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Old 28 September 2008, 08:39 AM
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Jamesemt
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Default Track car...any advice??

I'm thinking of buying a track car in the next few months and could do with some advice.

I'm looking at something like a 205gti and a car trailer - is there anything I need to be aware of apart from towing weight?

Do I need an MOT to drive on a track? How does it all work? 3rd party insurance?

TBH I've never even been on a track day, so I think that needs to be first before I buy anything! I've got a helmet - do I need any other gear?

Any advice would be really appreciated.
Old 28 September 2008, 09:10 AM
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johnnybon
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Default I done it

Hi first you should get classic scooby they are cheap very tuneable and handle vvvvery good on the track,then your first modes should be a roll cage and full harness 5 point is best,safty first then sky the limit it all very addictive, the only advice is dont rush in buy the best and buy only once it works out cheaper in the end belive me i no.Try slowboy-racing.co.uk great forum great people and great advice. Have fun
Old 28 September 2008, 09:39 AM
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dunx
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Oi James, you muppet !

SORRY ! no MOT need as it's not on the public highway, common sense suggests you won't get on with knackered ball joints, etc. If you aren't fussy no insurance is necessary, but for a valuable car it may be prudent.

I offered you a go in mine....

Cool boots and gloves will intimidate us morals ! Nicked from another thread watch out for towing weights, you may have to buy the missus a Mitsi Animal to cope with a 205GTI and trailer.

Loads of people in the WYIOC ended up buying one just to do Blyton twice a year.

Sco8bystu had an Mi16 up for grabs recently....

I would expect that a prepared car will work out cheaper in the long run, if the mechanicals are sound. ( Can't we cage the Ibiza Smog-mobile ? ) and you can get an M5 to pull it !

Hope Lyns and Callie are well, (and you too !)

DunxC

P.S. wheel bearing knackered...

Track Day Cars : PEUGEOT 205 GTI 1.6 SORRENTO GREEN

Last edited by dunx; 28 September 2008 at 09:50 AM.
Old 28 September 2008, 09:58 AM
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Jamesemt
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Originally Posted by dunx

I offered you a go in mine....
I'm very reluctant to drive someone elses car on a track - especially when it was our only transport home!!

Originally Posted by dunx
Nicked from another thread watch out for towing weights, you may have to buy the missus a Mitsi Animal to cope with a 205GTI and trailer
Now that's an idea


Originally Posted by dunx
Sco8bystu had an Mi16 up for grabs recently....
mmm remember something about oil surge problems on the Mi16 to do with tilting the engine - maybe go with a 1.9 on 45s??

Originally Posted by dunx
( Can't we cage the Ibiza Smog-mobile ? )
So does that mean you want to be involved to


With regard to the wheel bearing - You will go baiting Kosovans!!

Last edited by Jamesemt; 28 September 2008 at 10:01 AM.
Old 28 September 2008, 10:55 AM
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dunx
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WHY YOU LITTLE !

DOH !

Good job you are 60 miles away !

Or I'd be in your garage....

LOL

DunxC

P.S. An early STI can be had for £3000 ! YES just been on PH !
Old 28 September 2008, 11:07 AM
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GlesgaKiss
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Originally Posted by dunx
WHY YOU LITTLE !

DOH !

Good job you are 60 miles away !

Or I'd be in your garage....

LOL

DunxC

P.S. An early STI can be had for £3000 ! YES just been on PH !
I'm thinking of doing the same as the OP. Would buy an Sti to work on over the winter and have ready for track days in the spring. I enjoy working on them as much as anything; I'm not a mechanic so I'm learning as I go along.

You might find yourself with a few PM's from me over the coming months


Alan
Old 28 September 2008, 11:24 AM
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dunx
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Sadly Corradoboy has just posted that Blyton is closing down due to the lack of a deal on a long term lease !

Sad news.

DunxC
Old 28 September 2008, 09:30 PM
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chocolate_o_brian
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You are joking Duncan

Went to Blyton only last weekend with a couple of mates.

Chris (Flix) had his track prepped white 205GTI and Danny/Diccy (Rill/D1CCY), had there VTS engined tracked prepped VTR on show.

was bloody scarey seeing what the 205GTI on some good suspension mods could do. Absolutley fantastic handling... really opend my eyes as to what my little Pug can do

So, on that basis, you know my suggestion James

Pick a decent 1.9GTI up for around £1000-£1500, sometimes already stripped and caged, such is their popularity.
Old 28 September 2008, 09:38 PM
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AlanPPP
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Buy mine James........

https://www.scoobynet.com/private-sa...ml#post8161959
Old 28 September 2008, 10:38 PM
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dunx
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He's already done the Mi16 lark when he was a nipper...

So knows what he likes !

LOL

DunxC
Old 29 September 2008, 10:36 AM
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ahar
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Certainly not a track expert, but looking at the stuff on BookaTrack.com they stipulate that the car is either road legal or race legal (i.e. meets the standards of an existing race series) - not sure how you would prove that it is race legal!
Old 29 September 2008, 12:15 PM
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Just obvious safety related equipment....

DunxC
Old 29 September 2008, 03:14 PM
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RRH
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Imprezas are costly to run on track- heavy on fuel, brakes, tyres etc.

205's are highly regarded and are real quick when set up properly, but try to find one that someone's already spent the money on rather than building your own; track prep'd cars rarely sell for anywhere near what they cost to build.

Also consider an MX5- largely bullet-proof, very cheap to run, and most importantly, rear wheel drive. An early Eunos can be acquired for less that £1k and have one of the best (and most entertaining) chassis ever

The Eunos in standard trim doesn't have much grunt, so you have to learn to drive properly and carry spped through the corners. Alternatively, you could buy a turbocharged eunos, but that will prbably set on fire. Much faster, but it ultimately compromises the reliability too much.

Hope this helps.
Old 29 September 2008, 03:15 PM
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Andy M3
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Originally Posted by RRH
The Eunos in standard trim doesn't have much grunt, so you have to learn to drive properly and carry spped through the corners.
Example: Things I overtook on the nordschleife

Watch it all
Old 29 September 2008, 03:31 PM
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RRH
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Exactly
Old 29 September 2008, 04:13 PM
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Dream Weaver
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RRH beat me to it, buy something already done, and go for something cheap, i.e. 205, Saxo etc.

Impreza is a heavy rally car and costly on parts. My 205 cost £80 for discs/pads all round, tyres at £40 a corner etc.

Mine cost me £8k to build and I sold it for £4k, so the guy buying it got a good trackday bargain. I'm thinking of doing the same as you actually and I will be looking for an ex 205 rally car or similar, with cage and all the main bits done.
Old 29 September 2008, 04:18 PM
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RRH
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I sold a 1994 clio cup race car a couple of months back for £4k- a pukka racer, perfect for trackdays, and whilst they need to be trailered everywhere and eat wheel bearings for fun (15 hour run time between changes) they cost bugger all in tyres / fuel / brakes etc.
Old 29 September 2008, 06:41 PM
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James will prob. get a 205, I'm the idiot who sees a £3K STI as a bargain

LOL

DunxC
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