Are track cars the future for the RS owner
04-12-2006, 07:06 PM
#1
Are track cars the future for the RS owner
As title
It just seems to me that everyone is building track cars rather than buftying these days
This is great i think as it will keep the old cossie RST etc alive a little longer and gives us all somthing a bit more exciting to do other than just polishing
So who is thinking of building one ??
Paul
ps, i have just bought my new track toy
some mods to do to it when i get time 
It just seems to me that everyone is building track cars rather than buftying these days
This is great i think as it will keep the old cossie RST etc alive a little longer and gives us all somthing a bit more exciting to do other than just polishing
So who is thinking of building one ??
Paul
ps, i have just bought my new track toy
some mods to do to it when i get time
04-12-2006, 07:18 PM
#3
PassionFord Post Troll
well im 17 and been going to track days with my dad since i was older enough to see... also watched him over the years building his track car's
so when im old enough to insure an Rs without been bled dry thats going to to be my first track car
so when im old enough to insure an Rs without been bled dry thats going to to be my first track car
04-12-2006, 07:22 PM
#5
With the prices of old tatty saffs these days you can have a good track toy for 5k
5k is a lot of money but still the cheapest way to get on a race track with a cossie powered car
I have seen quick track toys built for 1k tho
Old xr 4x4 etc
5k is a lot of money but still the cheapest way to get on a race track with a cossie powered car
I have seen quick track toys built for 1k tho
Old xr 4x4 etc
04-12-2006, 07:55 PM
#7
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Re: Are track cars the future for the RS owner
Originally Posted by NORTH YORKS RS SPARES
it will keep the old cossie RST etc alive a little longer and gives us all somthing a bit more exciting to do other than just polishing
Trending Topics
04-12-2006, 07:55 PM
#8
Advanced PassionFord User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: kent
Posts: 1,547
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Exactly why i bought a Q plate 3dr nearly 4yrs ago & paid half the price. Its not the quickest thing on trackdays but i always get people asking me about it at trackdays as you do'nt seem to see many Cossies at non Ford/RS trackdays. I much prefer non RS trackdays as you get a good mix of cars.
Trackdays are the way to go if you want to keep your licience. I could buy something that would be far better on trackdays but i love my cossie's
Simon.
Trackdays are the way to go if you want to keep your licience. I could buy something that would be far better on trackdays but i love my cossie's
Simon.
04-12-2006, 08:12 PM
#11
Advanced PassionFord User
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: stufFORDshire
Posts: 1,637
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
deffo,its the only way to get its full potentual
been trackin now for about 2 yrs
wont go back to being a concours plebe 
had cossies for10 years
but if we did do the same old shows with the same cars in the same place we,d just go in the miss, car
been trackin now for about 2 yrs
wont go back to being a concours plebe
had cossies for10 years
but if we did do the same old shows with the same cars in the same place we,d just go in the miss, car
04-12-2006, 08:15 PM
#12
PassionFord Post Whore!!
I know I'm not an RS owner, but I enjoy driving my car more than looking at it 
I'm not exactly "building" a car, but more making it more useable on track. Not been on a propper track day yet, that will come in the new year, but done a few sessions in it, and it's great fun.
The only way to properly compare your car to others, which can be quite suprising sometimes!
I'm not exactly "building" a car, but more making it more useable on track. Not been on a propper track day yet, that will come in the new year, but done a few sessions in it, and it's great fun.
The only way to properly compare your car to others, which can be quite suprising sometimes!
04-12-2006, 08:21 PM
#13
20K+ Super Poster.
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 23,377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The funny thing is that a lot of people building "track cars" haven't even done a track day in their life!
There's a huge difference between building a track car and using their exisiting car on track, but people seem to be following fashion. No different than the housewife down at the tennis club with all the most expensive gear, but can't hit a lick, or the guy who turns up at the bowling alley with his own ball and bowls an 85.
Next year should be very entertaining
There's a huge difference between building a track car and using their exisiting car on track, but people seem to be following fashion. No different than the housewife down at the tennis club with all the most expensive gear, but can't hit a lick, or the guy who turns up at the bowling alley with his own ball and bowls an 85.
Next year should be very entertaining
04-12-2006, 08:45 PM
#17
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: oxfordshire/berkshire
Posts: 7,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by RichardPON
The funny thing is that a lot of people building "track cars" haven't even done a track day in their life!
There's a huge difference between building a track car and using their exisiting car on track, but people seem to be following fashion. No different than the housewife down at the tennis club with all the most expensive gear, but can't hit a lick, or the guy who turns up at the bowling alley with his own ball and bowls an 85.
Next year should be very entertaining
There's a huge difference between building a track car and using their exisiting car on track, but people seem to be following fashion. No different than the housewife down at the tennis club with all the most expensive gear, but can't hit a lick, or the guy who turns up at the bowling alley with his own ball and bowls an 85.
Next year should be very entertaining
As said above you cant realy do it on the roads .
I do have experience Off road playing in MUD ect and everyone has to learn weather its a pinto of cossie
Also my Saph is going to be road use aswell
04-12-2006, 10:51 PM
#25
20K+ Super Poster.
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 23,377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Alan s1
Originally Posted by RichardPON
The funny thing is that a lot of people building "track cars" haven't even done a track day in their life!
There's a huge difference between building a track car and using their exisiting car on track, but people seem to be following fashion. No different than the housewife down at the tennis club with all the most expensive gear, but can't hit a lick, or the guy who turns up at the bowling alley with his own ball and bowls an 85.
Next year should be very entertaining
There's a huge difference between building a track car and using their exisiting car on track, but people seem to be following fashion. No different than the housewife down at the tennis club with all the most expensive gear, but can't hit a lick, or the guy who turns up at the bowling alley with his own ball and bowls an 85.
Next year should be very entertaining
As said above you cant realy do it on the roads .
I do have experience Off road playing in MUD ect and everyone has to learn weather its a pinto of cossie
Also my Saph is going to be road use aswell
People are going crazy, spending £3k on suspension, putting in 500bhp engines etc, and they have no idea why.
Building a track car (unless you have a huge budget) should be about the complete package, and that includes the driver. You don't need a 400bhp Cossie to be able to drive on circuit. In fact, that's probably the last thing you need.
I've been out as a passenger with enough people to know that for all the money they've spent on their car to turn it into a "track beast/weapon/whatever", it's all wasted when they can't even hold the steering wheel correctly, or know where the racing line is.
Track cars are fashionable at the moment, cos sure as shit, stripped out caged road cars are hideous to drive anywhere but on circuit, and most of these "track weapons" see more shows than track days.
I did a track day with a few MR2 Turbos are Bedford recently, along with the Elise forum lot. One guy who fancied himself as a bit of a driver (even though he's useless) came away from the day shouting about needing more power, even though he runs 300bhp! The reason? He was getting passed by loads of Elises and needed to pull away more on the straights.
He couldn't drive a slippery stick up a dog's arse, yet wanted more power, better suspension, bigger brakes. The problem was nothing to do with the car, as I took the car out, and pedalled the shit out of it, and it performed very well indeed. His response - "I didn't know the car could do that".
I'm not shouting my own talents here. God knows, I'm far from the best driver on here - clearly, that's "I've been driving RWD for 60 years Marco"
but I have a fair bit of racing experience, and a lot of track experience, and there's far more to be gained from spending money on learning to drive properly than there is adding another 200bhp under the bonnet for example. Even the mulleted father of 26 children will agree with that.
04-12-2006, 11:05 PM
#26
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: oxfordshire/berkshire
Posts: 7,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by RichardPON
Originally Posted by Alan s1
Originally Posted by RichardPON
The funny thing is that a lot of people building "track cars" haven't even done a track day in their life!
There's a huge difference between building a track car and using their exisiting car on track, but people seem to be following fashion. No different than the housewife down at the tennis club with all the most expensive gear, but can't hit a lick, or the guy who turns up at the bowling alley with his own ball and bowls an 85.
Next year should be very entertaining
There's a huge difference between building a track car and using their exisiting car on track, but people seem to be following fashion. No different than the housewife down at the tennis club with all the most expensive gear, but can't hit a lick, or the guy who turns up at the bowling alley with his own ball and bowls an 85.
Next year should be very entertaining
As said above you cant realy do it on the roads .
I do have experience Off road playing in MUD ect and everyone has to learn weather its a pinto of cossie
Also my Saph is going to be road use aswell
People are going crazy, spending £3k on suspension, putting in 500bhp engines etc, and they have no idea why.
