Foxx Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 (edited) Hoping for my first track car this year and wondered if anyone could give some advice on the best/cheapest way to get it to and from the tracks. Looking at a rwd with cheapish spares so leaning towards an E46 330ci, probably one that’s been used for track before so would be modded. This would be a 5-6 events a year thing so not sure if small (legal?)trailer is the best/cheapest way as i don’t need another road car. Towing capacity should be ok for 1700kg. Tried google for an hour tonight and didn’t get much on the to and fro journey element. Thanks in advance Edited January 11, 2019 by Foxx (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spunkmeyer Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 (edited) There is a track car owners thread on here. Good way is to find a friend who does track days and go along to one of the days to see what’s what and ask questions. Do you need help with car choice and car prep or more how a track day works? TRACK DAY ORGANISERS Opentrack/Javelin/Bookatrack/Trackdays/MSV/Gold Track Days are cheaper in winter £99-275 in summer £150-500 Track name and area (ish) Donington (Derby) Oulton Park (Cheshire) Three Sisters (Wigan) Mallory Park (Rugby) Rockingham (Kettering) Bedford Autodrome Curborough (Lichfield) Anglesey (North Wales) Caldwell Park (Lincoln) Bruntingthorpe (M6/A14) Kendrew Barracks Brands Hatch (SE) Knockhill (Edinburgh ish) Silverstone Pembrey (South Wales) Castle Coombe (Wiltshire) Croft (NE) Thruxton (South) Cheap as chips? Clio, MX5 For car Ideas go like the Track Day Organisers Facebook pages and they will have photos of every car attending every event so scroll through RWD or FWD?/ Cost of parts/ availability of parts/ easy for you or cheap mechanic to work on/ Manual/ Engine size, power is of interest but handling more so Basic upgrades: brake fluid and pads maybe clutch fluid, service, check everything is good with suspension Next upgrades: seats, harnesses, cage, diet, coilovers, ARBs endless opportunities for throwing of money Trailer: each to there own yes people do trailer them or you can rent a trailer each time quite cheaply I have heard. Saves having a trailer in your drive unless you’ve a convenient barn to dump it in. I see it as slightly self preserving knowing I have to drive home in my track car afterwards. Insurance: personal preference, becomes an expensive day out to add on insurance every day but look at the cover some in unsure how reliable they would be. Breakdown cover: get lifted off track to a side rd and call your normal roadside provider cover to say you hit a rabbit and it’s damaged every panel on your car There are a few members here who have Supras on track and some members who have other cars - e46 330ci is on here. Pm or post up if you need more. Edited January 12, 2019 by Spunkmeyer (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobgoblin Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 I have a kitcar for track use. It probably stands me around 4k. I cart it around on a trailer, at just 520kgs you can legally tow it with just about anything. It is great fun, and a very "pure" driving experience, with no TC, ABS, or power steering, only 155hp (2.0 litre engine out of a mk1 Ford Focus), but agile enough to run rings around most things on the smaller tracks. I also had the added satisfaction of pretty much building it myself. Looking forward to Anglesey 03rd March. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 (edited) Is your towing capacity 1700kgs ? Whats the train weight ? A stock E46 is 1545 kgs, a twin axle car trailer i'd guess is around 400 kgs then add in fuel tools spares passengers and you'll be over the train weight let alone the towing weight Edited January 12, 2019 by Dnk (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tintinmt Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 In addition to MX5 /Clio above I would suggest buying a stock Mini Cooper S. I know it's front drive but loads of fun with less risk of contacting the scenery as you familiarise yourself with track days. Drive to and from the track. Once you've done a 'season' - sell the car and upgrade to something more track focused. I have used Javelin without issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 MX5 or a Caterfield, although the latter are costly for what they are. RWD for sure, no sane person tries to make a FWD go fast it's plain WRONG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxx Posted July 19, 2019 Author Share Posted July 19, 2019 Went for a well maintained manual 330ci in the end for a first cheap go at this. Had the supra around Donington ok last saturday but thought it best to not use it as a first regular track car. Got a first track session for 3 hours a week on Monday. Car has braided lines, drilled discs and new dot 4 fluid. Hopefully be ok! Plan was to rock up and try a session and make upgrades after that as I go along, got some yellowstuff pads to go on after first session. Suppose the suspension is the next area for parts, bushes maybe some bilsteins (although it has standard BMW sport suspension). Didn't want to go crazy on parts as likely swap it for something else if I get into it. Any advice on spares and tools to take be appreciated, was planning on taking just enough to change a wheel. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spunkmeyer Posted July 20, 2019 Share Posted July 20, 2019 Tyre pressure garage, depth gauge. Tyre pump. Spare fluids and tools, gaffa tape and zip ties. Stanley knife and paper towel. Something to keep stuff dry if it’s all going in one car it’ll be in a garage or out in the paddock whilst your out on track. Water for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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