Tracking a super car.
Discussion
isaldiri said:
MDL111 said:
Also as far as I am aware they only require a pre-track day check for Ferrari track days - guess that is a liability issue
I thought there was a specific exclusion for track usage in the wording of the manufacturer warranty (like Porsche pre 991 gt3). Maybe I was mistaken, been quite a while since I had a look to be fair. I'd definitely recommend tracking your SC if you've got a decent amount of general track experience. It's the best way to learn what the car has got to offer. That being said, the cost of replacing items such as brakes and pads etc is pretty high so factor this is when deciding when and where. Finally, enjoy!
But just why would you want to track a Supercar ?
Sure a Supercar can be driven on track , or raced , but there are cars that are specifically designed for the track , or for racing ---- and these cars will , principally through their low weight , give a far better track day or race day experience .
Again , sure , the Supercar manufacturers will tell you that their most expensive models ( although it was not always like this -- in the 1990's , the stripped out Diablos were actually the cheapest ) , are designed for the track , but they are really road cars that have been lightly modified ( often at great expense , to lose a few Kg , and to gain a few BHP / Nm )
Supercars are almost all heavy , are generally filled with non-essential electronic gadgets and luxury cockpit furniture , and emasculated through electronic safety devices .
All of which are great for the Road.
Almost none of us on this forum are anything other than amateurs looking to have a good time on track , away from Mr Plod .
Sensation ( especially lateral G force through the bends ) rather than speed is what really matters
For maximum sensation you want to be exposed to the elements , not cocooned in a supercar .
Something like a windscreenless , doorless Radical or KTM X-BOW will be so much more exhilarating on track
So why deliberately choose to use a less appropriate tool ( a supercar ) for a given function (track work or racing ) , when a more appropriate tool ( a lightweight , exposed , manual transmission , naturally aspirated track car , without multiple electronic nannies ) is readily available ?
Supercars are designed primarily for Road use
Sure a Supercar can be driven on track , or raced , but there are cars that are specifically designed for the track , or for racing ---- and these cars will , principally through their low weight , give a far better track day or race day experience .
Again , sure , the Supercar manufacturers will tell you that their most expensive models ( although it was not always like this -- in the 1990's , the stripped out Diablos were actually the cheapest ) , are designed for the track , but they are really road cars that have been lightly modified ( often at great expense , to lose a few Kg , and to gain a few BHP / Nm )
Supercars are almost all heavy , are generally filled with non-essential electronic gadgets and luxury cockpit furniture , and emasculated through electronic safety devices .
All of which are great for the Road.
Almost none of us on this forum are anything other than amateurs looking to have a good time on track , away from Mr Plod .
Sensation ( especially lateral G force through the bends ) rather than speed is what really matters
For maximum sensation you want to be exposed to the elements , not cocooned in a supercar .
Something like a windscreenless , doorless Radical or KTM X-BOW will be so much more exhilarating on track
So why deliberately choose to use a less appropriate tool ( a supercar ) for a given function (track work or racing ) , when a more appropriate tool ( a lightweight , exposed , manual transmission , naturally aspirated track car , without multiple electronic nannies ) is readily available ?
Supercars are designed primarily for Road use
Dear Isaldiri ,
But saying '' just because you can '' is not a coherent argument
Equally saying ''for fun'' , while true , does not detract from my more constructive comment that
'' using the right tool ( a light-weight track designed car ) will give you more of the sensation that you are seeking from a track day experience , and hence will give you even more fun '' .
The logic is crystal clear , but hey , we are just having a bit of a banter on this forum , and are here for fun aren't we
Take care and best wishes
Carspath
But saying '' just because you can '' is not a coherent argument
Equally saying ''for fun'' , while true , does not detract from my more constructive comment that
'' using the right tool ( a light-weight track designed car ) will give you more of the sensation that you are seeking from a track day experience , and hence will give you even more fun '' .
The logic is crystal clear , but hey , we are just having a bit of a banter on this forum , and are here for fun aren't we
Take care and best wishes
Carspath
Ok, not a Supercar but my Dad has bought me an IAM track day. I own a 2008 Maserati Quattroporte with the F1 not the Auto box.
Am I insane for even considering blatting round the track in this? I am thinking as its an IAM day I can really just do some "very fast road driving" for a bit of a laugh and take it up to 70% of what it can do just to see what the old "land yacht" has when pushed a bit.
I certainly won't be looking at braking boards or trail braking her into corners etc just to go much faster than I would do on a well sighted road etc.
