Car Track days

John Fletcher

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2017
Messages
73
Reaction score
13
Location
Barrow upon Humber
Website
www.vbr-turbinepartners.com
Your Mercedes
E350 Estate
Anyone on this forum venture to track days with their cars - Mercs or otherwise?

I have a Clio 182 that I have tracked for a few years and also compete in the Javelin Sprint Series - not as often as I would like but....
 

robparker

Senior Member
Authorised Forum Supporter
Joined
Apr 18, 2006
Messages
2,695
Reaction score
426
Location
Taunton
Your Mercedes
220d (115), 190d (201), c63 (204), 220ce (124)
Im desperate to do one at castle combe this coming year, I keep not doing it..
 

tc smith

Active Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2017
Messages
42
Reaction score
17
Your Mercedes
slk350 (R171)
Morning John, last couple of years I've been to Donington Park using the Bookatrack caterham hire, it's not cheap but means you don't have the hassles of running a track car, or the worry of trashing your own car. Great fun if a little chilly some days. Must be getting old as most of the overtakes were by other cars :)
 

alexanderfoti

MBO Forum Supporter
Authorised Forum Supporter
Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Messages
15,091
Reaction score
6,247
Location
Tonbridge
Your Mercedes
W221 S65 AMG - W204 C63 AMG + Various other MB's
I am very much up for something in the C class, but worried about running about on a track with other people (damage), would be up for something if anybody can provide recommendations?
 

ianplymouth

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2013
Messages
347
Reaction score
68
Location
Plymouth, Devon
Your Mercedes
SL55 amg, Renault G Espase 2.0Dci 175+, Megane 265 cup
Anyone on this forum venture to track days with their cars - Mercs or otherwise?

I have a Clio 182 that I have tracked for a few years and also compete in the Javelin Sprint Series - not as often as I would like but....

Hi
I bought my SL55 over 3 years ago now and thought it would be good to give it a go on a track, never done anything like this before, the only problem was that my first was at the Nurburgring, i did really enjoy it but it did cost me a lot of money in repairs on things like wheel arch lines, a couple of coolant hoses on my return.

So when i went again to the Nurburgring i hired a car, i ended up with a Renault Megane R26r, what an epic car, my best time in the SL was around 10 minutes 40, in the Megane i did it in 8 minutes 40, not bad for a car with less than half the power of the SL.

A bit later i bought a Megane 225 for £2k and i solely use it for trackdays, done about 30 in total now, i am quite addicted to it, track etiquette in general is very good, they do watch to see if drivers are behaving, so have a go and make your own mind up, but i will say it is well worth booking an instructor, for £20-30 it has been the best money i have spent, Castle Combe is a very fast track, i would get to another one first and build some confidence in your car.
 

Blobcat

Moderator
Joined
Feb 8, 2006
Messages
38,787
Reaction score
27,423
Location
Grange Moor
Your Mercedes
R171 SLK280, Smart R451, Land Rover 110 County SW, 997 C2S, R1250 GSA TE 40th, CBR600FP
I have with my 911, very enjoyable although it cost me a set of tyres, brakes and suspension bushes - it was going to need them anyway but much sooner when on the track... :)
 
OP
John Fletcher

John Fletcher

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2017
Messages
73
Reaction score
13
Location
Barrow upon Humber
Website
www.vbr-turbinepartners.com
Your Mercedes
E350 Estate
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
I am very much up for something in the C class, but worried about running about on a track with other people (damage), would be up for something if anybody can provide recommendations?

Very understandable but you go at your own pace within your capabilities and experience....my Clio is track specific and on a trailer (or at least was as I have sold that now)...but the exotica at track days is phenomenal...I have though seen some very bent exotica over the years but only because they ran out of talent and not anybody else's fault...

Problem with track days it is very addictive - VERY VERY VERY :)
 
OP
John Fletcher

John Fletcher

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2017
Messages
73
Reaction score
13
Location
Barrow upon Humber
Website
www.vbr-turbinepartners.com
Your Mercedes
E350 Estate
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Hi
I bought my SL55 over 3 years ago now and thought it would be good to give it a go on a track, never done anything like this before, the only problem was that my first was at the Nurburgring, i did really enjoy it but it did cost me a lot of money in repairs on things like wheel arch lines, a couple of coolant hoses on my return.

So when i went again to the Nurburgring i hired a car, i ended up with a Renault Megane R26r, what an epic car, my best time in the SL was around 10 minutes 40, in the Megane i did it in 8 minutes 40, not bad for a car with less than half the power of the SL.

A bit later i bought a Megane 225 for £2k and i solely use it for trackdays, done about 30 in total now, i am quite addicted to it, track etiquette in general is very good, they do watch to see if drivers are behaving, so have a go and make your own mind up, but i will say it is well worth booking an instructor, for £20-30 it has been the best money i have spent, Castle Combe is a very fast track, i would get to another one first and build some confidence in your car.

Hopefully see you on track in 2018 Ian...

Yeah agree about first time track not been Castle Combe. Try Blyton as that easy enough and flat. Or Bedford. My favourite is Oulton Park and Assen followed by Donnington then Cadwell. I have ridden and driven at almost all apart from Brands...
 
OP
John Fletcher

John Fletcher

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2017
Messages
73
Reaction score
13
Location
Barrow upon Humber
Website
www.vbr-turbinepartners.com
Your Mercedes
E350 Estate
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #10
Morning John, last couple of years I've been to Donington Park using the Bookatrack caterham hire, it's not cheap but means you don't have the hassles of running a track car, or the worry of trashing your own car. Great fun if a little chilly some days. Must be getting old as most of the overtakes were by other cars :)

Never driven a Caterham TC but plenty on track for sure. I never admit to being overtaken although happens quite often and yes, think its an age thing - I have too many broken bones from racing bikes on track so self preservation kicks in now much sooner :)
 
OP
John Fletcher

John Fletcher

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2017
Messages
73
Reaction score
13
Location
Barrow upon Humber
Website
www.vbr-turbinepartners.com
Your Mercedes
E350 Estate
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #11
Im desperate to do one at castle combe this coming year, I keep not doing it..

