Your track car history
Discussion
Ok I’m looking a long way into the future here, but it’s a slow Saturday night…
How do you choose your track car and why?
I’ve tracked:
MR2 Turbo (baked the brakes but took it well otherwise)
Two Impreza Turbos (both got round and home but presented expensive repair bills)
Mazda MX5 mk1 (oil pump fell apart)
Mazda MX5 mk3 (great!)
I’ve only done brands in the MX5 Mk3 and I’m looking forward to more. The MX5 was unbreakable, predictable, adjustable and quick enough for the most part. It’ll certainly be quicker once my driving improves. For 2022 I plan to do as many days as I can to work on my abilities.
But.
There’s one problem with the Mazda ‘nc’. It doesn’t feel challenging. It was so friendly that at no point (even while sliding around at speed) did it feel “thrilling”.
Satisfying yes. Educational and dependable. But not thrilling.
So even though 2022 is just weeks old I’m considering what I’d take in 2023.
Thoughts? What did you start with and upgrade to? Why that?
How do you choose your track car and why?
I’ve tracked:
MR2 Turbo (baked the brakes but took it well otherwise)
Two Impreza Turbos (both got round and home but presented expensive repair bills)
Mazda MX5 mk1 (oil pump fell apart)
Mazda MX5 mk3 (great!)
I’ve only done brands in the MX5 Mk3 and I’m looking forward to more. The MX5 was unbreakable, predictable, adjustable and quick enough for the most part. It’ll certainly be quicker once my driving improves. For 2022 I plan to do as many days as I can to work on my abilities.
But.
There’s one problem with the Mazda ‘nc’. It doesn’t feel challenging. It was so friendly that at no point (even while sliding around at speed) did it feel “thrilling”.
Satisfying yes. Educational and dependable. But not thrilling.
So even though 2022 is just weeks old I’m considering what I’d take in 2023.
Thoughts? What did you start with and upgrade to? Why that?
I set out in 2009 to buy either:
- Decent E36
- mkii MR2
- E30
Whichever a decent example of which turned up first. Ended up with an E30 318i. Sourced a shabby 328i E36 and set about stripping & caging the E30, fitting the E36 drivetrain and cherry picking the best of used parts - stuff for 5 stud swap, coilovers, brakes, seats etc etc. Tracked it for about 4 years, was fun but always felt less than the sum of its parts.
Took it off the road for a rebuild starting 2016. Fitted M52 stroker with some upgrades, decent coilovers, lots of rebuilt/new parts, full loom stripdown, new seats etc and undid a lot of shortcuts.
End result was way better. Over 240bhp/tonne on 195 or 205 tyres in a late 80s RWD chassis is great fun. Feels like a proper little super saloon.
- Decent E36
- mkii MR2
- E30
Whichever a decent example of which turned up first. Ended up with an E30 318i. Sourced a shabby 328i E36 and set about stripping & caging the E30, fitting the E36 drivetrain and cherry picking the best of used parts - stuff for 5 stud swap, coilovers, brakes, seats etc etc. Tracked it for about 4 years, was fun but always felt less than the sum of its parts.
Took it off the road for a rebuild starting 2016. Fitted M52 stroker with some upgrades, decent coilovers, lots of rebuilt/new parts, full loom stripdown, new seats etc and undid a lot of shortcuts.
End result was way better. Over 240bhp/tonne on 195 or 205 tyres in a late 80s RWD chassis is great fun. Feels like a proper little super saloon.
1781cc said:
Started with an Audi TT MK1 in 2015 and still going strong now, never felt the need to change, probably never will unless something bad happens. I’ve found it interesting to evolve the car as my driving evolves, honestly, if I was to switch I don’t know what to.
A great car this. We mostly had a great day at Bedford on Saturday. 
I chose the MK1 Octy vRS as I like the looks of the car, it has a very strong engine, (same as the TT) and is very tuneable.
Like a lot of similar cars, there is a shed load of parts, accessories and tuning upgrades around for these cars at relatively sensible prices.
Started with an e36 328i coupe, bought with a mate, stripped out but on standard pads and tyres. Good fun to learn in, sounded great.
Then had another e36 328i (cost just £410), then an e46 330ci, then two more e46 328i. All were stripped out, and did a few mods here and there ( cheapo coilovers, diff swap, sunroof delete). It was only until the 4th car did we change to decent tyres ( federal 595 rsr - absolute gamechanger) and then decent brakes ( no more ebc yellows - got pf08s, again, gamechanger)
After all those family saloons, got a bmw z4, only mods were brakes and tyres. Very capable car, fast and well planted.
Now tracking a boxster s as i fancy trying mid engined stuff.
I have no interest in tracking anything fwd, and generally id prefer manual, naturally aspirated. Not that interested in lightweights either.
Id quite like to try maybe a bmw 135i as i think that would be fast, or maybe a bmw e92 m3, or some sort of porsche cayman.
But generally, i switch cars when my skill progresses. Originally got the z4 as i felt id peaked with 3 series saloons, and now im in a boxster its a completely new experience again.
