Most innapropriate track day car?
Discussion
A stripped G reg Fiesta 1.0 or 1.1L, fitted with race seats/wheel etc. Not roadworthy so why bother getting base model - surely not for insurance reasons. Not a good handling car to start off. The engine, that cannot ever last track hammering, no way. Concept is there but not applied to the right vehicle I don't reckon.
1986 BMW 525 bought for £100 by a group of youngsters, driven to Silverstone, straight out on track without even checking the tyres (let alone fluid levels, brakes, wheel nuts etc) and proceeded to lead a procession of vehicles around the GP circuit whilst veering all over the shop on its door handles.
Eventually black flagged (twice I think) but it does make you wonder.....I imagine it would have been an interesting converstaion if he'd tripped over something expensive.
Eventually black flagged (twice I think) but it does make you wonder.....I imagine it would have been an interesting converstaion if he'd tripped over something expensive.
The reason I ask - apart from morbid curiosity - is that I'm heading off to the 'ring at the end of September for the first time and I might only have access to my daily driver: A wholly unremarkable 1.6 Focus.
It's not a quick car even by 1.6 junior-repmobile, but I'm hoping that if I'm sensible and keep an eye on the mirror it won't be dangerously slow. Toying with the idea of finding a last minute track evening beforehand too, but I suspect people will be rather more tolerant of dawdling tourists at the 'ring than they would be on a UK track day.
It's not a quick car even by 1.6 junior-repmobile, but I'm hoping that if I'm sensible and keep an eye on the mirror it won't be dangerously slow. Toying with the idea of finding a last minute track evening beforehand too, but I suspect people will be rather more tolerant of dawdling tourists at the 'ring than they would be on a UK track day.
Chris i have seen Zafira 1.6 going around anglesey air con on and listening to the cd it is a joke but a fact. If you are taking the focus how about a few cheapish mods to help the car cope , my suggestion is a good set of tyres , good brake pads and replace the fluid and perhaps change to braided hoses. At least this way you will keep all the comforts of the standard car but no chance of brake fade etc. You will be surprised the difference it would make for say a few hundred pounds.
Chris71 said:
The reason I ask - apart from morbid curiosity - is that I'm heading off to the 'ring at the end of September for the first time and I might only have access to my daily driver: A wholly unremarkable 1.6 Focus.
It's not a quick car even by 1.6 junior-repmobile, but I'm hoping that if I'm sensible and keep an eye on the mirror it won't be dangerously slow. Toying with the idea of finding a last minute track evening beforehand too, but I suspect people will be rather more tolerant of dawdling tourists at the 'ring than they would be on a UK track day.
I did my 1st trip in a 1.4 Civic, it struggled to get up some hills, revving too much for 2nd and the revs would die in 3rd. 2nd trip was in a 1 litre VW Fox hire car. The Fox was quicker by at least a minute. It's not a quick car even by 1.6 junior-repmobile, but I'm hoping that if I'm sensible and keep an eye on the mirror it won't be dangerously slow. Toying with the idea of finding a last minute track evening beforehand too, but I suspect people will be rather more tolerant of dawdling tourists at the 'ring than they would be on a UK track day.
crossle said:
A rented Ferrari 430 Spyder, being driven by a Chinese couple dressed head to toe in Ferrari team uniforms, round the Nordschleife at somewhere below walking speed.
On the public day at the 'ring, I once saw a sofa - yes, a sofa - with four wheels, engine, etc, take to the circuit. On British reg plates, of course.
At the 'ring I've also seen estate cars pulling trailers with boats on them, and dilapidated VW camper vans with "flower power" grafitti.
Still, a Ferrari has to be #1.
flemke said:
crossle said:
A rented Ferrari 430 Spyder, being driven by a Chinese couple dressed head to toe in Ferrari team uniforms, round the Nordschleife at somewhere below walking speed.
On the public day at the 'ring, I once saw a sofa - yes, a sofa - with four wheels, engine, etc, take to the circuit. On British reg plates, of course.
At the 'ring I've also seen estate cars pulling trailers with boats on them, and dilapidated VW camper vans with "flower power" grafitti.
I think a Focus will be fine. On TF it is not after all a track day but a public road, so I doubt if you will be the slowest thing there. In fact I saw a Prius there earlier this year.
However, if you really don't want to take the Focus out why not rent something? I've rented from www.rent-racecar.de and can't recommend them highly enough - the 120i is ace.
However, if you really don't want to take the Focus out why not rent something? I've rented from www.rent-racecar.de and can't recommend them highly enough - the 120i is ace.
From my last evening at Donington, not sure what's worse
A Ford Ka with enough kit on to make barrys boys proud
OR
A Corsa being driven by a group of 19 year olds. This was no ordinary Corsa, it was a 2 litre conversion with a massive turbo, apparently near 400bhp (year, right, but it still had more power than the chassis could take) and to top it off the boys had just bought it, this was their first real drive.
Oh, or the Rented Toyota Yaris that ended up on it's roof on it's first lap at bedford autodrome. Ha.
A Ford Ka with enough kit on to make barrys boys proud
OR
A Corsa being driven by a group of 19 year olds. This was no ordinary Corsa, it was a 2 litre conversion with a massive turbo, apparently near 400bhp (year, right, but it still had more power than the chassis could take) and to top it off the boys had just bought it, this was their first real drive.
Oh, or the Rented Toyota Yaris that ended up on it's roof on it's first lap at bedford autodrome. Ha.
Motor-home at the Ring, being driven by an ex Super-Vee racer from the 1970's with Ring experience from way back when it was proper dangerous.
He was lapping with his old mechanic sitting up front and their wives braced in back trying to keep all the cupboard doors shut....
He was giving it some, too!
He was lapping with his old mechanic sitting up front and their wives braced in back trying to keep all the cupboard doors shut....
He was giving it some, too!
Edited by crossle on Tuesday 19th August 10:03
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