track day car and my driving ability
Discussion
Greetings!!
I am in the lucky position of being able to purchase a track biased car. My number one "heart" choice is a gt3rs. But, here's the thing: I realised some time ago that I am am not a threat to Schumacher. I will embarass myself here and tell you that my current car is a warm hatch. Sure, the inside has been gutted, ie no rear seats,belts, spare wheel, uprated brakes bucket seat but on a tight twisty road on a cool day it is enough. Now, even on a slow track I find it slow down the straights but fun in the bends. I would much rather be known as some one who thrashes his car than a git who has more money than skill. I mean it is a no-lose situation. If I out drive someone in a faster car then it's my driving that has shone through. If the driver in the faster car out drives me then it's because they have a faster car. I am suggesting that my heart would like to own a gt3 but my head says I would be better off with a warmed mx5. I do not think I could learn to drive a gt3 well.
What are your thoughts? Should I get a gt3 for the experience of driving one poorly or get something more suited to my ability?
b
I am in the lucky position of being able to purchase a track biased car. My number one "heart" choice is a gt3rs. But, here's the thing: I realised some time ago that I am am not a threat to Schumacher. I will embarass myself here and tell you that my current car is a warm hatch. Sure, the inside has been gutted, ie no rear seats,belts, spare wheel, uprated brakes bucket seat but on a tight twisty road on a cool day it is enough. Now, even on a slow track I find it slow down the straights but fun in the bends. I would much rather be known as some one who thrashes his car than a git who has more money than skill. I mean it is a no-lose situation. If I out drive someone in a faster car then it's my driving that has shone through. If the driver in the faster car out drives me then it's because they have a faster car. I am suggesting that my heart would like to own a gt3 but my head says I would be better off with a warmed mx5. I do not think I could learn to drive a gt3 well.
What are your thoughts? Should I get a gt3 for the experience of driving one poorly or get something more suited to my ability?
b
Edited by BTWANGO on Tuesday 26th October 11:00
A gt3 is a great way to scare youself into the reality of just how fast, fast cars can really be. They are a different type of fun.
You can also learn to be a good driver in an MX5 & still have fun, its just leagues apart in terms of fast'ness.
However it's not much fun & very humiliating being overtaken by a boggo MX5 round the ring in your Gt3
You can also learn to be a good driver in an MX5 & still have fun, its just leagues apart in terms of fast'ness.
However it's not much fun & very humiliating being overtaken by a boggo MX5 round the ring in your Gt3
If you're a novice, I would stay well away from the likes of GT3RS for a while yet.
Get some seat time in something a lot cheaper and easier to drive first.
Novices in powerful cars are very annoying, they'll go balls out on the straights and you can't get past, then come the corners they miss-daisy it and hold you up.
Plus, if you bend it, you won't cry as much.
Get some seat time in something a lot cheaper and easier to drive first.
Novices in powerful cars are very annoying, they'll go balls out on the straights and you can't get past, then come the corners they miss-daisy it and hold you up.
Plus, if you bend it, you won't cry as much.
BTWANGO said:
Greetings!!
I am in the lucky position of being able to purchase a track biased car. My number one "heart" choice is a gt3rs. But, here's the thing: I realised some time ago that I am am not a threat to Schumacher. I will embarass myself here and tell you that my current car is a warm hatch. Sure, the inside has been gutted, ie no rear seats,belts, spare wheel, uprated brakes bucket seat but on a tight twisty road on a cool day it is enough. Now, even on a slow track I find it slow down the straights but fun in the bends. I would much rather be known as some one who thrashes his car than a git who has more money than skill. I mean it is a no-lose situation. If I out drive someone in a faster car then it's my driving that has shone through. If the driver in the faster car out drives me then it's because they have a faster car. I am suggesting that my heart would like to own a gt3 but my head says I would be better off with a warmed mx5. I do not think I could learn to drive a gt3 well.
What are your thoughts? Should I get a gt3 for the experience of driving one poorly or get something more suited to my ability?
Who gives a f**k what anyone else thinks? Buy what you can afford to run and enjoy to drive. You're ability is irrelevant provided you are courteous on track. It's not a race.I am in the lucky position of being able to purchase a track biased car. My number one "heart" choice is a gt3rs. But, here's the thing: I realised some time ago that I am am not a threat to Schumacher. I will embarass myself here and tell you that my current car is a warm hatch. Sure, the inside has been gutted, ie no rear seats,belts, spare wheel, uprated brakes bucket seat but on a tight twisty road on a cool day it is enough. Now, even on a slow track I find it slow down the straights but fun in the bends. I would much rather be known as some one who thrashes his car than a git who has more money than skill. I mean it is a no-lose situation. If I out drive someone in a faster car then it's my driving that has shone through. If the driver in the faster car out drives me then it's because they have a faster car. I am suggesting that my heart would like to own a gt3 but my head says I would be better off with a warmed mx5. I do not think I could learn to drive a gt3 well.
