S Series and Track Days

[Qualia]

Hi,

I've been lurking for a while and I am amazed at the wealth of information available on this site. Excellent!

I am thinking of buying an S Series, most likely a Ford engined one. It will be a second car for weekend runs and Track Days. And that's the question: How useful is an S Series as a track tool?

Apart from the fact that an S is invariably quite an old car, how do they handle? How do they compare to something like an Elise? Any essential upgrades to consider before going trackwise?

Many thanks for your advise

Andy

[PetrolTed]

They do tend to exhibit a fair bit of roll in the bends but that may just be my tired suspension!

They are absolutely fabulous as track day cars. The handling is extremely predictable even right on the limits. I've been tracking my car for a couple of years now and only had a couple of dodgy moments yet still had huge fun.

[Paul V]

I’ve only done one track day in mine and found it a bit soft, but the suspension can be modified for track use. You get a lot of car for the money with the S plus more creature comforts than an Elise, helpful for the longer journeys.

[roulli]

quote:Hi,

How do they compare to something like an Elise?

Andy

This is a question I am also very interested in, apart from the fact that the Elise is twice as expensive (talking used cars).

Any objective reportss from people who drove both under similiar conditions?
Patrick

[PetrolTed]

Well they're very differnt, not surprisingly.

I've not got extensive experience of the Elise having only driven the S2 model for a few laps.

The difference in feel is obviously dramatic. The Elise handles very precisely compared to the S. There's less power to play with so powering out of a bend isn't so much fun (or doesn't sound as much fun - power to weight can't be that much better).

The S is rewarding in that you spend some time learning how to wring a lot out of the chassis. The Elise is more fun straight out of the box...?

[tvrmark]

I do about 4-5 track days a year in my S3 and it's a good track car. Good handling and it does not bite back as hard as the newer TVR's although it still has teeth. It is never going to be the fastest car on a track day but it does feel great if you manage to keep up with or overtake something like a Griff .

If you are looking just for a track car there are better cars out there, but an S is a good all round car.

Mark

[djburns]

I'm hoping to try some track days this year in my S1.5, Any suggestions on good venues or companies to deal with?

cheers John

[tvrmark]

As you are in the south west Castle Combe is a nice circuit although the armco is a bit close; if it's your first track day. It might be safer to start on an airfield, Easytrack uses Kemble, Motorsport Events Limited use two other airfields in the same area. I have never uses these companys. Usally go with the TVRCC or Westovers for track events or Bookatrack.com for Airfiels, they use Bentwaters in Suffolk. They have got one event at Llandow near Cardiff.

Mark

[GreenV8S]

quote:
I'm hoping to try some track days this year in my S1.5, Any suggestions on good venues or companies to deal with?

cheers John

Definitely recommend the TVR club days, they are among the safest and best organised you will find, and generally quite a bit cheaper than the equivalent commercial track days. Plus you will be out with similar cars, and meet a great bunch of people. See you there.

Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

[martvr]

quote:
I'm hoping to try some track days this year in my S1.5, Any suggestions on good venues or companies to deal with?

Does anybody know of the TVRCC plans for trackdays this year, have they been released yet?

Agree with the suggestions so far but I think that Kemble is temporarily out of action due to noise problems with the local community.

As has been said, www.motorsport-events.co.uk arrange airfield days and this year are using Hullavington and Colerne, both handy for the M4, with the first one on Friday 8th Feb.

If Castle Combe is of interest, try the circuit themselves for a trackday on Easter Saturday 30th March.

Wroughton is another airfield venue in the area to look out for.

If its your first trackday you might prefer to incorporate some 1 to 1 training offered by www.id-club.com who use Bruntingthorpe airfield near Leicester.

[djburns]

Thanks for the ideas , I'd certainly be keen to try TVRCC days, now that I'm a member. An airfield day sounds good to start with lots of space !

cheers John

[tvrmark]

If anyone is interested there is a video of my car at Bentwaters at:

www.bookatrack.com/g2/jnewnam/310/1005.TVR-S3.wmv

Taken from a following Elise, because I didn't want to show him up I let him overtake me .

Mark

[tvrmark]

I know it's a long way (Yorkshire) The TVRCC is having an airfield day,
Date(s):
Saturday 2nd March
Location:
Elvington Airfield

Organiser:
TVRCC
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Notes:
Entry fee for the track day is £60.00, (none TVR CC members see above); there may also be a small balance to pay on the day of around £10 to £20 depending on the number of entrants. But hopefully this wont be necessary. There will also be a nominal fee of

Mark