What's your perfect trackday car?
Discussion
Unfortunately, I don't have the time or money to partake in track days but from my admittedly limited experience (4 laps of the Nurburgring in my Impreza), the only cars that were really quick without really looking like they were trying were 911s and Elises. I thought that I might have a chance against an Elise due to my power advantage but I just couldn't live with it!
So money no object, I would choose a 911 GT3 or any Elise really (although lets say a supercharged one if someone else is paying). Neither meet my practical requirements, so it would have to be a 3rd or even a 4th car for me!
On a budget, I would quite fancy a track-prepared hot hatch. Perhaps an Mi-16 or GTi-6 engined 205 GTi or a tuned 1.8 20v Turbo mk2 Golf GTi (about 200bhp should do it)! In some ways, it's a shame to mess with a tidy old 205 or Golf, so maybe something more disposable like a RenaultSport Clio or Civic Type-R would be better? Not sure how much scope there is for getting more performance out of them though.
Anyway, what would your perfect trackday car be and why?
So money no object, I would choose a 911 GT3 or any Elise really (although lets say a supercharged one if someone else is paying). Neither meet my practical requirements, so it would have to be a 3rd or even a 4th car for me!
On a budget, I would quite fancy a track-prepared hot hatch. Perhaps an Mi-16 or GTi-6 engined 205 GTi or a tuned 1.8 20v Turbo mk2 Golf GTi (about 200bhp should do it)! In some ways, it's a shame to mess with a tidy old 205 or Golf, so maybe something more disposable like a RenaultSport Clio or Civic Type-R would be better? Not sure how much scope there is for getting more performance out of them though.
Anyway, what would your perfect trackday car be and why?
my GD T70 is my perfect trackday car. loads of grip, fantastic brakes, more than enough speed. you can lap all day without worrying about brake fade, or over stressing the engine. its devastatingly quick and you can play with the handling as you see fit. only downside if there is one is 5mpg out of the V8 but at least you can use 95ron petrol. the lack of mechanical breakages and stress (touch wood) is a bonus as it doesnt cost thousands in parts per season.
The supercharged S1 Exige I have is just about perfect as a track day tool. Keeps up with most things on the track. Also great fun as a road car (can get hot in the cabin though on hot days). Also passes the test that you don't look like a knob just popping to the shops for a loaf of bread.
Also not losing any money and just starting to creep up in value. Not a great concern as it was bought as a toy and not an investment but consider it a bonus.
The same could probably be said for the GT3 except it may not be so hot in the cabin.
Also not losing any money and just starting to creep up in value. Not a great concern as it was bought as a toy and not an investment but consider it a bonus.
The same could probably be said for the GT3 except it may not be so hot in the cabin.
Westfield XTR2, Cheap on brakes, cheap on tyres, lots of downforce. I agree a CSL would be very nice albeit with no clutch pedal or wind in your face.
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/4051972.htm
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/4051972.htm
kambites said:
R300will said:
Caterham /thread. Even a 911 GT3RS can't touch it apart from the straights. Not practical but that's not really the point of a trackday car.
Lets be honest, a Caterham couldn't touch a Radical, but performance isn't really the point. If you were going for laptimes then the radical wins everyday obviously because it's more advanced but for trackdays where you want a bit of fun with it then i would think the caterham makes that more accessible.
Definately not my current Saxo VTS even though that's what i bought it for 
Would have to say either the Caterham Superlight (or a variant of one) i used to own, or a Lotus 2-11, as i tracked my old Exige S a few times and the 2-11 would have been the next step in Lotus ownership had life gone in a different direction.
Would have to say either the Caterham Superlight (or a variant of one) i used to own, or a Lotus 2-11, as i tracked my old Exige S a few times and the 2-11 would have been the next step in Lotus ownership had life gone in a different direction.
Caterham 7.
I realise the idea of going radical / XTR is at first inviting, but it's no fun being much quicker than everyone else - you just end up frustrated.
A 7 is very tunable to get handling just right, and nice and catchable when it goes. I've followed a few atoms, and they look snappy as hell - and when they go, they go properly!
I realise the idea of going radical / XTR is at first inviting, but it's no fun being much quicker than everyone else - you just end up frustrated.
A 7 is very tunable to get handling just right, and nice and catchable when it goes. I've followed a few atoms, and they look snappy as hell - and when they go, they go properly!
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