Fast road car plus race car or practical car plus race car
Discussion
Been having a discussion with myself. Sounds crazy like thing, but do it a lot when bored or can't sleep.
If you was to have the money to say either race in something like VTEC Challenge/Time Attack/Arrowpak/Formula Ford etc... Would you still have a nice quick road car to drive around in, or would you have a diesel car for the week days which can also tow the race car around with?
Don't know why been thinking of it, but just one of those things.
Would you get bored of not having a fast road car? Or be able to deal with it by being able to go out at the weekend and blast around a track out braking people etc...
If you was to have the money to say either race in something like VTEC Challenge/Time Attack/Arrowpak/Formula Ford etc... Would you still have a nice quick road car to drive around in, or would you have a diesel car for the week days which can also tow the race car around with?
Don't know why been thinking of it, but just one of those things.
Would you get bored of not having a fast road car? Or be able to deal with it by being able to go out at the weekend and blast around a track out braking people etc...
HustleRussell said:
You don't realise how pointless fast road cars are until you go racing, in my opinion. I just want something comfortable and spacious which has enough power and steers/stops okay.
I agree about properly high performance cars but while the MG isn't exactly fast, it's just a bit of cheap fun. A really dull road car (like the Vectra) grinds you down on the 350 days you're not racing. HustleRussell said:
You don't realise how pointless fast road cars are until you go racing, in my opinion. I just want something comfortable and spacious which has enough power and steers/stops okay.
But how much is enough power? And what steers/stops "okay"?I did stop going for hoons when I was racing, but that had more to do with time than anything else. I know racers who run fast road cars (From Imprezas to Ferraris) and others who run diesel tow cars. It depends entirely where your priorities lie and whether the expense of running the fast road car will eat into your race budget.
HustleRussell said:
You don't realise how pointless fast road cars are until you go racing, in my opinion. I just want something comfortable and spacious which has enough power and steers/stops okay.
This. Plus once you start racing fast road driving just won't feel remotely exciting any more, unless you are travelling at stupidly fast speeds.Bill said:
HustleRussell said:
You don't realise how pointless fast road cars are until you go racing, in my opinion. I just want something comfortable and spacious which has enough power and steers/stops okay.
But how much is enough power? And what steers/stops "okay"?I did stop going for hoons when I was racing, but that had more to do with time than anything else. I know racers who run fast road cars (From Imprezas to Ferraris) and others who run diesel tow cars. It depends entirely where your priorities lie and whether the expense of running the fast road car will eat into your race budget.
I don't hoon any more, pretty much for the reasons 'Wild Rumpus' mentioned... In February I had my Caterham race car on the road for two weeks for a shakedown and it just felt like a waste of petrol, brakes and tyres. I enjoyed it, but I was conscious that I was driving a 'no comprimise' car which was best enjoyed at it's limits.
Simularly I don't want overlly 'sporty' pretenses comprimising the quietness, comfort, practicality etc of my road car.
Sure, if I had three cars I might have a road car with a more sporting bias- but as long as I have two, I'd rather have all the bases covered.
Good debate going on here then 
I don't know what I would do, think I would drive around in a car which has enough kick up its arse when you need it.
I drive an MX5 on the road daily. Nice car but noisey as hell when you start going a bit spirited. But something like a 330D 530D for towing and everyday is surely going to meet a good tow vehicle and a car for daily driving?
My boss has raced his whole life and he says he has no interest in road cars at all!
But if you're a full blown petrolhead, it's a bit of a hard one.
I think if I had a car which I took out twice a month to race, think would be happy with a normalish car for day to day. But would say 8-9 races a year be enough to keep you in a boring car when not racing.
Hopefully when I ever get to the point to being able to afford a year in a seat, I would just have a fast road car and the missus can have a diesel car which is sensible and can pull a race car around. That has to be the best way surely?
@HustleRustle, you say when racing a fast road car is just pointless. But what cars are to be raced to get the feeling of wanting a fast road car out of you? Say someone doing VTEC Challenge/SaxMax/XR Challenge. Those cars will give you a buzz when you're out yes, but not the fastest cars in the world. So surely you're going to have to have a fast enough race car to stop having a fast road car if you catch my drift?
