How many of you have taken you S on a trackday?
Discussion
I'm taking my S to a track day in Angelsey (still haven't worked out how that's supposed to be spelled) at the end of the month..
I have to confess that I'm a little concerned. So concerned that this evening I bottled it and booked one of Book-a-Track's cars for half the day.
My thinking is that frankly I am not yet mechanically 'all over' my S and there are a few discernible (albeit minor) faults which may or may not be simply my paranoia and one that is definitely not paranoia. Angelsey is a 500 mile round trip before I've even been on the track so I don't reckon I want my car out there, driven at between 9 and 11 10ths, for the entire day if I am to stand a chance of getting home in it...
So who's tracked their S and what are their experiences??
The following PHers may not reply in the affirmative without significant elucidation:
GreenV8S
PaceRacing
Johno
PetrolTed
I have to confess that I'm a little concerned. So concerned that this evening I bottled it and booked one of Book-a-Track's cars for half the day.
My thinking is that frankly I am not yet mechanically 'all over' my S and there are a few discernible (albeit minor) faults which may or may not be simply my paranoia and one that is definitely not paranoia. Angelsey is a 500 mile round trip before I've even been on the track so I don't reckon I want my car out there, driven at between 9 and 11 10ths, for the entire day if I am to stand a chance of getting home in it...
So who's tracked their S and what are their experiences??
The following PHers may not reply in the affirmative without significant elucidation:
GreenV8S
PaceRacing
Johno
PetrolTed
Lost count of the number of track days and sprints I've done in the V8S, well over a hundred. Never crashed, broken down or had any problem that stopped me getting home. If you do get into trouble, there are generally plenty of mechanically competant people around to help.
Suggest you take some spares to make sure you don't need them: spare pads all round, spare fan belt, oil, water and fresh brake fluid, spare throttle cable. Make sure the brakes in particular have been bled recently and have plenty of life in the pads, and there's a decent amount of tread on the tyres. Also, and I'm not kidding, take a bin bag and a big roll of gaffa tape. If something nasty *does* happen to the car, pick up every bit of wreckage you can find and take it home. If you need to repair it every little bit helps, and you never know what little scrap of trim will turn out to be irresplaceable. A roll of gaffa tape can patch up some pretty serious bodywork damage for the drive home. The bin bag also keeps your stuff dry since you'll want to empty the car out before you go on track.
Drive sensibly, look at the run-off areas round the track and only push it where there is room to make mistakes, you can have a lot of fun (and be faster) without getting the car sideways on every corner and shredding the tyres. Brakes will be your main limiting factor so treat them carefully, don't push hard for more than five minutes at a time, and follow the usual cooling down and no handbrake advice.
Go for it, its a great car for track days as long as you bear in mind it has to drive you home afterwards.
Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
Suggest you take some spares to make sure you don't need them: spare pads all round, spare fan belt, oil, water and fresh brake fluid, spare throttle cable. Make sure the brakes in particular have been bled recently and have plenty of life in the pads, and there's a decent amount of tread on the tyres. Also, and I'm not kidding, take a bin bag and a big roll of gaffa tape. If something nasty *does* happen to the car, pick up every bit of wreckage you can find and take it home. If you need to repair it every little bit helps, and you never know what little scrap of trim will turn out to be irresplaceable. A roll of gaffa tape can patch up some pretty serious bodywork damage for the drive home. The bin bag also keeps your stuff dry since you'll want to empty the car out before you go on track.
Drive sensibly, look at the run-off areas round the track and only push it where there is room to make mistakes, you can have a lot of fun (and be faster) without getting the car sideways on every corner and shredding the tyres. Brakes will be your main limiting factor so treat them carefully, don't push hard for more than five minutes at a time, and follow the usual cooling down and no handbrake advice.
Go for it, its a great car for track days as long as you bear in mind it has to drive you home afterwards.
Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
Cheers Peter - I am really looking forward to it & I have done a few trackdays before which were great fun..
