Would you use your every day scooby for a track day?

MARTINGTI

MARTINGTI

Octane Boostaholics
Hey guys. I was just wondering do many on here use there everyday road cars for a track day? As some of you know I have an Irish 05 WRX and I am so tempted to try a track day with it. But I'm scared I'll break it!! I have new Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres all around. New discs and pads all round and I don't want to wreck them! Maybe a half day??? 20 laps maybe.... Iv never done a track day so not sure what to expect. Any advice would be great. Thanks lads
 
you will probably go through a set of pads and put a lot of wear on the tyres, usually an oil change before and after aswell, some new brake fluid etc, can all add up to an expensive day out :)
 
I fully intended to take mine out... :icon_grin:
... then I saw a lad go off and break up his pride and joy... :doh:
... and I reconsidered as that can happen to anyone and might not even be your own fault as others on the track too.

Conclusion: can I afford to lose her... euhhh nope I can't. :icon_sad:
... still I want to take her out though, but this time the head needs to rule the heart.

BTW: If you do consider taking your car out, road tyres will wear quickly on track, as will pads and discs and indeed need to budget an extra oil change as per Dan's post... Worth planning ahead and get pads that will stand up to some track use like DS2500's or maybe Blue or Yellow Stuff and still OK for normal road use too - and - maybe get a 2nd set of rims with more track focussed rubber like R888s, AD048s, 595s etc. This way you'll be better on track and enjoy it more and not wreck road tyres etc. Another idea if you haven't done any yet and still loads to learn etc, is to consider getting a cheapo shed, smallish CC and run that. Cheap parts, fast enough to thrill the first few times and if you break it up not the end of the world.
 
The best thing to do is do the track day training day in mondello, it's only €50 and they teach you all about track days and how to drive mondello. You will get about 20mins on track at the end to go as fast as you like but after about 10 mins you will realise weather you will love it or hate it, either way your brakes won't last any longer and will over heat.

There's very few lads still running a impreza every day now but you would have no problem doing 1/2 trackdays a year in a road car, with the right brake pads and upgraded brake fluid.

After that if you start to like track days you can go down the route of upgraded tyres , brakes , power etc.

But pointless doing anything to your car until you find out if you like the track and want to go back,

IMO I would have no problem putting a car that's only worth 5/6 grand on the track.

Your driving style will have a lot to do about how long your car last
 
Yep track is where these cars come alive. You will have a ball at modest speeds due to corner G's more than top speed. You probably won't see north of 100mph on your first day out. Mondello is not a high speed track,but very technical.I always tracked mine. Standard Subaru more than capable of a fun filled trackday. They are stronger cars than most. Don't go buying track tyres till you get used to the track and get bitten by the bug. You will quickly find the limits of tyres and brake fade. All cured by a slow down lap and 20 minute rest in the pits. Do 4 or 5 laps at a time and cool everything down on your in lap. For your next trackday change and flush brake fluid for dot 4 or above. Maybe invest in performance tyres and break pads after that.
 
best days driving you will ever have martin . do the isdc track day . never over crowded and very easy to drive the track at your own pace . great way to enjoy the true ability of your car in a safe environment .
 
Drive mine every day and have done several track days.
Not a hope will you go through a new set of new pads unless your hard on brakes and out all day!

Great car on track especially when it's wet.
Lots of fun but very addictive.
 
as most of the lads said above best craic ever in a Scooby ,my had 70k odd on it when I bought in 2007 I put over 110,00 miles on it in 7 years and every year it did a trip to the ring with at least 20-30 laps per trip and at least 2 trackdays only issue I ever had was the gearbox and loads of brake pads but I could be considered hard on brakes and also the gearboxs were my fault using 3rd as a brake, so don't be a bit afraid to do a trackday in your road car its great craic .my only advise is uprate the pads and brake fluid and do private days like isdc or bazs trackday as the track manners is impeccable
 
I used my escort RS turbo daily on track last year, r888 tyres on spare wheels in the boot, change of oil afterwards and you are laughing.

Preparation is key, good pads and fluid, all sensors in good nick, spare tyres for the drive home.
 
For me the short answer is No
As I think you have to be prepared to loose your car if you bring it to a track day.

however I would love to do mondello with mine I know how much fun it is for the last eight years I've gone to the uk racing the Vxr range of cars and there is nothing like it you can't use the full performance of our cars on the public road safely the track is a much better place for that safer for you and others.

As has been said here there's a few things I'll need to budget for if ur planing on doing it best of luck what ever you decide
 
use my sti as everyday car, 50-70 miles a day- use also for trackdays (only done one so far in her but plan a few more)- just upgraded pads, braided lines, brake fluid etc after advice from here, change oil etc afterwards- used road tyres last time which went off after a few laps so will have track tyres for next day out on original rims- great craic once nothing goes wrong :pray:- you probably know the car, its parked in the stones everyday!- you'll have to bring your scooby to town some day so i can get a look at it, defo go for the trackdays in her , enjoy
 
Stay within your limits, allow yourself margin for error and you'll have the best craic ever. People who haven't done one before think they need to be balls out when on track but there's absolutely no need, you'll have a brilliant day just being out there just moseying around and you'll be dying for the next one.

Do the track day training and then the ISDC day and you'll be dying for the next one in 2015.

The only real problem you'll find is brake fade after a few laps if you haven't upgraded but on your first day, you'll probably only do 3 laps and come in anyway. Half the craic is in the pits anyway.
 
car will be well able for it martin :goodjob: your not going rallying it just a few laps at your pace :thumbsup:
 
Cheers for all the replies lads. Track day training day on this Wednesday, think ill try that, see how the car goes. I'm don't mind the driving side of it in the least. Iv done rally school Ireland in Monaghan and dungarvan and a few other bits. It's more my poor car I want to mind!! But like so many said, I can take it easy too and not trash the car!!
 
You should do the training day and see how you like it, get to know the lines and technique for track driving.

If you like it and the numbers are good for my private track day you can do the afternoon session , track will be quiet in the afternoon. Also plenty of lads on here give pointers on setting up the car.

Buy a decent set of pads and change the brake fluid to one with a higher boiling point.

My car is a daily and also gets the odd track blast , your car will be fine once levels are ok
 
Well I booked in for the training day for next Wednesday anyway! I'll see how that goes and how the car likes it! All going well then I'll do a full day during the summer!
 
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