An often asked question, best track day car?
Discussion
Hi All
I know everyone always asks but I really good do with some advice.
Some background. I've done a lot of days as we had our own trackday co over in Spain for a few years and I was lucky enough to have a Radical SR3 1500 plus a 996 GT3 Clubsport and a Lotus Elise 111.
Fast forward 5 years and now have a family and my business is based back in the UK.
Finances are way tighter as well so as have been out of the track scene for 3 years I bought a track focused e36 Evo ad have worked with my local race car garage turning it into a really great and fairly quick car.
As always I'm now thinking what next?
Can't afford 997 GT3 and don't want the running cost of a Radical, being 6ft 4 I've been to the Caterham factory and cannot get into even the wide body car, not the width but knees can't get under dash even with no seat!
So have been looking at GT3 cup car but potential running costs put me off.
Now looking at Lotus Exige or what's really caught my eye is a 2 Eleven.
I wondered what peoples views were on these and the Atom or Xbow?
Xbow looks scary repair costs with all that carbon fibre
Any advice much appreciated.
I know everyone always asks but I really good do with some advice.
Some background. I've done a lot of days as we had our own trackday co over in Spain for a few years and I was lucky enough to have a Radical SR3 1500 plus a 996 GT3 Clubsport and a Lotus Elise 111.
Fast forward 5 years and now have a family and my business is based back in the UK.
Finances are way tighter as well so as have been out of the track scene for 3 years I bought a track focused e36 Evo ad have worked with my local race car garage turning it into a really great and fairly quick car.
As always I'm now thinking what next?
Can't afford 997 GT3 and don't want the running cost of a Radical, being 6ft 4 I've been to the Caterham factory and cannot get into even the wide body car, not the width but knees can't get under dash even with no seat!
So have been looking at GT3 cup car but potential running costs put me off.
Now looking at Lotus Exige or what's really caught my eye is a 2 Eleven.
I wondered what peoples views were on these and the Atom or Xbow?
Xbow looks scary repair costs with all that carbon fibre
Any advice much appreciated.
whats your actual budget?
my GD T70 has a nice 6l v8 which isnt over stressed, huge brakes and fibreglass bodywork. i'm 6'3 and fit no probs. it will run faultlessly on track all day long, however petrol goes at about 5mpg at full tilt, but thats your main running cost, other than oil and filters/tyres.
i've had many, many cars on track and this is without doubt the best on track i have had for speed/handling/brakes and not wilting under the strain.
my GD T70 has a nice 6l v8 which isnt over stressed, huge brakes and fibreglass bodywork. i'm 6'3 and fit no probs. it will run faultlessly on track all day long, however petrol goes at about 5mpg at full tilt, but thats your main running cost, other than oil and filters/tyres.
i've had many, many cars on track and this is without doubt the best on track i have had for speed/handling/brakes and not wilting under the strain.
mikeknivett said:
To be honest I have never heard of a GD T70, I feel very ignorant as they look v nice.
Budget ideally 30k
there was one sold a bit back for about 30-33k if i recall with a small block in rather than a modern ls engine but you never know. 40k realistically to build a nice one. worth saving for imho, proper drivers car on track and extremely quick. Budget ideally 30k
2 Eleven is a great little toy, hard to beat TBH. You can't get lairy like in a Caterham but still light (=cheap to run), quick and involving.
No reason why a Caterham can't be sorted to fit you though if that's what you really fancy, I'm 6'2" and have plenty of room in my Westfield (with lowered floor).
No reason why a Caterham can't be sorted to fit you though if that's what you really fancy, I'm 6'2" and have plenty of room in my Westfield (with lowered floor).
You would get a used 3 245 Atom for £30k a 300 a shade over and for a new one you are north of £50k by the time you fully spec but they are fun and feel special but very different proposition to the other cars you have listed
The repair bills for an off in an Xbow are as you noted scary - as always you need to drive a few to get a feel
I went for the Atom and don't regret it but you can't knock the Crates for n track performance if they appeal to you and you can fit - the Atom will definitely be big enough - we have some large chaps driving with no need for mods
The repair bills for an off in an Xbow are as you noted scary - as always you need to drive a few to get a feel
I went for the Atom and don't regret it but you can't knock the Crates for n track performance if they appeal to you and you can fit - the Atom will definitely be big enough - we have some large chaps driving with no need for mods
mikeknivett said:
.. being 6ft 4 I've been to the Caterham factory and cannot get into even the wide body car, not the width but knees can't get under dash even with no seat!
It might sound crazy, but did you try a 'normal' Caterham for size, rather than the SV? If width isn't the issue you might find a way to fit them. 
As others have said, lowered floors are an option, and the pedal box allows adjustment to accommodate long legs. I'm 6'3" and have no problems in mine.
I've seen this one close to me
http://www.targafloriocars.com/Car_Sales/ArielAtom...
And this package looks good and he'll move quite a bit on price.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
I assume they make some kind of cover for the Atom for outside storage as have no garage space at all?
http://www.targafloriocars.com/Car_Sales/ArielAtom...
And this package looks good and he'll move quite a bit on price.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
I assume they make some kind of cover for the Atom for outside storage as have no garage space at all?
mikeknivett said:
So have been looking at GT3 cup car but potential running costs put me off.
What about an older track prepared 911? They're not in the same speed league of a GT3 but still great fun to drive on track. Consumable costs are significantly lower and they'll pound round a track all day. The example below has had a full engine rebuild and should be ready to go.http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
That's what's always put me off the Noble's to be honest. Can't get away from the kit car feeling which is not meant to offend anyone.
The Porsche race car looks lovely but the 5 figure engine rebuild worries me!
My GT3 had full inspection before purchase and within an hour of driving away the 2nd gear synchro went which was thousands. I know that's just bad luck but the atom and 2 eleven appeal as hopefully cheaper to run????
The Porsche race car looks lovely but the 5 figure engine rebuild worries me!
My GT3 had full inspection before purchase and within an hour of driving away the 2nd gear synchro went which was thousands. I know that's just bad luck but the atom and 2 eleven appeal as hopefully cheaper to run????
[quote=dm46]For 30k I'd get a used aerial atom if you want sheer performance or a Honda Nsx for a classic. [/quote
I have had both a supercharged Atom and a Geneva spec 211, the Atom was great fun but if you as much as clip the curb hard or a tyre wall you stand a chance of bending the chassis, the rear is very weak with the engine cradle hanging off the back, mine was a Atom 2 the 3s may be better, the 211 is a better track car but let me down bad at Spa, if you get one make sure it has an alloy rad as mine split for no reason ( common fault apparently ) I drove to Amsterdam through the night to but one off a dealer who opened up his workshop for me at 11 pm, fixed the rad the following morning did 5 laps and the clutch let go?
E46 m3 will take some beating if you strip it out...
I have had both a supercharged Atom and a Geneva spec 211, the Atom was great fun but if you as much as clip the curb hard or a tyre wall you stand a chance of bending the chassis, the rear is very weak with the engine cradle hanging off the back, mine was a Atom 2 the 3s may be better, the 211 is a better track car but let me down bad at Spa, if you get one make sure it has an alloy rad as mine split for no reason ( common fault apparently ) I drove to Amsterdam through the night to but one off a dealer who opened up his workshop for me at 11 pm, fixed the rad the following morning did 5 laps and the clutch let go?
E46 m3 will take some beating if you strip it out...
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