Building a track car (unless you have a huge budget) should be about the complete package, and that includes the driver. You don't need a 400bhp Cossie to be able to drive on circuit. In fact, that's probably the last thing you need.
I've been out as a passenger with enough people to know that for all the money they've spent on their car to turn it into a "track beast/weapon/whatever", it's all wasted when they can't even hold the steering wheel correctly, or know where the racing line is.
Track cars are fashionable at the moment, cos sure as shit, stripped out caged road cars are hideous to drive anywhere but on circuit, and most of these "track weapons" see more shows than track days.
I did a track day with a few MR2 Turbos are Bedford recently, along with the Elise forum lot. One guy who fancied himself as a bit of a driver (even though he's useless) came away from the day shouting about needing more power, even though he runs 300bhp! The reason? He was getting passed by loads of Elises and needed to pull away more on the straights.
He couldn't drive a slippery stick up a dog's arse, yet wanted more power, better suspension, bigger brakes. The problem was nothing to do with the car, as I took the car out, and pedalled the shit out of it, and it performed very well indeed. His response - "I didn't know the car could do that".
I'm not shouting my own talents here. God knows, I'm far from the best driver on here - clearly, that's "I've been driving RWD for 60 years Marco"
but I have a fair bit of racing experience, and a lot of track experience, and there's far more to be gained from spending money on learning to drive properly than there is adding another 200bhp under the bonnet for example. Even the mulleted father of 26 children will agree with that. I do agree Alex F said to me the best way is to get some lessons its worth every penny
I will be doing this also Alex said he would sit in and show me also 
Or tho i think hes mad My cossie wont have the best of every thing its being done on a budget Stg 3 2wd i have put a 6 point cage in and some other small bits on it and yes i have stripped it out
But i have the other car for every day use or tho i'll use the cossie when ever i can on the road And taking it to the shows
04-12-2006, 11:07 PM
#27
Originally Posted by RichardPON
People are going crazy, spending £3k on suspension, putting in 500bhp engines etc, and they have no idea why.
Building a track car (unless you have a huge budget) should be about the complete package, and that includes the driver. You don't need a 400bhp Cossie to be able to drive on circuit. In fact, that's probably the last thing you need.
I've been out as a passenger with enough people to know that for all the money they've spent on their car to turn it into a "track beast/weapon/whatever", it's all wasted when they can't even hold the steering wheel correctly, or know where the racing line is.
Track cars are fashionable at the moment, cos sure as shit, stripped out caged road cars are hideous to drive anywhere but on circuit, and most of these "track weapons" see more shows than track days.
I did a track day with a few MR2 Turbos are Bedford recently, along with the Elise forum lot. One guy who fancied himself as a bit of a driver (even though he's useless) came away from the day shouting about needing more power, even though he runs 300bhp! The reason? He was getting passed by loads of Elises and needed to pull away more on the straights.
He couldn't drive a slippery stick up a dog's arse, yet wanted more power, better suspension, bigger brakes. The problem was nothing to do with the car, as I took the car out, and pedalled the shit out of it, and it performed very well indeed. His response - "I didn't know the car could do that".
I'm not shouting my own talents here. God knows, I'm far from the best driver on here - clearly, that's "I've been driving RWD for 60 years Marco" but I have a fair bit of racing experience, and a lot of track experience, and there's far more to be gained from spending money on learning to drive properly than there is adding another 200bhp under the bonnet for example. Even the mulleted father of 26 children will agree with that.
Building a track car (unless you have a huge budget) should be about the complete package, and that includes the driver. You don't need a 400bhp Cossie to be able to drive on circuit. In fact, that's probably the last thing you need.
I've been out as a passenger with enough people to know that for all the money they've spent on their car to turn it into a "track beast/weapon/whatever", it's all wasted when they can't even hold the steering wheel correctly, or know where the racing line is.
Track cars are fashionable at the moment, cos sure as shit, stripped out caged road cars are hideous to drive anywhere but on circuit, and most of these "track weapons" see more shows than track days.
I did a track day with a few MR2 Turbos are Bedford recently, along with the Elise forum lot. One guy who fancied himself as a bit of a driver (even though he's useless) came away from the day shouting about needing more power, even though he runs 300bhp! The reason? He was getting passed by loads of Elises and needed to pull away more on the straights.