Is it your first track Rob? If so would suggest a different track first but if you do go CC use the day to learn the track and don't worry about going fast just steady and learn it. Its quite a fast track that can catch you out as you try to go faster and faster. That applies to each track of course but some are easier to learn than others.

I reckon I have been around Oulton Park some 100 times over the years and I still learn something every session! And Cadwell probably same amount of times and again learning all the time...
 

star

Forum Supporter
Authorised Forum Supporter
Joined
Oct 6, 2004
Messages
6,209
Reaction score
1,874
Location
Reading
Your Mercedes
Smart + others :)
Buy a track car, then you don’t have to worry about your p and j. Yes it’s fun to track your road car but it soon runs out of grip/brakes etc. Agree it’s very addictive, that’s why I have a race car for track days, it never stops so great value for money and no worries.
Oulton park or Cadwell park get my thumbs up.
 
OP
John Fletcher

John Fletcher

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2017
Messages
73
Reaction score
13
Location
Barrow upon Humber
Website
www.vbr-turbinepartners.com
Your Mercedes
E350 Estate
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #13
Buy a track car, then you don’t have to worry about your p and j. Yes it’s fun to track your road car but it soon runs out of grip/brakes etc. Agree it’s very addictive, that’s why I have a race car for track days, it never stops so great value for money and no worries.
Oulton park or Cadwell park get my thumbs up.

Totally agree - dedicated car for track then you don't care about the scratches, dents etc....Ive ploughed a lot of money in to this Clio but its safe and strong and goes like stink :)
 

ianplymouth

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2013
Messages
347
Reaction score
68
Location
Plymouth, Devon
Your Mercedes
SL55 amg, Renault G Espase 2.0Dci 175+, Megane 265 cup
Hopefully see you on track in 2018 Ian...

Yeah agree about first time track not been Castle Combe. Try Blyton as that easy enough and flat. Or Bedford. My favourite is Oulton Park and Assen followed by Donnington then Cadwell. I have ridden and driven at almost all apart from Brands...

Hi John
Never been to Blyton, Bedford is great, Abingdon is also one to give a go, it has loads of run off if you get it wrong (it's an airfield) and not a lot money either, Oulton has to be my top track also, Anglesey is also worth going to, I am not overly impressed with Brands Hatch, i went mid week as i thought it would be quieter, spent most of the day queuing behind slower cars waiting for the straight, want to do the full course at some point but at nearly £500 :shock:

I will more than likely be going to Oulton the end of February early March, going to Leeds to get a map tweak after my engine rebuild.

Do you go to any of the Renault UK trackdays ????
 

ianplymouth

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2013
Messages
347
Reaction score
68
Location
Plymouth, Devon
Your Mercedes
SL55 amg, Renault G Espase 2.0Dci 175+, Megane 265 cup
Also i have done two 2 day sessions at Spa this year, awesome circuit, i am going to go again in 2018 and going to do a track day at the ring, so much quieter than a pay per lap day.
 

ianplymouth

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2013
Messages
347
Reaction score
68
Location
Plymouth, Devon
Your Mercedes
SL55 amg, Renault G Espase 2.0Dci 175+, Megane 265 cup
I like this one, a 911 turbo getting blue flagged in front of me :)

 

star

Forum Supporter
Authorised Forum Supporter
Joined
Oct 6, 2004
Messages
6,209
Reaction score
1,874
Location
Reading
Your Mercedes
Smart + others :)
It’s easy to chase exotica down and overtake them, they are more likely not to be driving at the cars limit due to value and most probable it’s their p and j. I don’t track my other car due to the value. The fun comes when your against a similar car and driver. ;D
 

mercedes13156

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2005
Messages
1,267
Reaction score
211
Location
West Lothian
Your Mercedes
CLK 200 Cabrio and a Ford Kuga
Olivers Mount at Scarborough. It's a public road with a 30 limit on it unless there's a race day on. I've been round it many many times on bikes and in cars, latterly Mrs 13156's CLK with the roof down averaging about 50mph for a flying lap. Anyone who knows the track knows that's not very fast, but very interesting in the corners. Then in for coffee and cakes in the cafe with a fantastic view of the South Bay.
 

alexanderfoti

MBO Forum Supporter
Authorised Forum Supporter
Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Messages
15,091
Reaction score
6,247
Location
Tonbridge
Your Mercedes
W221 S65 AMG - W204 C63 AMG + Various other MB's
It’s easy to chase exotica down and overtake them, they are more likely not to be driving at the cars limit due to value and most probable it’s their p and j. I don’t track my other car due to the value. The fun comes when your against a similar car and driver. ;D

I did wonder why you kept refering to them as peanut butter and jam until I realised....

It does make sense to buy something dedicated for the track, track insurance on big stuff is expensive.
 

Blobcat

Moderator
Joined
Feb 8, 2006
Messages
38,787
Reaction score
27,423
Location
Grange Moor
Your Mercedes
R171 SLK280, Smart R451, Land Rover 110 County SW, 997 C2S, R1250 GSA TE 40th, CBR600FP
My plumber races 2cv's and has done 24 hr races with them, great fun and very little outlay
 


www.W140.co.uk&www.r129.co
Specialist in parts for W140 and R129 Mercedes-Benz models.
Top Bottom