How do you get the MOST out of your supercar?
Discussion
Dear fellow owners of exotica (aka the illuminati 
).
We spend not an inconsiderable lump of cash on a lump of mechanical exotica, and pamper and feed it lovingly, ensuring it operates optimally and faithfully.
Surely, you don't throw all that money at it, and then keep it dry and warm in a modern garage? Do you
?
But the good doc got thinking recently (and for those of you who know the Doc, that usually spells trouble), that although his own piece of Italian exotica (1996 F355 Berlinetta, manual), does and will continue to rack up many miles (64k and counting), he is not certain that it is being utilised in the best possible way.
In 3-4 years of ownership, I have:
- taken it ONCE for charity rides around a smallish 'track' in Berkshire. Probably got upto 90mph in 3rd gear only
- been on the track once, an hour or so outside Vienna. Very short straight resulted in 4th gear and 120mph only. And some fried brakes!
- maxed it on 3 or 4 occasions in Deutschland (very enlightened people, those Germans). Car performed brilliantly. Was very stable at over 180mph.
- plus alot of fun on public roads, without getting anywhere near the car's handling and performance potential
But that is really all. Not much for nearly 4 years of ownership. Guilty as charged, M'lud
.
I don't want it stationary and locked up, I want it out there, moving.
Question: how to get the MOST out of it, out of the investment? Both on public roads and on track. What suggestions maketh you.......?
- regular track days?
- hoons? WTF is a hoon anyway?
- advanced driving courses?
- racing? racing? RACING?
- hill climbs?
- what suggestions for the public roads?
- charity events?
- drag racing?
- please do not mention concourse events - mine is NOT a garage queen!
).We spend not an inconsiderable lump of cash on a lump of mechanical exotica, and pamper and feed it lovingly, ensuring it operates optimally and faithfully.
Surely, you don't throw all that money at it, and then keep it dry and warm in a modern garage? Do you
?But the good doc got thinking recently (and for those of you who know the Doc, that usually spells trouble), that although his own piece of Italian exotica (1996 F355 Berlinetta, manual), does and will continue to rack up many miles (64k and counting), he is not certain that it is being utilised in the best possible way.
In 3-4 years of ownership, I have:
- taken it ONCE for charity rides around a smallish 'track' in Berkshire. Probably got upto 90mph in 3rd gear only
- been on the track once, an hour or so outside Vienna. Very short straight resulted in 4th gear and 120mph only. And some fried brakes!
- maxed it on 3 or 4 occasions in Deutschland (very enlightened people, those Germans). Car performed brilliantly. Was very stable at over 180mph.
- plus alot of fun on public roads, without getting anywhere near the car's handling and performance potential
But that is really all. Not much for nearly 4 years of ownership. Guilty as charged, M'lud
.I don't want it stationary and locked up, I want it out there, moving.
Question: how to get the MOST out of it, out of the investment? Both on public roads and on track. What suggestions maketh you.......?
- regular track days?
- hoons? WTF is a hoon anyway?
- advanced driving courses?
- racing? racing? RACING?
- hill climbs?
- what suggestions for the public roads?
- charity events?
- drag racing?
- please do not mention concourse events - mine is NOT a garage queen!
Some serious fun can be had from 'road trips' - weekends away with the missus (or partner) or some like minded buddies. A little bit of planning, some forethought on the route and a nice restaurant make for some great experiences..... there really are some fabulous driving roads in this fair isle and you get to see some nice bits of Britain. When you feel more adventurous, you can road trip abroad. To be honest, if you use your supercar regularly, switch off your sat-nav and plan out journeys better allowing a little more time to 'play' between A and B, nearly every journey will give you more satisfaction and provide you with more from your supercar. I for one don't get much pleasure out of arriving at my destination having listened to my thoroughbred engine droning away behind me on the motorway.... but, I arrive feeling alive if I pull off the motorway 2 junctions early and let the engine zing down the back roads to get there.
I'd second the road trip theme, but focus on France. French B roads are amazing, the one redeeming feature of a socialist government, and I've really enjoyed the trips over there. From Southern england, you can do Le Touquet and back in a day if you want, so that would really work as a nice weekend away as well. If there's only one car to worry about, it's pretty easy to set up.
Not for me, but I know several guys into hillclimbing with the FOC. It's not hard-edged competition which is why I think it's a fun thing to do. Get's you out and about in the car.
If you've already done 64K miles, I don't think you're doing too bad a job out it!
Not for me, but I know several guys into hillclimbing with the FOC. It's not hard-edged competition which is why I think it's a fun thing to do. Get's you out and about in the car.
If you've already done 64K miles, I don't think you're doing too bad a job out it!
larrylamb11 said:
Some serious fun can be had from 'road trips' - weekends away with the missus (or partner) or some like minded buddies. A little bit of planning, some forethought on the route and a nice restaurant make for some great experiences..... there really are some fabulous driving roads in this fair isle and you get to see some nice bits of Britain. When you feel more adventurous, you can road trip abroad. To be honest, if you use your supercar regularly, switch off your sat-nav and plan out journeys better allowing a little more time to 'play' between A and B, nearly every journey will give you more satisfaction and provide you with more from your supercar. I for one don't get much pleasure out of arriving at my destination having listened to my thoroughbred engine droning away behind me on the motorway.... but, I arrive feeling alive if I pull off the motorway 2 junctions early and let the engine zing down the back roads to get there.
This! OK - my car isn't really what you can class as supercar but the above does give real satisfaction. TBH anything that means you finish with a smile on your face makes ownership satisfying.
Roadtrips such as the PN tours are a fantastic way to really push the car, especially in convoy, and enjoy it to the max.
An alternative is the sporting bears dream rides, a great way to show off the cars to the paying public.
not really getting the most out of it, but it is not for a lack of trying
just drove around the Peak and Lake District for a few days
went to Germany once or twice last year(last time drove to Frankfurt in the evening, had breakfast with a friend next morning and then drove back again)
went to Luxembourg last winter, probably the first time the car saw snow in its life - fun fun
used the car for commuting all of last year - not the intended use, but - at least to me - still better than not using it at all
try to drive somewhere every other weekend - sometimes just a quick blast down to the coast and back up again
just drove around the Peak and Lake District for a few days
went to Germany once or twice last year(last time drove to Frankfurt in the evening, had breakfast with a friend next morning and then drove back again)
went to Luxembourg last winter, probably the first time the car saw snow in its life - fun fun
used the car for commuting all of last year - not the intended use, but - at least to me - still better than not using it at all
try to drive somewhere every other weekend - sometimes just a quick blast down to the coast and back up again
Hoonage is where its at !!!
You need to arrange a trip to the IoM, to Wales, to the continent.... ideally with fellow "illuminati".... do the odd track session - get some driving instruction - do an airfield day (or just use the M1 in the early hours !!) - attend some car shows.....
Theres loads you can do to maximise the value you extract from your car - you just have to make the time for it and get involved !
You need to arrange a trip to the IoM, to Wales, to the continent.... ideally with fellow "illuminati".... do the odd track session - get some driving instruction - do an airfield day (or just use the M1 in the early hours !!) - attend some car shows.....
Theres loads you can do to maximise the value you extract from your car - you just have to make the time for it and get involved !
I pop down to Tescos quite regularly.
Was going to go on a road trip to France in a couple of weeks but my g/f has had a trapped nerve and isn't too mobile at the moment so plumping for a villa holiday in the sun somewhere. Putting it off till early next year and really looking forward to it.
Was going to go on a road trip to France in a couple of weeks but my g/f has had a trapped nerve and isn't too mobile at the moment so plumping for a villa holiday in the sun somewhere. Putting it off till early next year and really looking forward to it.
I do mostly charity events in mine, gets me out and the missus can't argue as it's for charity. I enjoy driving it whenever I can and have been round a track in it once (two weeks ago) now want to do some more track days.
Regular trips to Starbucks, just to get a coffee, then a good run before going back home.
Regular trips to Starbucks, just to get a coffee, then a good run before going back home.
A trip into Tescos was not a response I was expecting (or hoping) to receive when starting this thread.
It would certainly brighten up what I consider a thoroughly boring chore, but it would not be getting the 'most' out of my car.
I want to drive it hard, fast, sideways, exploring what it is like at the limits.
It would certainly brighten up what I consider a thoroughly boring chore, but it would not be getting the 'most' out of my car.
I want to drive it hard, fast, sideways, exploring what it is like at the limits.
DrYazz said:
I want to drive it hard, fast, sideways, exploring what it is like at the limits.
Well you can't do that on a public road.... so it will have to be on a track! Your competence behind the wheel and how deep your pockets are will decide the type of track - be it hiring a track and an instructor for your own personal pleasure, an organised proper racing circuit trackday or airfield trackday. Having done both the last two and having thought I was man enough to take it on the chin if I had an 'off', I have to admit to being a little more peeved than I expected when my track Porsche hit the barrier backwards hard enough to rip the seats out of the floor having got it wrong at Quarry / Castle Combe...... the experience helped sharpen my thinking and I have elected for Airfield track events since! Maybe not as 'manly', but that is easily made up for by the largely reduced risk of damaging your motor. I tend to use people like these guys http://www.motorsport-events.co.uk/ but I would urge you to think very carefully and consider all the aspects before you take your p&j on a track of any sort. Pay for (expensive) insurance and be prepared for a total loss - remember it doesn't have to be you making a mistake that wrecks your car, I have seen plenty of other people taken out by mistakes made by others... Other than trackdays, it is as described above - hill climbs etc., but just remember that any situation where you are pushing your car to its limits greatly increases the liklihood that you will exceed them, so make sure you are happy about the potential consequences.
Google carlimits. I did another one recently at North Weald in Essex and its great fun. No noise limits so you can go berserk.
Otherwise, pop along to www.petrolheadnirvana.com I've done several of their European driving tours (about to embark on another tomorrow evening) and they are epic fun. A convoy of
Other ideas: plan a week's holiday in Europe. I took the car to the ring then spent a week bumbling around Germany with my g/f at the time. Car was perfect for 2 ppl and luggage for a week or so.
Otherwise, pop along to www.petrolheadnirvana.com I've done several of their European driving tours (about to embark on another tomorrow evening) and they are epic fun. A convoy of
Other ideas: plan a week's holiday in Europe. I took the car to the ring then spent a week bumbling around Germany with my g/f at the time. Car was perfect for 2 ppl and luggage for a week or so.
UH-Matt said:
Is the answer not obvious? You need to do some track days.
I think that blat we had around West London probably falls under 'getting the most out of your car' Matt!I like to drive spiritedly but I wouldn't want to completely thrash mine around a track sideways, I'd rather buy an Atom or Caterham or something and then it's not so pain full if you ruin it.
/edited cos I kept ballsing up the quoting/
Edited by br d on Thursday 2nd September 18:13
Edited by br d on Thursday 2nd September 18:15
br d said:
UH-Matt][quote said:
I want to drive it hard, fast, sideways, exploring what it is like at the limits.
Is the answer not obvious? You need to do some track days.A proper track day on an actual circuit will not let you get sideways ala Top Gear nonsense screaming "Pooooowaaahhhh!"
Don't get me wrong I would love to do it, but the first few times you were to try getting a serious powerslide out you would be in the gravel or taken off. I just did a trackday in my car and ok its only an E36 M3 Evo but it was about being smooth, fast and getting the right lines and braking points. Zero scope for exploring it on the limits as it would have caused an accident and or seriously inconvenienced everyone on the day.
Next thing I want to try is a drifting / skid pan / exploration of the limits style day as I think this would best replicate what would happen on a misjudged corner / diesel spill moment on the road?
Edited by BluePurpleRed on Thursday 2nd September 18:21
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