First track day

[Matty16v]

Hi,

I am hoping to gain some knowledge and understanding of track/race days. I have been to silverstone and a few other UK raceways and witnessed some very poor driving! That aside, I just want to go out and have some fun.


The plan this year is to get a car that is track ready so it can keep up the pace, the car in question is undoubtedly going to be a Saxo Vts. I chose the car because it's well balanced, lightweight, bit of grunt and is a lot better through the corners.

Sorry for rambling, but basically, what is a realistic budget you need to set yourself? Is there much point in performance modifications or would a better suspension set-up be better off?

I hear a alot of "take the sound proofing out, put a roll cage in, remove the plastics, take the seats out" Is this necessary?

Didn't mean to go on and on, I just want to understand the basics of tracking a car, anything I might need or need to be aware of?

Thanks in advance:y:

[AlexB]

Good brakes and thats all you need tbh

Suspension ect can be better but standard is good enough to get started i find stripping can make the car unbalanced as standard i just remove un needed things evenly so thecars lighter across its length and stays balanced

[Mochachino]

http://www.saxperience.com/forum/showthread.php?t=341555

http://www.saxperience.com/forum/showthread.php?t=410747

should help you out and give you an idea :y:

[Gandi699]

it all depends on where you start from as I didnt have a very good engine in mine to begin with nor any "performance" parts on the car.
If I did it all again I'd probably by a better base to start from but I think its suspension and brakes as a first port of call, then some decent rubber and that'll enable you to have some fun and still have a sensible car. I only stripped mine out as I'm never going to use it for a daily plus its easier to work on when it weighs less as you can get at stuff.
A Full rollcage would certainly be a good addition to have or even a half cage but those will push your costs up as will dedicated track day tyres. I've spent about £1800 give or take on my track car and I'm still not running a proper fully track focussed suspension setup

[AlexB]

Ive spent 952 quid on my vtr as cheap toy you dont need to spendmuch at all if you shop about

[Gandi699]

Ive spent 952 quid on my vtr as cheap toy you dont need to spendmuch at all if you shop about

Thats not including the price of the car though is it? I'm factoring in the cost of mine

[AlexB]

Yea it is

Car was 500 bits 400 odd its not a bad deal haha

[Gandi699]

That is a stonking deal tbf

[Matty16v]

Thanks for the feedback guys, do you think it would be worth jumping on for sale section or ebay and buying a cheap vtr then buy some springs and go about 30mm then leave it at that?

[Mochachino]

I spend the money on a service rather than springs.

Service
Brakes
Tyres

then look at spring if you do anything at all imo

[Liam_]

What Danny said. Make sure it's roadworthy, service it, stick some good pads up front (DS2500, EBC Yellow etc.) and enjoy. :y:

Your first track day will at least give you an idea of the areas of the car you want to improve.

[AlexB]

That is a stonking deal tbf

Indeed haha
Good spec for the money too so gunna just have some fun then sell for a profit if i dont bend it lmao

[titchster]

Plenty of pad left, and that they're decent pads, discs are in good condition, plenty of tyre left, everything's tight, engine's not leaking oil etc, and go out and have fun. Decide from there what you wanna do.

I don't understand people who spend thousands building a 'track car', when they've never been on a track, who's to say after their first outing, they'll decide it's not for them?

[Dean-VTR]

Plenty of pad left, and that they're decent pads, discs are in good condition, plenty of tyre left, everything's tight, engine's not leaking oil etc, and go out and have fun. Decide from there what you wanna do.

I don't understand people who spend thousands building a 'track car', when they've never been on a track, who's to say after their first outing, they'll decide it's not for them?


same with people who have "track" cars like some on here whos cars spend more time with the engine out than in

[Gabbastard]

buy my VTS, sell the leather interior and get some cash back, then track it.

[Matty16v]

buy my VTS, sell the leather interior and get some cash back, then track it.

Offer? ;)

[AlexB]

Plenty of pad left, and that they're decent pads, discs are in good condition, plenty of tyre left, everything's tight, engine's not leaking oil etc, and go out and have fun. Decide from there what you wanna do.

I don't understand people who spend thousands building a 'track car', when they've never been on a track, who's to say after their first outing, they'll decide it's not for them?

Exactly why ive not gone nuts stripping and caging the vtr
spent a lot on my pug and its awesome down a quiet b road did semi well at the ring but as soon as start giving it 100% it killed a clutch and a gearbox in pretty rapid sucsession and its simply cheaper for now to get another toy and get some actual track time in and see what needs doing where then apply the knowledge to my gti

The big thing for me is i at least enjoyed mine (briefly) some guys cars have never seen the road let alone a track which in my eyes makes there car a 10k ornament lol

[Gabbastard]

Offer? ;)

PM'd dude.

[ClubMSV]

Some tracks will allow you to have use of a "hire" car for a session if you really want to test the waters. Its a good way to get that first session under your belt!

Saying that there is a lot of satisfaction in taking a car of your own out on track and it gives you an opportunity to learn things about it you otherwise might not have known

[Colin]

Aslong as your car has an Mot, i.e. road worthy, then get yourself out there and enjoy some seat time. A bog standard car is all you need mate!

[Matty16v]

Thanks for the help! I'm just deciding on the car to take on track now, might just take the Megane on track but its a 55 plate and don't exactly want an "accident".

What are the best tracks around the UK? I heard Silverstone is a good track to start on?

[Ryan]

Siltstone is wide, very very wide and is a power circuit.

Expect to feel very small there.

First track day, go local. You can go and watch the track a few times before, see the lines etc... And if you have issues you are nearer home.

[Mochachino]

Some tracks will allow you to have use of a "hire" car for a session if you really want to test the waters. Its a good way to get that first session under your belt!

Saying that there is a lot of satisfaction in taking a car of your own out on track and it gives you an opportunity to learn things about it you otherwise might not have known

Get the Hertz Hyundai Getz hire car on the go! lol ;)