I just haven't yet become at ease with a car whose guages are all entirely unreliable.. I'd rather have no oil pressure guage than one that I know fullwell is giving duff information.. likewise the speedo..
All sound advice indeed though, however.. as for a bin-bag to keep my stuff dry, well she has a coat so that's not a problem
Oh and I've got meself a brand new set of SO3PPs for the event.. ..... even that silver lining has a could though, reading about even worse ground clearance problems with 55 profiles 
Nonetheless, I also have BaTs stripped-out Pug 205 1.9 GTi to play with so I'm mitigating against my trackday being totally buggered either-way.
>> Edited by CarZee on Tuesday 15th October 20:58
I just haven't yet become at ease with a car whose guages are all entirely unreliable.. I'd rather have no oil pressure guage than one that I know fullwell is giving duff information.. likewise the speedo..
All sound advice indeed though, however.. as for a bin-bag to keep my stuff dry, well she has a coat so that's not a problem
Oh and I've got meself a brand new set of SO3PPs for the event..
..... even that silver lining has a could though, reading about even worse ground clearance problems with 55 profiles Nonetheless, I also have BaTs stripped-out Pug 205 1.9 GTi to play with so I'm mitigating against my trackday being totally buggered either-way.
>> Edited by CarZee on Tuesday 15th October 20:58
I did loads in my S3C.
I found it great fun in the dry, though once the back goes its more difficult to catch than most cars - maybe because the steering is so many turns lock to lock.
In the wet it was a total nightmare. Nuff said.
If you are driving from the South East, here's a bit of advice on estimated journey time to Anglesey - look at a map, work out a reasonable number of hours based on distance - double the number - then you'll be somewhere near half the time it will actually take.
Unless it rains. In which case it will take twice as long again. Good luck.
(P.S I bet the Pug is quicker than the TVR).
I found it great fun in the dry, though once the back goes its more difficult to catch than most cars - maybe because the steering is so many turns lock to lock.
In the wet it was a total nightmare. Nuff said.
If you are driving from the South East, here's a bit of advice on estimated journey time to Anglesey - look at a map, work out a reasonable number of hours based on distance - double the number - then you'll be somewhere near half the time it will actually take.
Unless it rains. In which case it will take twice as long again. Good luck.
(P.S I bet the Pug is quicker than the TVR).
Go for it, Johno will be on hand if you have a problem with the car so I’m sure he’ll give you a helping hand if you need it.
I did Hethel earlier this year and really enjoyed it, my car is pretty standard with very soft suspension but still really enjoyed my time out there, also did Zolder which was great fun!
I did Hethel earlier this year and really enjoyed it, my car is pretty standard with very soft suspension but still really enjoyed my time out there, also did Zolder which was great fun!
Aidan,
Do not bother with the BaT Pug. The S is a far better vehicle to enjoy.
I'll be on hand, as will Matt. Listen carefully to Peter's wise words on spares etc
If you do want something to 'thack' and generally 'large it' with then do go for the Pug.
I did 2 track days in the S. Zolder and Hethel. Drove the car to both and home form both without having to change anything. Except the brake pedal was a little soft after the flying laps at Zolder
However, as a means of reasoning I would only recommend people used a car on track that they were totally confident in mechanically and structurally as this becomes an area of concern and then detracts from the day.
My S was totally sorted to go on track and it meant I could really really use it without worry. Even then you still need to keep a good eye on it.
>> Edited by johno on Wednesday 16th October 10:45
>> Edited by johno on Wednesday 16th October 10:45
Do not bother with the BaT Pug. The S is a far better vehicle to enjoy.
I'll be on hand, as will Matt. Listen carefully to Peter's wise words on spares etc
If you do want something to 'thack' and generally 'large it' with then do go for the Pug.
