Amateur motorsport v trackday and fast road car
Discussion
Hi all, during lockdown my head has been all over with what to do, I really like the thought of joining a motor club and taking part in autosolo, nav scatters etc and possibly moving on to targa rallys.
Being in Wales no events or club meets have taken place due to restrictions, now that we can travel freely again id like to get out for a spin again, my current car (leon sc 184 tdi) bores me silly after a few miles.
I cant figure out whether to chop in the daily and get something like a 330d for fast roads and trackday events, keep what I have and get something like an mx5 for autosolos etc or keep what I have and look for something quick rwd for track and fast roads.
If I go for an all in one I'll have a budget of circa 20k, if I get a 2nd car I wouldn't be looking to spend more than 4k purchase and possibly an extra 2k as a bit of a project.
I bet there are a few who are or have been in s imar situation, what did/would you do?
Look forward to your responses
Being in Wales no events or club meets have taken place due to restrictions, now that we can travel freely again id like to get out for a spin again, my current car (leon sc 184 tdi) bores me silly after a few miles.
I cant figure out whether to chop in the daily and get something like a 330d for fast roads and trackday events, keep what I have and get something like an mx5 for autosolos etc or keep what I have and look for something quick rwd for track and fast roads.
If I go for an all in one I'll have a budget of circa 20k, if I get a 2nd car I wouldn't be looking to spend more than 4k purchase and possibly an extra 2k as a bit of a project.
I bet there are a few who are or have been in s imar situation, what did/would you do?
Look forward to your responses
dpj1978 said:
Hence a cheaper 2nd car, there seems to be plenty of spares around for the mx5.
How do you find the 330d msport? Ever taken it out on track? I'd imagine it would be a lovely weapon for weekend (or longer) road trips
It's great -- I've had two of them but never taken them on the track. Fast, quiet and the adaptive suspension is fantastic. Probably too heavy for the track though.How do you find the 330d msport? Ever taken it out on track? I'd imagine it would be a lovely weapon for weekend (or longer) road trips
roddo said:
Hi
Check out Mazda Motorsport club, you can race any MAZDA basically....some guys are building Mazda2's for this season and it will be a cheap entry level fun race car.
I'm racing one at Cadwell in an open race on the 17th
Thanks for the heads up, it looks interesting, I see the tournament will be at pembrey in October, will have to pop down and have a gander. Check out Mazda Motorsport club, you can race any MAZDA basically....some guys are building Mazda2's for this season and it will be a cheap entry level fun race car.
I'm racing one at Cadwell in an open race on the 17th
carl_w said:
dpj1978 said:
Hence a cheaper 2nd car, there seems to be plenty of spares around for the mx5.
How do you find the 330d msport? Ever taken it out on track? I'd imagine it would be a lovely weapon for weekend (or longer) road trips
It's great -- I've had two of them but never taken them on the track. Fast, quiet and the adaptive suspension is fantastic. Probably too heavy for the track though.How do you find the 330d msport? Ever taken it out on track? I'd imagine it would be a lovely weapon for weekend (or longer) road trips
What do you use the clio for?
Not sure what part of Wales you live in, but if you're interested in an MX5 then you need to have a look at this option. A good way to start amateur motorsport. https://www.bristolmc.org.uk/mx5challenge/mx5-rule...
Motorsport even at low level is just the best fun... I had a do it all car (M3) but when you take it on Trackdays after a few the deficiencies become obvious and irritating.
I used to love track days, the novelty value of being on a race track, experiencing lines on new tracks, but that soon wears off.
I then went daily car and a specific track car, get suspension and brakes and power just as you wish... and then you’re soon bored as again the novelty wears off.
Then I went entry level motorsport, group of us did Enduroka now we’re all doing that and other solo stuff.
Even at low level you go through a few quid, spare parts, inevitable odd bump, travel etc but there is nothing like it. I wish I’d skipped track car and done it sooner!
I used to love track days, the novelty value of being on a race track, experiencing lines on new tracks, but that soon wears off.
I then went daily car and a specific track car, get suspension and brakes and power just as you wish... and then you’re soon bored as again the novelty wears off.
Then I went entry level motorsport, group of us did Enduroka now we’re all doing that and other solo stuff.
Even at low level you go through a few quid, spare parts, inevitable odd bump, travel etc but there is nothing like it. I wish I’d skipped track car and done it sooner!
Thanks for all the replies guys.
I've been having a read around and a think on things, I believe I'm going to go down the road of getting a 2nd car for use in autosolos etc there is a local club to me who are running some motorkhana events which looks like good fun.
My thinking on cars atm;
Ff - clio renaultsport or twingo renaultsport, I had thought about a saxo vts, these seem to be quite strong pricewise these days.
Mr - mgf or tf, mr2 roadster.
Fr - mx5, most likely mk 2 1.8 or bmw 318ti, not many e36 versions about though. I'd love to go down the 325ti route but not sure there would be many options to compete though.
I've been having a read around and a think on things, I believe I'm going to go down the road of getting a 2nd car for use in autosolos etc there is a local club to me who are running some motorkhana events which looks like good fun.
