What is the slowest car you can take on a trackday?
Discussion
I would like to do a trackday with the the 190 at some point, once I have bolted a manual gearbox into it and changed the suspension.
But it's not exactly a tower of power, so I am a bit worried about the closing speed of others, and generally getting in other peoples way and pissing them off.
Are there events for slower cars? If not, I am guessing it's not wise to take something a bit slow out on track?
Matt.
But it's not exactly a tower of power, so I am a bit worried about the closing speed of others, and generally getting in other peoples way and pissing them off.
Are there events for slower cars? If not, I am guessing it's not wise to take something a bit slow out on track?
Matt.
maybe try an airfield day, there are normally some long wide straights which will make it easier for faster cars to pass.
Lots of airfield days I've done have had very light traffic too...
You will probably find the excessive road-bias of the 190 a bit frustrating on track.
you will still have fun though!
Lots of airfield days I've done have had very light traffic too...
You will probably find the excessive road-bias of the 190 a bit frustrating on track.
you will still have fun though!
We once took a 1 litre mini city E to Bassingbourne.
Kept out of people's way so it wasn't a problem. The only issue was fast cars on the straights would hold us up in the corners.
The MGB GT wasn't a problem at Hethel either.
You may get complaints if the car requires a man with a red flag but other than that if you let others past it should be fine.
Kept out of people's way so it wasn't a problem. The only issue was fast cars on the straights would hold us up in the corners.
The MGB GT wasn't a problem at Hethel either.
You may get complaints if the car requires a man with a red flag but other than that if you let others past it should be fine.
I am a novice myself regarding trackdays, but what I would comment on this subject is just observe your mirrors and let the faster cars through as instructed in the initial safety briefing, better for them, and better for you. You should have no problems, there have been numerous slow cars on the track on my days, possibly people using up gift track day vouchers, and good on them, let them enjoy it, and as long as you dont have the misfortune to have any idiots out there, you will be fine, enjoy the day, its great fun. The organisers want people to have a great day, because they want you to return, and they will take steps if necessary, to inform people of improper or unsafe behaviour on the track accordingly, because its not in theirs or your welfare. Go and have a great day, you'll love it! Might be wise to pick a track that is easy, to start with. Bedford is repeatedly mentioned, albeit I have only T-dayed at Goodwood myself
deibit said:
Shape Shifter said:
I took a 1.0 Peugeot 107 to the ring once.
The ring is not a good example.. legally it's an open highway.. (so if you can drive on a german autobahn, you can drive in the ring.. no restrictions)
Closing speed was massive...
You'll be fine, just stick to novice days for the first couple, where cars will generally be going a bit slower anyway.
Stick with the 190, it would be a good change to see one out on track! With relatively low weight and sophisticated suspension I can see them being quite decent.
There was a standard Rover 45 at Goodwood last weekend in amongst the Ferrari/Ultima/Radical/Juno fare - you can still have fun in a standard car (at least for a while!).
Brad
Stick with the 190, it would be a good change to see one out on track! With relatively low weight and sophisticated suspension I can see them being quite decent.
There was a standard Rover 45 at Goodwood last weekend in amongst the Ferrari/Ultima/Radical/Juno fare - you can still have fun in a standard car (at least for a while!).
Brad
I've seen a VW transporter diesel (like a transit), Ford Escort (non turbo) Diesel and a Jeep Patriot go round (you tend to see silly cars, fast and slow, at castle coomb action days)...I'd rather be in your Merc then any of them....
Your car will be quick enough, but does it handle well enough (or it won't be fun) and have decent brakes (at best you'll have to cut the day short, at worst you'll crash if it doesn't)?
Your car will be quick enough, but does it handle well enough (or it won't be fun) and have decent brakes (at best you'll have to cut the day short, at worst you'll crash if it doesn't)?
Edited by varsas on Friday 28th August 13:28
varsas said:
I've seen a VW transporter diesel (like a transit), Ford Escort (non turbo) Diesel and a Jeep Patriot go round (you tend to see silly cars, fast and slow, at castle coomb action days)...I'd rather be in your Merc then any of them....
Your car will be quick enough, but does it handle well enough (or it won't be fun) and have decent brakes (at best you'll have to cut the day short, at worst you'll crash if it doesn't)?
I am currently looking at uprating my brakes, will hopefully soon be running a vented rotor with Frodo pads. Your car will be quick enough, but does it handle well enough (or it won't be fun) and have decent brakes (at best you'll have to cut the day short, at worst you'll crash if it doesn't)?
Edited by varsas on Friday 28th August 13:28
The 190 is a very nice handling car, I am also looking at uprating the suspension slightly.
If funds allow, a 2.6 6 cylinder may also find it's way in.
Edited by 190E Matt on Friday 28th August 13:45
Change your brake fluid and check the condition of the rest.
I'd recommend going easy on the brakes too; on a road car they will give out first. Don't bother with max speed down the straights as you only have to put that energy back into those discs and pads. Some corners the braking and weight transfer make a big difference but you'll soon work out which.
With the MGB GT we didn't bother with the brakes at all and just threw the car into the corners sideways
I'd recommend going easy on the brakes too; on a road car they will give out first. Don't bother with max speed down the straights as you only have to put that energy back into those discs and pads. Some corners the braking and weight transfer make a big difference but you'll soon work out which.
With the MGB GT we didn't bother with the brakes at all and just threw the car into the corners sideways
CDP said:
Change your brake fluid and check the condition of the rest.
I'd recommend going easy on the brakes too; on a road car they will give out first. Don't bother with max speed down the straights as you only have to put that energy back into those discs and pads. Some corners the braking and weight transfer make a big difference but you'll soon work out which.
With the MGB GT we didn't bother with the brakes at all and just threw the car into the corners sideways
I know what you mean about the brakes, the pedal goes all mushy and the brakes fade when driving harder down a mountain road and some B roads, what I tend to do to counteract it is accelerate and then lift off at a point where I end up entering the corner at the correct speed, with maybe only using a dab of the brakes. I'd recommend going easy on the brakes too; on a road car they will give out first. Don't bother with max speed down the straights as you only have to put that energy back into those discs and pads. Some corners the braking and weight transfer make a big difference but you'll soon work out which.
With the MGB GT we didn't bother with the brakes at all and just threw the car into the corners sideways
I wouldn't redline or trash my car into an inch of it's life anyway, I need it as my daily driver!
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