Alan_D

I'm selling my Impreza at the moment, and am considering getting the likes of a Fiesta ST to replace it since it'll be good fun to drive, but relatively cheap to run.


My question is - I've always fancied taking a trip over to 'The Ring', but don't really know much about it. From what I've seen on tv etc, it always looks packed. So would there be any point in taking something that slow over there? Surely I'd just be having to get out the way constantly to let quicker things past? Is there any 'quiet' time to go there to avoid this?

Any general info would be appreciated.


Thanks
Alan

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

Personally i'd feel like a bell end sitting in the car park in my fiesta parked next to all the exotica

xr-stu

midweek id say mate, i went on a monday and it was no where near as busy as ive seen it at the weekends. avoid bank holidays etc unless you can stay for a week or so and get out in the evenings through the week. the atmosphere is great but no chance of getting a good lap in.

Alan_D

Haha.

Not really bothered about what other people think. And I'm sure I'd keep up with a few quicker cars driven by muppets with big wallets.

Alan_D

Cheers. That's the idea behind it really - want to get some fairly decent laps. No point going over there for it to be a waste of time. Think I'd have alot of fun in a Fiesta ST.

FestaRST

I saw all sorts of cars going round there. No-one would care that you are in a Fiesta ST, but as xr-stu said avoid bank hols as they are manic and too many crashes, so there is alot of closed track time and boring waiting around!!

It's Czech Mate

Plenty of slower cars than an ST fiesta, you'll be fine, and you'll have a sweet handling car to learn in too.....

Alan_D

Right, so I'll try for a week day that isn't a bank holiday.

Thanks for the replies so far.

Mondeo man - Yeah that's exactly why I want one. Drove a Zetec S and handling was perfection. As was the Focus I had...but fancy something different, so going to go for a small car I can chuck about next.

Matt Evans

Go for it mate. No one gives a fuck what you go round in! We went 4 up in a skoda diesel estate, with luggage and still passed a couple of slower cars!

Enjoy it for what it is, an experience you wont get on a uk trackday!

xr-stu

i went round in my 1.8 escort estate it was wet though so alot of bigger power rwd stuff were left behind! did a group of alfa 75s and an e30 m3 would you believe!

Benni

You wouldn't. There's all sorts there. We passed a minibus.

Benni.

Alan_D

Lol thanks, will have good time no doubt!

Linsay

You'd be surprised at what would be considered as slower cars passing some of the quicker stuff

I remember several of us on our trip being passed like we were going backwards by Skoda Fabia diesels, MkII golfs, a Focus C Max, a mum with her kids in an Audi estate lol

i wouldn't worry about it


PS we have 2 Fiesta ST's and they are as poor as my Series 2 on fuel economy

cosevo

we go every year with rsi on tour, aslways go over a weekend, but stay a day or two into the week, that way you get the fun of the busy weekend, then a few lazy day outs, and some nice evening sessions where the track is virtually empty

foreigneRS

that would be a cracking car for the 'ring

pee vee

but you'd happily do it in a 4 door Sierra?!

pa_sjo

Indeed. A very good choice! And unlikely to break anything!! (unless you crash ).. Might be worth investing in some good quality brake pads and larger brakes though? (ST170 stuff and Ferodo DS2500 pads).

Alan_D

Yeah thanks. I will be uprating the pads and discs on it anyway when I get it so that's not a problem.

Lindsay - The fuel economy doesn't really bother me as I don't use my car to commute. I was thinking more of cost to run for a year: and compared to an Impreza, it should be a lot lighter on the wallet.

alan12112

Lol!!

At least it's not just me thinking that!! ha ha



seriously there are a few vids on youtube from a guy I know (on fiestastoc.com) going round the ring in hos fez st, I want to go next year aswell now that i've got some power!!

I would get a proper diff though mate before you go, it completely transforms the handling of the st, i've yet to find the limit of grip in my car after fitting my lsd and i've been trying hard!!

Linsay

yeah, should be loads better than the scoob, just wanted to let you know ours ain;t as good on the fuel as you may think - my dad is in the navy and our round trip from Manchester to Plymouth got through £130 of petrol, my S2 uses less to get there and back