Track days in supercars?
Discussion
Ash_ said:
Bloody hell dude!! You are truly living the dream with the cars you track and the ones in your stable (yes, I did a bit of stalking of your profile). Good on you for having the balls to track stuff like that. However, a question if I may, with the funding you have why don't you race, or also why don't you get something which is more track focussed for track days? For example, I'd have a KTM X-Bow as a dedicated track car or (if I could afford it) a BAC Mono, I know the KTM isn't as quick as any of the cars in your stable, but for worry free track days it's gotta be a good shout.
Thanks 
The Challenge Car is a factory built 488 race car, which I've raced for the last 2 years in the Ferrari Challenge Series.
.... it's an unreal car, especially on slicks and on a dry day ..... the performance and the way it goes round corners is on a different level compared to any road car I have ever driven, although theres always faster cars and better drivers on any test day.
I consider myself very lucky to have experienced it the way I have, but covid has not been kind yo our business and it's put things into perspective; staff are more important than thrashing a car round a track.
It also takes quite a lot to set it up properly for each track and the weather conditions on the day and it can be a little temperamental meaning the Engineers must plug their laptops into it 15-20 times during a days running to check everything ... and we go through 2 sets of slicks and a set of pads in a day. I will run it for a few days here and there, but racing in the series this year is looking doubtful.
.. hence the GT3RS purchase to take to the track and have fun with my pals; knowing I can fill up myself and drive home (Although I may use the trailer given my driving enthusiasm Vs talent), but the big thing is that I don't need a team to run it.
I did consider a BAC, KTM and others, but having had more than my fair share of hairy moments, from spins to encounters with the barriers during race weekends and qualifying, I opted for something with a bit of padding/protection and a passenger seat, to take it a little easier and just enjoy the track time with friends, taking turns being driver/passenger.
Unfortunately the trackdays I had booked have now been cancelled, so I'll look forward to getting the car on track soon, probably to see you fly past in your KTM and wish I'd chosen differently ha ha !!
mike746 said:
I have tracked most of my supercars. The GT3 was the best hands down, but expensive to track.
To give you an idea it cost me £12,000 in tyres, pads, discs a full service and a wheel alignment after for 5 days on track. this included 3 days at Spa and 2 at the Ring. Great fun but very expensive. I tracked my 458 last year and it was ok just heavy. Since then I've had built a e92 clubsport for my track days, and although it probably now owes me £45 - £50k its a lot of money but I can drive it to and from the ring or track and abuse it and drive home. This is now my go to track car. Rob at apex taxi loves his e92 m3. After seeing and being in a schirmer m3 it will blow your mind
For a bit of balance I think it's worth stating that £12k for 5 track days is not remotely a typical run rate.To give you an idea it cost me £12,000 in tyres, pads, discs a full service and a wheel alignment after for 5 days on track. this included 3 days at Spa and 2 at the Ring. Great fun but very expensive. I tracked my 458 last year and it was ok just heavy. Since then I've had built a e92 clubsport for my track days, and although it probably now owes me £45 - £50k its a lot of money but I can drive it to and from the ring or track and abuse it and drive home. This is now my go to track car. Rob at apex taxi loves his e92 m3. After seeing and being in a schirmer m3 it will blow your mind
I don't know what 991 brake costs are but for a 997 it's along the lines of:
£1000 for a set of Cup2 tyres
£750ish for a set of 4 brake discs (steels)
£750ish for a set of Pagid RS29 pads
That should easily do 5 days (brakes especially for days at n'ring). Spending more on Alcon discs gives even the most hardcore trackdayers 10-12 days with the RS29 pads.
braddo said:
For a bit of balance I think it's worth stating that £12k for 5 track days is not remotely a typical run rate.
I don't know what 991 brake costs are but for a 997 it's along the lines of:
£1000 for a set of Cup2 tyres
£750ish for a set of 4 brake discs (steels)
£750ish for a set of Pagid RS29 pads
That should easily do 5 days (brakes especially for days at n'ring). Spending more on Alcon discs gives even the most hardcore trackdayers 10-12 days with the RS29 pads.
Do you mind saying where you're getting those prices as that seems very competitive. Thanks
I don't know what 991 brake costs are but for a 997 it's along the lines of:
£1000 for a set of Cup2 tyres
£750ish for a set of 4 brake discs (steels)
£750ish for a set of Pagid RS29 pads
That should easily do 5 days (brakes especially for days at n'ring). Spending more on Alcon discs gives even the most hardcore trackdayers 10-12 days with the RS29 pads.
Do you mind saying where you're getting those prices as that seems very competitive. Thanks
Please let me know where you get your parts from. 
I don't know what 991 brake costs are but for a 997 it's along the lines of:
£1000 for a set of Cup2 tyres
£750ish for a set of 4 brake discs (steels)
£750ish for a set of Pagid RS29 pads
That should easily do 5 days (brakes especially for days at n'ring). Spending more on Alcon discs gives even the most hardcore trackdayers 10-12 days with the RS29 pads.
braddo said:
mike746 said:
I have tracked most of my supercars. The GT3 was the best hands down, but expensive to track.
To give you an idea it cost me £12,000 in tyres, pads, discs a full service and a wheel alignment after for 5 days on track. this included 3 days at Spa and 2 at the Ring. Great fun but very expensive. I tracked my 458 last year and it was ok just heavy. Since then I've had built a e92 clubsport for my track days, and although it probably now owes me £45 - £50k its a lot of money but I can drive it to and from the ring or track and abuse it and drive home. This is now my go to track car. Rob at apex taxi loves his e92 m3. After seeing and being in a schirmer m3 it will blow your mind
For a bit of balance I think it's worth stating that £12k for 5 track days is not remotely a typical run rate.To give you an idea it cost me £12,000 in tyres, pads, discs a full service and a wheel alignment after for 5 days on track. this included 3 days at Spa and 2 at the Ring. Great fun but very expensive. I tracked my 458 last year and it was ok just heavy. Since then I've had built a e92 clubsport for my track days, and although it probably now owes me £45 - £50k its a lot of money but I can drive it to and from the ring or track and abuse it and drive home. This is now my go to track car. Rob at apex taxi loves his e92 m3. After seeing and being in a schirmer m3 it will blow your mind
I don't know what 991 brake costs are but for a 997 it's along the lines of:
£1000 for a set of Cup2 tyres
£750ish for a set of 4 brake discs (steels)
£750ish for a set of Pagid RS29 pads
That should easily do 5 days (brakes especially for days at n'ring). Spending more on Alcon discs gives even the most hardcore trackdayers 10-12 days with the RS29 pads.
braddo said:
For a bit of balance I think it's worth stating that £12k for 5 track days is not remotely a typical run rate.
I don't know what 991 brake costs are but for a 997 it's along the lines of:
£1000 for a set of Cup2 tyres
£750ish for a set of 4 brake discs (steels)
£750ish for a set of Pagid RS29 pads
That should easily do 5 days (brakes especially for days at n'ring). Spending more on Alcon discs gives even the most hardcore trackdayers 10-12 days with the RS29 pads.
£745 for 4 brake discs....? Er where are you getting those from? Alcons (ring only nevermind the hat) are more than that for a pair iirc....!I don't know what 991 brake costs are but for a 997 it's along the lines of:
£1000 for a set of Cup2 tyres
£750ish for a set of 4 brake discs (steels)
£750ish for a set of Pagid RS29 pads
That should easily do 5 days (brakes especially for days at n'ring). Spending more on Alcon discs gives even the most hardcore trackdayers 10-12 days with the RS29 pads.
S1M VP said:
Ash_ said:
Bloody hell dude!! You are truly living the dream with the cars you track and the ones in your stable (yes, I did a bit of stalking of your profile). Good on you for having the balls to track stuff like that. However, a question if I may, with the funding you have why don't you race, or also why don't you get something which is more track focussed for track days? For example, I'd have a KTM X-Bow as a dedicated track car or (if I could afford it) a BAC Mono, I know the KTM isn't as quick as any of the cars in your stable, but for worry free track days it's gotta be a good shout.
Thanks The Challenge Car is a factory built 488 race car, which I've raced for the last 2 years in the Ferrari Challenge Series.
.... it's an unreal car, especially on slicks and on a dry day ..... the performance and the way it goes round corners is on a different level compared to any road car I have ever driven, although theres always faster cars and better drivers on any test day.
I consider myself very lucky to have experienced it the way I have, but covid has not been kind yo our business and it's put things into perspective; staff are more important than thrashing a car round a track.
