Taking your own car on track?
Discussion
I'd make this a vote, but dont seem to be able to, so i'll just ask... how many people take their daily driver on track, and if so, is it insured?
Basically, me and mate had an E36 328i a year back that we just used for track use - we bought it on ebay for £800 and it wasnt insured on a track. however, it got expensive having the car and trailer, so we sold it and went out separate ways.
Now im back in the game for a track car, but in order to keep safety up and costs down, its would be a Honda Civic 1.6 VTEC. Its only worth £2300, but it would be my daily and my only car... Also, i plan on doing airfield days with it, not trackdays, so the days would be quieter the tracks a lot safer with only cones and grass to hit if things went so wrong i actually made it off the tarmac!
obviously im concerned that if i bin it and its not insured, im two grand down and stranded at a track venue, but even if i was insured i'd still have to have someone tow the car, only this way the costs would be covered by insurance.
I previously did half a dozen car control days in an mx5 which was my daily, and never had any problems, and then with the beemer on track we never had any problems either - although we did spin a few times, but that was down to the rwd chassis which hopefully would be avoided by running a fwd civic.
Does anyone out there drive an uninsured car on track? theres the old saying that you should insure what your cant afford to replace, but i can afford to replace a £2k without a massive inconvienience in the unlikely event things did go wrong.
Thoughts?
Basically, me and mate had an E36 328i a year back that we just used for track use - we bought it on ebay for £800 and it wasnt insured on a track. however, it got expensive having the car and trailer, so we sold it and went out separate ways.
Now im back in the game for a track car, but in order to keep safety up and costs down, its would be a Honda Civic 1.6 VTEC. Its only worth £2300, but it would be my daily and my only car... Also, i plan on doing airfield days with it, not trackdays, so the days would be quieter the tracks a lot safer with only cones and grass to hit if things went so wrong i actually made it off the tarmac!
obviously im concerned that if i bin it and its not insured, im two grand down and stranded at a track venue, but even if i was insured i'd still have to have someone tow the car, only this way the costs would be covered by insurance.
I previously did half a dozen car control days in an mx5 which was my daily, and never had any problems, and then with the beemer on track we never had any problems either - although we did spin a few times, but that was down to the rwd chassis which hopefully would be avoided by running a fwd civic.
Does anyone out there drive an uninsured car on track? theres the old saying that you should insure what your cant afford to replace, but i can afford to replace a £2k without a massive inconvienience in the unlikely event things did go wrong.
Thoughts?
The spin had nothing to do with the car - you simply weren't in full control of the car, or were driving beyond your limits. It wouldn't matter if it was front, rear or all-wheel drive, you can still spin it if you drive like a knob.
I've used all my daily drivers on track, and the most expensive part was tyres & fuel. An airfield day will eat up the tyres much quicker (unless it's been tarmac'd) but is generally cheaper for the trackday itself.
You'll have to either take a spare set of wheels/tyres for the track, or make sure you don't wear them out too much that it makes the drive home dangerous.
You'll also find that you end up paying twice as much for maintenance, as everything will wear out much quick due to being used on track.
I've used all my daily drivers on track, and the most expensive part was tyres & fuel. An airfield day will eat up the tyres much quicker (unless it's been tarmac'd) but is generally cheaper for the trackday itself.
You'll have to either take a spare set of wheels/tyres for the track, or make sure you don't wear them out too much that it makes the drive home dangerous.
You'll also find that you end up paying twice as much for maintenance, as everything will wear out much quick due to being used on track.
From my experience far more likely to have an accident on the road than track, the standard of drivers around you is so much better on track than the road.
I have always taken my daily drivers on trackdays and worse in about 8 years I managed was a cracked GRP sill from an errant cone.
Road however I've had several people drive into me even when stationary
I have always taken my daily drivers on trackdays and worse in about 8 years I managed was a cracked GRP sill from an errant cone.
Road however I've had several people drive into me even when stationary
Have done this many times without major problems. I've always ensured the car was well maintained and made sure I was driving sympathetically (but not necessarily slowly). Would perhaps think twice if I knew there wasn't a reasonable back up plan in place (i.e. public transport for commute), or without understanding friends/family to call on in an emergency. Only had a real issue once and my AA membership bailed me out of that (they trailored the car 70 miles when a wheel became detached).
Would definitely recommend getting some tuition, everyone can benefit from regular top ups, now you've spun you should do everything to understand what happened (we've all been there) and prevent it occuring again for your and other attendees sake. Your far more likely to drive it home if you're in control!
Would definitely recommend getting some tuition, everyone can benefit from regular top ups, now you've spun you should do everything to understand what happened (we've all been there) and prevent it occuring again for your and other attendees sake. Your far more likely to drive it home if you're in control!
oh yeah, i know exactly why we spun... first time was downshifting into second without heel and toeing and locking the rear wheels, second time was braking too late and trying to turn in whilst still on the brakes (btw, neither of these were with me driving!)
Anywhos, yeah, if i did take it on track i'd made sure it was all well serviced beforehand, and i'd get a second set of wheels for track -
All sounds pretty good, and yes track etiquette seems to be a lot better, i've usually been impressed with the standard, there have only been a few drivers i thought were driving with consideration for other trackday goers.
Thanks guys - i'll probably leave the insurance and just drive sympathetically - my aim is always to try ad drive as smoothly as possible!
Anywhos, yeah, if i did take it on track i'd made sure it was all well serviced beforehand, and i'd get a second set of wheels for track -
All sounds pretty good, and yes track etiquette seems to be a lot better, i've usually been impressed with the standard, there have only been a few drivers i thought were driving with consideration for other trackday goers.
Thanks guys - i'll probably leave the insurance and just drive sympathetically - my aim is always to try ad drive as smoothly as possible!
Edited by brillomaster on Thursday 9th June 22:26
I track my daily (Clio 182) about 5 times a year. I get insurance (only £73)except at Bedford.
I've got a set of track wheels with 888's on which means you dont have to worry about damaging them or getting home on bald tyres.
It's fine you just have to do more regular oil changes and keep on top of bushes/ball joints etc.
I've got a set of track wheels with 888's on which means you dont have to worry about damaging them or getting home on bald tyres.
It's fine you just have to do more regular oil changes and keep on top of bushes/ball joints etc.
Ruskie said:
If someone misjudged a corner and hit you is it a case of it's your responsabiliity to be insured if you wanted your car protecting? Rather than it's not your fault and claim on the other person's insurance.
In a word. Yes.Regardless* of who/what/why/where or when. On track you pick up the tab for your car.
. * Attempted murder etc aside
Munter said:
In a word. Yes.
Regardless* of who/what/why/where or when. On track you pick up the tab for your car.
Really?!Regardless* of who/what/why/where or when. On track you pick up the tab for your car.
I've done about 6 or 8 track days and thankfully never had anyone hit me but I kind of assumed that if somebody piled into the back of me and it was completely their fault they would do the decent thing and cough up...I would.
They are under no obligation to pay you anything. Now you can ask. And they may pay. And I'm sure that happens on occasion when minor mistakes are made. But if I experienced sudden brake failure, and piled in to the side of £60,000 worth of 911. It's unlikely my £1000 slush fund will cover it even if I did agree to pay up. And I'd be under no obligation to do so.
£73 for the day doesnt sound too bad, and im guessing your clio 182 would be insured for at least double what my honda civic would be. I'd also be splitting the insurance costs with a (different) friend, so i'll certainly see if anyone can quote me happy.
Who do you use for insurance?
Who do you use for insurance?
I use my daily driver on track, some time with insurance sometimes without. I did have policy with Richard Egger that was a road policy but also covered 4 track days this was quite good until went over 4 track days. It didn’t really cost any more than a regular road policy but did have a high xs when on track (£500 or 10% of value).
Essentially depending on how you drive on a well ran day I don’t think the risks are significantly higher than on the road.
Essentially depending on how you drive on a well ran day I don’t think the risks are significantly higher than on the road.
brillomaster said:
£73 for the day doesnt sound too bad, and im guessing your clio 182 would be insured for at least double what my honda civic would be. I'd also be splitting the insurance costs with a (different) friend, so i'll certainly see if anyone can quote me happy.
Who do you use for insurance?
Thats insured for £5k with Competition Car insurance, REIS much the same price. Who do you use for insurance?
Edited by Ian_sUK on Friday 10th June 20:56
I have an impreza that I drive to trackdays, and its not insured on the track. I think thats why they make most sessions about 10 minutes long as after 5 or 6 laps most people, including myself start to get a bit cockey, and thats when your going to have an off, so time for a break then!!!
tbh I think most insurers would rather not know. I work with the philosophy if you cant afford to bend it then dont take it to the track. Thats why I sold my mg v8 that took me years to build and bought a 90's impreza, as there are lots of parts about if I do have a meet and great with mr armco
tbh I think most insurers would rather not know. I work with the philosophy if you cant afford to bend it then dont take it to the track. Thats why I sold my mg v8 that took me years to build and bought a 90's impreza, as there are lots of parts about if I do have a meet and great with mr armco
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