Board logo

Trackdays - is there a restriction on car type ?
Wheels244 - 16/7/11 at 09:07 PM

Hello All

Some of you will be aware that I'm interested in taking on Scootz's single seater project.

There's little point me going to the expense and time to build it, if I won't have anywhere to use it.

Here is what it will look like when it's finished ( hope you don't me using the photo Wyn)

Description
Description


So, here's the question - will trackday organisers andor tracks allow this sort of car on normal trackdays ?

I would be looking to mainly use it at Croft, Cadwell and Donnington.

Thanks

Rob


eddie99 - 16/7/11 at 09:11 PM

Being an open wheel car, you wont get on normal trackdays. Open wheel testing will be fine but you need a race license for it im afraid!

We struggle in the global on some trackdays purely because its only got 1 seat.

EDIT: Sorry i know its not the answer your looking for!

[Edited on 16/7/11 by eddie99]


Wheels244 - 16/7/11 at 09:21 PM

B*gger - this could put a right spanner in the works !

If I was to put cycle wings on it would it make any difference ?

Or is it the fact that it's a race car ?


omega 24 v6 - 16/7/11 at 09:46 PM

Its the fact that the wheels are not covered by the main bodywork thats the problem. Cycle wings will make no differrence IMHO. Look at the spectacular wheel to wheel accidents in formula ford/1/renault/bmw etc and you will see why they don't like them on trackdays.

Sorry


eddie99 - 16/7/11 at 10:55 PM

However if you want me to test it and try it out, i'll be more than willing to


morcus - 17/7/11 at 06:09 AM

When I had a look on Lydden hill's website they said you had to make a group booking for open wheel cars because you could only go out with other open wheel cars. I've never done a track day but I'm guessing from what it said on there your best bet would be to find a club and go on a Club day.

As I say Thats just something I infered from one tracks web page on booking track days.

Might be worth getting yourself a lisence. How hard can it be? Aparantly Sally Traffic has one (Not that I'm suggesting this proves it's easy, mearly that it's quite an intresting fact).


jeffw - 17/7/11 at 06:41 AM

Best thing to do is pass your ARDS test and get the safety gear (helmet, suit, boots & underwear) and then you can do 'test' days at most circuits. I can't think of a trackday I've been on in the last 30 years which allowed open wheel cars.


Wadders - 17/7/11 at 07:25 AM

If you put cycle wings on it you should be ok, Chris Mason used to do track days in his Sprint R.
Just check with the organisers before booking.

Al


lewis - 17/7/11 at 07:39 AM

you could use it for hillclimbs & sprints


P ? - 17/7/11 at 08:29 AM

Technically speaking doesn't a se7en whether it be a caterham Westfield or other come under same oPen wheel restrictions?


adithorp - 17/7/11 at 08:50 AM

There were quite a few SprintR's doing track days. I've read that most track day organisers have now banned single seaters now though so even with cycle wings (like a SprintR) you wouldn't be allowed.


TimC - 17/7/11 at 10:14 AM

Forget trackdays - they'll be few and far between that will accept that car.

As Ed says, do your ARDS and use test days - more fun anyway - no passing by consent blah blah - just pass where you can.

And then there's always 750MC Formula 4.


Wheels244 - 18/7/11 at 08:36 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I don't have the funds or the time to race unfortunately - as I would love to.

Hillclimbstimetrials don't interest me I'm afraid, I would prefer to race people rather that the clock.

I can't really see what the difference is between our 'normal' kit cars and those with 'open' wheels.
Lets face it, our wheels are only covered with a flimsy bit of fibre glass with absolutely no structural integrity.
Can't understand the single seater ban either.

I believe the test days are much more expensive ??? even if I was to get a race license.

I want to do track days as I have a few mates with BEC's.

[Edited on 18/7/11 by Wheels244]


morcus - 19/7/11 at 03:46 AM

I might be wrong but don't you get more track time on test days? I thought they were mostly open pit lane type affairs (I imagine simillar to an F1 free practice) and you needed a lisence because you had to merge with traffic comeing out of the pits and stuff like that.


jeffw - 19/7/11 at 05:53 AM

You will also need all the same safety equipment as if you where racing.

The reason TDOs don't like open wheel cars is the speed differential (and potential for disaster) between something like a 10 year F3 car and a brand new Porsche GT3. Race and road cars don't mix well on track as anyone who has been on a trackday with a race Radical or similar will understand.

Check with some TDOs and see what they say.