My thinking on cars atm;
Ff - clio renaultsport or twingo renaultsport, I had thought about a saxo vts, these seem to be quite strong pricewise these days.
Mr - mgf or tf, mr2 roadster.
Fr - mx5, most likely mk 2 1.8 or bmw 318ti, not many e36 versions about though. I'd love to go down the 325ti route but not sure there would be many options to compete though.
Living in Wales, you are in the perfect place to get involved in club motorsport, its road rally central over there.
So on that basis avoid a 325i as its a six pot. 318Ti is the one to get if you can find one, they came with an LSD as standard, but were still 4 cylinder. (I think the 320 was another 6)
Saxo is a sound choice, as are the various RS Clio's, Rover 25's, Golfs etc. MX5's, MR2's seem to be getting popular for Targa, cheap and RWD allowing you to have fun with oversteer around the cones.
Best bet is to look at entry lists and results for the type of events you think you will end up doing, from that you can see what is generally thought of as being competitive. You will need to look past all the Escorts though, as those will blow the budget.
So on that basis avoid a 325i as its a six pot. 318Ti is the one to get if you can find one, they came with an LSD as standard, but were still 4 cylinder. (I think the 320 was another 6)
Saxo is a sound choice, as are the various RS Clio's, Rover 25's, Golfs etc. MX5's, MR2's seem to be getting popular for Targa, cheap and RWD allowing you to have fun with oversteer around the cones.
Best bet is to look at entry lists and results for the type of events you think you will end up doing, from that you can see what is generally thought of as being competitive. You will need to look past all the Escorts though, as those will blow the budget.
A different view point is that circuit tract days never get boring for me! When you get passed the idea of how hard you need to brake at every braking point and allowing your vehicle be it car or bike move around for you, then you will start focusing on smoothness and improving at different parts of the track.
Of course the "no racing" rule applies, yet every track day i have been to, there have been more than a fair share of those pitting their vehicles against one another.
Track focused cars do not need to be that fast. +1 for the only drive what you can afford to crash. Happens more in cars than bikes due to the size, but it is uncomfortable having some idiot in a souped up saxo proving how good their brakes are, untill at which point they rear end you.
Unfortunately, the risk of a collision on track with another track goer is significant and not always with the person in front being an issue.
Some of the best track cars are the most obscure. Swift gti (very rare and rusty, and those left that i havent crashed good luck), daihatsu charade gtti, AX gt, mazda 323 gtr, starlet turbo, rover 220 turbo etc etc... lots of rust buckets, lots of fun.
Of course the "no racing" rule applies, yet every track day i have been to, there have been more than a fair share of those pitting their vehicles against one another.
Track focused cars do not need to be that fast. +1 for the only drive what you can afford to crash. Happens more in cars than bikes due to the size, but it is uncomfortable having some idiot in a souped up saxo proving how good their brakes are, untill at which point they rear end you.
Unfortunately, the risk of a collision on track with another track goer is significant and not always with the person in front being an issue.
Some of the best track cars are the most obscure. Swift gti (very rare and rusty, and those left that i havent crashed good luck), daihatsu charade gtti, AX gt, mazda 323 gtr, starlet turbo, rover 220 turbo etc etc... lots of rust buckets, lots of fun.
I've done loads of different grassroots motorsport and would definitely recommend it.
I started with an MG Midget, precisely because it was eligible for and often competitive in many disciplines. Auto tests, Sprint / hill climbs, classic rallies, targa rallies, trialling, 12 cars etc.
There is a wide variety of events, some more expensive than others, some more likely to cause damage than others. Some offering more time drving and less standing around than others.
I now use an EP3 Civic Type R (ill soon be competing with Carl at Hethel), mostly for sprints but don't get out much.
If you are not sure what events you'd like then get a car that is eligible for lots and try them. MX5 would be an excellent start.
I started with an MG Midget, precisely because it was eligible for and often competitive in many disciplines. Auto tests, Sprint / hill climbs, classic rallies, targa rallies, trialling, 12 cars etc.
There is a wide variety of events, some more expensive than others, some more likely to cause damage than others. Some offering more time drving and less standing around than others.
I now use an EP3 Civic Type R (ill soon be competing with Carl at Hethel), mostly for sprints but don't get out much.
If you are not sure what events you'd like then get a car that is eligible for lots and try them. MX5 would be an excellent start.
carl_w said:
Duke Caboom said:
I now use an EP3 Civic Type R (ill soon be competing with Carl at Hethel), mostly for sprints but don't get out much
Hopefully you won't be doing many events 
. We looked at an EP3 CTR but couldn't find any at a reasonable price. 
carl_w said:
Hopefully you won't be doing many events . We looked at an EP3 CTR but couldn't find any at a reasonable price.
I've always been very close to Clios, sometimes just ahead, sometimes just behind. So I'll get my excuses in early! Tyres are getting on a bit, high mileage, etc. We looked at an EP3 CTR but couldn't find any at a reasonable price. Gassing Station | UK Club Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff