Track Astra VXR

[shaun_1987]

Like most I had spent the vast majority of my time during lockdown browsing Pistonheads, watching endless Youtube and making many plans I had to cancel. One of the few positives though was the saving from not going out and being fortunate enough to still be in work.

I have used an Astra VXR as a quick, highly reliable and genuinely fun daily for nearly five years and the plan was to make it into a full time track car as it had done multiple ring trips and shown itself to be quick, parts were cheap and a lot of friends are very experienced with them, then this appeared...




It was for sale at a great price and basically at the exact spec I wanted so after a couple of weeks of sorting, a deal was done and the car was mine.

Car came with decent power upgrades, cage, buckets, coilovers, big brakes and loads of other small features that showed the quality of the build.

First impressions were great. The history was more comprehensive than anything I had ever seen and it was evident the car had lead a pampered but well used life and been maintained faultlessly.

The long term plan is to use it how it was intended to be used. Visiting tracks and enjoying it!

The first job was to remove all of the stickers from the car so i can put my own identity on it (The sunstrip was removed as I couldn't see out with it on!). Took a good few hours of persuasion but they all came off.

Next was to put a smaller front plate on as I always think the shape suits a smaller plate and then it was time to take it to Croft for its first track day with a few mates in a Megane 250 and 106 GTI.








The car was absolutely faultless. Did over 60 laps and never missed a beat. The AP brakes were very, very strong and didn't show any fade. The updated radiator, Forge front mount, oil cooler and other bits meant that it barely used any oil and temps were good all day.
I really couldn't have been happier with it!

The future plans for it are minimal: full oil change in the next few days, possibly a lower front splitter (Just like the look) and more long term i will be changing the seats as being 6'3 and 20 stone means they are a little on the snug side!

[Jimmy Recard]

I had an SRi Turbo 200 that I always wanted to make into a track project, unfortunately it was written off by a Ford Kuga that jumped into the side of it out of a T junction as I passed.

I always wonder what it would be like, so I'm glad your VXR seems to be going well so far!

[shaun_1987]

That must be even more frustrating when it isn’t your own fault!

So far it’s exactly what I wanted. Just needs a few minor tweaks to be perfect

[Jimmy Recard]

Well, I'd love to see more updates. The Astra H is a very underrated car and still looks great today, in my opinion.

[shaun_1987]

Jimmy Recard said:

Well, I'd love to see more updates. The Astra H is a very underrated car and still looks great today, in my opinion.

I definitely think it is a car that a lot of people have opinions on even though they haven’t driven one. A bit like when people used to talk about torque steer in a mk1 Focus RS even though they had never driven one ha!

[shaun_1987]

Got round to some jobs today in prep for a Nurburgring trip in August.

Got two new R888r on the front as the tyres were destroyed at Croft then got the geo checked and sorted as the tyre wear showed huge camber issues.

Car drives much nicer now!

Got to have a good look at the discs and pads as well which seem to be wearing well!

Edited by shaun_1987 on Tuesday 14th July 20:28

[5mileofdeath]

I love the Astra VXRs, always got a bad rep for handling but with a few subtle mods they were pretty good.

I had an Arden one with a few performance mods and it went really well, never tracked I though.

Glad it’s working out good for you OP!

[CrippsCorner]

So you have two of these now? I bought one just before lockdown and finally got to actually drive it this week

Did have big plans for it but might end up only having it around 18 months so not sure how far I'm going to go with it. Definitely want to hit the track once or twice though.

[shaun_1987]

I did have two but then sold the silver one straight away as no one needs two Astra VXR haha!

This one was essentially the spec I wanted to take the silver one to but it was finished and allowed to me actually save a lot of time and effort.

They really do make a good base for track cars but don’t seem overly popular for a few reasons. I think they make a good base for a few reason though...

1. Decent power for very little money.
2. Endless used parts and a lot of knowledge, especially in the UK
3. Very reliable (some may disagree but my silver one did over 55k mapped miles and was sold on 110 running faultlessly. Was even on the standard original clutch and gearbox (an M32 box just needs care). Even if it had a fault it still worked.

[CrippsCorner]

That pleases me it was on was on 110k with original clutch and 'box... mine's just hit 115k! Unfortunately limited history so I'll be getting it a full service from someone who knows their performance/modified cars soon for peace of mind

[shaun_1987]

I think changing the Gearbox oil frequently is the key.

There are several places across the country that do drive in drive out box refurbs as well for about £300 as well if the worst does happen.

[shaun_1987]

Car has had a good check over in preparation for a trip to the ring in two weeks. Only issue to sort is this boost pipe which is rubbing. That will be sorted next weekend and then it’s good to go!

[Macron]

It's a good looking, very much underrated car the H, cooking models are cheap and even these are reasonable. It's great to see one being properly used, too, good on ya and have a great time at the ring.

[lewis87]

Good track tool, always like the look of this generation but I’ve never driven one.

[shaun_1987]

Amazing trip at the ring just completed.

Car was faultless over the weekend and coped with 37 degree temps and 57 degree track surface temps amazingly!

Ran some great times and had some good laps with a few cars. An 8:20 in those temps with traffic is good for me!

It really is a fantastic place!

[5mileofdeath]

Glad you had a good outing to the ring mate

Did you get any videos?

[shaun_1987]

I’ve never videod any laps actually. Might have to invest in a camera in future.

I went past a rapid Swedish guy in a Megane who gave me his YouTube name and told me he would upload the lap though ha

[5mileofdeath]

Post the link to his video if it’s uploaded