What are your thoughts? Should I get a gt3 for the experience of driving one poorly or get something more suited to my ability?
Unless mega-wealthy I'd be too worried about damaging a GT3RS (or any expensive car) on track. I'd go for a cheap to run, cheap to fix car like a Caterham (surprise surprise 
) and enjoy the experience far more without being too concerned about accidents.
As for what other people think... who cares? Trackdays are about having fun.
) and enjoy the experience far more without being too concerned about accidents.As for what other people think... who cares? Trackdays are about having fun.
doogz said:
thinfourth2 said:
if you can afford a GT3RS then buy a old caterham megagrad
Cheap and brilliant for trackwork and more crucially cheap to run and crash
Actually, this.Cheap and brilliant for trackwork and more crucially cheap to run and crash
If you want to learn to pilot a seriously quick RWD, a Caterham is the car to learn in.
Would think a Caterham is a good call or what about a second hand radical, or Westfield XTR2 / 4 (maybe too impractical)? Then you can spend some money on tuition if you are really worried about your pace.
But if you really want a GT3RS, just get one - you only live once.
ETA: If you take the Porsche on track get insurance.
But if you really want a GT3RS, just get one - you only live once.
ETA: If you take the Porsche on track get insurance.
Edited by Colin 1985 on Tuesday 26th October 11:52
BTWANGO said:
Greetings!!
I am in the lucky position of being able to purchase a track biased car. My number one "heart" choice is a gt3rs. But, here's the thing: I realised some time ago that I am am not a threat to Schumacher. I will embarass myself here and tell you that my current car is a warm hatch. Sure, the inside has been gutted, ie no rear seats,belts, spare wheel, uprated brakes bucket seat but on a tight twisty road on a cool day it is enough. Now, even on a slow track I find it slow down the straights but fun in the bends. I would much rather be known as some one who thrashes his car than a git who has more money than skill. I mean it is a no-lose situation. If I out drive someone in a faster car then it's my driving that has shone through. If the driver in the faster car out drives me then it's because they have a faster car. I am suggesting that my heart would like to own a gt3 but my head says I would be better off with a warmed mx5. I do not think I could learn to drive a gt3 well.
What are your thoughts? Should I get a gt3 for the experience of driving one poorly or get something more suited to my ability?
b
Which GT3? I just searched the PH classifieds and there seem to be a lot at over £100,000 is this the sort of price level we are talking?I am in the lucky position of being able to purchase a track biased car. My number one "heart" choice is a gt3rs. But, here's the thing: I realised some time ago that I am am not a threat to Schumacher. I will embarass myself here and tell you that my current car is a warm hatch. Sure, the inside has been gutted, ie no rear seats,belts, spare wheel, uprated brakes bucket seat but on a tight twisty road on a cool day it is enough. Now, even on a slow track I find it slow down the straights but fun in the bends. I would much rather be known as some one who thrashes his car than a git who has more money than skill. I mean it is a no-lose situation. If I out drive someone in a faster car then it's my driving that has shone through. If the driver in the faster car out drives me then it's because they have a faster car. I am suggesting that my heart would like to own a gt3 but my head says I would be better off with a warmed mx5. I do not think I could learn to drive a gt3 well.
What are your thoughts? Should I get a gt3 for the experience of driving one poorly or get something more suited to my ability?
b
Edited by BTWANGO on Tuesday 26th October 11:00
Personally if you want a track car, I'd buy or build one. Lots of great platforms to start with or plenty already out there.
Caterham, Ariels and similar would also be sensible road legal options IMO.
I was driving Caterhams at Silverstone last week and I am a complete track novice (but I'd like to think a reasonable driver). We were sharing the track with others on various experiences including exige, fezza, vantages and Lambos in the morning.
Bear in mind that these were all driven by amateurs/beginners.
In the corners, nothing stayed with the Caterhams and I was often waiting for a Fezza to get out of my way, the Aston was the same but we were about on par with the Lotus. Come the straights though the Fezza passed us every time. Come the afternoon Porsche turned up, including a GT3 RS and a Turbo S. Again on a training day but they left everything for dead in the corners and the straights, incredibly fast.
