Buying a track car

ReckedRob

Trying to decide between doing some track days in the daily or getting a dedicated track banger

Back of the fagbox says I could swing the track only car for about 5k all in, including car cost, tyres transport etc, but would be very interested to hear from someone who has tried this

Peter T

Track cars are fine but transporting them is the annoying part I found. Decent trailer is basically the budget above for the car, something to tow it, insurance for the tow vehicle, trailer licence etc. If you already have a jeep, van or car suitable to tow then this makes life easier. Somewhere safe to store all of the above too.

at9qu5vp0wcix7

Peter T wrote: »

Track cars are fine but transporting them is the annoying part I found. Decent trailer is basically the budget above for the car, something to tow it, insurance for the tow vehicle, trailer licence etc. If you already have a jeep, van or car suitable to tow then this makes life easier. Somewhere safe to store all of the above too.

+1 on storage. As soon as you have a trailer parked at the house, you will start to get some very interesting visitors calling around making enquiries....

ReckedRob

Storage would be OK as I have somewhere to put it away from the road

2nd car in the house can pull the trailer

Fagbox/donedeal says
Trailer looks to be about 2-3k

2-3k for the car maybe. Doesn't need to be anything special, rear drive would be nice though
See micks garage "choosing-a-track-day-car-on-a-budget" (can't post link)

But I'm sure there are other hidden costs I'm not considering?

Peter T

You're half way there so. Only hidden costs are the inevitable upgrades once you get going and get faster. Regs for the trackdays you attend could change too so might have to update safety equipment or certain things with the car.

ReckedRob

Are the safety regs for a non taxed/nct track banger different than if I rocked up in the daily?

Would I need 5 point and cage?

mgbgt1978

No to all.:)

9935452

ReckedRob wrote: »

2nd car in the house can pull the trailer
?

Check out the weights to be 100 percent sure you are legal.
What is the tow car plated to pull and what weight would the trailer and track car weigh.
The guards are getting stricter on the towing laws.
A car pulling a twin axel car transporter with a car on it would stand out as to them as overweight

mgbgt1978

Ah would you stop.
Read the actual Trailer and Towing regulations before spouting nonsense.

M7roadrunner

I did something similar last year, but I bought a Nct’d banger and kept it Nct’d in order to drive it to Mondello. I have it declared off the road for 6 months a year, so I still have a bit of a tax bill, and I have kept modifications to a minimum and it’s working for me so far.
I have a towing licence but no tow vehicle or trailer, yet.

mgbgt1978

OP, we have been doing Track Days in Mondello for the last couple of years. Have used a Merc CLK (supercharged) ,but it was really just too heavy despite stripping it out completely . Then tried a couple of the Gen 7 Celicas (2ZZ 180bhp), but they both suffered from oil starvation despite baffling the sump. Finally went with the MX5, the best bet if you want to try Track Days without spending a fortune.
You can easily pick up an NB gen 2 MX5 for under 2 grand. A decent Brian James Transporter can be got for under 2.5k.
The biggest difference you can make to the Car is a set of track tyres. Around 80 to 90 each plus fitting.
The Transporter weighs in at 500kg, the car at 1,000kg max. Most family saloons are rated for at least 1,600kg. This is assuming you have an EB Licence.
Oh, and if you can get a mate to double drive with you your Track day costs will fall considerably. With trackdays.ie a 2nd driver only adds 30 euros to the 195 full day charge. You will literally have 6 hours of track time. There is no way you can keep going that long, so if you take a 2nd driver your full day cost is 112 euros each.

9935452

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

Ah would you stop.
Read the actual Trailer and Towing regulations before spouting nonsense.

I have . Trailer test done and all.

i just see it a lot that people dont know what their is plated to pull

mgbgt1978

9935452 wrote: »

A car pulling a twin axel car transporter with a car on it would stand out as to them as overweight

Why would it. ??
Next thing you'll be telling us that "only Jeeps can tow Horseboxes"

ReckedRob

CX 5 or sportage will be doing to towing, didn't realise you need licence add on tho, thanks for heads up

Car wise was looking at below plus a few more
Cooper s
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/07-mini-cooper-s-new-nct-01-21-taxed/25133674

320i Msport
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-320i-m-sport-coupe/25411382

Accord type s/legacy/impreza (non sti)/323ci/rx8

Would prefer a rear drive as I've only had front wd and 4wd cars up to now, dont have the golf r long enough to be doing track days with it, not yet anyway. Didnt think the mx5 would be pokey enough, but I'll have a look

I don't have to do a rake of lessons and a test for this trailer lisence do I?

mgbgt1978

You do have to do a Test. You do not need to do any lessons (although a couple would be advisable).
A 1.8 MX5 is a lot more suited to Mondello than you think. Drive the nuts off it and you will easily keep up with faster stuff once you get the hang of it. Of the Cars you mentioned the MX would be cheaper, far more reliable, and the RWD makes it even better.
There is a Guy doing Track Days in Mondello in a Citroen C1. Apart from decent tyres he has not done anything to it.....he will pass out 70% of the Cars on Track with him. He simply proves that it's 'more Driver than Car'.


