Track days?

[mattg7]

All,

Am very interested in taking my newly aquired Chim on the track and wondered how robust the engine/gearbox/clutch/brakes etc are in these conditions. Have a 97 P Chim with full history and just 47k on the clock, and don't really want to blow it up!

Has anyone else taken their Chim (unmodified) on a track and how was the experience? I'm also worried about the standard over-heating and hot start ptoblems, which (touch wood) mine doesn't seem to suffer from.

Any advise or tips would be great!

[Ashy2]

Get out there and enjoy it, the car will handle it no problem. Had my 98 400 chim round Oultan Park and others many a time in standard trim and she just laps it up !! Just remember to start steady and what your arse end if it's wet.

[mattg7]

Thanks Neil,

So you didn't experience any problems? I haven't had the car checked over by specialist but have been told that RV8 lumps are fairly bullet proof....

Will definitely be taking it easy, have been to Brands a few times and seen quite a few Chims and their drivers lose it!

Any views on tyre pressures for track use, currently running 25 rear and 23 front which seems to work well on the road. I guess another 3-4psi on top of that should do it?

[Colin L]

Tyre pressures should be 24 rear and 22 front. try going up to 28 rear and 26 front on track day. If the track is all right hand bends after the morning session check tyres again and put an extra 1 in the front nearside tyre to balance tyre wear.

The Chimaera / Griff chassis was designed from the Tuscan race cars. There set up is not as hard or track focused but will amaze you on track.

Go slow build up your speed and take an instructor out with you. Listen to all the advance from the instructor, and remember check your brakes, oil and water before you go and never drink the night before a track day.

Fun will follow and so will track day tyres, brake upgrades.........

Colin L

[spend]

Check your brakes before hand - they take a bit of a bashing. Pads are easy to inspect, but oft overlooked is the fluid - well worth doing a complete fluid change if the car is new to you IMHO.

Dave

[beeka]

Definitely do it. You will have so much more respect for the car afterwards, and the smile will stay on your face for a long time. I recommend motorsport-events; I did the day at Keevil, and there was plenty of help on hand, and also plenty of run off. I use 28 rear and 26 front and check the wheelnut torques (75 lb/ft) and pads between runs. Managed to finish off the rear(!)pads at Keevil, so worth fitting new ones before hand if they are marginal. Have also used Castle Combe which is good fun. My Chim is always fine on the day, and seems to run better the harder it is used!! Enjoy,
Mark

[E2DJH]

Do it, do it, do it.
Drive well within your capabilties and you will have great fun.
I've only done a couple, and am certainly no expert, but it has always been safe. Make sure you try a novice session first, then you will avoid having faster drivers crawling all over your rear end.


There's a novice evening at Brand next month with quite a few TVRs already signed up, have a look here:

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=13&t=381752&p=2

[im]

mattg7 : YHM

[mattg7]

Good advice, thanks!

Ian - what does YHM mean?

Have done quite a lot of track days in modern cars (some company and another that wasn't mine!) so am slightly cautious about my own 10 year old car!!!

[im]

mattg7 said:

Ian - what does YHM mean?

It means You Have Mail

Check your personal e-mail account