Is my car fast enough?
Discussion
drive for yourself, i go out for a good time, in what is usually the slowest car on track by some margin, and have a blast everytime i do 
key an eye on your mirrors, as the faster more powerful cars come up on you, move over, let them through on the straights, if you are committed to your line in a bend, stay with it, when you're through, they'll go by. my mrs did her first session at angelsey two weeks ago, was worried about being too slow and holding people up, etc, she stuck to the simple rules/etiquette of the track, and had an absolute ball
key an eye on your mirrors, as the faster more powerful cars come up on you, move over, let them through on the straights, if you are committed to your line in a bend, stay with it, when you're through, they'll go by. my mrs did her first session at angelsey two weeks ago, was worried about being too slow and holding people up, etc, she stuck to the simple rules/etiquette of the track, and had an absolute ball
Edited by jaibk on Monday 20th September 15:43
Its not what you've got its how you use it....
I once saw a touring car driver in a rented focus 1.6 out on a track day - still overtook 90% of the cars there....on the other hand I see a lot of drivers in "track oriented" pork and ferraris who would get overtaken by a double decker bus...
You'll be fine....learn the flags, learn some etiquette, get some instruction, you'll have a blast.
I once saw a touring car driver in a rented focus 1.6 out on a track day - still overtook 90% of the cars there....on the other hand I see a lot of drivers in "track oriented" pork and ferraris who would get overtaken by a double decker bus...
You'll be fine....learn the flags, learn some etiquette, get some instruction, you'll have a blast.
I've only ever seen one "proper fast" sports/super car (porsche fezza etc) being driven anywhere remotely close to its limits on a track day, and that was a chap in a Ferrari who posts on here sometimes, can't remember his user name. Absolute joy to watch. It was at Silverstone back in March, the first time the circuit opened up after the winter works, mud everywhere, drizzle, incredibly slippery, and he was still giving it beans. The other porches etc will usually give it a bit of stick on the straights so you can't overtake, then you catch them again through the corners. You will have a hoot.
It'll be fine.
I've taken a 1.6 Focus and Diesel Mondeo to days before (last minute car failures).
Sure they were a little slower than my usual car, but i had an absolute ball, and didn't get in anyones way.
Remember to look in your mirrors, indicate over and enjoy it.
You can't fail to have fun !
I've taken a 1.6 Focus and Diesel Mondeo to days before (last minute car failures).
Sure they were a little slower than my usual car, but i had an absolute ball, and didn't get in anyones way.
Remember to look in your mirrors, indicate over and enjoy it.
You can't fail to have fun !
I have a Saxo VTS which I use for track days and it's fine.
Yes it is slower than most other cars on track, but if you sign up for the idea that track days are more about having fun and enhancing your driving ability than having the fastest car, it doesn't really matter.
I had a great time on the PistonHeads track day yesterday among Noble's, Elise's, Nissan GTR's, Caterham's, an Ultima GTR plus many more mouth watering machines and I'm pretty sure I wasn't causing anyone any problems.
As others have said, just keep an eye on your mirrors and book some tuition
Yes it is slower than most other cars on track, but if you sign up for the idea that track days are more about having fun and enhancing your driving ability than having the fastest car, it doesn't really matter.
I had a great time on the PistonHeads track day yesterday among Noble's, Elise's, Nissan GTR's, Caterham's, an Ultima GTR plus many more mouth watering machines and I'm pretty sure I wasn't causing anyone any problems.
As others have said, just keep an eye on your mirrors and book some tuition
Depending on the track day you may well find the average car is an MX5 or Pug 205 GTi with 130bhp a piece anwyay.
That's a moot point though. The fact is, as long as you don't get in the way of people trying to overtake and you're considerate when overtaking others - because you will overtake some, even in a modestly powered car on a first attempt - then you'll be fine. They don't always do so, but in theory people should always pull over to let you past if you're lapping faster than them overall even if they're much quicker down the straights. There's almost innevitably someone with a very shiny 911 who has no idea how to drive it who doesn't realise this, but when you get stuck behind him with the blue flags waving left, right and centre just come into the pits for a few minutes to let the car rest.
That's a moot point though. The fact is, as long as you don't get in the way of people trying to overtake and you're considerate when overtaking others - because you will overtake some, even in a modestly powered car on a first attempt - then you'll be fine. They don't always do so, but in theory people should always pull over to let you past if you're lapping faster than them overall even if they're much quicker down the straights. There's almost innevitably someone with a very shiny 911 who has no idea how to drive it who doesn't realise this, but when you get stuck behind him with the blue flags waving left, right and centre just come into the pits for a few minutes to let the car rest.
Well I'm very pleasantly suprised with the posts on here! I will definatly be looking into track days within the next few months. I found a reasonable insurance quote on my Zr last night for when I have my 1yrs NCb so April next year I should be booking one!
Then I just have to worry about my car going bang as the engine isn't exactly one the most reliable out there
Then I just have to worry about my car going bang as the engine isn't exactly one the most reliable out there
I went with my mate on a track day and he was driving his Integra type R, It was his first track day so warming into it but still going pretty quick. We were overtaken quite a few times by a standard Ka Sport so it not always what you drive. I found the people on the track pretty courteous and will always let you through if your faster and will not sit right behind you putting the pressure on. Long story short it doesn't matter what you drive. You will still have a load of fun.
BJD said:
I've only ever seen one "proper fast" sports/super car (porsche fezza etc) being driven anywhere remotely close to its limits on a track day, and that was a chap in a Ferrari who posts on here sometimes, can't remember his user name. Absolute joy to watch. It was at Silverstone back in March, the first time the circuit opened up after the winter works, mud everywhere, drizzle, incredibly slippery, and he was still giving it beans. The other porches etc will usually give it a bit of stick on the straights so you can't overtake, then you catch them again through the corners. You will have a hoot.
This is a massive over generalization that comes up regularly in threads like this. I can only guess it is the product of a blinkered, green eye view of noticing the one that you get stuck behind and not the others that come past. The truth is, that there are a lot of Porsches driven regularly and quickly on track. The majority of the owners are car nuts just like everyone else there on the track day. Of course there will be the odd one there in a shiney new motor that might think he's above everyone else but please don't tar us all with the same brush. We're just as enthusiastic as everyone else. Take the time to meet some of us and you might change your mind.Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff