Discussion
Hi,
I am hoping to get involved in some trackdays in 2014. My previous experience has only involved a day at Thruxton in an MGZR and single seater, plus a day at Mercedes World in a C63 AMG.
I have recently acquired a mk6 Golf Gti and am thinking of using this on trackdays in the future as I can't afford a second car. My questions revolve around whether this is a good idea since I have it on 26month hire contract with an option to buy at the end. After one of 2 trackdays I can see myself upgrading the brake pads and tyres.
Are there any tracks to be recommended for novices? I am a confident driver but obviously track driving is a slightly different affair to road driving. Having done Thruxton I feel happy about starting with circuits rather than doing coned out airfield days.
Finally, what are the key things I need to know- preparation tips and so forth.
I appreciate your input,
Jim
I am hoping to get involved in some trackdays in 2014. My previous experience has only involved a day at Thruxton in an MGZR and single seater, plus a day at Mercedes World in a C63 AMG.
I have recently acquired a mk6 Golf Gti and am thinking of using this on trackdays in the future as I can't afford a second car. My questions revolve around whether this is a good idea since I have it on 26month hire contract with an option to buy at the end. After one of 2 trackdays I can see myself upgrading the brake pads and tyres.
Are there any tracks to be recommended for novices? I am a confident driver but obviously track driving is a slightly different affair to road driving. Having done Thruxton I feel happy about starting with circuits rather than doing coned out airfield days.
Finally, what are the key things I need to know- preparation tips and so forth.
I appreciate your input,
Jim
Just to update, I have decided against using my GTi as a daily driver AND a track car, so am looking for a cheap track car under £1000. I want rear wheel drive.
The top contenders I have thought of so far are:
E36 3 series
MX5
MR2
Any opinions on these? I dont want the car to be underpowered but then again handling is a top priority, as well as ease of tuning, repairs and day to day running costs.
The top contenders I have thought of so far are:
E36 3 series
MX5
MR2
Any opinions on these? I dont want the car to be underpowered but then again handling is a top priority, as well as ease of tuning, repairs and day to day running costs.
I am biased as I have had 2 x e36s, a 325 & 328, and I think they make very good track cars & there are always bits made be virtually everyone for them, but there are as many opinions as people on here.
If you were to go e36 the best compromise is the 325. It can be given virtually the same performance as the 328 without quite a lump of the cost. (inlet manifold, throttle bodies, and ASC delete mods being about £300 in total)
If you were to go e36 the best compromise is the 325. It can be given virtually the same performance as the 328 without quite a lump of the cost. (inlet manifold, throttle bodies, and ASC delete mods being about £300 in total)
Ive driven both 328 Sport and Clio 172 Cup on track. I would say the Clio is the more proficient car in standard form, but I certainly had fun in the BMW on a wet trackday at Blyton Park... Holding it in prolonged slides exiting corners was cracking! I think the Clio would certainly be cheaper to run, given the price of smaller tyres (most clio owners fit 15 inch wheels for track use) and is less juicy.
I think finding a good 328 sport (ideally with a diff) for around a thousand pounds would be tricky. Clios are getting cheap, but I suspect you will need to increase your budget a tad. Awesome machines in their own respective ways, you would not regret buying either if you land a good one.
I think finding a good 328 sport (ideally with a diff) for around a thousand pounds would be tricky. Clios are getting cheap, but I suspect you will need to increase your budget a tad. Awesome machines in their own respective ways, you would not regret buying either if you land a good one.
I'd say MR2 - there's a good chance of getting one in budget with coilovers already fitted. Buy some decent pads (I recommend Carbotechs - expensive but not given how long they last and how good they are) and you've got a reliable good handling and stopping mid engined RWD car. Go for Rev3 or newer with the 175bhp engine. Or up your budget by 500% and by my fully prepared one with a V6 in it... 
If you're wanting to hang the ar$e out a bit though the MR2 is not very good for that. I'd recommend the MX-5 as they are easier to find with LSDs. BMWs can be great when upgraded but in std form can be a bit more flabby.
If you're wanting to hang the ar$e out a bit though the MR2 is not very good for that. I'd recommend the MX-5 as they are easier to find with LSDs. BMWs can be great when upgraded but in std form can be a bit more flabby.
Castle Coombe and Silverstone are relatively close!
I've done two trackdays - both at Oulton Park - with Trackaction. Both brilliant days.
By chance, I used the Beast - a '99 VW Bora with a mighty 120bhp. Quite frankly getting the lines right and being smooth is much more important than starting off with huge power.
Trackaction organise instructors on the day that can give advice. I made sure I signed-in first and booked time with one straight after the sighting laps. I found it invaluable.
Check your car thoroughly before the day - I wore out the rear pads on the last day - all the fluids, pads etc...
Take some spare fluids with you to top up.
Really the skys the limit with regards to spares / prep. Some turn up packed with spares and roof racks. Then disassemble the car and prep it for the day. Others just bowl up.
Split the day up into runs. 15 - 20-mins seemed to be fine with me and the car on track followed by 20 - 30-mins rest.
Take cash - payment fuel and extras may need to be in this ancient form.
Get photos from the track photographer - again this may just be Trackaction organising it.
Bear in mind, a car that rides firmly, indeed very firmly, on the public road will still be floaty like a barge on the track. Kudos to those who run 'standard' cars.
As for the car. I'd go MX-5 cause they're simple, small, easy to work on, common, well catered for on the mods / enhancement side. Check you can fit in with the roof up and a helmmet on.
I've done two trackdays - both at Oulton Park - with Trackaction. Both brilliant days.
By chance, I used the Beast - a '99 VW Bora with a mighty 120bhp. Quite frankly getting the lines right and being smooth is much more important than starting off with huge power.
Trackaction organise instructors on the day that can give advice. I made sure I signed-in first and booked time with one straight after the sighting laps. I found it invaluable.
Check your car thoroughly before the day - I wore out the rear pads on the last day - all the fluids, pads etc...
Take some spare fluids with you to top up.
Really the skys the limit with regards to spares / prep. Some turn up packed with spares and roof racks. Then disassemble the car and prep it for the day. Others just bowl up.
Split the day up into runs. 15 - 20-mins seemed to be fine with me and the car on track followed by 20 - 30-mins rest.
Take cash - payment fuel and extras may need to be in this ancient form.
Get photos from the track photographer - again this may just be Trackaction organising it.
Bear in mind, a car that rides firmly, indeed very firmly, on the public road will still be floaty like a barge on the track. Kudos to those who run 'standard' cars.
As for the car. I'd go MX-5 cause they're simple, small, easy to work on, common, well catered for on the mods / enhancement side. Check you can fit in with the roof up and a helmmet on.
Great answer thanks. I'll have a dig around on eBay and ph classifieds etc and let you know how I get on. Not aiming to do any tracking before the spring so I've got a bit of time to sort it out.
I am in the process of selling my focus St170 and it did occur to me that this could be a good trackday car and would save me hunting for another one, but running costs could get pretty high with 17inch rubber and crap mpg.
I am in the process of selling my focus St170 and it did occur to me that this could be a good trackday car and would save me hunting for another one, but running costs could get pretty high with 17inch rubber and crap mpg.
Clio's are well worth a look too. Mate has recently got a Cup 182 that they used at the same trackday with me.
Wasn't as quick as me in the Beast mainly because I'm a bit more gung-ho / don't care - the other Clio's were plenty faster!
You could also consider a Civic Type R if you're looking at FWD hatches.
Above all, have fun.
Wasn't as quick as me in the Beast mainly because I'm a bit more gung-ho / don't care - the other Clio's were plenty faster!
You could also consider a Civic Type R if you're looking at FWD hatches.
Above all, have fun.
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