LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

This has been on my mind for a long time, but basically I have no idea or where to start, but maybe in the future I'd like to start going to a few track days.

For example, say I was to buy a Saxo VTS or a Clio 182, any advice on costs involved for the car, upgrades, fee's for attending a track day, how quickly tyres need to be replaced, fuel for a day, general maintenance, etc etc

Basically any advice will be appreciated just so that I have an idea in my head the overall costs and what-not.

Also I sometimes see people mentioning action days; are these the same things then? Also do you need roll cages and helmets and everything?

Thanks

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

I hate to sound unhelpful. But dont calculate the costs. Just do it if you calc the costs you wont do it. lol.

car
tax
ins
mot
repairs
track tyres 6 days
discs 12 days
pads 6 days
fuel to , from, and during
hotel stay
lunch
evening meal
track insurance

it gets stupid fast. and thats before you start modding (which you will)

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

dp

LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

That's why I wanted to get an idea really... not point in getting started and getting carried away with all the mods and everything, while struggling to afford it all. If I was going to do it, I'd want to be sure I could easily afford it all

How regularly do you go then?

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

i aim to go once a month. But ends up more like 6 times a year.

Fuel i generally spend around 120 on the day. + another 80 to get there / back.

On my M3 300 for the front pads which last about 6 days
on my rx8 160 for the front pads which will probably last the same.

Again M3 has 1k+ worth of r888s vs rx's 400 quids worth or RE040.

So it largely depends on what your budget is. to what trackday route you want to take.

General rule is weight = significantly increased cost.

Cheapest way in is probably clio cup, rx8, mx5, e36.

When i had scoob for track it used to eat road tyres and brakes.

Usually about £200 to enter a trackday, and about £100 for insurance

Tracking the car will highlight all the weak points. Everything from fuel pump to steering rack and bushes. Sky is the limit on prep and modification.

usually first thing to go on track are the brakes and tyres.

You will need a helmet, but you can hire them.

Tuition is always worth it and is often free.

Generally, if your brakes can last 15 min, and your tyres dont go off / wear too badly in 15min session. You would be best learning the car and track stock before spending loads on trick suspension and stuff.

They are not race days so just go with the aim to have fun and its awesome

LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

Good advice thanks

I'm still looking into it really.

I'm going to my first track with my friend next month in his BMW track car and we're splitting the costs (it'll be his first time as well believe it or not).

If I enjoy it a lot and it's something I'd like to do more often, then I'd consider selling my current car and replacing it with a cheaper daily, and getting a road legal track car (been looking at the Peugeot 205 GTI with the Mi16 or GTI6 engine dropped in it), so very light weight and pretty cheap, but apparently a weapon on track.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

I think you'll be making a big mistake going for something like a modded GTI, you want something cheap and reliable and fun, so rear wheel drive and for me there is only one car to consider, mazda mx5 ticks all the boxes, tyres, brakes and fuel are cheap so will keep the costs down while the fun/cost ratio will be high, there are also plenty of uprated parts quite cheaply available.

I'd be surprised if there is not at least one on your track day, see if you can blag a passenger ride in one and have a look around it before going off and buying something that could turn out to be more of a problem than fun, last thing you want is to fork out £200+ for a day and end up spending half the time messing with the car, and fitting a bigger more powerful lump into any car will mean it eats more brakes and tyres as well as fuel.

There are many very good reasons seasoned track day veterans plump for the mx5.

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

ditchmyster makes sense

gotta be rwd!

trails

iTrader: (41)

be kind to whatever car you choose; warm up and warm down laps...don't over heat tyres or you will drastically reduce their life span...just be sensible and enjoy

BLU

iTrader: (27)

Just do it! You can pretty much use the car as standard and upgrade as you learn how to handle the car and start getting quicker!! At minimum I'd recommend uprating the brake pads!
I'm in the middle of building a MK2 Fiesta track car. It may be FWD but they handle great, weigh nowt and have the added bonus of lift off oversteer for added smiles!!

Trails, good advice but its eating into your 'finishing your car off' time )

greenonedave

Don't get the red mist !
remember, there is always someone faster than you, enjoy !

skyinsurance

iTrader: (3)

Sky Insurance Trackday cover link below if you wish to have a play around:

http://www.skyinsurance.co.uk/blog/2...sky-insurance/

trails

iTrader: (41)

Trev

Infected by sti

iTrader: (6)

Just ran a quote for track day insurance and I must be honest I'm quite surprised at the cost, it was less than £80, now to me that is a no brainer, i would be much happier out there on track knowing if someone wallops my car or I decided to bin it then Its insured, I always thought it would be double that, so quite a pleasant surprise

SPEN555

Read the small print first on trackday cover. In most cases the excess is at least £3,000!!! plus loads of onerous exclusions rendering it an epic rip off. Why bother with the cover? Remember you are not going on track to bin it and as stated above as long as you enjoy it and don't allow the red mist to take over you should not be involved in an accident.

Infected by sti

iTrader: (6)

It's not me I'm worried about its the others out there who take it way too serious, and often never been on a track before, who think they have more grip than what is physically possible, i would be fuming if some twàt thought he was something special and took me out, but to be honest I never looked at the excess, suppose I should really

LSherratt

iTrader: (1)

I phoned up a few insurance companies yesterday because I was curious to know the annual cost for cover on a road legal track car.

I was basing it on a Peugeot 205 GTI with engine conversion (170bhp), cage, buckets, brakes, suspension, stripped out interior etc, and the cheapest was Adrian Flux at £730 with an allowance of 5000 miles. At least it gives me some numbers to think about now anyway.

Higher than I expected as I had my fingers crossed for about £500. The main factor is my age being 22 years old.

If I was ever to do it, I don't think I would bother with insurance specifically on the track itself as well.

Fantom

I have been keeping a spreadsheet of all my costs involved with my Clio 172 track car.
I've only done one evening and one full day in it so far but hopefully will get to do 3 or 4 days this year.
The car cost me £1250 but I've already spent over £4k when I add in upgrades and servicing.
I have Yoko AD08 tyres which seem to have hardly changed since I got them. Loads of tread left.
Recently upgraded the discs and pads but not sure how long I can expect them to last.

I would advise changing a few bits on the car like the brakes but nothing major until you drive it and see what you think you need to improve.
I've tried to get all my bits second hand from ebay/forums which helps.

I'm pretty much ready to book my next track day but I find that hardest thing is getting a friend to come with me! Might end up just being a loner lol

trails

iTrader: (41)

Speak to Gary at Keith Michaels...my insurance covers track days as standard

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

yes shop around for track car road cover. My old M3 was only 500 quid, and my rx8 is 390 a year.

Limited mileage to 1-2k /yr.

off top of my head
greenlight
reis
sky
cci
flux

have all covered me for track cars over the last 5 years.

dunx

iTrader: (3)

The biggest driver motivating me to re-assemble the kit of bits that are my Subaru is the thought of the next trackday....

dunx

P.S. First trip to Blyton in an almost std. STI, nearly lifted the rear wheel....

Paben

iTrader: (5)

Tracking a rare 'black' Prodrive bug, can't be many left now. Mine's heading to the local track soon too, hope it survives

JDM_Stig

iTrader: (3)

Re your insurance, Greenlight cover track days for £15, there was only 1 track they wouldn't cover me on,
Re the car and costs, it depends how you drive it,
If your a loon and over drive it everywhere expect big bills,
if you drive it almost as you would on the road but faster you will find things last a lot longer, like the brake pads, tyres, etc,

Go along to a few track days/ evenings and see what people are running and get chatting with a few.