A CX5 may be OK for you on a B licence if you get a Brian James replated to suit the Track Car weight. Then you can work away while waiting to do the trailer test.
Below is the Law regarding towing on a B;
A category B driving licence authorises you to drive a car, van or 4 x 4 which has a maximum mass (as specified by the manufacturer) of not more than 3,500kg and is designed and constructed to carry no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver. You may tow a trailer with a maximum mass (again as specified by the manufacturer) not greater than 750kg, or where the maximum mass is more than 750kg, the combined maximum mass of the towing vehicle and the trailer is not greater than 3,500kg.

9935452

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

Why would it. ??
Next thing you'll be telling us that "only Jeeps can tow Horseboxes"

Down here the guards will pull you if it looks wrong or looks like it might be overweight.
A car pulling a car transporter with a car on board. Transporter weights 700 to 900kgs at a guess. Car a ton upwards.
Thats why i said check the plate on the towing car.
Some cars have low plated weights .
For example some varients of an A4 b8s were plated to tow 1300kg. Other varients of those plated to tow 2100kgs .

As i say the guards will pull you if it looks wrong and we have one lad in particular thats a nuisance.
Gets thick when he realises he stopped you for no valid reason and then goes looking for a reason.
I lost half an hour one day with when he stopped me on the farm quad on the road.

Ferris

Always thought an RX-8 would make a good track car if you can get one with good compression or a rebuilt motor. Very stiff and lightweight and with great handling as standard. Grip levels with track tyres would be unreal.

mgbgt1978

Too many stories concerning Rotor Tip replacement, even more so on hard driven engines.
Agree though. On paper they look great. Good performance and brilliant value.

Peter T

e46 2.5 and above would fit the bill. Can still be picked up for handy money, good supply of aftermarket parts etc. Although fitting an lsd (If wanting to get the most out of the rwd) can be expensive.

Ferris

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

Too many stories concerning Rotor Tip replacement, even more so on hard driven engines.
Agree though. On paper they look great. Good performance and brilliant value.

A lot of the horror stories were from people who didn't understand what was an unusual car, you need to understand an rx-8 to own one imo. Also you are meant to drive an rx-8 hard, high RPM's etc. It was the 2min run to the shops that killed them. An engine rebuild is only 2k for a rotary - cant say that about a piston engine. Bigger starter motors can help but are not strictly necessary and new or upgraded coils are a must. Other than that you gut the cat. converter (they block), fit lower springs and gut the interior and they're a ready to go track car with an LSD as standard.

Heres one for 850 (maybe less) needing a clutch - which you would probably do anyway, build and port the motor (Shadow Rotary) and she'll be reliable, fast, sound wonderful and will backfire off the throttle. My old one was the most reliable car i've owned btw.

Other than that buy a Clio 182 which is probably quicker than anything around Mondello.

dylbert

IS200 Sport? RWD, LSD, double wishbones all round.

ReckedRob

well I took the plunge anyway and got the car and trailer,

bought a new trailer from leroni trailers in meath, 1300 gross 350 unladen 950 capacity, plenty for an mr2

€2100 with winch, chocks, lights, dolly and spare tyre, tiltbed

couldn't find a decent small one 2nd hand, not for any sensible money anyway

and for the car I'm pretty sure I got a peach, 3rd gen mr2 with a 2zz engine swap and plenty of work done to it already for the track, looking forward to getting it up to mondello in 21

ReckedRob

does anyone know if any of the karting tracks do trackdays for road cars?

mondello is a long way to go and I'd prefer to give her a spin somewhere closer before then, mondello being the main goal tho obviously.

do kiltorcan or water grass hill or that place in carlow do anything like that?

TigerTim

Could be wrong but I think Kilcornan closed down. Took a look during the summer & it looked very unkept & deserted.

T

mickdw

ReckedRob wrote: »

well I took the plunge anyway and got the car and trailer,

bought a new trailer from leroni trailers in meath, 1300 gross 350 unladen 950 capacity, plenty for an mr2

€2100 with winch, chocks, lights, dolly and spare tyre, tiltbed

couldn't find a decent small one 2nd hand, not for any sensible money anyway

and for the car I'm pretty sure I got a peach, 3rd gen mr2 with a 2zz engine swap and plenty of work done to it already for the track, looking forward to getting it up to mondello in 21

Those tend to go pretty well around mondello. Nice and light and compact.
I do mondello trackdays. Have been in rented stuff and now have a stripped out TT 225. Abit heavy but with abit of work re cooling and suspension and it should go ok.

9935452

TigerTim wrote: »

Could be wrong but I think Kilcornan closed down. Took a look during the summer & it looked very unkept & deserted.

T

Its for sale on daft at the moment

https://www.daft.ie/commercial-property-for-sale/kilcornan-karting-centre-kilcornan-co-limerick/70151

Cheensbo

Very nice purchase, that will be a little rocket with the 2zz in it well wear and enjoy