Try a Track Day without being laughed at?

[Spudgun]

I've got an absolute bog-standard motor.

A 10 year old Vauxhall Astra 1.4 8v.

Basically all I want to do is have a go at a track day just to do a few laps just to see what it can do out of interest and curiousity.

Are people known to take stuff like this out on track? Or should I not bother in order to prevent humiliation and mockery?

[Bob Maclaren]

So long as it's in good fettle it really doesn't matter what you take. If it is likely to break and stop the track time while you get recovered then you won't be popular with other participants. However drive sensibly and let faster cars by and no-one will mind what you drive. I've seen all sorts over recent years - Volvo 340s, Fiat Strada's, Golf diesels, Range Rovers (really!) and Vauxhall Senators to name but a few...

Have fun!

[Spudgun]

Thanks for the info Bob.

It shouldn't break down since for it's age it's immaculate, serviced at the proper intervals and had a new cam belt within the last 2000 miles. I'll have to look into a track day now!

[Tim Falce]

You should try Easytrack, they are a friendly bunch and very safety concious. All sorts of cars go on track. They sometimes have beginer only days as well.

[AndyF]

Sounds like a good idea. I've got a Volvo 440 and wouldn't mind giving it a run on the track.

[Mattracer]

I've always wondered this myself- although my car is pretty quick and would not really get in the way that much, it is totally standard in every way and doesn't really seem "right" at a track day.

[Mark Benson]

There are no 'right cars' or 'wrong cars' at track days as far as make and model are concerned, as Bob says, as long as it's not going to break down/blow up/re-distribute itself across the track then go for it.
At the last trackday I went to, there was a Smart car and there was a Ferrari 348 - the Smart driver got more requests for passenger laps (and was a better driver) than the Ferrari driver.
Personally, I don't care who shares the track with me as long as they abide by the rules and don't act like a prat.

[summs]

Originally posted by Mark Benson
There are no 'right cars' or 'wrong cars' at track days as far as make and model are concerned, as Bob says, as long as it's not going to break down/blow up/re-distribute itself across the track then go for it.
At the last trackday I went to, there was a Smart car and there was a Ferrari 348 - the Smart driver got more requests for passenger laps (and was a better driver) than the Ferrari driver.
Personally, I don't care who shares the track with me as long as they abide by the rules and don't act like a prat.

I agree. There's (almost) nothing better than seeing a well driven normal road car stick to more powerful/traditional track weapons.

[spanner]

I did my first one last year at Knockhill using my standard Saxo VTR and really enjoyed it. The majority of the cars there are race prepared cars which are far more powerful, but as long as you watch your mirrors and give them room when you can theres no problem. Its a good little circuit which isnt a high speed one like Silverstone, Brands so underpowered cars arent dissadvantaged to much.

Cant wait for the next one in a few weeks

[AndreasNystrom]

Last trackday, it was my Ford Sierra 2.0i complete with rust, wornout cams, and a kat that is full of ****

the rest was Ford Cosworths, Ford RS500, XR4x4, Honda NSX, Porsche 968, even a Ferrari 360Modena, and guess what. Not one took a single photo of my car as i know off

but i was actually able to keep up in most corners with them, but on the straight, i was doing 110km/h as max, and they did 160+ =)

[Spudgun]

Originally posted by Spudgun
I've got an absolute bog-standard motor.

A 10 year old Vauxhall Astra 1.4 8v.

Basically all I want to do is have a go at a track day just to do a few laps just to see what it can do out of interest and curiousity.

Are people known to take stuff like this out on track? Or should I not bother in order to prevent humiliation and mockery?

A little update:

I don't have the Astra anymore, but now a Vectra 1.8 SRi with sports suspension.

Still bog standard, but now I must really pull my finger out and have a go!

[goforit500]

Honest truth....

I was a silver 1.3L Ford Escort Estate on a trackday at Oulton a few years ago...

Noone laffed (much) !! He probably had as much fun, if not more, than the guy in the £100,000 Porsche knowing that if it went completely base over apex his repair bill would be a couple of hundred quid or maybe just drop it at the breakers on the way home.....

Respect to anyone out there having a go

[Hobson]

Nice choice!

Through circumstance I guess?

I'm going to try a trackday soon in my new car, a 1.1 Metro......... honest!