I don't know what I would do, think I would drive around in a car which has enough kick up its arse when you need it.
I drive an MX5 on the road daily. Nice car but noisey as hell when you start going a bit spirited. But something like a 330D 530D for towing and everyday is surely going to meet a good tow vehicle and a car for daily driving?
My boss has raced his whole life and he says he has no interest in road cars at all!
But if you're a full blown petrolhead, it's a bit of a hard one.
I think if I had a car which I took out twice a month to race, think would be happy with a normalish car for day to day. But would say 8-9 races a year be enough to keep you in a boring car when not racing.
Hopefully when I ever get to the point to being able to afford a year in a seat, I would just have a fast road car and the missus can have a diesel car which is sensible and can pull a race car around. That has to be the best way surely?
@HustleRustle, you say when racing a fast road car is just pointless. But what cars are to be raced to get the feeling of wanting a fast road car out of you? Say someone doing VTEC Challenge/SaxMax/XR Challenge. Those cars will give you a buzz when you're out yes, but not the fastest cars in the world. So surely you're going to have to have a fast enough race car to stop having a fast road car if you catch my drift?
sam93 said:
@HustleRustle, you say when racing a fast road car is just pointless. But what cars are to be raced to get the feeling of wanting a fast road car out of you? Say someone doing VTEC Challenge/SaxMax/XR Challenge. Those cars will give you a buzz when you're out yes, but not the fastest cars in the world. So surely you're going to have to have a fast enough race car to stop having a fast road car if you catch my drift?
The outright speed isn't quite as important, we hit about 110mph at Snetterton in Locost while bump-drafting. The exciting bit is running the car at it's very limit inches from other cars all trying to pass one another. Road cars simply can't give that level of excitement; if they get near it you're being stupid.We've almost all done over 500mph in airliners and how exciting is that?
CDP said:
The outright speed isn't quite as important, we hit about 110mph at Snetterton in Locost while bump-drafting. The exciting bit is running the car at it's very limit inches from other cars all trying to pass one another. Road cars simply can't give that level of excitement; if they get near it you're being stupid.
We've almost all done over 500mph in airliners and how exciting is that?
Precisely. Road driving isn't racing, but I like a fast car that handles well because I want to travel swiftly and safely while being able to overtake when opportunities arise. We've almost all done over 500mph in airliners and how exciting is that?
Bill said:
CDP said:
The outright speed isn't quite as important, we hit about 110mph at Snetterton in Locost while bump-drafting. The exciting bit is running the car at it's very limit inches from other cars all trying to pass one another. Road cars simply can't give that level of excitement; if they get near it you're being stupid.
We've almost all done over 500mph in airliners and how exciting is that?
Precisely. Road driving isn't racing, but I like a fast car that handles well because I want to travel swiftly and safely while being able to overtake when opportunities arise. We've almost all done over 500mph in airliners and how exciting is that?
CDP said:
The outright speed isn't quite as important, we hit about 110mph at Snetterton in Locost while bump-drafting. The exciting bit is running the car at it's very limit inches from other cars all trying to pass one another. Road cars simply can't give that level of excitement; if they get near it you're being stupid.
We've almost all done over 500mph in airliners and how exciting is that?
I see where you are coming from when it comes to that I suppose. Not all about the speed when you have a level playing field We've almost all done over 500mph in airliners and how exciting is that?
Out braking etc is what will give you that thrill.Still think I would miss a nice open B Road on a hot day having a 'spirited' drive along if had a nice race car and a diesel car to pull it and use as a daily.
My wage needs to arise I think. Wouldn't mind a season in something. Know a race mechanic who does Formula Ford North West champioship in his spare time. God knows how he affords it. I just think something like VTEC Challenge. 5k to build a car and then 5k for the season is a bit of money tbh!
think you'll find that most people who race also have a nice/fast road car as well. Most have a Land Rover or Range Rover for everyday use though.
I race when i get the chance, but i wouldn't want to drive round in a boring a car all the time just for the 7 weekends a year that i might be doing, so i have a car that i can also use on track and as a fast everyday car.
I race when i get the chance, but i wouldn't want to drive round in a boring a car all the time just for the 7 weekends a year that i might be doing, so i have a car that i can also use on track and as a fast everyday car.
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