Smart Roadster fast enough for track use?

[millband]

Hi, could anyone help me with some advice?

I've done one trackday and fancy another go. My previous go was in my old Impreza Turbo at an Evo mag intro day at Brands Hatch, several years ago. It was great fun, I was faster than some Elises and Delta Integrales - and slower than others!

I fancy the MSV Cadwell Park evening do in June. It's relatively cheap and Cadwell looks amazing, like a fantastic B-road. I know there's not much run-off but I think I'll be sensible enough not to get into trouble.

What I'm worried about is the fact it's open pitlane and my current car has just 80bhp. Will I just be constantly getting in the way and having to pull over, or do you think I'll get a clear run at some of the track? The track looks narrow too, does this cause problems letting cars past between corners?

Anyone got any experience of tracking slower cars? I think I'll take up the £25 instruction offer, but I don't want to waste my time going if all I get to do is look in my mirror.

Cheers,

Steve

Edited by millband on Wednesday 25th April 23:26

[EDLT]

Well its a lightweight low power car so you should be able to brake later, carry more speed into the corner and possible get back on the power earlier. Saying this I've not driven a Smart roadster.

[millband]

EDLT said:

Well its a lightweight low power car so you should be able to brake later, carry more speed into the corner and possible get back on the power earlier. Saying this I've not driven a Smart roadster.

Cheers for the reply. It is light, but has a slow auto 'box and quite a narrow powerband. Around 11 sec to 60. I reckon it'll be good fun but I'm just worried I'll be constantly having to dive out of the way. I don't mind a couple of times a lap, but I think I'd find it a bit wearing if I have to let people past on every straight - but I've not got enought experience to know if this is a problem.

[slackalice]

Oh dear how do you reply to a post like this, honestly I guess? The Smart is just too slow, and I think you should think twice before taking it. The biggest problem is that you run the risk of being "collected" by other cars getting close to race speeds, they will have to overbrake at all the wrong points on the track just to give you room, and if you are lucky, and they miss you, they will end up spinning off.

Ok, the rest of you, slag me off, but i talk from a bad expiriance of missed matched cars on a track day.

[jimminy cricket]

i would have to agree.

cadwell isn't a flat track either!! some places you will really be struggling.

i have a MK1 MR2 with 120bhp and even with trick suspension and weight down to circa 950kg i would be holding people up in area's.

if it was a brabus one it would be fine lol

shame really......

[iguana]

Ive tracked 2 dif places when smart roadsters have been on track, 1 at cadwell yip just as slow as described above, waaaay too slow on an open pit day in my opinion, however to be fair other suposidly quick stuff can be just as slow when in novice hands. In a novice group he woudlnt have been so bad, but open pit hot day us running slicked up & lots of quick stuf there it wasnt really a good idea as the speed difernetials were huge which is nevr really a good idea.

Other one at Goodwood, difernt ball game, much much much quicker, lapping at respectable speeds, & considring the car it had decent straightline grunt, my co driver had a chin wag with him & apprarently it was chipped to 120bhp.

Personaly tho Ive driven smarts & hate them, that gearbox is the worst auto in the galaxy, on track I think it would frustrate me to the point of madness.

[batfink]

i've tracked a 1.4 205 rallye and that was slow but great fun on the corners. Simple use of my mirrors kept me out the way of faster cars, then I three wheeled round the corners I bolted some bucket seats and harnesses on the day before and I could drive the car on the limit on the corners which helped keep speed for the straight though...

[Furyous]

Would have to say, probably not the best car to track.If it was a manual you may just get away with it, but I think you're going to spend too much of your time keeping out the way to actually enjoy it.

[millband]

slackalice said:

Oh dear how do you reply to a post like this, honestly I guess? The Smart is just too slow, and I think you should think twice before taking it. The biggest problem is that you run the risk of being "collected" by other cars getting close to race speeds, they will have to overbrake at all the wrong points on the track just to give you room, and if you are lucky, and they miss you, they will end up spinning off.

