Lotus Banger for Track Days.

EliseR · Post by **EliseR** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:05 am

Hello,

As I am a super new driver, with diddly squat experience, I probably should not be asking this....however.

If I did want to participate in track days, would it be worthwhile buying something for around the 10K mark, which I could then use and abuse, as opposed to taking my new car out? I won't really be competing, its just to develop my skills in a safe environment I suppose.

The benefit is, I can lend the car to my friends at the weekends so we can go wandering.

G.

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:08 am

That could be a possibilty, and you could get an old S1 or a Cat D write off for less than 10k, but it would be quite different to your 111R, handling and power wise, (unless upgraded etc)

Get used to your 111R, pass your test, do some advanced driver training and/or a 'Walshy' day, and then track your own car and decide from that.

my 2p.

ryallm · Post by **ryallm** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:12 am

In a word, no. Track days are a far safer environment than the public road for both you and the car to learn where the limits are - no need to buy a shed. I would get some driver training, the book a track day and just do it. SIDC days are generally recognised to be about the best at KH in terms of driving standards, and there is always an instructor on hand for a few laps of free advice.

Mark

jj · Post by jj » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:13 am

If you`ve got the money to "throw" at a £10k banger (and i`m sure some folks will love their cars being labelled bangers in that pricebracket

) then I would guess it easier to have £10k in reserve in case damage occured to the car you have.

Insuring, taxing, maintaining a £10k car would be a lot of £ a year.

ryallm · Post by **ryallm** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:14 am

Just read the previous post. Am I reading right that you have a 111R and you haven't passed your test

This is a wind up, right

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:16 am

ryallm wrote:Just read the previous post. Am I reading right that you have a 111R and you haven't passed your test This is a wind up, right

Keep up at the back

http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/vie ... php?t=8021

EliseR · Post by **EliseR** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:17 am

ryallm wrote:Just read the previous post. Am I reading right that you have a 111R and you haven't passed your test This is a wind up, right

No, I wish it was. TO cut a long story short, I had my test booked for a few days before car collection. Missed the test due to Forth Bridge Delays...

So got car with L plates

Then I failed my fecking test last week.

Argh, i'm still gutted.

Gary.

EliseR · Post by **EliseR** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:19 am

jj wrote:If you`ve got the money to "throw" at a £10k banger (and i`m sure some folks will love their cars being labelled bangers in that pricebracket ) then I would guess it easier to have £10k in reserve in case damage occured to the car you have.

Insuring, taxing, maintaining a £10k car would be a lot of £ a year.

What do you estimate it would cost to ensure my car for a day on the track? Based on me having a license of course.

G.

jj · Post by jj » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:21 am

I have never looked into it with any of my cars, but I think it is about £200ish for a day or some policies have it included.

Dezzy looked into it so he may be able to help.

EliseR · Post by **EliseR** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:22 am

jj wrote:I have never looked into it with any of my cars, but I think it is about £200ish for a day or some policies have it included.

Dezzy looked into it so he may be able to help.

Cool I will look out for him and ask. I presume the policies are fully comp etc etc, if the car is a complete write off, they should replace?

I may go search a few insurance sites.

G.

ryallm · Post by **ryallm** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:25 am

[quote="GWhittle
So got car with L plates

Then I failed my fecking test last week.

Argh, i'm still gutted.

Gary.[/quote]

Blimey

Short of a Caterham or Arial I can think of few cars less suited to an inexperienced driver, so good luck, enjoy the car, but at the risk of sounding an old fart, take it easy for the first few thousand miles!

Mark

EliseR · Post by **EliseR** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:27 am

ryallm wrote: Blimey Short of a Caterham or Arial I can think of few cars less suited to an inexperienced driver, so good luck, enjoy the car, but at the risk of sounding an old fart, take it easy for the first few thousand miles!
Mark

Will do! My girlfriend is a car nut, she reckons she could be the next stig, should the position arrive - so she's a not bad teacher....I think

G.

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 12:10 pm

Having bought a Elise Shed for track abuse, it is a plan, but i would suggest one for the future.

I had a 111r for 3 years before buying this latest one for racing, and if you've not done any track work, and are still gaining experience I would hold the thought for now.

Would strongly advise you contact http://www.carlimits.co.uk (Walshy) once you have your license. You'll get far more out of driver training at this stage than you would from running a shed

The_Rossatron · Post by **The_Rossatron** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 12:17 pm

I looked into trackday insurance once and to insure a car "worth" 14k it was going to cost about £200 plus a 10% excess.

craigieb · Post by **craigieb** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 12:58 pm

GWhittle wrote:
jj wrote:I have never looked into it with any of my cars, but I think it is about £200ish for a day or some policies have it included.

Dezzy looked into it so he may be able to help.
Cool I will look out for him and ask. I presume the policies are fully comp etc etc, if the car is a complete write off, they should replace?

I may go search a few insurance sites.

G.

We took out trackday insurance for Lorna & I's hi performance day. It was £150 with a 2.5K excess. Can't remember who with

but will find out and post it up. Seem to remember this being the lowest excess by quite a way.

hth

cheers
craig