Track days in a daily driver - thoughts?

W

Wagon Rob

Octane Boostaholics
Sure whats the worst that could happen? :eek:hhpoopoo:

So I've only ever been on a track once. That was the Nurburgring which, strange as it may sound, I don't think is as punishing on a car as ragging it around Mondello. You're out for around 10 mins for a lap, then back into the carpark to let everything have a rest before going again. In Mondello (I think) its a bit more punishing as you're out for a number of laps with plenty of heavy breaking and throwing it about the place. :changinggear:

But I'm tempted to take the car to Mondello for a bit of fun and to get a proper feel for it closer to the limit. Even just the once, see what I think, and if its as much fun as I expect then maybe start seriously saving for a dedicated track toy. While I could probably get a car now, I don't have the extra funds for a trailer and something to tow it. :icon_sad:

So what do people think about taking a daily driver out for a day? Is it too much for a fairly standard car to cope with? Besides tyres and brake pads what else is at risk of damage? Am I mad to be considering it? I've seen Baz comment on threads that he has a heap of grief with his Wagon (while at the same time more fun than his track Civic), though that could possibly be because its a good way from standard so he's pushing the limits more?

And I already have the most important thing sorted - permission from the boss. So basically the choice has been left to me but I'm torn as to what to do. :ponder:
 
Do it, baz has a trackday in February, great day, mondello is much harder on a car than the ring but nobody will force you to push your car too hard, most lads drive down, them drive home, me included.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Deffo take it out but mondello is a hard track on cars
Had mine out a good few times love it but tyres brakes oil got a rough time so picked up a 106 and would bring both as you can split the day with 2 cars that was fun and I'd recommend it
 
Take it out and enjoy it, stay within your limits and allow yourself a margin for error and you'll be fine. I was doing 2.05's in mine and never feel like I'm on the limit 100%, if I get Ciaran rs-ra out in it, he'd probably do sub 2mins but I'm not willing to push it to the edge to even try and compete with that because I wouldn't be willing to live with the potential consequences.

My advice is go and enjoy it like you would a normal backroad but at least in Mondello, you won't have to worry about normal road problems like cyclists, pedestrians, or other oncoming traffic around blind corners.
 
I cant speak for anyone else except myself but starting with my first wagon a 100k plus mile when I bought it ,uk spec wrx wagon i did the following mods
1,upgrade the brakes
2,upgrade the suspension
3,upgrade the exhaust and map the car
4,upgrade the bushings
5,track wheels and tyres

that first car was at the ring twice and did 3-4 trackdays in mondello and one in anglesy and never a fault with it
my next car was the bugeye wrx wagon same mods and I bought it with 72k approx. miles I put 114kmiles on the car in the 7 years I had it and it was at the ring 3 times doing approx. 20-25 laps each trip along with the isdc trackday every year and the odd public day ,the only issues I ever had was caliper rebuilds 3-4 as I remember it ,and two gearboxs all my fault from my driving style .now im on my 3rd Subaru and its a uk spec wrx wagon I will be expecting the same performance from that car as the last two and as it happens I will be taking it to the ring on this years isdc trip in august and also I will be doing the isdc trackday in October .
now I have as most know built a track car the purpose of this is 2 fold
1. I like trackdays and as said mondello is harder on a car than the ring is not really suited for heavy cars
2. I want to do a lot of trackdays here and ka is disposable imo by that I mean if I bin it it doesn't matter
the point of what im saying is I do recommend everyone to do trackdays in their cars as its the only true way to see the handling of your car in a controlled environment yes there is potential for component failure but no more than driving hard over a mountainous road etc the key to mondello is to treat the car right that means only do 4-5 laps then do a slow down lap and come in for 15-20 minutes to let it cool down then head back out again and also private days are a lot more civilised as lots of the cars on track are road cars
 
Eli - its Baz's day that has my head spinning trying to weigh the pros & cons :icon_lol:

Keith - have seen a few cheap 106's lately along with Puma's and larger engined BMW's alright. Thats part of the reason for tempting to test the waters. Do you tow your 106 with your daily?

Rob - good work. You're swaying me :thumbsup:

Dec - cheers for the tips. Not a particularly long list of mods to have it reliable & safe on the track. Dunno how much of it I'd want to do though as I quite like how it takes the back roads as it is, so I don't want to ruin that by making it overly stiff either. Less understeer would be nice though.

I think part of my concern is that I would have every intention of driving it just a bit beyond what it'd get on a spritied backroad drive. Just don't want to be a rolling road-block with that approach :dontknow:
 
I wouldn't have any worries about being a road block all you have to do is drive your own pace and if someone is quicker keep over to the right and let them past ,as for my list of mods they were done over the first 5 years of ownership and to my taste ,the first trackday I did in the bug was when it was completely standard I bought it in august and did the trackday in October with just uprated pads and fluid nothing else it was even on autogard tyres :banghead
 
I would drive both down well sti Brian picks one up from the house and I drive down the other
I did what your thinking of doing I bit the bullet and bought a track car a few weeks ago so I probably won't have the Subaru or the 106 out anymore
 
Definitely leaning towards biting the bullet. :changinggear:

Will probably dwell on it over the weekend then see about getting the time off when back in work Monday (which will ultimately make the decision for me I suppose).
 
If your gonna pick a day to bite the bullet then Baz's day would be the one and also the club day is excellent but probably a bit far away!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Iv alway put my daily driver on mondello at least once
Uk wagon
Jap wrx
V4 sti
Volvo c70 t5, what a disaster.
Audi S3
Focus RS
And 2 weeks ago, the M3.
Well worth the experience and you get to know the limits of your car.
Only real upgrades short term are brake pads and some good quality
Fluid. Later on the list goes to suspension etc.
 
Do it . Have done a few in my current car and a few in my previous sport . Each time I drove the way I was comfortable And learned the track . Watched the faster more experienced guys lines through the corners and just general speed into corners . You learn a lot about your car and how it copes handling wise .

Well worth the experience even if only once
 
Defo recommend to do it ill be checking dates and if I can get cover in work ill be doing baz day

Go out for a warm up/sighting lap pref with someone that knows the track to point out braking and turn in points run off areas ect then increase the pace for two laps then have a cool down lap come in relax for a bit and repeat

Think it's a must for anyone doing the ring that hasn't tracked there scooby like me

Ciaran WRX
 
Definitely take your road car out and see if it's for you before buying a dedicated track car.
 
And defo worth getting an experienced mondello track warrior to sit in for a lap or two to show the correct lines, it makes it a lot easier on your car and smoother for better lap times. (Thanks Decwagon)
Mondello also do a trackday training course for €50! Well worth it if in any doubt.
 
Dec may not remember it, but he already offered to take me out for some pax laps in the Ka in another thread. If I end up going on this day then I'll definitely be taking him up on the generous offer to get a feel for the place and the types of lines to take around it :yellowthumb:
 
Anytime rob your more than welcome to come out with me and I'll show you my lines I'm not saying they are the quickest way around the place but I try to be smooth and easy ish :) on the car, just come over to me and we will head out or if ya want me to co-pilot with you in yours we can do that too I'm more than happy to help out as I'm sure any of the track lads here like baz etc would do too
 
My car is more of an evening and weekend car now but i would defo bring out a daily.
It was a standard car when i brought it out first.
Just have good brake pads, tire's and fluids.
It's not a race.
My first time out i didn't know what to expect.
But the isdc trackday and baz's the lads are courteous and friendly.
No messing allowed.
Take your time and get to know the track.
I done 2 trackday training's in mondello and might do another one this year.
When i done the 1st training, the other cars there, where standard cars that you wouldn't expect at mondello.
People will be doing slow out laps and slow in lap's.
Do what you and car are comfortable at. :thumbsup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top