Track day drivers - what would you recommend for a beginner?

[jameswrx]

I can only speak of my experience, but I did 4 track days in 9 months and 5k miles and had no issues. The supercharger needs servicing at 80k ish and this is often missed as it involves a decent amount of the front end removing but there are a few other jobs one can do at the same time to make it efficient. It's not hard from the YouTube videos I've seen. The cam chain tensioner can fail with disastrous consequences but you'll have months of start up rattle as a warning before that happens.

Reading in to your username I now also own a WRX (late 2008 hatch with EJ255 engine) and compared to the Mini it feels like I am sitting on a ticking time bomb. I reckon it wouldn't be very good on the track either due to being very softly sprung so I've stayed away.

Thanks for the reply.

Yep, as well as the 172 I have two Imprezas (JDM sti V6 & WRX wagon) 2.5’s are indeed a ticking time bomb! I’d really like a hatch but it’d have to be a JDM 2.0 sti as the 2.0 is the one to go for.

I did have a 2.5 once but it was a forged engine with cosworth head gaskets and ARP bolts etc. Been a while since I’ve been around the forums but I think the head gaskets we’re going on the 2.5’s due to the open deck block?

My wagon (2.0) has 130k miles and the engine sounds sweet as a nut. One of the issues with these cars would have been poor maintenance, they got so cheap at one point and kids just drive them til something goes wrong without regular oil changes.

I’ve personally witnessed a P1 grenade it’s engine but again this was a lad who wasn’t much for maintenance. He brought it to me with the bottom end knocking, I checked the oil and there wasn’t even any making it’s way to the bottom of the dipstick. He used to thrash the hell out of it and god knows how there was no oil as mine don’t even need topping up between changes but I guess a lot of time near the redline and really hammering it round roundabouts will burn it away.

Even a Renault 5 GTT is a reliable car if you maintain it rather than fix it I say.

[K300]

Did you just mention roll cage?

How long is FIA approval on those.

[Harry Smith]

Just resurrecting this old one. I've been offered a Renaultsport Megane 275 really cheap due to it having been 'in a fight' earlier this year then repaired by a Renault specialist. It's got all the CUP options, chassis, Brembos, Recaros, LSD and low miles.
Just wondered if anyone else uses a Megane for track days.

[Bravo73]

Yep, lots do. Very capable FWD car.

Personally, I prefer manual RWD cars on track.

[WarrenVrs]

Just resurrecting this old one. I've been offered a Renaultsport Megane 275 really cheap due to it having been 'in a fight' earlier this year then repaired by a Renault specialist. It's got all the CUP options, chassis, Brembos, Recaros, LSD and low miles.
Just wondered if anyone else uses a Megane for track days.

Plenty do, they're capable and pretty robust.

[JGJG]

Just resurrecting this old one. I've been offered a Renaultsport Megane 275 really cheap due to it having been 'in a fight' earlier this year then repaired by a Renault specialist. It's got all the CUP options, chassis, Brembos, Recaros, LSD and low miles.
Just wondered if anyone else uses a Megane for track days.

It’ll go great. Resist the temptation to lower it to the stops all round - keep the back end high and it’ll handle a lot less like a FWD 👍

[Harry Smith]

It’ll go great. Resist the temptation to lower it to the stops all round - keep the back end high and it’ll handle a lot less like a FWD 

Seems like a good choice then

I haven't looked into preparation yet but what's the minimum I need to do bearing in mind I'll use it as a runaround as well.

[JGJG]

Seems like a good choice then

I haven't looked into preparation yet but what's the minimum I need to do bearing in mind I'll use it as a runaround as well.

If a runaround, things change... you need to decide on what modifications - if any - you wish to make and inform your insurer of.

For me, the biggest no-no for a car doing dual-duty is make sure you don’t put in multi-point belts unless you’re also caging it. You don’t want to be stuck being the highest point of the vehicle in a rollover.

Road-legal tyres of a manufacturer approved size may prove worthwhile. The current Toyo 888s (with the band right round) are road legal.

[WarrenVrs]

Pads/discs/fluid. That's it initially. Tbh, you don't actually need to do anything else even long term.

Sticky rubber, is imo, totally unnecessary for a beginner. You shouldn't be chasing lap times, get loads of tuition and go from there. Using r888 etc is not something that made track days more fun for me.

Tuition, more tuition, then more.

[Rodder]

If a runaround, things change... you need to decide on what modifications - if any - you wish to make and inform your insurer of.

For me, the biggest no-no for a car doing dual-duty is make sure you don’t put in multi-point belts unless you’re also caging it. You don’t want to be stuck being the highest point of the vehicle in a rollover.

Road-legal tyres of a manufacturer approved size may prove worthwhile. The current Toyo 888s (with the band right round) are road legal.

And if you’re caging it you’ll need a helmet, unless you want to crack your head on it.


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[pete-r]

This thread is whetting my appetite for 2020.

So far got LeMans Bugatti and Dijon Prenois booked in August, and looking at Spa and Abbeville in July.

Plus hopefully a couple of uk days.

[SuperVM]

OP, I'll be interested to see how you get on. I'm selling my E46 M3 in a few weeks and I'd like something as a run. I've been considering an R53 with the view to turning it into a dedicated track car once I properly replace the M3 (with erm probably another M3).

[MattOmega]

Took my 106 Rallye to a couple of track days back in the day and I've wanted to get back on one ever since.

I once saw a 182 embarrass a lot of people with bigger, better cars and all he had done to the car is upgrade discs and pads.

[Omegamanic]

Took my 106 Rallye to a couple of track days back in the day and I've wanted to get back on one ever since.

I once saw a 182 embarrass a lot of people with bigger, better cars and all he had done to the car is upgrade discs and pads.

Just goes to show what a good driver in a reasonably capable car can do. You see videos of Golf GTI’s etc. flying past lots of exotica on the Ring etc. which is great!

I also had a 106 Rallye, as the most overall fun car to drive that I’ve ever owned to date. ;)

[Harry Smith]

Just goes to show what a good driver in a reasonably capable car can do. You see videos of Golf GTI’s etc. flying past lots of exotica on the Ring etc. which is great!

I also had a 106 Rallye, as the most overall fun car to drive that I’ve ever owned to date. ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=CDExYy0gEzo

I didn't think anyone would beat Sabine by this much