r300 track day
Discussion
I have seen an R300 i quite like and i would like to use it as a track day car that i drive to track days. is this practical or would i be better getting a radical SR3 and towing it? Thinking about costs here as I would need to buy a tow car for the radical but i am not sure about the costs. Anyone had similar experiences?
Murray,
I have no input on the SR3, but..
An R300 is a brilliant tack / road car. If you use CR500 tyres, then the same setup works for track or road - without daft camber / toe killing the tyres on a day to day basis. Assuming it's a K series, the R300 engine is "only" 160 horse - despite other varients at 175, 190, 220 BHP - so it's _relatively_ less stressed. IMO the only risk of doing what you are planning is if you bin it - then can't drive home. Also, it's a track day, not F1 - you could always hold off 500 revs ish to reduce stress, an R300 is plenty fun used exactly this way anyway. We always used this philosophy when track daying, and never had any engine issues, despite often going with 2 drivers and being on track for 40 minutes out of 60, all day open pit lane. We had great fun, and were lucky enough never to fall off the track - whichever route you go for, I hope you have as much fun as we do, and are as lucky!
I have no input on the SR3, but..
An R300 is a brilliant tack / road car. If you use CR500 tyres, then the same setup works for track or road - without daft camber / toe killing the tyres on a day to day basis. Assuming it's a K series, the R300 engine is "only" 160 horse - despite other varients at 175, 190, 220 BHP - so it's _relatively_ less stressed. IMO the only risk of doing what you are planning is if you bin it - then can't drive home. Also, it's a track day, not F1 - you could always hold off 500 revs ish to reduce stress, an R300 is plenty fun used exactly this way anyway. We always used this philosophy when track daying, and never had any engine issues, despite often going with 2 drivers and being on track for 40 minutes out of 60, all day open pit lane. We had great fun, and were lucky enough never to fall off the track - whichever route you go for, I hope you have as much fun as we do, and are as lucky!
Radical is too quick for most track days - the R300 is just about right, quick enough not to spend all your time watching your mirrors, not so fast that the other traffic becomes a nuisance.
Most I've driven to a track day in the Caterham is an hour and a half, don't think I'd want to go much further in one shot.
Most I've driven to a track day in the Caterham is an hour and a half, don't think I'd want to go much further in one shot.
In my caterham R500 days, I drove to loads of track days in it. It was fun, but pretty hard work. Also if it rains it's horrid unless there are pits or other shelter. All very doable though.
Radical is a very different type of track car. It's not an arrive and drive car. There's less space to carry tools, jack and spares. In my experience, there's too high a chance of not being able to drive back home either.
Bert
Radical is a very different type of track car. It's not an arrive and drive car. There's less space to carry tools, jack and spares. In my experience, there's too high a chance of not being able to drive back home either.
Bert
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff