Classic car track days

[D18OCK]

So I am currently looking to buy a Triumph Spitfire (hopefully picking one up at the weekend). The plan is to spend a fair bit of £ to get a good one and then add to it as I go.

Anyway I know that Club Triumph do a number of track days and I was wondering if anyone has experience of these?

I have done a number of track days in the Elise which are always fun but I wonder how classic days compare? Most specifically what are the scrutaneers like? surely they are more forgiving to noisy and leaky classics? Also what is the atmosphere like, logic dictates these are less frantic and competitive than Lotus days but having met some Triumph owners (2000 and 2500 seem the worst!) I am not so sure!

Thanks

Daz

[racingsnake]

Hi there.
I am a club triumph member and have done Oulton Park with them and the MX5 owners club & the MGOC in my 2.5 Vitesse.

It's a great day and the CT guys are very freindly.
Scrutineering is just the same as any other day from what ive seen, noise check at 104db etc.

I was doing open pit lane days with my BEC Fisher Fury prior this and would say the triumph day was less of a rush as it was broken up into 20min slots which gives a bit of breathing time and is easier on old cars. Easier for me too as I can drive to & from the track in the Vit' as I had to hire a trailer for the Fury it made a long day.

It was a nice atmosphere and good fun mixing it with MG's and the odd MX5.
I will post up pictures if you like.

[D18OCK]

Yeah that'd be cool! Maybe we should get a classic track day pictures thread going.

I have always wanted to drive Oulton Park it looks awesome!

[a8hex]

Scrutineers?

I've taken my XK on the track at Goodwood a number of times (ought to try somewhere else too sometime).

The only real scrutineering was check the noise level, Goodwood have a limit of 105db.
You are supposed to make sure you aren't dropping oil. I had a few drips coming off my engine once and one of the marshals noticed a few black dots on the road when I came off the track and came and asked me to sort it out.

I only have "normal" seat belts, I've seen XKs on the track with any, they weren't fitted as new.

The marshalling on the other hand has always been very careful.

[lowdrag]

Track days depend on the circuit and what the noise levels are at any given event. For example, at Goodwood there are 105db track days and 98 bd track days, depending on how many cars are on the track at any one time. Scrutineering is lax, but you do need a helmet and I've never been checked as to the sell by date, nor my seat belts. indeed, as A8HEX says, my E-type hasn't got seat belts, but it qualified for the day anyway, because it never had any. Most classic days are fun, and we don't want to damage our pride and joy but to have fun, but that doesn't mean accisents don't happen, like the last JDC Goodwood day in May when an E-type had a puncture, hit the tyre wall, burst into flames and the driver was taken to hospital with a broken pelvis. Was he insured? I have no idea, but I make damned sure my insurance covers track days.

[racingsnake]

Some action from Oulton - this time last year.
Mines the dark blue Vitesse.

[D18OCK]

Very pretty Vitesse! Think I have seen it in the modified classics thread blasting round a track somewhere! Where did you buy the wheels they look great!

I am hoping to collect a Black Spitfire Mark 1500 on Saturday!

E-Type in flames, sounds like a tragedy!

[racingsnake]

Thanks (never heard it called pretty though! lol)it's huge fun and suprises a lot of modern stuff.
The wheels are 185x70x13" Revolutions = proper old school and yokohamas cost peanuts in that size.
You can get them at Demon Tweeks or Rallyspares probably any of the Triumph specialists too.

Heres a Standard 10 that attended.
I cant take credit for the photography though.

Edited by racingsnake on Thursday 18th November 17:19

[D18OCK]

I bought the black spitfire (see My new Spitfire topic) so definately up for getting out on track in the summer. Maybe check the brakes etc first though!

[RW774]

I would dearly love to go historic racing as a competitor.What bothers me is the cost.The idea of a Riley 1.5 or standard 10 sound great fun.My customers that are involved have yet to offer me a drive.The thought of pranging their car, then having to repair is the risk I suppose.

[jamesx19]

Hello,

Interesting topic. I would love to do some classic ONLY track days. Whist making the old girl as fast as I can, it still dosen't really cut the mustard with more modern stuff........ Any idea if I can do the MGOC trackdays without becoming a member, or attending with one?

Pic below for interest...

Cheers James

[D18OCK]

I really don't think it matters how fast your car is, it's about the experience and enjoying yourself not setting lap records! I mean the spitfire isn't exactly quick!

I know that MG on Track do alot with Club Triumph, I think you just pay for the track day not sure it matters if your not a member, saying that it's not expensive!

Give it a go!

[lowdrag]

Track days here in France aren't that expensive usually, but beware of what you are letting yourself in for. There is a club up north called, loosely translated, the Historic Car Club. I went to one of their track days at the Bugatti and found exactly two other cars pre 1970, the rest being modern. They decided, in view of the engine size, to put me out with the GT3s and Ferraris, which is utterly and completely dangerous. Sure enough, I was overtaken by this GT3 who then, with his enormous brakes and ceramic discs, braked sharply for the next bend. How I missed him I'll never know. So, if considering a day out here, check what you are letting yourself in for. The one great thing is that all the tracks I've been on have no noise limit, which for some of us is important.

[jamesx19]

Cheers for the replies. I was thinking of relative speeds of the cars at the trackday really. A point made perfectly by "lowdrag"

Also I think it would just be more fun to do a track day with similar period cars, rather than the banzai bridgade with their caterhams / evos / scoobys / turbo nutter speed machines, unless I had one of those cars myself of course.....

James

Edited by jamesx19 on Tuesday 30th November 17:53

[Nigel At]

D18OCK said:

I bought the black spitfire (see My new Spitfire topic) so definately up for getting out on track in the summer. Maybe check the brakes etc first though!

Darren, trackdays can put a lot of stress on the car and driver, your car wants to be in good condition, well tried and tested before you take it on a trackday especially if you want to drive it home after

I know most will disagree with me but the best car to use on trackdays, as you have previously, is one that belongs to someone else (have insurance cover tho')

[D18OCK]

Nigel, I agree it certianly needs to be carefully looked at before taking it out on the track, but I am not talking about full on endurance racing more just a few laps here and there to enjoy the car how it was intended to be driven in a slightly safer environment!

Always nice to take a car out knowing you don't have to foot the bill! Would feel terrible if I did crash it though!

[Nigel At]

Yeap I've been at a track where some just want to do a few steady laps and then they drive home with substantial wear to brakes and tyres, mind you these people tend to turn up with worn brakes and tyres

Plus you don't have to be an expert or at the track long to spot some fender benders