track day thoughts
Discussion
Hi,
I have a 96' Chim 400.
A buddy of mine has invited me to do a track day. The track in particular is a "long track" (Mosport in Canada). I have done a few track days there back in my Porsche 911 days.
Its a high speed rather bumpy track with some frickin' scary high speed off camber turns and concrete barriers if you get it wrong.
My Porsche never had issues with track days based on the robustness of Porsche brakes, suspension, engine, etc.. Also, I'm generally not pushing my car too hard
What are folks thoughts on Chimaera and track day worthiness? I don't want to spend $650 for the track day and end up with an overheated engine and fried brakes.
On the plus side:
My Chim is supposed to have a rebuilt engine and tranny at some point (4-5 years go - no proof of that)
New tires
New Bilsteins
Outriggers and chassis seem OK
Car seems to not run too hot. The cooling fans kick in fine
On the down-side:
Diff has a fair amount of "backlash/play" in it.
Brakes are fine with a new master cylinder and brake booster, but certainly not Porschelike confidence levels
It is a LHD conversion done by prior owner and so I'm not 100% confident in the robustness of the various components
I have a 96' Chim 400.
A buddy of mine has invited me to do a track day. The track in particular is a "long track" (Mosport in Canada). I have done a few track days there back in my Porsche 911 days.
Its a high speed rather bumpy track with some frickin' scary high speed off camber turns and concrete barriers if you get it wrong.
My Porsche never had issues with track days based on the robustness of Porsche brakes, suspension, engine, etc.. Also, I'm generally not pushing my car too hard
What are folks thoughts on Chimaera and track day worthiness? I don't want to spend $650 for the track day and end up with an overheated engine and fried brakes.
On the plus side:
My Chim is supposed to have a rebuilt engine and tranny at some point (4-5 years go - no proof of that)
New tires
New Bilsteins
Outriggers and chassis seem OK
Car seems to not run too hot. The cooling fans kick in fine
On the down-side:
Diff has a fair amount of "backlash/play" in it.
Brakes are fine with a new master cylinder and brake booster, but certainly not Porschelike confidence levels
It is a LHD conversion done by prior owner and so I'm not 100% confident in the robustness of the various components
Little reason why not to use it but I would only drive it at 80% in its current setup.
Mine is fully setup and I still have a little voice in the back of my head saying it is only a kit of parts put mostly together by me.
If the track is good and safe then I would drive at 92% in my chim, yours, I wouldn't.
As you state, LHD of unknown conversion and very standard.
At the least, fast Road/ track pads and wind the dampers up if they have adjustment.
Otherwise, just drive to its capabilities.
You can always work on it and upgrade for the future.
Mine is fully setup and I still have a little voice in the back of my head saying it is only a kit of parts put mostly together by me.
If the track is good and safe then I would drive at 92% in my chim, yours, I wouldn't.
As you state, LHD of unknown conversion and very standard.
At the least, fast Road/ track pads and wind the dampers up if they have adjustment.
Otherwise, just drive to its capabilities.
You can always work on it and upgrade for the future.
Make sure your brake fluid is fresh. I didn’t, changed my pads before a track day, and lost the brakes completely at 120 mph, braking into a 90 degree left hander. Phazed will remember changing my pads back to the worn ones at the track (Hullavington) so I could carry on enjoying the day.
The other good idea is to have a four wheel alignment done by someone competent. It will turn an unpredictable car into a predictable one.
The other good idea is to have a four wheel alignment done by someone competent. It will turn an unpredictable car into a predictable one.
Have to agree with the comments above, brakes, four wheel alignment will make a big difference to your Chimaera on the track also a lot of us regulars have a track focused tyres like Toyo 888s.
Unfortunately the 400 will suffer from a lack of power on the high speed, long straight tracks, I speak from experience.
From a personal point of view and I'm sure you don't need this advice as you have obviously been on quite a few track days but I found it wise not to drink red wine or any alcohol the night before and it's not a good idea to go out for that last run of the day as I found out after coming very close to completely losing it trying to stay ahead of a very quick blue Griff.
Unfortunately the 400 will suffer from a lack of power on the high speed, long straight tracks, I speak from experience.
From a personal point of view and I'm sure you don't need this advice as you have obviously been on quite a few track days but I found it wise not to drink red wine or any alcohol the night before and it's not a good idea to go out for that last run of the day as I found out after coming very close to completely losing it trying to stay ahead of a very quick blue Griff.
Edited by trev4 on Saturday 24th March 08:45
Brakes will quickly fade on road pads if coming down from high speed a lot.
I’m sure you know this.
Either slow and plenty of laps or shorter more spirited runs.
I find within about 10mins the car is hot and slowing down if there’s lots of corners.
Brakes will take a beating so spare pads a must.
They are ok when you take their limitations into account and you can still enjoy how they turn in etc.
Open the bonnet as soon as you come to a stop. Be reasonable and the car should still reward good driving.
Enjoy
I’m sure you know this.
Either slow and plenty of laps or shorter more spirited runs.
I find within about 10mins the car is hot and slowing down if there’s lots of corners.
Brakes will take a beating so spare pads a must.
They are ok when you take their limitations into account and you can still enjoy how they turn in etc.
Open the bonnet as soon as you come to a stop. Be reasonable and the car should still reward good driving.
Enjoy
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