Am I insane for even considering blatting round the track in this? I am thinking as its an IAM day I can really just do some "very fast road driving" for a bit of a laugh and take it up to 70% of what it can do just to see what the old "land yacht" has when pushed a bit.
I certainly won't be looking at braking boards or trail braking her into corners etc just to go much faster than I would do on a well sighted road etc.
carspath said:
Dear Isaldiri ,
But saying '' just because you can '' is not a coherent argument
Equally saying ''for fun'' , while true , does not detract from my more constructive comment that
'' using the right tool ( a light-weight track designed car ) will give you more of the sensation that you are seeking from a track day experience , and hence will give you even more fun '' .
The logic is crystal clear , but hey , we are just having a bit of a banter on this forum , and are here for fun aren't we
Take care and best wishes
Carspath
Of course a race car or track prepped car is better suited, but the reason to take your supercar to a track is not to be the ultimate track hero but rather to experience what you and your car are capable of in a legal and safe(r) environment. Choose a wide track with plenty of runoff and then go out and push yourself and your car beyond what you can do on the public roads. Track days are not race days - you don't need to be the fastest, in fact overtaking without consent is disallowed on most track days. The thrill of pushing your car through Copse-Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel-Hanger-Stowe is not something you can ever experience on the road and while your particular supercar may not be optimised to be the fastest along it, the track is certainly optimised to be the best possible place to push your supercar.But saying '' just because you can '' is not a coherent argument
Equally saying ''for fun'' , while true , does not detract from my more constructive comment that
'' using the right tool ( a light-weight track designed car ) will give you more of the sensation that you are seeking from a track day experience , and hence will give you even more fun '' .
The logic is crystal clear , but hey , we are just having a bit of a banter on this forum , and are here for fun aren't we
Take care and best wishes
Carspath
carspath said:
But just why would you want to track a Supercar ?
Sure a Supercar can be driven on track , or raced , but there are cars that are specifically designed for the track , or for racing ---- and these cars will , principally through their low weight , give a far better track day or race day experience .
Again , sure , the Supercar manufacturers will tell you that their most expensive models ( although it was not always like this -- in the 1990's , the stripped out Diablos were actually the cheapest ) , are designed for the track , but they are really road cars that have been lightly modified ( often at great expense , to lose a few Kg , and to gain a few BHP / Nm )
Supercars are almost all heavy , are generally filled with non-essential electronic gadgets and luxury cockpit furniture , and emasculated through electronic safety devices .
All of which are great for the Road.
Almost none of us on this forum are anything other than amateurs looking to have a good time on track , away from Mr Plod .
Sensation ( especially lateral G force through the bends ) rather than speed is what really matters
For maximum sensation you want to be exposed to the elements , not cocooned in a supercar .
Something like a windscreenless , doorless Radical or KTM X-BOW will be so much more exhilarating on track
So why deliberately choose to use a less appropriate tool ( a supercar ) for a given function (track work or racing ) , when a more appropriate tool ( a lightweight , exposed , manual transmission , naturally aspirated track car , without multiple electronic nannies ) is readily available ?
Supercars are designed primarily for Road use
I think there are two distinct themes running in this thread. One is that if you want to do regular track days you are best of getting an appropriate track car e.g. a Caterham or whatever and I agree with this. But the other theme is that if you own a supercar which I think we all agree are primarily road cars it is nice to occasionally (or even just once) have a chance to see what it can actually do in terms of speed, handling etc which is why, to answer the question "you would want to track a supercar". Sure a Supercar can be driven on track , or raced , but there are cars that are specifically designed for the track , or for racing ---- and these cars will , principally through their low weight , give a far better track day or race day experience .
Again , sure , the Supercar manufacturers will tell you that their most expensive models ( although it was not always like this -- in the 1990's , the stripped out Diablos were actually the cheapest ) , are designed for the track , but they are really road cars that have been lightly modified ( often at great expense , to lose a few Kg , and to gain a few BHP / Nm )
Supercars are almost all heavy , are generally filled with non-essential electronic gadgets and luxury cockpit furniture , and emasculated through electronic safety devices .
All of which are great for the Road.
Almost none of us on this forum are anything other than amateurs looking to have a good time on track , away from Mr Plod .
Sensation ( especially lateral G force through the bends ) rather than speed is what really matters
For maximum sensation you want to be exposed to the elements , not cocooned in a supercar .
Something like a windscreenless , doorless Radical or KTM X-BOW will be so much more exhilarating on track
So why deliberately choose to use a less appropriate tool ( a supercar ) for a given function (track work or racing ) , when a more appropriate tool ( a lightweight , exposed , manual transmission , naturally aspirated track car , without multiple electronic nannies ) is readily available ?
Supercars are designed primarily for Road use
BluePurpleRed said:
Ok, not a Supercar but my Dad has bought me an IAM track day. I own a 2008 Maserati Quattroporte with the F1 not the Auto box.
Am I insane for even considering blatting round the track in this? I am thinking as its an IAM day I can really just do some "very fast road driving" for a bit of a laugh and take it up to 70% of what it can do just to see what the old "land yacht" has when pushed a bit.
I certainly won't be looking at braking boards or trail braking her into corners etc just to go much faster than I would do on a well sighted road etc.
Last IAM 'trackday' I did I got kicked off by the track manager after 3 laps for tripping the sound meter.Am I insane for even considering blatting round the track in this? I am thinking as its an IAM day I can really just do some "very fast road driving" for a bit of a laugh and take it up to 70% of what it can do just to see what the old "land yacht" has when pushed a bit.
I certainly won't be looking at braking boards or trail braking her into corners etc just to go much faster than I would do on a well sighted road etc.
Nothing particularly loud, an S2 Elise (standard road car) which I'd tracked many times before.
Issue was they had booked it as a road car event, (no helmets etc) and with that a lower limit of something like 75db applied which IAM hadn't told anyone.
Did get refunded in the end but wouldn't book one again based on being a 'trackday'. It was certainly more like a opportunity to practice IPSGA amongst the mass of Jazz and Aygo's.
Strange as the previous year had some proper cars having proper fun. I had my M3, a few Porsche and various other quick cars pushing and learning.
If it's the same as my last experience I wouldn't be too worried about your Maserati getting overworked. Will be a worthwhile day but not like an actual track day.
Rick101 said:
Last IAM 'trackday' I did I got kicked off by the track manager after 3 laps for tripping the sound meter.
Nothing particularly loud, an S2 Elise (standard road car) which I'd tracked many times before.
Issue was they had booked it as a road car event, (no helmets etc) and with that a lower limit of something like 75db applied which IAM hadn't told anyone.
Did get refunded in the end but wouldn't book one again based on being a 'trackday'. It was certainly more like a opportunity to practice IPSGA amongst the mass of Jazz and Aygo's.
Strange as the previous year had some proper cars having proper fun. I had my M3, a few Porsche and various other quick cars pushing and learning.
If it's the same as my last experience I wouldn't be too worried about your Maserati getting overworked. Will be a worthwhile day but not like an actual track day.
Awesome, that's what I would be after. Whipping past some white goods on the straights and finding little pockets of space without worrying about someone in a stipped out Saxo overdoing it near me!Nothing particularly loud, an S2 Elise (standard road car) which I'd tracked many times before.
Issue was they had booked it as a road car event, (no helmets etc) and with that a lower limit of something like 75db applied which IAM hadn't told anyone.
Did get refunded in the end but wouldn't book one again based on being a 'trackday'. It was certainly more like a opportunity to practice IPSGA amongst the mass of Jazz and Aygo's.
Strange as the previous year had some proper cars having proper fun. I had my M3, a few Porsche and various other quick cars pushing and learning.
If it's the same as my last experience I wouldn't be too worried about your Maserati getting overworked. Will be a worthwhile day but not like an actual track day.
Drove my car on mountain roads for the first time again this year and am really looking forward to the first few track days. Driving it on the road is rather boring imo, you can't drive fast, you don't want to go through corners fast as there might be a cyclist mid-corner etc. and obviously you do not want to hand your license over to a nice cop…
If I didn't have the opportunity to do track days, I'd probably sell the car and buy something much slower for road driving.
Why not a dedicated track car - mainly because enjoy driving my car on track and experiencing it at the limit. And also because a dedicated track car brings a lot of other issues with it - you might need an SUV and a trailer / I am not super keen to be wet and uncomfortable when I have to drive hundreds of miles in some instances to get to a track.
If I didn't have the opportunity to do track days, I'd probably sell the car and buy something much slower for road driving.
Why not a dedicated track car - mainly because enjoy driving my car on track and experiencing it at the limit. And also because a dedicated track car brings a lot of other issues with it - you might need an SUV and a trailer / I am not super keen to be wet and uncomfortable when I have to drive hundreds of miles in some instances to get to a track.
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