Gallardo as track car?

[Dave Angel]

Hi all!

Hoping some may be able to advise on this or share their experiences? Basically I am considering a Gallardo as my next fun weekend car but pondering on how it would be on track which is where I would like to use it as well as on road.

Are noise limits an issue with UK tracks? Too heavy for this sort of work? Has anyone in the UK gone the 2WD conversion route which seems popular in the US? Thinking this may be more useful on track in particular?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Regards

[andrew]

all the best

[rat rod]

andrew said:

all the best

NICE ONE !

[Dave Angel]

andrew said:

all the best

LOL - easy Tcut out there!

[rat rod]

Dave Angel said:

Hi all!

Hoping some may be able to advise on this or share their experiences? Basically I am considering a Gallardo as my next fun weekend car but pondering on how it would be on track which is where I would like to use it as well as on road.

Are noise limits an issue with UK tracks? Too heavy for this sort of work? Has anyone in the UK gone the 2WD conversion route which seems popular in the US? Thinking this may be more useful on track in particular?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Regards

Depending whether you intend to do these track days as a regular thing or just the odd one,

The Gen 1 Gallardo's are getting a bit old now and things will fall off so the later the car the better .

I've got a Gen 1 and have never tracked it for that reason, but i have tracked my track focused 308 GTB over a period of 25 years

Not the same car i know but similar in it's day.

If doing it on a regular basis you will need deep pockets,

If you are trying hard enough you will leave the track with worn tyres,brake pads and probably oil leaks that you
didn't have when you arrived.

If fitted with a de-cat sports exhaust you may not get as far as the track so would need a spare standard exhaust lying around.

I have straight throw pipes on the GTB but have to change them with the standard silencer for most track days which is a lot easier than on a Gallardo,

I think it would be a good idea to go for the two wheel drive conversion anyway, should improve the steering and make the car lighter
with all that junk taken off. More fun as well but would make for slower laps in the wet unless you got big balls.

Talking from experience i think it could be a liability unless you are just doing the occasional track day.

I blew my engine at the beginning of one of the seasons, and thinking i'll have it back on the track half way through the summer , wrong

18 months later and considerably poorer i was back on track.

Meanwhile i'd gone though a number of what i thought was going to be it's temporary replacement,

A tarmac rally Cosworth followed by modified hatches even a couple of single seaters but couldn't be bothered with all the flaffing around with the 4x4 's and trailers, Nice to just drive the car to the track,do the tyre pressures and go, plus you got a extra road car..

Finally bought a 230 b.h.p Caterham 7 ,now instead of £500/£1,000 bills for the smaller items that broke on the GTB and thousands for the
major ones i now pay £150/£300 if miner and very rarely anything over £1,000 for larger items, and it's ready with in hours instead of waiting
for weeks and months .

The cost of repairs whether mechanical or god forbid bodywork would buy you a Caterham or similar outright and save you devaluing

your Gallardo. Not what you want to hear i know and would depend on the amount of track days you were thinking of doing anyway.

Wouldn't be scared to take my Gallardo on the track as they are pretty bomb proof but not on a regular basis.

Edited by rat rod on Sunday 29th November 15:38

[Dave Angel]

Thanks for the reply - just what I was looking for. Would not be regular but more occasional track days/events - as you mention have done the dedicated track car thing with the trailer faff etc so like the appeal of driving there and (hopefully!) driving back.

Appreciate expenses would increase (pads/oils/tyres etc) but wondered how robust the Gallardo would be - much of what I have read suggests they are quite strong in normal use? More so than equivalent Ferrari (360/430]?

[rat rod]

Dave Angel said:

Thanks for the reply - just what I was looking for. Would not be regular but more occasional track days/events - as you mention have done the dedicated track car thing with the trailer faff etc so like the appeal of driving there and (hopefully!) driving back.

Appreciate expenses would increase (pads/oils/tyres etc) but wondered how robust the Gallardo would be - much of what I have read suggests they are quite strong in normal use? More so than equivalent Ferrari (360/430]?

You'll be fine with the Gallardo, as long as your not tracking it every weekend, Feels well put together.

More German build quality with Italian soul.

Got a F 430 and find it easier to drive in traffic being paddle shift than the Gallardo which is a manual .

but once out of town there's not much between them. Would say the Gallardo gives the wilder ride as it can get

a little twitchy on the limit. Good luck with your search.

[Dave Angel]

Useful - thanks!

[jeremyc]

Dave Angel said:

Has anyone in the UK gone the 2WD conversion route which seems popular in the US? Thinking this may be more useful on track in particular?

Or just buy one of the 2WD ones in the first place (Balboni/LP550-2, LP560-2).

[fataitch]

My LP560 hovered around 106db at 4K revs with std exhaust; too loud for most tracks, most of the time.

On track, it was excellent, but really benefits from sticky tyres & better pads (& hoses if you don’t have them already). It will understeer if pushed too hard and the front tyres do suffer no matter how you adjust your driving style.

Properly maintained & used, they are bombproof.

Overall, after a few different circuits, I came to the conclusion (that I always do !) that, generally speaking, a good road car doesn’t really translate into a good track car and vice verse.

The changes required to make it exhilarating & capable on track detract from the fun when “pootling at the weekend”.

For occasional track adventures, it will be great fun. Anything more regular or serious look elsewhere. In my opinion, 991 Turbo S is the closest I’ve found to be the one car that fits all (due to its electronic adjustability to suit all moods) - but it’s not a Lambo !

Perf Spyder anyone ?

[Dave Angel]

Thanks for the reply - hmm thinking noise limits may be problem though you can put additional silencers on if needed or at least I have seen others cars do this at various tracks over the years. Will to check my local tracks....

Would be interested to how how 2WD compares on track - assume less under steer? More neutral balance? Seems a cheap conversation/change from what I have read on US forums?

Other cars I have been considering so far have probably been more track focused (certainly lighter) but sadly they don’t have that V10 engine!