Then had another e36 328i (cost just £410), then an e46 330ci, then two more e46 328i. All were stripped out, and did a few mods here and there ( cheapo coilovers, diff swap, sunroof delete). It was only until the 4th car did we change to decent tyres ( federal 595 rsr - absolute gamechanger) and then decent brakes ( no more ebc yellows - got pf08s, again, gamechanger)
After all those family saloons, got a bmw z4, only mods were brakes and tyres. Very capable car, fast and well planted.
Now tracking a boxster s as i fancy trying mid engined stuff.
I have no interest in tracking anything fwd, and generally id prefer manual, naturally aspirated. Not that interested in lightweights either.
Id quite like to try maybe a bmw 135i as i think that would be fast, or maybe a bmw e92 m3, or some sort of porsche cayman.
But generally, i switch cars when my skill progresses. Originally got the z4 as i felt id peaked with 3 series saloons, and now im in a boxster its a completely new experience again.
brillomaster said:
Now tracking a boxster s as i fancy trying mid engined stuff.
I have no interest in tracking anything fwd, and generally id prefer manual, naturally aspirated. Not that interested in lightweights either.
I mainly use my fwd Skoda which is real fun to drive....I have no interest in tracking anything fwd, and generally id prefer manual, naturally aspirated. Not that interested in lightweights either.
Also my Boxster S which I reserve for good tracks and fine weather! They are epic......
I started trackdays nearly 30 years ago in a TVR Tasmin 2.8 doing mainly TVR CC days, took a break for a few years then had a succession of Clio 172/182s, at the time I didn't think you could go quicker for less money, all were my road car at the time with a few mods, lowered, better brakes etc.
Took another break from trackdays to go rallying then bought a Westfield SEi with a 190hp Zetec, the OP asked about a track car being more exciting and that certainly was! Cost me £8000, again I don't think you could go faster for less money.
Had to sell the Westie when I needed some funds and have since had a Clio 200 Cup (not as much fun as the earlier Clios) and have just booked my first trackday in a Megane RS250, with a few mods, lowered, better brake pads and fluid and a 300hp remap.
Years ago I read an article on trackday driving (might have been by Mark Hales) which said the problem with road cars on circuits is that you spend more time driving around the limitations of the car than driving the circuit properly.
I've always found trackdays more fun if I spend more time overtaking than being overtaken, my early Clios usually achieved that, the Westfield definitely did, the Clio 200 did not, partly because over the last 30 years trackdays have definitely got faster.
The Holy Grail for me is a car I can daily without it being too compromised and yet still be thrilling, exciting and fast on a track, things like M3s and decent Porsches are out of my price range, I'm hoping the Megane will get close, if not it will be back to the tow car, trailer and a serious Westfield!
Took another break from trackdays to go rallying then bought a Westfield SEi with a 190hp Zetec, the OP asked about a track car being more exciting and that certainly was! Cost me £8000, again I don't think you could go faster for less money.
Had to sell the Westie when I needed some funds and have since had a Clio 200 Cup (not as much fun as the earlier Clios) and have just booked my first trackday in a Megane RS250, with a few mods, lowered, better brake pads and fluid and a 300hp remap.
Years ago I read an article on trackday driving (might have been by Mark Hales) which said the problem with road cars on circuits is that you spend more time driving around the limitations of the car than driving the circuit properly.
I've always found trackdays more fun if I spend more time overtaking than being overtaken, my early Clios usually achieved that, the Westfield definitely did, the Clio 200 did not, partly because over the last 30 years trackdays have definitely got faster.
The Holy Grail for me is a car I can daily without it being too compromised and yet still be thrilling, exciting and fast on a track, things like M3s and decent Porsches are out of my price range, I'm hoping the Megane will get close, if not it will be back to the tow car, trailer and a serious Westfield!
1996 TVR Griffith
1996 Porsche 993RS
1979 Porsche 3.0SC converted to 3.2 Carrera (racecar)
1990 Porsche 964 Cup Car (racecar)
1992 Porsche 964RS (roadcar)
2016 Porsche 991.1GT3RS (roadcar, allegedly)
I did lots of trackdays from '96 to '99, then did enough 750MC races to get my B licence, then did the 2001 Porsche Cup and the 2002 Porsche Open, then gave it all up for a while and only started again in 2020. The 964RS scratched an itch in recollection of my cup car, but is now sold. The GT3RS will probably lead me back to buying an old (=2018-ish Cup car) which will in turn lead to racing again. It's a slippery slope.
I've also taken various road cars out - whatever I drove to track days that I was (ahem) using as test days. I'd have to think hard to remember what.
I might take my latest road toy out on track, but carefully. Never track a car you can't face bending.
