Would you track a Ford Ka?

[Fruitcake]

In short, I love the way my Ka handles on the road and would love to track it but would it be a complete waste of time with only 60bhp?

Has anyone ever tracked a car like this? Did you survive? What's it like?

My local track is Oulton which might be a bit too hard - there's a few uphill bits and I don't want to grind to a halt...

Thanks

Edited by Fruitcake on Saturday 7th June 21:04

[absolutely]

Stick a pinto or a 1700 x-flow engine in it, you may suffer terrible torque steer but thats half the fun!

Edited by absolutely on Saturday 7th June 18:40

[NTEL]

Why not!!!!!!

If you enjoy driving it, whether it has 60HP or 600HP, get it on the track, it doesn't matter a jot IMHO.

As long as you pull over for the faster cars, I can't see a problem.

[Fruitcake]

Love your name.

I just read the My Topics section and the thread title came up with your name right next to it...

[DavidY]

18 years ago I tracked a 1.2 Vauxhall Nova with a mere 55bhp. Yes, you will be passed by everyone and their dog but you can still have a lot of fun. A slower twisty track is probably best, but if you concentrate on carrying as much speed as possible through the corners then the acceleration disadvantage becomes less of an issue. If you are comfortable with the car it's surprising how quick you can be.

Give it a go.

DavidY

[absolutely]

I took a VW Fox hire car round the Ring in 06, it was great fun!

[Paul V]

I've tracked a few 998 and 1275 Mini's before, all great fun except Goodwood which was a bit too fast for the car as it spent most of the time flat out

[philevo6]

Ive seen 2cv's...merc ml....astravans!!....1 ltr micras,so why not.

(would be good to stick a 2 litre or a much bigger engine in tho!)

[DanH]

I'd be more concerned about the brakes than the engine!

[absolutely]

I've seen 2 buses do it!

[Animal]

Yes - but only if you take pics and video a hot lap!

Sounds like a great idea!

[Fruitcake]

DanH, I think I'd try and stay off the brakes - momentum and all that.

Thanks for the replies. See in my head it's a fun idea. My girlfriend thinks I'm an idiot. Pleased to see everyone follows my line...

I'm looking into tracks which won't put me through many up and down antics.

Bedford Autodrome, perhaps...?

[Fruitcake]

Oh and a hot lap vid would be essential

[paulshears]

i've done trackday's in 2 60bhp car's....a mk1 Golf 1.3 and a mk3 Polo

still a good laugh

you need at least fast road pad's for the front brakes & to be on the safe side, take a pair of wheels with road legal tyres

cheap lowering spring and shock set would be good too......something like G-Max

[Fruitcake]

paulshears said:

i've done trackday's in 2 60bhp car's....a mk1 Golf 1.3 and a mk3 Polo

still a good laugh

you need at least fast road pad's for the front brakes & to be on the safe side, take a pair of wheels with road legal tyres

cheap lowering spring and shock set would be good too......something like G-Max

It's my every day car so modding is out of the question

[RetroWheels]

Would you track a Ford Ka?

I would, take it to Oulton if thats your local,let the quick stuff pass on the staights, hold your line on the bends and have a good day.

Lower powered cars can be great fun , keeping the momentum up is rewarding in its'self and a well balanced car like the Ka will be a good way to learn the circuit with less chance of overcooking things.

It's not a race and you'll have paid as much as the next man and have as much right to be there.

Go with a well established TD organiser like Easytrack - IMO the best - who attract experienced and courteous drivers.

I would tend to avoid cicuits with very cheap " hot hatch" days - Nothing wrong with hot hatches , but you want a track day , not be playing dodgems in your pride and joy .

Take the wheel trims off,keep on the black stuff ,avoid the green , and a Ka should provide a good day's driving .

[Toltec]

Change the brake fluid if it has not been done recently and use a super dot 4 if you can afford it along with some fat road pads.

and enjoy.

[DanH]

Fruitcake said:

DanH, I think I'd try and stay off the brakes - momentum and all that.

Thanks for the replies. See in my head it's a fun idea. My girlfriend thinks I'm an idiot. Pleased to see everyone follows my line...

I'm looking into tracks which won't put me through many up and down antics.

Bedford Autodrome, perhaps...?

Unless your car is epically slow you are going to need to use the brakes everywhere.

Bedford is a hard braking track but at least lots of run off. Not sure I'd start at Oulton as its a fast and demanding track and you'll find a lot of traffic building up behind you which is no fun for you or them.

[DiscoColin]

I don't see why not - someone from work is planning to track his A2 next month

[sniff petrol]

Toltec said:

Change the brake fluid if it has not been done recently and use a super dot 4 if you can afford it along with some fat road pads.

and enjoy.

Isn't DOT4 'normal' fluid?