What Car Best to Learn 'Ring In?
Discussion
Not strictly a Porsche post I know but think for reasons that will be apparent Porsche owners views may be more valid than others.
Have a friend who has just purchased a 996GT3RS and wants to spend a good bit of next year working at getting reasonably handy at the 'Ring. Problem is the RS is probably a bit ahead of his 'Ring knowledge and abilities at the mo. Think he'll spend all his time backing off instead of learning the place. So the idea is for him to get something cheap, relatively expendable and fun - but obviously not as quick - to get him started. Has to be able to take punishment and get there and back under own steam. Budget £30k (to include mods.).
I've suggested various M3s (too quick?), Clio, Caterham (quick I know but at least not likely to hit to fearsome a top speed) and any number of hot hatches.
Anyone got any thoughts
Have a friend who has just purchased a 996GT3RS and wants to spend a good bit of next year working at getting reasonably handy at the 'Ring. Problem is the RS is probably a bit ahead of his 'Ring knowledge and abilities at the mo. Think he'll spend all his time backing off instead of learning the place. So the idea is for him to get something cheap, relatively expendable and fun - but obviously not as quick - to get him started. Has to be able to take punishment and get there and back under own steam. Budget £30k (to include mods.).
I've suggested various M3s (too quick?), Clio, Caterham (quick I know but at least not likely to hit to fearsome a top speed) and any number of hot hatches.
Anyone got any thoughts
Apart from Rent a race car as above, I don't see the point of spending £30k on a Ring toy. An accident in the GT3 RS might be cheaper than £30k (or more expensive!)
I'd advise to do plenty of UK track days to learn the limits of the car, then go and spend that £30k on some organised track days at the Ring(RMA) or professional instruction (Scuderia Hanseat or BMW).
I'd advise to do plenty of UK track days to learn the limits of the car, then go and spend that £30k on some organised track days at the Ring(RMA) or professional instruction (Scuderia Hanseat or BMW).
Pugsey said:
Not strictly a Porsche post I know but think for reasons that will be apparent Porsche owners views may be more valid than others.
Have a friend who has just purchased a 996GT3RS and wants to spend a good bit of next year working at getting reasonably handy at the 'Ring. Problem is the RS is probably a bit ahead of his 'Ring knowledge and abilities at the mo. Think he'll spend all his time backing off instead of learning the place. So the idea is for him to get something cheap, relatively expendable and fun - but obviously not as quick - to get him started. Has to be able to take punishment and get there and back under own steam. Budget £30k (to include mods.).
I've suggested various M3s (too quick?), Clio, Caterham (quick I know but at least not likely to hit to fearsome a top speed) and any number of hot hatches.
Anyone got any thoughts
Have a friend who has just purchased a 996GT3RS and wants to spend a good bit of next year working at getting reasonably handy at the 'Ring. Problem is the RS is probably a bit ahead of his 'Ring knowledge and abilities at the mo. Think he'll spend all his time backing off instead of learning the place. So the idea is for him to get something cheap, relatively expendable and fun - but obviously not as quick - to get him started. Has to be able to take punishment and get there and back under own steam. Budget £30k (to include mods.).
I've suggested various M3s (too quick?), Clio, Caterham (quick I know but at least not likely to hit to fearsome a top speed) and any number of hot hatches.
Anyone got any thoughts
Recommend anything you enjoy and can hook up with!
I think a Golf Mk 2 GTi 8v would be good, communicative, but never going to bite you.
This depends on your level of car experience, but I'd be happy having such a car to do the ring in regularly.
Of course THEN you want something more challenging.
Then go for a Porsche, and preferably a well sorted Carrera 3.2 - no PAS, no ABS, no traction control.
Just you and the road conditions.
Have fun!!
997gt3 said:
An excellant choice would be a VW Golf R32 - superb machine and yours for circa £25k.
Yes. Good car, although not so slide-able as a Golf Mk 2.
Fluidity, and a relationship of driver and 'ring, I believe might be better in the Golf Mk 2 at lower speeds, rather than outright speed, which the R32 would obviously win.
AD
drybeer said:
997gt3 said:
An excellant choice would be a VW Golf R32 - superb machine and yours for circa £25k.
Yes. Good car, although not so slide-able as a Golf Mk 2.
Fluidity, and a relationship of driver and 'ring, I believe might be better in the Golf Mk 2 at lower speeds, rather than outright speed, which the R32 would obviously win.
AD
Pugsey said:
drybeer said:
997gt3 said:
An excellant choice would be a VW Golf R32 - superb machine and yours for circa £25k.
Yes. Good car, although not so slide-able as a Golf Mk 2.
Fluidity, and a relationship of driver and 'ring, I believe might be better in the Golf Mk 2 at lower speeds, rather than outright speed, which the R32 would obviously win.
AD
Yeah, every one has their different horse for a different course.
It's just that I remember having more fun in my Golf GTi that in cars costing 10 times as much - and I really believe - as you do by your reply - that you don't need to have a huge budget to learn the ring, and then take faster cars when you want!
My 3.2 had too much grip to really get to being fun, and a newer car like a Golf R32 would have rubber band tyres with no "give" in them to play with...
I miss that about big tyres!
AD
I don't think it really matters what you drive as long as you approach things in a sensible manner.
I'm sure If I could have afforded a GT3 (although I would have bought a 993RS) then enjoy driving it around the greatest track in the world.
I make do with a Clio Cup and a Porsche 944, and I actually have more fun in the Clio but it feels more special when I lap in the 944.
Dave
I'm sure If I could have afforded a GT3 (although I would have bought a 993RS) then enjoy driving it around the greatest track in the world.
I make do with a Clio Cup and a Porsche 944, and I actually have more fun in the Clio but it feels more special when I lap in the 944.
Dave
Pugsey said:
drybeer said:
997gt3 said:
An excellant choice would be a VW Golf R32 - superb machine and yours for circa £25k.
Yes. Good car, although not so slide-able as a Golf Mk 2.
Fluidity, and a relationship of driver and 'ring, I believe might be better in the Golf Mk 2 at lower speeds, rather than outright speed, which the R32 would obviously win.
AD
How's about a VW Lupo GTI??
They're only a 1.6 litre with 125bhp and the newest ones which are about 2 years old can be had for £8k ish. They look a great proposition for the money.
There is a dedicated school at the Ring which uses Alfa 75s. Funnily enough called the "75 Experience" (www.75experience.co.uk). I have not used it but I have read good things about it in several of the mags.
£500 for 2 nights hotel & food, Alfa 75 car hire for one day and all the instruction, tyres, fuel, insurance.
£500 for 2 nights hotel & food, Alfa 75 car hire for one day and all the instruction, tyres, fuel, insurance.
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