If you can afford it go for it. Personally I'd build up to it.
Bear in mind that these were all driven by amateurs/beginners.
In the corners, nothing stayed with the Caterhams and I was often waiting for a Fezza to get out of my way, the Aston was the same but we were about on par with the Lotus. Come the straights though the Fezza passed us every time. Come the afternoon Porsche turned up, including a GT3 RS and a Turbo S. Again on a training day but they left everything for dead in the corners and the straights, incredibly fast.
If you can afford it go for it. Personally I'd build up to it.
If you're worried about your own abilities, why not go for something slightly less scary than a GT3...
For very reasonable money you could go and buy an ex racing 944 or 968 which will be relatively quick but also a nicely balanced car. It also means you wont be constantly watching the barriers with fear.
On the other hand - if you can afford that sort of thing, then why the hell not, you can reach your limits before you reach the car's and still have damn good fun.
Im inclined to disagree with the caterham idea based on your own slight doubts of your car control abilities as these are all about really 'driving' the car to get the most from them - and they arent going to be slow if they catch you out.
Be sure to let us know what you decide!
For very reasonable money you could go and buy an ex racing 944 or 968 which will be relatively quick but also a nicely balanced car. It also means you wont be constantly watching the barriers with fear.
On the other hand - if you can afford that sort of thing, then why the hell not, you can reach your limits before you reach the car's and still have damn good fun.
Im inclined to disagree with the caterham idea based on your own slight doubts of your car control abilities as these are all about really 'driving' the car to get the most from them - and they arent going to be slow if they catch you out.
Be sure to let us know what you decide!
A911DOM said:
Im inclined to disagree with the caterham idea based on your own slight doubts of your car control abilities as these are all about really 'driving' the car to get the most from them - and they arent going to be slow if they catch you out.
Have to disagree there, one added bonus of the Caterham is that gravel traps tend to stop them... in the case of a low powered one usually within the first 10 feet of the gravel trap!A porker will carry on going aaaaallll the way to the barrier, and although crashing a Porsche is usually a far less painful experience physically, it does tend to have a larger impact on the wallet
juansolo said:
BTWANGO said:
Greetings!!
I am in the lucky position of being able to purchase a track biased car. My number one "heart" choice is a gt3rs. But, here's the thing: I realised some time ago that I am am not a threat to Schumacher. I will embarass myself here and tell you that my current car is a warm hatch. Sure, the inside has been gutted, ie no rear seats,belts, spare wheel, uprated brakes bucket seat but on a tight twisty road on a cool day it is enough. Now, even on a slow track I find it slow down the straights but fun in the bends. I would much rather be known as some one who thrashes his car than a git who has more money than skill. I mean it is a no-lose situation. If I out drive someone in a faster car then it's my driving that has shone through. If the driver in the faster car out drives me then it's because they have a faster car. I am suggesting that my heart would like to own a gt3 but my head says I would be better off with a warmed mx5. I do not think I could learn to drive a gt3 well.
What are your thoughts? Should I get a gt3 for the experience of driving one poorly or get something more suited to my ability?
Who gives a f**k what anyone else thinks? Buy what you can afford to run and enjoy to drive. You're ability is irrelevant provided you are courteous on track. It's not a race.I am in the lucky position of being able to purchase a track biased car. My number one "heart" choice is a gt3rs. But, here's the thing: I realised some time ago that I am am not a threat to Schumacher. I will embarass myself here and tell you that my current car is a warm hatch. Sure, the inside has been gutted, ie no rear seats,belts, spare wheel, uprated brakes bucket seat but on a tight twisty road on a cool day it is enough. Now, even on a slow track I find it slow down the straights but fun in the bends. I would much rather be known as some one who thrashes his car than a git who has more money than skill. I mean it is a no-lose situation. If I out drive someone in a faster car then it's my driving that has shone through. If the driver in the faster car out drives me then it's because they have a faster car. I am suggesting that my heart would like to own a gt3 but my head says I would be better off with a warmed mx5. I do not think I could learn to drive a gt3 well.
What are your thoughts? Should I get a gt3 for the experience of driving one poorly or get something more suited to my ability?
1st time I set foot on a track...was in a GT3....is it an ideal car to learn to drive on track in, probably not, but so what? There will always be somebody better & quicker than you & there will always be somebody slower than you. Buy what you want & just enjoy it.
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