Where to start?
Discussion
Ive had some interest in getting a car on the track and it looks like now im finally able to get things together to do it. I have an old bmw e36 just sitting here now so im going to use that. I am on a budget so i will need to keep the car in good enough shape and streetable to drive back and forth from the track on its own. It is completely bone stock but in good shape overall and with my budget i will need to work with what i have and upgrade when the chance appears.
I have a couple questions about starting and getting everything going.
1. At this time i can really only do weekends and i think that limits my track day options. I have been looking at doing some track time during car shows as an alternative but i dont know if there is a batter way of getting track time or an easier way of finding opportunities to get out there. I live in surrey so what i have been doing it trying to figure out what shows are nearby then see if i can race it. Its a pain to do and there must be a better way.
2. What do i need to do to the car to get on the track? Like i said its in decent shape but stock. Do places require seatbelt harness' or other items? I have motorcycle helmets but do i need a certain type? Any particular clothing requirements?
3. Do i need special insurance to race on the track? I could care less about the car so im not looking to make a claim if i total it.
I have a couple questions about starting and getting everything going.
1. At this time i can really only do weekends and i think that limits my track day options. I have been looking at doing some track time during car shows as an alternative but i dont know if there is a batter way of getting track time or an easier way of finding opportunities to get out there. I live in surrey so what i have been doing it trying to figure out what shows are nearby then see if i can race it. Its a pain to do and there must be a better way.
2. What do i need to do to the car to get on the track? Like i said its in decent shape but stock. Do places require seatbelt harness' or other items? I have motorcycle helmets but do i need a certain type? Any particular clothing requirements?
3. Do i need special insurance to race on the track? I could care less about the car so im not looking to make a claim if i total it.
Questions, questions, questions, well here are some more for you.
e36........... Which one?
You mention both trackay & race in your post......... Which one, as they are not the same thing?
You say you are on a budget....... Track days are a damned fine way of blowing any budget, so you might as well blow a tight one....... Define your budget?
A track day for my previous car (e36 328) would cost around £400 - 500 in total what with a portion of brakes/tyres/most of 2 tanks of fuel/cost of admission, not to mention 3 x services/year and running repairs.
e36........... Which one?
You mention both trackay & race in your post......... Which one, as they are not the same thing?
You say you are on a budget....... Track days are a damned fine way of blowing any budget, so you might as well blow a tight one....... Define your budget?
A track day for my previous car (e36 328) would cost around £400 - 500 in total what with a portion of brakes/tyres/most of 2 tanks of fuel/cost of admission, not to mention 3 x services/year and running repairs.
all you need is a car in reasonable condition a crash helmet and your driving licence book a track day turn up early and listen to the briefing if your unsure about anything book the 20 minute optional instruction . contact javelin bookatrac or msv any of them will be very helpful and enjoy
Its a 325 e36 coupe. 150k but looked after prior to me letting it sit in my yard. Heavy guy but i think its bulletproof.
My budget is unlimited for the actual track time and car up keep but very limited for mods. I know me and once i start swapping parts i wont stop so i have to limit my budget to keep myself under control. Its just how i have to deal with myself. I figure about £400 per day on the track. That would include entry and fuel and stuff. Some would probably roll over to tires every once in a while but i think 400 is a good average. I figured about 200 when racing motorcycles and that worked out pretty good for me.
I want to progress to racing but it may not happen this season. I want to start on track days with the goal of racing at some point.
My budget is unlimited for the actual track time and car up keep but very limited for mods. I know me and once i start swapping parts i wont stop so i have to limit my budget to keep myself under control. Its just how i have to deal with myself. I figure about £400 per day on the track. That would include entry and fuel and stuff. Some would probably roll over to tires every once in a while but i think 400 is a good average. I figured about 200 when racing motorcycles and that worked out pretty good for me.
I want to progress to racing but it may not happen this season. I want to start on track days with the goal of racing at some point.
With racing the costs only go one way very fast, you WILL need to have things like approved cage, approved seat, approved harness, etc.
For track days as above you need you, long sleeves, a helmet & some dosh.
