Its time to track day!.........But how?

[gj88]

First off, I don’t know if this is in the right section but it seemed most appropriate.

Alright then PH, I have absolutely no experience of track days apart from a session in a DB9 and a Gallardo. I’ve watched from a far for a while now and a fallen for the bug! I’m very keen on the idea of getting a track car and doing my share of track driving and am thinking of something along the lines of rear wheel drive, powerful and costs up to £3000. I’m leaning towards an E36 coupe because I love the looks, the noise from the six cylinders and they’re at a good price right now IMO.

However I have no idea how to get into track driving, what I need to do to be able to get my car on a track, etc. Also would a higher mileage example around the 100,000 mile mark be a good idea for track use or will I be expecting big bills. Obviously I know track driving will require input of money all the time but I would like to know if a higher mileage vehicle will cope with the added stresses of track use.

My major query is insurance. Do I use my existing road policy for the track car or is there some type of insurance that I can use for track only and would it be cheaper. For example, if I were to use a road policy, a 328 sport would be well out of reach but if there were another type of track only insurance, would a 328 sport be within reach?

As I said before, I have no experience in this field so I’m sorry if I sound naive to you guys. Any info would be really appreciated! Cheers!

[muckymotor]

I would say that 95% of cars at track days don't have track specific cover due to the cost when compared to the value of the car, a 3k bmw probably won't be worth insuring.

As for the mileage I track an e36 with nearly 140k on the clock and it's been totally reliable.

[petermansell]

Before buying a dedicated track toy why don't you run your own/current car on a few track days? I run a heavy clk55 amg but it's great fun on track.

Your own car insurance is very unlikely to cover any track day activities - many people (including me) just take the risk without insurance.

All you will need is a driving licence, a car in good working order and a bit of common sense

Have a look at here:

http://www.trackdays.co.uk

[sniff petrol]

muckymotor said:

As for the mileage I track an e36 with nearly 140k on the clock and it's been totally reliable.

For reference I've had an E36 with 210k, E28 with 288k and current daily runner is a 143k E36. None have ever let me down.

[agent006]

Personally, i would (and did) go for an E30 over an E36 for that budget. Pick up a 325 for £1000 and spend the rest getting it sorted for track work. You'll be quicker, but mainly have more fun, than with a standard E36 328.

[sniff petrol]

agent006 said:

Personally, i would (and did) go for an E30 over an E36 for that budget. Pick up a 325 for £1000 and spend the rest getting it sorted for track work. You'll be quicker, but mainly have more fun, than with a standard E36 328.

Having been in both race and track prepped E30's and E36's I'd second the idea of an E30 making the better handling track car, plus there are loads of engine options available (I'm reliably informed that a small block Chevy V8 will fit!)

[gj88]

sniff petrol said:

agent006 said:

Personally, i would (and did) go for an E30 over an E36 for that budget. Pick up a 325 for £1000 and spend the rest getting it sorted for track work. You'll be quicker, but mainly have more fun, than with a standard E36 328.

Having been in both race and track prepped E30's and E36's I'd second the idea of an E30 making the better handling track car, plus there are loads of engine options available (I'm reliably informed that a small block Chevy V8 will fit!)

V8??? Done!

[agent006]

sniff petrol said:

plus there are loads of engine options available (I'm reliably informed that a small block Chevy V8 will fit!)

Yep. Pretty much any BMW engine will fit in an E30. I can't see me selling mine any time soon, i'll just switch to a newer M3 engine when this one expires.