It also takes quite a lot to set it up properly for each track and the weather conditions on the day and it can be a little temperamental meaning the Engineers must plug their laptops into it 15-20 times during a days running to check everything ... and we go through 2 sets of slicks and a set of pads in a day. I will run it for a few days here and there, but racing in the series this year is looking doubtful.
.. hence the GT3RS purchase to take to the track and have fun with my pals; knowing I can fill up myself and drive home (Although I may use the trailer given my driving enthusiasm Vs talent), but the big thing is that I don't need a team to run it.
I did consider a BAC, KTM and others, but having had more than my fair share of hairy moments, from spins to encounters with the barriers during race weekends and qualifying, I opted for something with a bit of padding/protection and a passenger seat, to take it a little easier and just enjoy the track time with friends, taking turns being driver/passenger.
Unfortunately the trackdays I had booked have now been cancelled, so I'll look forward to getting the car on track soon, probably to see you fly past in your KTM and wish I'd chosen differently ha ha !!
LeroyLoser said:
Whats it like journeying there though? Or do you trailer it?
Thinking of changing the GTR (amg) for something lighter, though 400hp i’m not sure about vs the 700hp, thinking I might miss that surge up the straights..
We’ll I’m back in a 991 gt3. The bmw is great but the gt3 for me is better. Had it 7 weeks and already don e 4500 miles init 😂Thinking of changing the GTR (amg) for something lighter, though 400hp i’m not sure about vs the 700hp, thinking I might miss that surge up the straights..
In my experience this is usually what happens when you see a supercar on track… hugely capable car holding people up in the corners, not committing properly and just booting it on the straight, it’s a shame because they are built to perform.
https://youtu.be/A0fNyjrFtp4
On the flip, I see a lot of super fast R8s on track with committed drivers, as well as porsches. Mclaren’s are usually the slowest, which is saying more about the driver than the car. That being said, if I bin my car I’ll be gutted but I’ll get over it, binning 75k+ worth of mclaren might make me feel different. I’d love to have that problem!
https://youtu.be/A0fNyjrFtp4
On the flip, I see a lot of super fast R8s on track with committed drivers, as well as porsches. Mclaren’s are usually the slowest, which is saying more about the driver than the car. That being said, if I bin my car I’ll be gutted but I’ll get over it, binning 75k+ worth of mclaren might make me feel different. I’d love to have that problem!
1781cc said:
In my experience this is usually what happens when you see a supercar on track… hugely capable car holding people up in the corners, not committing properly and just booting it on the straight, it’s a shame because they are built to perform.
https://youtu.be/A0fNyjrFtp4
On the flip, I see a lot of super fast R8s on track with committed drivers, as well as porsches. Mclaren’s are usually the slowest, which is saying more about the driver than the car. That being said, if I bin my car I’ll be gutted but I’ll get over it, binning 75k+ worth of mclaren might make me feel different. I’d love to have that problem!
I must admit, this is starting to ring true for me. I own a £70k C7 Corvette Z06 - on paper this should be, in the right hands, one of the quickest cars at any track day. But, I find myself relatively slow compared with how fast I'm sure I could be, and a lot is to do with not wanting to bin it into a wall! I'll caveat that by saying that firstly the only track I've taken it on is Goodwood, which is not forgiving, and that even at Goodwood, I trigger the noise limits on driveby at full chat.....so I'm actually having to go slower than I'd like to/am able to, to make sure I don't get black flagged. https://youtu.be/A0fNyjrFtp4
On the flip, I see a lot of super fast R8s on track with committed drivers, as well as porsches. Mclaren’s are usually the slowest, which is saying more about the driver than the car. That being said, if I bin my car I’ll be gutted but I’ll get over it, binning 75k+ worth of mclaren might make me feel different. I’d love to have that problem!
On the flip side, I also co-own an Ariel Atom that I've taken to Goodwood, and in that thing I am FLYING at full whack, fast than pretty much anything out there, and having an absolute blast. I guess that's party due to the difference between worrying about a car I paid £70k for, and a car I shared 3 ways £10k each.
So, as much as I hate to admit it, given a choice, I'd take the Atom all day long over the Corvette, even though the Corvette should be a bit of an epic track monster.
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