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New to the site looking for advice please
D - 10/1/07 at 01:06 PM

Hello everyone,

I have just registered as i am possibly interested in building or buying a car for trackday use in the next few months. I used to have a Mazda rx7 which i did quite a few trackdays at knockhill with but the running costs involved were getting silly.

I don't really know what model to go for as i am completely new to these cars. Wether to build or buy second hand, which is more cost effective, i have enough mechanical experience to be able to build but if its cheaper to buy second hand i would probably prefer this.

I would be interested to hear about running costs in perticularly trackday costs so i can try and build a fuller picture to plan if this direction is suitable and if so what sort of money to put aside, and any other info you guys would think is relevant.

Sorry for all the questions but i don't want to just rush in and buy something without doing my homework.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Cheers

D


donut - 10/1/07 at 01:12 PM

EVERYONE will argue till they are blu in the face saying this is better than that and that company are no good etc.... Go visit the companies and test the cars. Best way...oh and WELCOME!!!


D - 10/1/07 at 01:18 PM

hee hee, sounds just like the mazda forum

Thanks, i will do, i am not in a position to buy at present, should have enough cash my march, i am just doing as much internet homework as i can just now...

Cheers for the advice.


iank - 10/1/07 at 01:24 PM

The next totalkitcar LIVE! is at Oulton Park on March 24.

Most of the manufacturers attend and you can get a ride out onto the track if you look like a serious buyer.

As for building vs buying, like for like buying will usually be cheaper and will certainly get you on the track quicker. Minimum cost is for those that build over a couple of years and barter/favour parts over that time.

But building your own is all/most/part of the fun for most people here, and you also get to specify every detail which is important if you want to race.

Let the BEC vs CEC bickering commence


donut - 10/1/07 at 01:24 PM

Well start with MK, Stewart Taylor, Raw Striker, Luego, GTS, & MNR. That will keep you busy for a little while!!


donut - 10/1/07 at 01:25 PM

quote:

Let the BEC vs CEC bickering commence

Oh Bugger!!


scotlad - 10/1/07 at 01:36 PM

Hi D

Where about are you? you can have a ride in/ look at mine if you want. i'm at bonnyrigg near edinburgh

And if you've been to knockhill you may recognise where my avatar photo was taken!!

[Edited on 10/1/07 by scotlad]


Big Daz - 10/1/07 at 01:40 PM

Scoobylav & I are doing just that, We have been tracking a Nos powered 205GTI for the last 18 months at Knockhill, we sold it 4 months ago and are currently building a Zetec powered Tiger for use this year. The aim is to have our 1st trackday on 10th March. We do all the SIDC days and intend to do all the hot marques days this year also.
A lower powered catheringvan type car is a good match for a scoob so ours should hold its own against most of the machinery there.
Have a look in my or scoobylavs archive to see our progress so far

Cheers

Daz


chockymonster - 10/1/07 at 01:42 PM

I was in exactly the same position as you this time last year. My Evo V was my track day toy and it was hurting my pocket. I decided to go down the kit route after seeing some Bike engined cars in action. I spoke to the likes of MK, MNR and MAC1 to get an idea of what it was going to cost and then went to see some cars.

I ended up chosing the MNR and I'm over the moon with it. I can't comment on trackday costs, but knowing that 4 R888 tyres are £240, disks and pads are peanuts in comparison to the Evo stuff so it can only be cheaper!


OX - 10/1/07 at 02:04 PM

the most expensive part of trackdays i think is booking the trackday then the fuel,think the last one i did i used £80 of fuel. i use slicks ,they stick to the track like nothing else and cost me £40 secondhand for the lot ,the compound i have is a little to hard for these types of cars but still gives plenty of grip and they have done 4 trackdays with maybe one more left in them,im not sure how long the softer ones would last i suppose it depends on the track. iv changed the oil in mine twice in 2000 miles including the trackdays. it only really hits the pocket if you come off the track or hit anything .


zxrlocost - 10/1/07 at 02:18 PM

The Future is Bike Power!

Description
Description



Description
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R1 power Gone but not forgotten as the Bloke across the road now owns it

ST zx9r on the way woohooo

ta chris


D - 10/1/07 at 02:29 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scotlad
Hi D

Where about are you? you can have a ride in/ look at mine if you want. i'm at bonnyrigg near edinburgh

And if you've been to knockhill you may recognise where my avatar photo was taken!!

[Edited on 10/1/07 by scotlad]


Oh i miss that hairpin! i havent been on tracksince i sold the rx7..

Thanks guys, i will look at the companies you suggested and see what they are saying.

I live in Edinburgh so i might well take you up on the offer to come to bonnyrigg mate. Im in the process of selling my flat and buying a house so when the dust settles from that i intend to buy my track toy, assuming my wife hasn't spent all my money on sofa's etc...


Big Daz - 10/1/07 at 03:31 PM

We will be at Knockhill this year loads with the Tiger also, if you fancy a look or pax lap give me a shout from march onwards & I am sure something can be arranged


D - 10/1/07 at 04:34 PM

Thanks, i way well take you up on that!

cheers

D


scotlad - 10/1/07 at 05:05 PM

No bother mate gimme a shout when you're available and we can arrange something


coozer - 10/1/07 at 06:02 PM

Hello D

As with everything the list is endless. You need to decide whether to buy or build, then if you decide to build is it a kit or do you start from scratch.

Personally I think the best way to build a purely track day car (no road reg) is Locost.

I looked at all the manufacturers, the pro's and cons of scratch building and plumbed for the MNR.

I have to mention the Procomp LA Gold as I think it is a suberb track day car but a little long in the tooth still using MK2 Escort bits, if it had been based on Sierra.... another story. There are a load of options and its just about narrowing it all down to one choice

Its up to you, your pocket, how much work you want to put, but I'm sure you will end up with a superb race car either and be mighty proud of your creation.

Welcome,
Steve