Kit cars and track days - what are they like to live with?
Discussion
My FWD hatch is extremely capable on track but I'm not getting a massive thrill from it anymore.
Tempted by a kit car to reignite my excitement - faster, lower, RWD. But what are they like to live with on track days? The one I like the look of (MNR Vortx) doesn't appear to have any wet weather gear and an optional windscreen, will that make the wet track days I do every year a total misery?
I have a trailer and an estate so the travel/spare wheels etc isn't a problem.
Tempted by a kit car to reignite my excitement - faster, lower, RWD. But what are they like to live with on track days? The one I like the look of (MNR Vortx) doesn't appear to have any wet weather gear and an optional windscreen, will that make the wet track days I do every year a total misery?
I have a trailer and an estate so the travel/spare wheels etc isn't a problem.
I track my Caterham without a windscreen and have to admit that when it is raining hard I just sit the sessions out, and on one occasion I didn't even bother travelling to Pembrey as the forecast was for torrential rain all day. However that was the only time I've lost a whole day to rain and I enjoy days more when there is a period of damp or wet track as it makes for more interesting sessions. A set of half doors would help as the worst aspect of my car is the front wheels send a plume of water into my lap on right hand bends when it is wet.
I have considered swapping to a tin top but the on track experience just doesn't compare for me
I have considered swapping to a tin top but the on track experience just doesn't compare for me
Yes, you'll get wet, sometimes very very wet.
And you'll get cold, sometimes very very cold.
That said, the positives far outweigh any of that - especially if you are trailering to the circuit, you can have a nice dry set of clothes to change into and get the heated seats on on the way home!
https://youtu.be/BZLY2wbYciQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhg7Pr0mAvk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE4uWLHtsEE
And you'll get cold, sometimes very very cold.
That said, the positives far outweigh any of that - especially if you are trailering to the circuit, you can have a nice dry set of clothes to change into and get the heated seats on on the way home!
https://youtu.be/BZLY2wbYciQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhg7Pr0mAvk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE4uWLHtsEE
Edited by Mr MXT on Thursday 21st December 16:56
Keeping relatively dry and warm whilst driving is easy enough with the right clothing and a helmet. There’s usually plenty of heat coming of the engine too.
What I found a pain in a screenless car was the spray on a wet track - it made seeing where to go really quite tricky at times as it covered my visor with a watery/oily/whatever else comes off the track mix. The aeroscreen on my G20 made a huge difference and driving it in the wet was OK.
Saying that, a moistened track as good as to yourself with minimal spray spoiling he view is a great playground in a kit car type vehicle.
What I found a pain in a screenless car was the spray on a wet track - it made seeing where to go really quite tricky at times as it covered my visor with a watery/oily/whatever else comes off the track mix. The aeroscreen on my G20 made a huge difference and driving it in the wet was OK.
Saying that, a moistened track as good as to yourself with minimal spray spoiling he view is a great playground in a kit car type vehicle.
If you can trailer it, then it's really just a question of the right clothing. A set of waterproofs and lots of layers will see you fine on the coldest of days. I drive mine to and from the track, so try to avoid wet days because everything I've taken will end up soaked, and it's a ball ache to dry everything out again.
CrutyRammers said:
If you can trailer it, then it's really just a question of the right clothing. A set of waterproofs and lots of layers will see you fine on the coldest of days. I drive mine to and from the track, so try to avoid wet days because everything I've taken will end up soaked, and it's a ball ache to dry everything out again.
I'll second that and add try to cover the cockpit when not being driven to keep the seats drier. My Westfield has a bare fibreglass seat and you can be sitting in a slipper bath if you don't shelter it. I've not tried no-screen and my wipers keep the view fairly clear. It's obviously better in the dry but the fun in the wet is just different.QBee said:
Have you considered a half way house? In other words, a convertible? Roof off when the weather is decent, on when not. Makes for a decent road vehicle when not on track.
Lotus Elise, TVR, MX5 turbo, MR2 to name but a few. Just need to make sure you fit some head protection.
Don't forget S2000 or Z4M RoadsterLotus Elise, TVR, MX5 turbo, MR2 to name but a few. Just need to make sure you fit some head protection.
Awesome
But is useful to have a tintop option for changeable / cold weather.
Do need to treat it like a motorbike rider - wets, waterproofs etc.
I drove it all the way to Spa last year...yes, and got drenched on way back!
These type of cars are relatively quick, low weight characteristics (late braking, high corner speeds, etc), fast, low wear on consumables. However, the car overall needs to be reliable else the lower cost of consumables will be redirected on keeping it on the road!
Edited by LaSource on Tuesday 26th December 13:59
A motorcycle wet weather suit and gloves is all you need. I have an aero screen Westfield and use it on wet trackdays.
It is a huge learning experience driving one in the wet when all you have to choose from is used slicks or Yokohama AO48s. But as you have a trailer buy some extra rims and tyres then go have fun.
It is a huge learning experience driving one in the wet when all you have to choose from is used slicks or Yokohama AO48s. But as you have a trailer buy some extra rims and tyres then go have fun.
They're VERY small and even if you're looking for them, they're not easy to spot in your mirrors in a normal car at a glance, if you bear that in mind using one on a track day, I'm sure you'll be fine, however, every single accident I've seen on a track day has involved a Seven type kit car. I'm not suggesting that all the people who own them can't drive them but what tends to happen is the owners of those types of cars ignore the 'no overtaking in the braking zone or corner' rules in the driver briefing because their car can brake later and carry more speed in the corners and assume that people can see them when they sneak up the inside, then all hell breaks loose when someone turns in as normal...
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