TBH as a minimum I would personally recommend BRAND NEW discs, PROPER pads, (none of the EBC/DS25 malarkey) braided hoses, good pipes and Ate Typ 200 fluid and just go-have-fun.
Give the car a full fluid service take out any extra weight for the day, such as seats spare etc & the rest you will get along the way.
Many will say not to bother but for me to fail to prepare is to prepare to fail!
For track days as above you need you, long sleeves, a helmet & some dosh.
TBH as a minimum I would personally recommend BRAND NEW discs, PROPER pads, (none of the EBC/DS25 malarkey) braided hoses, good pipes and Ate Typ 200 fluid and just go-have-fun.
Give the car a full fluid service take out any extra weight for the day, such as seats spare etc & the rest you will get along the way.
Many will say not to bother but for me to fail to prepare is to prepare to fail!
E-bmw said:
With racing the costs only go one way very fast, you WILL need to have things like approved cage, approved seat, approved harness, etc.
For track days as above you need you, long sleeves, a helmet & some dosh.
TBH as a minimum I would personally recommend BRAND NEW discs, PROPER pads, (none of the EBC/DS25 malarkey) braided hoses, good pipes and Ate Typ 200 fluid and just go-have-fun.
Give the car a full fluid service take out any extra weight for the day, such as seats spare etc & the rest you will get along the way.
Many will say not to bother but for me to fail to prepare is to prepare to fail!
Ya, i think im gonna run it as is and see what comes of it. At my level the car may be fine as is for a while. For track days as above you need you, long sleeves, a helmet & some dosh.
TBH as a minimum I would personally recommend BRAND NEW discs, PROPER pads, (none of the EBC/DS25 malarkey) braided hoses, good pipes and Ate Typ 200 fluid and just go-have-fun.
Give the car a full fluid service take out any extra weight for the day, such as seats spare etc & the rest you will get along the way.
Many will say not to bother but for me to fail to prepare is to prepare to fail!
Im thinking i may try castle combe next saturday to give it a test run. Then maybe brands hatch the week after.
Used to run an e36 328i as a cheap hack... great fun. On a budget, so started off with just adding lightness and reasonable brake pads and fluid. Cheap tyres are low grip which can be awesome fun, or if you actually want to go fast, some track day tyres.
But really a car, helmet and driving licence is all you need, as long as you take it easy on your first day.
But really a car, helmet and driving licence is all you need, as long as you take it easy on your first day.
Well i missed the sign up time for castle combe but luckily i was able to book bedford for the same day. Never even heard of the track before so i dont know what to expect.
Im getting the car ready now with my limited time. I dont think i will be able to change my brake fluid but i should be able to get the others. Maybe i can find some help at the track to do the brake fluid between heats if whats in there starts to be a problem.
Im getting the car ready now with my limited time. I dont think i will be able to change my brake fluid but i should be able to get the others. Maybe i can find some help at the track to do the brake fluid between heats if whats in there starts to be a problem.
Lucky escape from the Combe mongo spaktard fest, just avoid those sorts of things, also trax etc, just moron packed shocking driving window licker driver crash fests.
Good fluid as said above & ideally decent pads, good OE are rubbish really for track but would be ok for a 1st gentle go, but crap budget bought at a motor factor types can be as useful as weetabix, as an emergency purchase once I shoved some in the rear of an e30, from new to metal by lunch, not ideal.
Good fluid as said above & ideally decent pads, good OE are rubbish really for track but would be ok for a 1st gentle go, but crap budget bought at a motor factor types can be as useful as weetabix, as an emergency purchase once I shoved some in the rear of an e30, from new to metal by lunch, not ideal.
I had a great time today and the car did really well. Everything up until just about the end when my drivers side front tire started falling apart. While i still had plenty of tread left the outer edge started losing chunks and i could really feel the understeer starting to takeover on that side so i played it safe and called it a day. It has 15's on it and im going to look into getting 16 or 17's with good tires to replace them.
I am sliding around in my leather seat and its much too tall for me to wear a helmet in my normal driving position as well so i need to do something about them.
I am sliding around in my leather seat and its much too tall for me to wear a helmet in my normal driving position as well so i need to do something about them.
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