all about the driver at the end of the day.

There's a guy that's a regular around combe with his v8 MG, he has more fun than anyone, mostly going sideways!

[deviant]

They can be great fun to drive quickly. They might not actually be as quick as something modern but they always feel much quicker because of the greater challenge in driving one quickly and smoothly.

Buy carefully though...last thing you want to do is end up with a restoration job before you even get to drive it!!

[Dr Pepper]

I use my classic mustang for trackdays quite regularly along with my friend with his classic mussie, we,ve done Donnington, Silverstone and Mallory Park. Both cars have four wheel disc brakes and uprated and modified suspension but nothing exotic, just changes that were made in the 60's when they first started racing these cars.





http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YmTK2HUS3S8

[kusee pee]

Gorgeous cars DP! I bet they're great fun.

[sparkey]

I've been using my old Elan +2 on trackdays for years and it still manages to keep up with Elises etc (just about!)