I did 2 track days in the S. Zolder and Hethel. Drove the car to both and home form both without having to change anything. Except the brake pedal was a little soft after the flying laps at Zolder
However, as a means of reasoning I would only recommend people used a car on track that they were totally confident in mechanically and structurally as this becomes an area of concern and then detracts from the day.
My S was totally sorted to go on track and it meant I could really really use it without worry. Even then you still need to keep a good eye on it.
>> Edited by johno on Wednesday 16th October 10:45
>> Edited by johno on Wednesday 16th October 10:45
Johno you've surfaced again 
CarZee.. I'm not going to sit here and waffle guarantees about how the car is 100% track fit and will 100% last the day without any incident as its stupid.
All I will say is that from my inspections of the car etc I had every intention of taking it myself to a track. The front has a new steering rack and the geometry was lasertracked at the time, you've got basically brand new spottie Discs and kevlar pads on the front from when I changed them, and the back brakes were all replaced the week before you got the car and you have the reciept. The chassis is excellent, the tyres should be fine (although check pressures etc), other than that, you've just got your own concerns about the engine and some thoughts on oil pressure.. well I can't say much other than I never had any engine work done to the car barring servicing and a cleanup round the air intake system at the garage (as recommended by Johno) just before you bought it too, and the car always went well... what exactly are you scared of/expecting to happen ??
Cheers,
matt.
>> Edited by M@H on Wednesday 16th October 12:50
CarZee.. I'm not going to sit here and waffle guarantees about how the car is 100% track fit and will 100% last the day without any incident as its stupid.
All I will say is that from my inspections of the car etc I had every intention of taking it myself to a track. The front has a new steering rack and the geometry was lasertracked at the time, you've got basically brand new spottie Discs and kevlar pads on the front from when I changed them, and the back brakes were all replaced the week before you got the car and you have the reciept. The chassis is excellent, the tyres should be fine (although check pressures etc), other than that, you've just got your own concerns about the engine and some thoughts on oil pressure.. well I can't say much other than I never had any engine work done to the car barring servicing and a cleanup round the air intake system at the garage (as recommended by Johno) just before you bought it too, and the car always went well... what exactly are you scared of/expecting to happen ??
Cheers,
matt.
>> Edited by M@H on Wednesday 16th October 12:50
Well I'm reckoning on 6-8 hours to get to Angelsey - still reckon I should double that?
I *am* having the Pug for a half day - after Folembray I know just how liberating it is to be using someone elses car. I'm not gonna say too much more or I'll have Johnny on the phone telling me to feck off and don't ever try to hire one of his cars again
Fact is, on a track I *do* like to be able to drive hard and I don't like having my joy reined in by having to back off constantly to keep the car from cooking. It uses some coolant and I don't yet know where it's going..
As we all know, cars *do* take a thrashing on track days and I just want to get out there and have some fun without the worry..
If all goes well at Anglesey then next time, I'll be more confident and will forego the hirecar and use mine all day.. mkay?
Oh and if it's raining then I'll be in the 205 laughing heartily at you lot in yer Torville & Dean TVRs
I *am* having the Pug for a half day - after Folembray I know just how liberating it is to be using someone elses car. I'm not gonna say too much more or I'll have Johnny on the phone telling me to feck off and don't ever try to hire one of his cars again
Fact is, on a track I *do* like to be able to drive hard and I don't like having my joy reined in by having to back off constantly to keep the car from cooking. It uses some coolant and I don't yet know where it's going..
As we all know, cars *do* take a thrashing on track days and I just want to get out there and have some fun without the worry..
If all goes well at Anglesey then next time, I'll be more confident and will forego the hirecar and use mine all day.. mkay?
Oh and if it's raining then I'll be in the 205 laughing heartily at you lot in yer Torville & Dean TVRs
spnracing said: I found it great fun in the dry, though once the back goes its more difficult to catch than most cars .
Car Zee,
I bought my S3C last year around this time & fixed the usual S-stuff during winter.