1996 Porsche 993RS
1979 Porsche 3.0SC converted to 3.2 Carrera (racecar)
1990 Porsche 964 Cup Car (racecar)
1992 Porsche 964RS (roadcar)
2016 Porsche 991.1GT3RS (roadcar, allegedly)
I did lots of trackdays from '96 to '99, then did enough 750MC races to get my B licence, then did the 2001 Porsche Cup and the 2002 Porsche Open, then gave it all up for a while and only started again in 2020. The 964RS scratched an itch in recollection of my cup car, but is now sold. The GT3RS will probably lead me back to buying an old (=2018-ish Cup car) which will in turn lead to racing again. It's a slippery slope.
I've also taken various road cars out - whatever I drove to track days that I was (ahem) using as test days. I'd have to think hard to remember what.
I might take my latest road toy out on track, but carefully. Never track a car you can't face bending.
Started with a road biased Westfield, spent lots of time and money developing it into a track focused machine.
Bought an NA MX5 (Lionel) to run in conjunction with the Westfield, as a tool to hone my skills as I had a lot to learn.
Realised MX5s are awesome so replaced the NA with an NB (Lionel 2) with very basic mods (ie cheap coilovers and decent road tyres). I don't really use the Westfield that much any more, I have more fun in the MX5.
Bought an NA MX5 (Lionel) to run in conjunction with the Westfield, as a tool to hone my skills as I had a lot to learn.
Realised MX5s are awesome so replaced the NA with an NB (Lionel 2) with very basic mods (ie cheap coilovers and decent road tyres). I don't really use the Westfield that much any more, I have more fun in the MX5.
TheInternet said:
Can you elaborate on this? Which car requires more time in ongoing fettling?
Sure - the Westfield requires very little other than routine maintenance - brakes last forever, that said, it’s the car that tends to get expensive upgrades that take lots of time “I’ll have an engine built”, “I’ll put a dog box in” etc so it tends to be off the road just when I want it…Lionel 2 gets double driven and hammered all day. Usually > 250miles. It tends to need a set of cheap brake pads every day, but that’s it. There is an initial period of suffering with very rusty bolts etc until it’s sorted though.
https://youtu.be/XHKcmMNUJeQ (MX5)
https://youtu.be/BQuGrlxDjmU (Westfield)
Edited by Mr MXT on Monday 14th February 13:25
Nice thread - For me,
TVR Tuscan -- Snett, Silverstone, and Cadwell
2 x MX5s -- Snett (multiple times), Cadwell, (plus used these for many Autosolos and Targa rallies)
Ford Escort Mk2 (RS2000 ish road rally spec) -- Snett, and MSN Rally champ (Brands, Snett, Cadwell, Donington, Rockingham, Anglesey) plus Targa rallies
Also have an E46 M3 but have never tracked that.
-- No current plans to do anything else atm, but thinking of going for an S2000 for something or other (possibly even s2000 lump into the escort for maximum smiles)
TVR Tuscan -- Snett, Silverstone, and Cadwell
2 x MX5s -- Snett (multiple times), Cadwell, (plus used these for many Autosolos and Targa rallies)
Ford Escort Mk2 (RS2000 ish road rally spec) -- Snett, and MSN Rally champ (Brands, Snett, Cadwell, Donington, Rockingham, Anglesey) plus Targa rallies
Also have an E46 M3 but have never tracked that.
-- No current plans to do anything else atm, but thinking of going for an S2000 for something or other (possibly even s2000 lump into the escort for maximum smiles)
Mr MXT said:
Thanks. I was convinced Lionel was going round with the second kick of the first incident._Al_ said:
There’s one problem with the Mazda ‘nc’. It doesn’t feel challenging. It was so friendly that at no point (even while sliding around at speed) did it feel “thrilling”.
Really interesting that you say this, I took my NC to brands just a few weeks ago. I came back feeling really deflated from the experience. I was pushing on quite a bit and just never quite got a "buzz" from the day. It really is such a capable platform, the back breaks away very predictably and any understeer is totally expected. _Yeti said:
_Al_ said:
There’s one problem with the Mazda ‘nc’. It doesn’t feel challenging. It was so friendly that at no point (even while sliding around at speed) did it feel “thrilling”.
Really interesting that you say this, I took my NC to brands just a few weeks ago. I came back feeling really deflated from the experience. I was pushing on quite a bit and just never quite got a "buzz" from the day. It really is such a capable platform, the back breaks away very predictably and any understeer is totally expected. I wouldn’t go as far as feeling deflated, but I agree it definitely wasn’t a “buzz” in the way I expected.
As you observe, it does what you want to such an extent that it’s hard to feel there’s anything risky about taking mad liberties with it.
My Impreza(s) were the same. You could lean on them at crazy speed and never really worry that anything bad would happen. Great for laptimes and for learning - which is where I am now - but annoyingly I’m not desperate to get back out in it.
The MK2 MR2 turbo by comparison felt like it needed skill to get the best out of it. Enough power to throw you off and a chassis that wouldn’t exactly take care of you if you didn’t treat it right.
I’m booked in at Snetterton on 28th but unless it’s a lot more exciting than I’m expecting the lovely little Mazda may not see 2023.
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