Best trackday car
Discussion
I took my Exige V6 roadster on a trackday last night, and I have to say I was very surprised. On the road it is very responsive, firm riding, and all in all loads of fun. On the track however I was a little disappointed...it was nowhere near as precise or had the grip levels I`d expected. On the road you can`t shake it, but on the track it was quite easy to slide around (although understeer was its initial trait, and lots of it)...maybe due to the hot weather there was too much rubber on the track (and I am running standard basic Corsa tyres)? The other disappointment was just how soft it felt. This is the roadster version not the cup or anything. I do also have a race car in which I compete so I understand about road set up and track set up, but I was surprised just how "soft" it was...I was still the quickest round the track, but it could have been so much more...
So, is the original Elise still the best trackcar, or are the newer Cup cars or 211/311 the best and how do they feel, or am I better off simply modifying my car to a proper track set up...I know the preferred set up will be too harsh for the road, but maybe a compromise can be had with adjustable dampers and stiff springs?
All a bit daft in a way but would be interested in what you think...and I know we are all different.
So, is the original Elise still the best trackcar, or are the newer Cup cars or 211/311 the best and how do they feel, or am I better off simply modifying my car to a proper track set up...I know the preferred set up will be too harsh for the road, but maybe a compromise can be had with adjustable dampers and stiff springs?
All a bit daft in a way but would be interested in what you think...and I know we are all different.
I found too much understeer on my first trackday with the Exige V6 and then some advice online suggested 30 PSI all round (hot pressures, i.e. with tyres up to proper track temperature). Things improved markedly after that - better turn in at lower speeds and improved agility at higher speeds. All subjective of course and dependent on your reference point. My car has Pirelli Corsas btw.
I perhaps would also look at adding some negative camber for track work but I think this would definitely be at the expense of driveability on the road. Also, the suspension set up on the Roadster is supposed to be softer than the Coupe, and maybe the lack of front splitter and rear spoiler is also a factor.
I perhaps would also look at adding some negative camber for track work but I think this would definitely be at the expense of driveability on the road. Also, the suspension set up on the Roadster is supposed to be softer than the Coupe, and maybe the lack of front splitter and rear spoiler is also a factor.
Thanks for your thoughts...its more knowing that the cars characteristics can be altered to suit, rather than going away thinking "that`s it"...and maybe I`ll have to get a Cayman or something...£$%^&!!! ha ha. Ultimately maybe something much lighter is the way forward for me but I do love lots of things about the Exige...mine is tweaked to 390hp and it certainly flies down the straights...just needs to be sharper round the corners which sounds like it could be with a few tweaks.
Heathrow is correct re 30psi all round hot. You will need to check numerous times as temps increase pressure constantly. Makes a huge difference.
More negative camber will give you more front end bite.
I also found the standard tyres overheat too easily on track. Avon ZZR's are my next tyres after reading lots of positive reviews.
More negative camber will give you more front end bite.
I also found the standard tyres overheat too easily on track. Avon ZZR's are my next tyres after reading lots of positive reviews.
I am lucky enough to have a well set up S1 road car and I race an S1 in the Elise trophy series and I am a consistent top 10 finisher...normally 7th or 8th, unless I have other issues, which I have so far this year, so that is why I am a little confused...the S1`s are so much fun, but conversely I do like the blood and guts of the V6. Ideally I want to combine the lightweight delicate balance of the S1 with the grunt and some more of the V6 Exige. Do the 211/311 achieve this or are they too compromised in other ways. Maybe a Honda S1 is the best compromise...mind I used to have an S2 and I really liked that...someways it was better than the S1.
Well you probably know better than anyone on here, or know who to ask...Can't comment on the 211/311 but I have driven an Elise Cup 220 on track, which makes for an interesting comparison with the Exige V6. It's a very compelling package which encourages you to extract every last bit of performance from the car. It obviously doesn't have the torque or the power of its bigger brother, but somehow I found I could drive it harder and closer to the limit of grip more consistently than the Exige, without any fear that it will bite. The grip levels are impressive (moreso I imagine in the Cup 250 with its wider fronts) and you can lean really hard on the front end and just back off the throttle a little bit when the front is loaded to bring the car nicely into line when you carry too much speed on entry. It's a very very satisfying feeling to really get the car up on its toes and then attacking apexes. Very well balanced overall and a superb chassis IMHO. Power oversteer isn't really on the cards which some might view as a downside but with such a short wheelbase, and the way the car flows from corner to corner, I'm not sure its absence is a problem.
Purely as a track toy I marginally prefer the Elise Cup to the Exige. I found that what you lose in soundtrack and brawn you gain in precision. On the road, I like the options/flexibility the extra torque in the Exige gives, and the soundtrack is also more interesting.
Purely as a track toy I marginally prefer the Elise Cup to the Exige. I found that what you lose in soundtrack and brawn you gain in precision. On the road, I like the options/flexibility the extra torque in the Exige gives, and the soundtrack is also more interesting.
I think the Exige roadster variant is always going to be better on the road than on-track and I completely agree with everyone else on this post - if you don't want to fart around with suspension settings (which could ruin the car's on-road pliancy where it probably spends 95% of its time) I would concentrate on tyres, tyre pressures and brake pads.
My brother had an Elise S1 (for the road) and a JPS 2-11 and I'm lucky enough to own a 3-11 (road version). Since we spend most of our free time on the track the latter two are ideal for this (climate permitting). Extreme lightweight, plenty of power and ideally set up for the circuit: they are in their element. Although on the road they are a bit savage being extremely stiff and pretty exhausting to drive. Nevertheless, the sensory overload an open cockpit delivers more than compensates. You just have to keep praying to the weather gods though!
In summary: I'd keep the roadster and not muck around with it too much if you're going to spend the vast majority of your time with it on the road. If you want to do more track days I'd consider swapping into a focussed Elise or Exige Sport / Cup.
My brother had an Elise S1 (for the road) and a JPS 2-11 and I'm lucky enough to own a 3-11 (road version). Since we spend most of our free time on the track the latter two are ideal for this (climate permitting). Extreme lightweight, plenty of power and ideally set up for the circuit: they are in their element. Although on the road they are a bit savage being extremely stiff and pretty exhausting to drive. Nevertheless, the sensory overload an open cockpit delivers more than compensates. You just have to keep praying to the weather gods though!
In summary: I'd keep the roadster and not muck around with it too much if you're going to spend the vast majority of your time with it on the road. If you want to do more track days I'd consider swapping into a focussed Elise or Exige Sport / Cup.
Another Lotus worth considering, funds permitting, is an Evora 410 which seems to cover both on-road and track bases pretty nicely. I was at the Lotus Bell & Colvill track day at Castle Combe recently and one of these was being peddled around the circuit very rapidly indeed 
Edited by baronbennyt on Monday 26th June 15:54
Sounds like you need to try a 2-11, I've driven just about every variant (apart from a 3-11) and wouldn't swap mine. If you can live without the comforts it's well worth it.
Corner speed and braking are outstanding, combine that with just enough grunt to allow you to play with the big boys. It flatters the driver up to a point but on the (relatively higher) limit you need to be skilled and on your game.
Initial feeling is familiar if you're used to an S2 Elise/Exige but they are ultimately very different. I love the delicate balance and the way it instantly responds giving you mid-corner options. Everything feels easier, lighter, more direct...
...and they are cheaper than most variants to track.
Corner speed and braking are outstanding, combine that with just enough grunt to allow you to play with the big boys. It flatters the driver up to a point but on the (relatively higher) limit you need to be skilled and on your game.
Initial feeling is familiar if you're used to an S2 Elise/Exige but they are ultimately very different. I love the delicate balance and the way it instantly responds giving you mid-corner options. Everything feels easier, lighter, more direct...
...and they are cheaper than most variants to track.
Thanks for all your thoughts...must admit the 2-11 does appeal because it is a lighter better balanced package than the 3-11, although no doubt modern electronics and power oversteer can compensate. My limited time racing with the S1 has taught me, and it was the purpose of starting with an S1, all about balance (still learning mind you) and corner speed...which is everything. Are supercharged 2-11`s reliable or do they much gearboxes (3rd/4th)?
CTE said:
Thanks for all your thoughts...must admit the 2-11 does appeal because it is a lighter better balanced package than the 3-11, although no doubt modern electronics and power oversteer can compensate. My limited time racing with the S1 has taught me, and it was the purpose of starting with an S1, all about balance (still learning mind you) and corner speed...which is everything. Are supercharged 2-11`s reliable or do they much gearboxes (3rd/4th)?
With the LSD power oversteer is one of your options in the 2-11. I've had no gearbox issues (23k miles). I'd say with standard power (260 max) and regular gearbox oil changes they'd be more reliable than the equivalent Exige.
I've no doubt 3-11 would be awesome but another level in terms of costs and pace. Might be frustratingly fast with average trackday traffic?
I owned a 2-Eleven for trackdays for a few years and am happy to answer any questions. Before that I had an Elise for 8 years which I took on a few trackdays and to the Nurburgring. Ultimately though, if a car is road legal, even barely via SVA like the 2-Eleven, it's going to be a compromise on track. Ultimately I sold the 2-Eleven for this reason and bought a Formula Renault instead, which is much faster, much more responsive, much better balanced and cheaper to run and repair. This isn't to say I don't enjoy driving anything on track, but ultimately I do prefer a purpose built racing car.
Interesting thread and one I can relate to personally.
I have a Exige S V6 and when I first got the car I took it out at Brands Hatch and quite frankly I thought it was s
t on track.
First thing I did to improve this was change the tyres, controversial choice but I went to the Nankang NS2-R which for the money is a great tyre IMO.
I also then changed the geo which involved adding front camber which was hugely beneficial, the car had a huge amount more grip, especially on the front end which made the car a lot more enjoyable.
More recently I fitted Nitrons to the car. Although they're adjustable, I made the unfortunate mistake of going for too road biased setup. They're better than standard but tbh I'm quite disappointed on track with them. They'll be going back to Nitron soon to be changed to stiffer springs and valving to match.
For me I want to use the car less and less on the road and do more trackdays, I am going to set it up more for track use as the thrill on the roads doesn't really exist for me anymore without being silly (which I don't want to do!).
I have a Exige S V6 and when I first got the car I took it out at Brands Hatch and quite frankly I thought it was s
t on track.First thing I did to improve this was change the tyres, controversial choice but I went to the Nankang NS2-R which for the money is a great tyre IMO.
I also then changed the geo which involved adding front camber which was hugely beneficial, the car had a huge amount more grip, especially on the front end which made the car a lot more enjoyable.
More recently I fitted Nitrons to the car. Although they're adjustable, I made the unfortunate mistake of going for too road biased setup. They're better than standard but tbh I'm quite disappointed on track with them. They'll be going back to Nitron soon to be changed to stiffer springs and valving to match.
For me I want to use the car less and less on the road and do more trackdays, I am going to set it up more for track use as the thrill on the roads doesn't really exist for me anymore without being silly (which I don't want to do!).
Again, 30psi hot on the Corsas and again you need to repeatedly check and set tyre pressures, doing it once isn't sufficient.
ZZRs also do a lot to quell understeer.
I went for Ohlins with electronic in car adjustment as the best road and track option. It's still a compromise as spring rate is road orientated but being able to stiffen compression and rebound damping helps focus the car for track work as well as giving the ability to tune out some of the understeer.
ZZRs also do a lot to quell understeer.
I went for Ohlins with electronic in car adjustment as the best road and track option. It's still a compromise as spring rate is road orientated but being able to stiffen compression and rebound damping helps focus the car for track work as well as giving the ability to tune out some of the understeer.
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