Then I was happy like a small boy(I'm 38
) to put it on the street this spring, with the view of doing Zolder. Three weeks later however, when I thought that I had some feeling for the car, I missed to catch it while accelerating out of a long corner, chopping off a tree and destroying my TVR. So I do confirm spnracing's statement from above, who is obiously used to to track races...
Go to trackdays, because you'll get to know your TVR much better, with potentially less consequences, if you go off-track.
I haven't experienced much of a problem, to catch other fast cars, when taking them to their limits (on the road). But this doesn't necessarly apply to an S.
I regret that I didn't make it until my first trackday:
a) because I was looking forward to meet some nice people from this forum
b) because I lost a great car, with loads of carisma which I didn't find on any other roadster, including the Elise S111 that I tried this afternoon.This shows that efficency, in terms of laptimes, is not the only item that defines the fun factor of a car. - So don't mix up the efficency of a hatchback and the fun of a unique roadster.
Cheers - Patrick
johno said: Roulli,
Good to see you are still around. What have you done about a replacement for the S then ??
Mark
Hi Mark,
Nothing, as I had only 3rd party insurance, so no money back...
For the time being it's dreamworld anyway...We'll see...
Is it not to tough to handle the ultimate 500 after the S?
Patrick
No its not at all !!
Having driven a few before I parted with my hard earned I wanted to make sure their handling was good. Especially as my S handled extremely well (after a little work).
The Griffith's ahndling is really good.
What you have to be careful off is big bumps when you have a lot of power down.
Example - Yesterday turned into a back road I use to come home. Having fun with a 16V Clio Williams I floored the Griffith in 2nd. Came up over a man hole cover raised in the road. Landed with a lot lot more ponies on the road than had down before but was totally confident to keep the foot planted and drove straight through it. Did not try and throw me off the road at all.
It does not wander at speed like people say they do. It doesn't understeer as they reckon. You do have to treat it with a tremendous amount of respect.
It is possible to use the power in a Griffith on most roads. But a bumpy wet B road is never going to suit any TVR. My S didn't like it and neither will the Griffith.
Sorry to hear that you only had 3rd party, but you will get another one. Come to Zolder next year and we'll give you a run around in ours !!
Having driven a few before I parted with my hard earned I wanted to make sure their handling was good. Especially as my S handled extremely well (after a little work).
The Griffith's ahndling is really good.
What you have to be careful off is big bumps when you have a lot of power down.
Example - Yesterday turned into a back road I use to come home. Having fun with a 16V Clio Williams I floored the Griffith in 2nd. Came up over a man hole cover raised in the road. Landed with a lot lot more ponies on the road than had down before but was totally confident to keep the foot planted and drove straight through it. Did not try and throw me off the road at all.
It does not wander at speed like people say they do. It doesn't understeer as they reckon. You do have to treat it with a tremendous amount of respect.
It is possible to use the power in a Griffith on most roads. But a bumpy wet B road is never going to suit any TVR. My S didn't like it and neither will the Griffith.
Sorry to hear that you only had 3rd party, but you will get another one. Come to Zolder next year and we'll give you a run around in ours !!
I've owned my S3 for nearly 3 years and I think the handling is very predictable!! When the back end goes you can keep the power down and control it without too many problems.
I recently had occasion to hit a sharp bump half way round a very fast (90mph) left hander, which had tightened much more than expected. With a car coming the other way a trifle worrying!!! The back end started to go but with a touch of opposite lock it pulled straight no problem!!
I have just had all the suspension rebuilt with new bushes etc, and that has made her even better!!
Have now decided to chop her for a griff 500, so hope they handle as well!
I recently had occasion to hit a sharp bump half way round a very fast (90mph) left hander, which had tightened much more than expected. With a car coming the other way a trifle worrying!!! The back end started to go but with a touch of opposite lock it pulled straight no problem!!
I have just had all the suspension rebuilt with new bushes etc, and that has made her even better!!
Have now decided to chop her for a griff 500, so hope they handle as well!
Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff