To track, or not to track? that is the question

[R TOY]

This is my dilema. I'm v keen to take my Tuscan on a track day, closest track being Cadwell park. I've done 3 track days there in my Chim but missed last one as i was just changing to current car. Trouble is C park is couple of weeks before LeMans and i'm concerned that something will break (ie..engine) hence screwin up my LeMans weekend. The TVRCC track day calender is looking a little sparse this year and there doesnt seem to be an alternative date or venue. I'm really torn on this one. I would hate to miss Cadwell again but would be suicidal if i buggered up my car before LeMans.
Am i being paranoid? what are the chances of Sp6 failure on a track day? I know that once there i would drive the car fairly hard(if unskillfully).
Be greatfull for any Tuscan trackday info/ experience......Dave.

[nelly1]

Dave

I know how you feel mate!

I'm trying to arrange this rolling road day for the 15th April, so I really want everything to be tip-top for that, but what does Austec do......arrange a Santa Pod drag day for the preceding weekend!!!

Well, it would be rude not to.....so my philosophy is to say "What the hell!!!"

Go for it.....I reckon these engines fail more from under-use than a good thrash - that's what they were built for after all!

Stop worrying - life really is too short!

ATB

Neill

[Tuska]

Hey, i know how you feel.

I have done many track days in a 400se wedge. It always felt indestructable and it got THRASHED.
I really want to track my Tuscan but have not, as yet, had the bottle.

However, this is about to change. I took the tusc for a Robb Gravett driving day and she performed really well. The nitrons i have had put on made her so much easier to balance than i expected. Frankly, she was a flying machine.

So, ive decided to enter the Snetterton track day (in the latest sprint) on April 24th. Snetterton has good run offs.

You see, its not just engine worries. (if she blows, well that could happen on the M25) Its also the cost of hitting something. In the wedge, we just didn't care.

So, ive booked her into TopCats for a service and set up. I'll change the brake fluid and the front pads.
Honestly, i cant wait.

[rejn]

I share the dilemma (and don't know the answer) - I've had an Elise for the past few years and always enjoyed thrashing that round a track - nothing ever broke and I never hit anything, so minimal cost.

I just wonder if the Tuscan will be more fragile... (my S2 arrives in a week or so, so I have a long running-in period to get through first).

One of my mates races a caterham and is suggesting that there is no point having the car if I don't track it, and I think he's got a point. I'm just concerned if something will break...

Anybody out there got any experience of Tuscan on track?

[w7 kaa]

Great Topic....

I've been a Tuscan owner since July last year and have no experience of track days at all. I am also concerned about the above mentioned failures or damages to the vehicle, but also what other expenses could/should be incurred?

1. Do I need a helmet?
2. Should I carefully select a track with large run-off areas?
3. Should I go out with an intsructor first time round?
4. Should I have the car set up by a specialist beforehand?
5. Should I allow for a new set of tyres before/after the event?

Any advice on this would be really appreciated. I think this is a must not just from a fun perspective but also learning the finer characteristics of the car and improving all round driving skills!!

Keith

[R TOY]

w7 kaa said:

1. Do I need a helmet? 2. Should I carefully select a track with large run-off areas? 3. Should I go out with an intsructor first time round? 4. Should I have the car set up by a specialist beforehand? 5. Should I allow for a new set of tyres before/after the event? Any advice on this would be really appreciated. I think this is a must not just from a fun perspective but also learning the finer characteristics of the car and improving all round driving skills!! Keith

Hi keith, Like you i've had my Tuscan since last summer and as yet it hasnt been on a trackday. I did track my Chimaera a few times tho and would certianly recomend the experience. To answer your questions as per my findings
1. Yes you do require a helmet, some tracks stipulate a BS approved helmet which are difficult to obtain, v few bike helmets have the correct no. Never seen this checked at cicuit tho.
2. I suppose it cant be a bad thing. Better to stay on the tarmac tho.
3. An instructor will teach you loads, I found that i was awfull while he was with me but went better afterwards.
4. My Chim was st. apart from Spax front dampers.Performed v well.(apart from rubbish brakes)
5. I would estimate wearing about 25% off your tyres on a good day depending on how aggresively you drive. I av about 8 mpg on the day inc the drive there and back so fuel adds up (optimax of course)
The cost.. £130ish for a TVRCC day
£100 fuel
£120 tyre wear.
...£350. money well spent. I ran 6 times x 20mins [2hrs of car abuse] on best day.
I've only seen one car badly damaged and that was not to serious in 3 track days but the potential is there. How will the tuscan stand up to track abuse? i guess that there is only one way to find out Ps Cadwell park is only cicuit i have been to. [exellent]
Maybe meet at a cicuit, Dave.

>> Edited by R TOY on Friday 10th March 18:34

[blutusc]

Tuska!!

You will love snetterton. I did it last year, and the tuscan really did blow everything else away even if you're an average driver (like me!). It is a fast track, so you can nail it on the straights, then take the corners as fast as you dare. I span a couple of times, and didn't hit anything so.............GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! happy

[Tuska]

blutusc said:

Tuska!! You will love snetterton. I did it last year, and the tuscan really did blow everything else away even if you're an average driver (like me!). It is a fast track, so you can nail it on the straights, then take the corners as fast as you dare. I span a couple of times, and didn't hit anything so.............GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! happy

Hey, thanks blutusc.

My mate Jes is going as well in his 4.2 Cerb. Jes won the 2005 TVR sprint championship, so i wont be trying to keep up with him!!

The car is working really well and deserves a thrashing. My reluctance really doesn't make any sense considering the amount of abuse we gave the wedge.

Cant wait.

>> Edited by Tuska on Sunday 12th March 09:47

[yi8tvr]

Why do the words trackday and abuse seem to be used hand in hand with each other by some members. I think a tvr and a trackday were made for each other, does them the power of good, blows all them cobwebs out. Its the short drives high gears low speeds that kills the car. I swear by the track days and the tiv has never *missed a beat.

* Kiss of death

Looks like snets will be a good day. The thing that always makes me laugh is a track day is non competative

[tov1e]

For what it is worth, the 2 tuscans i had before the one i have now, both went on trackdays, (silverstone and bedford autodrome) drove them as they should be driven (hard) in all weathers and no problems at all. Once the new one is run in i am taken it to croft on 5th april, just do it, at the end of the day it is ONLY a car.

Edited to say, check your oil and water often.

>> Edited by tov1e on Sunday 12th March 17:16

[Mustang Baz]

Dave - try the attached for some additional advice which I found helpful;

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=184364&r=2255733&hm=38660#2255733

I was signed up for Oulton Park last year, but had to pull out at late notice. Am keen to try again this year, but Cadwell seems the only real option me (Snetterton would be perfect but is the day after the London Marathon which I am running so I may be )!