What is considered too slow for a track day?

[Stardus]

Seriously thinking about bringing my Honda S660 kei car to a twisty trackday in spring.

It's a 850kg MR with only about 80 hp or so at the hub.

I have took the car to Silverstone once for a short session, while it does feels massively underpowered but I think most typical budget track car will feel the same in a circuit like that.

I wonder would shorter circuit still suits it? For example, I didn't feel massively lacking in power at Oulton Park in my EP3 Type R.

[braddo]

Citroen 2CV race cars are sometimes at track days so don't worry about your car being too slow!

[RB Will]

As long as you are keeping an eye on your mirrors and not blocking or doing anything silly you will be fine. Some people are really bloody slow on track in capable cars. On a cool down lap I’m rarely above 70mph so it isn’t unusual to come across slow cars.

[motorhole]

I've seen all sorts on trackdays from 2CV race cars (above), standard Austin minis and MG midgets, various standard saloon cars - I've even taken a TDi Fabia vRS a couple times. Wouldn't worry about that.

Fast, wide, open tracks like Silverstone, Donington and Bedford will make a lot of even fast road cars feel underpowered though. Try it somewhere tight like Blyton Park, Caldwell or even perhaps Oulton Park and you might have much more fun. Blyton on particular really seems to neutralise a power advantage for me.

[C70R]

For the sake of your enjoyment, I'd avoid longer circuits or those with lots of long straights. Layout maps are available all over the web that should give a good indication.

Otherwise, there's no such thing as a car being too slow. As long as you're not driving dangerously, or you're preventing other cars from passing on the straights, you've paid the same money as Dazza in his Instagram-build, 'clubsport' E92 M3 to be out there.

Just go and enjoy.

If it's your first time on a track, I might consider some tuition.

[GordonF430]

Try Cadwell . 2 biggish straights to easily let people by, and lots of really twisty bits to reel them back in .

Watch your mirrors and you'll be fine

[TTmonkey]

There’s a go-cart track near Thruxton…..


I’ve done plenty of track days. One guy turned up in a 1.2 corsa and was still competitive. Because he was a great driver.

[motco]

Airfield days are ideal for this. Loads of runoff for those who are inexperienced, lots of wider parts for letting faster cars past, no sharp level changes to catch you out with low brake response/grip, and no Armco to send you home with a screwed up milk bottle top for a car. Oh, and they usually cost a lot less!

[boombang]

I used to run a Saxo VTR track car that was ex SaxMax, so a whopping 90bhp and the long gearbox.

The straight at Donington was basically indicate and pull over but can't say I had issues on any other circuit.

If you can maintain speed through corners it's still a good option and on smaller circuits like Lydden (take a brave pill) wouldn't have swapped for much else.

I do even recall a wet day at Brands on wets (control tyre for SaxMax so got a load with the car) where I was pushing lots of faster cars around corners into the straight (then watch them pull away)

[Stardus]

TTmonkey said:

There’s a go-cart track near Thruxton…..


I’ve done plenty of track days. One guy turned up in a 1.2 corsa and was still competitive. Because he was a great driver.

I would totally do a go-cart day in the S660... if only they will let me

[RB Will]

C70R said:

Otherwise, there's no such thing as a car being too slow. As long as you're not driving dangerously, or you're preventing other cars from passing on the straights, you've paid the same money as Dazza in his Instagram-build, 'clubsport' E92 M3 to be out there.
.

Dazza isnt always fast either, at the last day I did there was a guy with pretty much what you describe and I overheard him bigging up to his mates what laptimes he was doing. He was only 6 secs a lap slower than my mate in his bog standard E90 saloon , about 14 secs a lap slower than my mate in his track M3.

Seen a R34 GTR lapping consistently about 40 seconds off the pace. It really is nothing to worry about, at least in the kei car people wont take the mick if you are a bit slow.

Stardus said:

I would totally do a go-cart day in the S660... if only they will let me

You need to get pally with your local track. I used to be a regular at mine and they let me and my mate take ours round their outdoor track. Ive seen another local indoor track put a couple of vids on facebook of cars on the track.

[C70R]

RB Will said:

C70R said:

Otherwise, there's no such thing as a car being too slow. As long as you're not driving dangerously, or you're preventing other cars from passing on the straights, you've paid the same money as Dazza in his Instagram-build, 'clubsport' E92 M3 to be out there.
.

Dazza isnt always fast either, at the last day I did there was a guy with pretty much what you describe and I overheard him bigging up to his mates what laptimes he was doing. He was only 6 secs a lap slower than my mate in his bog standard E90 saloon , about 14 secs a lap slower than my mate in his track M3.

Indeed.

But Dazza is probably 'practicing' for his next "Ring Trip", with closing speeds on the straight bits upwards of 70mph on a little Kei Car.

[MRichards99]

I've done a few trackdays in my mum's mk1 Focus 1.6 (so 100bhp from factory) this year before it gets sold on/scrapped. It's standard except for uprated pads and fluid and a service to ensure its safe for track use. You will have paid your money just the same as all the other drivers, just let by faster cars when they arrive behind you and I don't think there's a problem.

I've found the biggest problem is actually getting past higher powered cars where I'm faster over one lap because I'm in a bog standard Focus and that means I'm definitely the slowest thing on the day. In reality, it is definitely the slowest thing in a straight line, but it's not always the slowest car in the corners. This can be frustrating, but patience and sometimes backing off to find some space is the best solution to these problems.

Castle Combe, Mallory Park, Three Sisters (never been myself) might be good places for lower powered cars.

Go for it, trackdays aren't always about the quickest BMWs/Caterfields, it's about having fun.

[CABC]

it would be interesting to session a track day by weight. <1 tonne; <1.4; >1.4
obviously power can still vary, but I'd like to see how that day worked out.

[NoBrakesWC]

I was on a track day at Silverstone with all sorts from a Criterion C1 race car to a Porsche Carrera cup car etc. No car is too slow

[loggyboy]

Defo nothing too slow. Its much more fun in a car that you have to push and maybe not care too much about.

[PJ_Parsons]

I would agree with those that say, pick your place. Oulton, Anglesey and Cadwell are certainly good bets. Plenty of space on track. Silverstone (never been myself) and Donington are just too fast and open. I would also target the months of November to February, as there are far fewer testing race cars. I don’t like the idea of Kart circuits. I know of a couple of guys that have suffered oil starvation with the tight corners.

[Theraveda]

I wouldn't worry about it; we were all terrified newbies once. Sadly, you're bound to come across the occasionally asshole, but you can ignore them.

[Calite]

loggyboy said:

Defo nothing too slow. Its much more fun in a car that you have to push and maybe not care too much about.

My brother and I may have taken our tow van (a blistering 115hp transit) for a few laps of Knockhill after his old scooby decided to leave some oily bits on the exit of the final hairpin.

I've heard some places can be funny about 'high sided vehicles' though

[Stardus]

I guess I'll go out and do it again! Silverstone on it wasn't that fun but it's just not suitable for it I think.

Sadly limited tyre selection will force me into warm dryer season for the S660, it's either horrible budget tyres or running NS2R. Anglesey would be amazing with the view!