He couldn't drive a slippery stick up a dog's arse, yet wanted more power, better suspension, bigger brakes. The problem was nothing to do with the car, as I took the car out, and pedalled the shit out of it, and it performed very well indeed. His response - "I didn't know the car could do that".
I'm not shouting my own talents here. God knows, I'm far from the best driver on here - clearly, that's "I've been driving RWD for 60 years Marco"
but I have a fair bit of racing experience, and a lot of track experience, and there's far more to be gained from spending money on learning to drive properly than there is adding another 200bhp under the bonnet for example. Even the mulleted father of 26 children will agree with that. 
04-12-2006, 11:14 PM
#29
15K+ Super Poster!!
Originally Posted by RichardPON
He couldn't drive a slippery stick up a dog's arse
I'm off to watch the cricket
05-12-2006, 06:34 AM
#30
PassionFord Regular
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: guisborough
Posts: 451
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
paul looks like uv hit the nail on the head with the trackcar thing
desided to build a car me self ,dont get time to drive the rs much , plus i need to keep my licence for me job so no good driven like a nutter on the streets wen theres is a track round the corner
ano that u all say take the rs on track but its no good wen the shell starts to rip apart
desided to build a car me self ,dont get time to drive the rs much , plus i need to keep my licence for me job so no good driven like a nutter on the streets wen theres is a track round the corner
ano that u all say take the rs on track but its no good wen the shell starts to rip apart
05-12-2006, 07:10 AM
#31
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used to do concours with my S2 in 99, 00 and 01, as well as track days, but as i really dont want to bend it and good S2's are getting rarer and rarer i have just started building a mk3 track car
Might be done for next year, but will have to wait and see...
I might even get a post started in "Rebuilds & Restorations"
BTW very well said PON
Might be done for next year, but will have to wait and see...
I might even get a post started in "Rebuilds & Restorations"
BTW very well said PON
05-12-2006, 07:10 AM
#32
Some great replies on this
At the end of the day i feel people just want to get more out of life and what better way ( if your a car freek ) than to build a cheap track toy and go have some fun .
Its also about meeting people with the same interests as you , chats and swopping info in the pits is what its all about , I had a great giggle with Sean bicknell in 05 at croft on and of the track , Borrowed all Mike rainbums tools this year
to try to fix my heap and keep it going .
All in all i have had a good 3 years worth of track days and can only say to anyone thinking of building one is ,,"do it " but just stay away from me on track until you can drive it
At the end of the day i feel people just want to get more out of life and what better way ( if your a car freek ) than to build a cheap track toy and go have some fun .
Its also about meeting people with the same interests as you , chats and swopping info in the pits is what its all about , I had a great giggle with Sean bicknell in 05 at croft on and of the track , Borrowed all Mike rainbums tools this year
to try to fix my heap and keep it going .All in all i have had a good 3 years worth of track days and can only say to anyone thinking of building one is ,,"do it " but just stay away from me on track until you can drive it
05-12-2006, 07:31 AM
#33
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Middle of Nowhere
Posts: 6,220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
my saph will be seeing track action next year, although i have bought some bufty bits, but only cos the engine bay looks shite as standard, not bothering with lots of power, just gonna go for a reliable 300bhp, good brakes etc, already has konis, so just gonna try to have a good laugh and cane the car, buftying is boring
05-12-2006, 08:44 AM
#35
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SE London
Posts: 4,621
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whilst I do appreciate what you're saying Richard, i'm building a track car, and expect I will be taking lessons.. but for me it's about fun.. I can't get away with having fun on the public roads, so the place to do it is the track.. I might or might not be able to drive for shit but at the end of the day I'll be enjoying myself finding out.
Same reason I'm going sprinting in it next year too... it'll be FUN! If I do manage to win a few things then great, if not then so be it I'll have done my best and ragged the arse out my escort whilst doing so.. (And no, I'm not a believer in the whole "it's the taking part that counts" mentality so will definitely be trying!)
Same reason I'm going sprinting in it next year too... it'll be FUN! If I do manage to win a few things then great, if not then so be it I'll have done my best and ragged the arse out my escort whilst doing so.. (And no, I'm not a believer in the whole "it's the taking part that counts" mentality so will definitely be trying!)
05-12-2006, 08:51 AM
#36
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Chez Croxley
Posts: 5,825
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by RichardPON
People are going crazy, spending £3k on suspension, putting in 500bhp engines etc, and they have no idea why.
Building a track car (unless you have a huge budget) should be about the complete package, and that includes the driver. You don't need a 400bhp Cossie to be able to drive on circuit. In fact, that's probably the last thing you need.
I've been out as a passenger with enough people to know that for all the money they've spent on their car to turn it into a "track beast/weapon/whatever", it's all wasted when they can't even hold the steering wheel correctly, or know where the racing line is.
Track cars are fashionable at the moment, cos sure as shit, stripped out caged road cars are hideous to drive anywhere but on circuit, and most of these "track weapons" see more shows than track days.
I did a track day with a few MR2 Turbos are Bedford recently, along with the Elise forum lot. One guy who fancied himself as a bit of a driver (even though he's useless) came away from the day shouting about needing more power, even though he runs 300bhp! The reason? He was getting passed by loads of Elises and needed to pull away more on the straights.
He couldn't drive a slippery stick up a dog's arse, yet wanted more power, better suspension, bigger brakes. The problem was nothing to do with the car, as I took the car out, and pedalled the shit out of it, and it performed very well indeed. His response - "I didn't know the car could do that".
I'm not shouting my own talents here. God knows, I'm far from the best driver on here - clearly, that's "I've been driving RWD for 60 years Marco"
but I have a fair bit of racing experience, and a lot of track experience, and there's far more to be gained from spending money on learning to drive properly than there is adding another 200bhp under the bonnet for example. Even the mulleted father of 26 children will agree with that. 
05-12-2006, 08:53 AM
#37
I had a budget of £6k for my Saff. £3k for the car initially, then spent another £3k on it, cage, coilovers, adj TCAs (cheers Tony ), seats, bits and bobs such as brake hoses poly bushes big cooler etc etc.
Had a lot of fun getting it ready and lots of swearing in the garage late at night. Bought lot of good parts as cheaply as possible. And kept the power at stg 1 (280bhp).
As mentioned before big power is all good and dandy but what do you learn. I personally want to become a better driver and plan on improving my driving skills and getting the best out of the car say 90% of the potential.
Rather than BIG power and getting 50% out of the car, mostly on the straights and shitting it around the bendy bits.
Of course all of the above is RWD, man in control of machine
hopefully rather than machine in control of man.
), seats, bits and bobs such as brake hoses poly bushes big cooler etc etc. Had a lot of fun getting it ready and lots of swearing in the garage late at night. Bought lot of good parts as cheaply as possible. And kept the power at stg 1 (280bhp).
As mentioned before big power is all good and dandy but what do you learn. I personally want to become a better driver and plan on improving my driving skills and getting the best out of the car say 90% of the potential.
Rather than BIG power and getting 50% out of the car, mostly on the straights and shitting it around the bendy bits.
Of course all of the above is RWD, man in control of machine
hopefully rather than machine in control of man.
05-12-2006, 11:46 AM
#39
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 4,313
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I actually agree with PON to be honest.
Tis very amusing seeing people spending so much money and time 'building' a dedicated track car, kind of makes me think they´ve forgotten the whole point is to enjoy the car and have fun. Hardly gonna do that if you spank the arse out of it the first time you take it on track, esp if you´ve spent silly money on it.
I had great fun in my little Fiesta RS1800, I uprated the brakes, lines and breather, got a spare set of wheels just incase I tore the tyres to pieces, and all that (including buying the car) cost under 900 quid.
On top of the fun factor I could still use the car to drive to work if I wanted.
Spending silly money on a dedicated track car, unless you are a track day veteran, is just crazy to me, but each to their own.
Tis very amusing seeing people spending so much money and time 'building' a dedicated track car, kind of makes me think they´ve forgotten the whole point is to enjoy the car and have fun. Hardly gonna do that if you spank the arse out of it the first time you take it on track, esp if you´ve spent silly money on it.
I had great fun in my little Fiesta RS1800, I uprated the brakes, lines and breather, got a spare set of wheels just incase I tore the tyres to pieces, and all that (including buying the car) cost under 900 quid.
On top of the fun factor I could still use the car to drive to work if I wanted.
Spending silly money on a dedicated track car, unless you are a track day veteran, is just crazy to me, but each to their own.
