Here's a loaded question: What's the best track day car, and why? I'm really most interested in your thoughts on what makes a great track day car - the why of my question.
Let the opinions begin!
Here's a loaded question: What's the best track day car, and why? I'm really most interested in your thoughts on what makes a great track day car - the why of my question.
Let the opinions begin!
Let me be the first to say MIATA! And it is a great track day car. Cheap, great handling, tons of aftermarket. Personally, I prefer something with a bit more power and a roof, but you certainly can't go wrong with a Miata.
But for the reasons above, my personal answer is E30.
the one you can afford to run? and break?
why? if you can't focus on the fun of the track day / driving itself, it removes all the fun.
So, for myself, being on a tighter budget, I like a car with cheap replacement parts. Light weight = easier on brakes / tires, and other consumables.
I suppose as the budget is less constrained, more car specific attributes become higher priorities, but I'm not there yet.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on that, personally.
I really love my '99 Miata. It's reliable, easy to work on, cheap to operate, well known, and well tested, and FUN. And it's a platform that can, at least in theory, grow with you; want more power, LS1 can go in!
At the end of the day, my first priority is getting on track. This car does that every time.
robert
I vote for the E30.. SOLID, Safe, once running good.. fogetabouttit....
You'll be suprized how many newer/more HP cars I beat out a few weekends ago in and Autox at New Orleans Motorsport Park.
"It's just a 22 y/o 4 door 5sp. with some suspension and tires". That was my answer to the admirers.
It has over 250K miles, but the top end was rebuilt a few years ago. When the M20 is not enough, I'll consider an S50/S52 or an LS1. I have a feeling it's gonna be a looooong time before that.
Depends on your budget. Here are some of my nominations from least to most:
You'll notice there are no Radicals or Sevens or Caparo T1s in here. Well that's because those are more for serious racing than fun track days, where you want a roof.
Civic Hatchback would be one of my top choices... because it can hold tires, tools, cooler, etc. and still turn times faster than a Miata. Gobs of aftermarket and safety support, and plenty fast after a few mods.
The E30. It has a roof. It is strong. It can bounce off armco and keep on going. It is faster than spec944s or spec Miatas... (note they are lapping them pretty damn quickly in the video below...). It is reliable. It is not too fast for a beginner. They can be made a whole crapload faster with just time and money.
Example A: E30s Duking it out at the Glen
Go buy one before they are all gone.
ProDarwin wrote: Civic Hatchback would be one of my top choices... because it can hold tires, tools, cooler, etc. and still turn times faster than a Miata. Gobs of aftermarket and safety support, and plenty fast after a few mods.
I was going to say this.
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: The E30. ... Example A: E30s Duking it out at the Glen
Made me a believer. That looks like a riot!
xflowgolf wrote:Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: The E30. ... Example A: E30s Duking it out at the GlenMade me a believer. That looks like a riot!
Reminded me WHY I've had 3 E30's now.. 
xflowgolf wrote:Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: The E30. ... Example A: E30s Duking it out at the GlenMade me a believer. That looks like a riot!
Makes me want to believe... still can't get that broken rocker arm out of my head when it comes to reving the crap out of an M20... 
Ian F wrote: Makes me want to believe... still can't get that broken rocker arm out of my head when it comes to reving the crap out of an M20...
We have changed them out in the pits in under two hours - the cam slides right out if you undo the motor mounts and jack the motor up a bit, move the radiator and remove the hood.
The best thing to do is replace them all on a higher mileage motor you plan to chip for extra revs before you leave for the track.
Ian F wrote:xflowgolf wrote:Makes me want to believe... still can't get that broken rocker arm out of my head when it comes to reving the crap out of an M20...Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: The E30. ... Example A: E30s Duking it out at the GlenMade me a believer. That looks like a riot!
Bah. IE has you covered: http://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/E30-valvetrain/m20rarmHD.html
Tom_Spangler wrote: Let me be the first to say MIATA!
Heartily disagree. A Miata is a convertible, which means for certain clubs and tracks you will need either a hardtop and/or a rollbar, both of which significantly change the character (and expense) of the car.
B16 swapped Civic.
Why exactly are those so much faster than Spec 944s and Miatas?
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Why exactly are those so much faster than Spec 944s and Miatas?
They are crafted from Unicorn udders and pixie semen.
Real answer:
You are watching the top 3 qualifiers from SE30 running into the back markers. The top 944 and Miata guys are slightly slower overall but not nearly that dramatically so.
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Why exactly are those so much faster than Spec 944s and Miatas?
I don't know anything about Spec E30's, but is it 6 cyl > 4 cyl? I've ridden in a 6-cyl E30 and it was impressively quick.
Javelin wrote:Tom_Spangler wrote: Let me be the first to say MIATA!Heartily *dis*agree. A Miata is a convertible, which means for certain clubs and tracks you will need either a hardtop and/or a rollbar, both of which significantly change the character (and expense) of the car.
Which (among other reasons) is why I no longer own one. But that's really it's only downside as a track car, and there are plenty of good roll bar choices for them.
What's the goal?
Fastest, cheapest, most reliable, most like a sports car, best field if I want to race, most unique, best track clubs, etc?
If I wanted cheap fun, a Focus would be fun, too.
If I wanted to be the fastest, I would consider a used sports racer.
There's no real bad answer, I think. If you like the car, and want to track it, go for it. My buddy tracks a GTA Jr, which is worth a lot of money. Street car, so no roll bar, just a harness. man, he's super fast with it.
I'm always amazed at how many 944s I'm able to pass in my essentially stock (but for suspension) E30. They are a little quicker on the straights due to aero but lap times are very similar.
Haven't broken a rocker arm yet (knocks on wood) with 180,000 or something miles on it, but then I don't have a chip that allows me to wind it higher than it was designed, either.
I'd also vote Miata. I think any car with good driver feedback and decent handling is a good track car. Horsepower is nice, but you learn so much more in a momentum car.
Tom_Spangler wrote: Bah. IE has you covered: http://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/E30-valvetrain/m20rarmHD.html
Actually, I have those in the car now... still a bit gun shy... My ECU is still stock, although I have a Turner chip to go in it.
I don't think the top 3 SE30's running down the back-markers of the 944 and SM classes is all that surprising. There would likely be a large disparity in car prep and driver talent/experience.
Spec E30's run M20 6's. Mostly "i" engines if I'm not mistaken.
Can I change my answer?
SRF
Wait, I want to change it again...
old 911s are awesome
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