Ok, the rest of you, slag me off, but i talk from a bad expiriance of missed matched cars on a track day.

Honesty appreciated The Evo day I did was grouped into sessions, roughly grouped by bhp/performance and that worked well.

I fancied tracking the Smart because (a) its fun and (b) its very benign. I've heard of people taking them to the Ring, but there I guess there's more room and even slower hazards to deal with on a public day.

I'll look out for a day grouped by session, or give it a miss until the next car (thinking of a Clio 182 later in the year).

Thanks,

Steve

[tig6]

I took a 110bhp Civic around Cadwell Park on an open pitlane event and had a great time.

I would say as long as you are courteous and check your mirrors v regularly then you and everyone else will have no worries. Ok - so you might hold up someone through Hall Bends/Hairpin section but there's plenty of opportunity for people to pass you if they are a lot quicker.

It's a technical track and not all about power - so why wait until you get a different car? Give it a go!

[millband]

Cheers Tig. I am still tempted, but it really is quite slow! I used to have a 115bhp Rover 416GSi many years ago which I guess might feel similar to your Civic - I'd say it was a fair bit faster than my Smart due to having a much wider power band. The Smart really kicks when on boost, but that only lasts 1500rpm!

What sort of cars were at Cadwell when you went? I might feel OK mixing with Rover Mini's, ZR's, 106 GTi's etc but not Scoobies, Boxsters and upwards...

Maybe an airfield day would be better with a wider track - easier passing? I just don't feel very excited about a flat airfield with cones on it though

Cheers,

Steve

[EDLT]

Ask if you can tag along on a hot hatch day, Corsas aren't THAT fast.

[millband]

Good idea. Are all Hot Hatch days like the Knockhill ones I've seen? Not sure I fancy carrying my car home in a box!

Numptie alert -> http://videos.streetfire.net/hottestv

Edited by millband on Thursday 26th April 23:34

Edited by millband on Thursday 26th April 23:35

[EDLT]

Only if they involve the scotish.

[custardtart]

Load of tosh about it being too slow, there's no rules about what's too slow. Stick it in a novice group if you're really worried.

Having said that, you see loads of people driving supposedly fast cars really slowly in the advanced sessions.

Don't let anyone put you off, if you want to do a track day in the smart then do it. Lots of places offer tuition, often for free, so grab so of that and you may even be surprised how quickly you can get it round a track.

[johno_78]

i have a small vid of a smart car on track at marham this april. gives some idea of the speed difference involved.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I-BHPAyYCQ

[luckyp]

johno_78 said:

i have a small vid of a smart car on track at marham this april. gives some idea of the speed difference involved.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I-BHPAyYCQ

That's a four two (or the old name) not the roadster coupe that this gent is talking about. I had a roadster, superb handling, and good speed once moving. I would have no doubts about taking this to a novice or intermediate day.

Infact I was at Brands on Tuesday, and a Roadster there was being driven at a similar speed to the slower hatches. In strong sunlight, it also was very easy to see the indicators, which made for safe overtaking.

I think has just what you need for a track. Low CoG, good weight dist and reliability. Wish I had taken mine once or twice...

...plus they sound cute!!

Lucky

[millband]

Cheers again for the replies. I'm on hols in Suffolk at the moment and I'm impressed with the speed the car maintains in the little lanes here It's def. NOT a ForTwo! <shudders at the thought>

Still not sure about an open pit lane day, but can anyone recommend a company that does days split into sessions within a couple of hours of Wakefield/Leeds?

Much appreciated,

Steve

[james-speedfreak]

dont know if you've seen it, but on one of the top gears at the nuburgring where that woman is in a basic transit van over taking all sorts of faster cars and bikes, it shows that if you can get it up to speeds and get the right lines you have nothing to worry about. just go for it, it will be a great experience.
James

[EDLT]

That was slightly different, she is a proffesional and drives around there several times every day. The people she was overtaking would have been there just for the weekend once a year.