Getting into track days

[liamsp]

Basically a friend and I would like to get into them we are both 20 working but want to keep things cheap car wise we have been looking at 205's golf gti's etc any advice would be appreciated on this and we are 15 mins from brands and I know they do novice and and advanced days so probally start of there.

[Darkslider]

You got two car options if you wanna keep it cheap really. Light nippy hot hatch, 205 GTI 1.9 for example, or a big cheap RWD barge, old BMW 325 or 328 if you can find one. Both will be different to drive but parts and spares are plentiful and you'll be able to have a lot of fun. If I were starting out afresh in track days I'd probably get one of the two above cars. My 106 GTi is light, handles well and is pretty cheap and cheerful so would make an ideal track car if I wanted it to.

[screwloose]

I run a track prepared 205 MI16 and its serious fun and seriously capable in the right hands (not necessarily mine ) Not expensive to run either with it being relatively light on consumables like tyres brakes etc
I can thoroughly recommend one! Plus there's the added bonus of a great and supportive 'scene' around 205s through which I've met some great people. 205gtidrivers.com.

HTH, Jonny.

[Dift]

screwloose said:

I run a track prepared 205 MI16 and its serious fun and seriously capable in the right hands (not necessarily mine ) Not expensive to run either with it being relatively light on consumables like tyres brakes etc
I can thoroughly recommend one! Plus there's the added bonus of a great and supportive 'scene' around 205s through which I've met some great people. 205gtidrivers.com.

HTH, Jonny.

OT/ But slightly still on topic, Ive been researching this very subject for a while, and Ive just joined 205gtidrivers.com, with the intention of getting a 205 (pref MI16, or later GTI6), and was wondering about consumables (mainly tyres). My current track toy aka daily ride is very heavey especially on tyres, and can usually squeeze 2 dry trackdays out of a front set before bald.

What running costs do you see over the course of say 5 ish trackdays? Do you have a baffled sump on the MI16 motor? And what tyres do you use?

Sorry for the inquisition

[screwloose]

Mine is a pretty serious example running a rebuilt (by Tommy Field, the guy that used to build Francois Delacour's WRC engines) MI16 with forged internals, lairy cam and twin weber 45s. Its puts out about 200BHP, is stripped, caged and pretty quick.
Its therefore not the best example for this particular discussion but it still proves relatively economical to run as a track car.
Over 5 track days I'll get through one set of R888 tyres though that of depends on your driving style and the severity of your inputs. Keep it smooth and its easily achievable. I do have a baffled sump and have only had one experience of the dreaded oil surge.
Here it is..

[Dift]

The only thing that was putting me off 205's (certainly the MI16 ones), was the potential for oil surge (from what I have understood).

Then again I know of people who have run slicks with the MI16 engine and normal 1.9 and never had a problem.

Do you think there is a problem?? Or is it down to luck of the draw?

PS, yours is exactly what I want mine to end up like... all the way down to the colour

[screwloose]

make me a decent offer and it could be yours

With regards the oil surge I know of loads of 205 drivers who have never had any real issue. Even if you do lose pressure I've heard all you need to do is just pull over let it settle and top up with oil if necessary. Easy.

[liamsp]

looks good i will have a look at the 205 site & with 200bhp in a stripped 205 im sure you have embarrassed a few people!