Clio V6 trackdays

[10]

Based on everyone's enthusiasm for the Silverstone parade lap, I wonder whether it might be worth gauging interest within the club for those that are keen to take their cars on track and really experience that short wheelbase, high mounted engine and pointy front end in all it's glory?

I've taken mine on track a few times (Silverstone, Anglesey and Bedford) and am looking forward to doing more this year, particularly now a trip to the Nurburgring looks off the cards due to the flooding over there...

Perhaps I can help dispel any myths or concerns about track days from my (limited) experience. It really is an excellent way to get to know your car in a relatively controlled environment.

Let me know!

 

[moktabe]

Often fancied the idea however, have a few reservations!

The way my car sits now I think it'd be at home on a track. One of the problems is (maybe just in my head) is with how it looks it'd be seen as a target to be overtaken. That wouldn't be an issue at all, in fact I'd happily let quicker cars through.

What concerns me is someone in a cheap car trying to prove a point and driving way beyond either their own or their cars capabilities and either running into me or forcing me off the track to avoid a collision.

Any resulting panel damage could be catastrophic.

 

[10]

Often fancied the idea however, have a few reservations!

The way my car sits now I think it'd be at home on a track. One of the problems is (maybe just in my head) is with how it looks it'd be seen as a target to be overtaken. That wouldn't be an issue at all, in fact I'd happily let quicker cars through.

What concerns me is someone in a cheap car trying to prove a point and driving way beyond either their own or their cars capabilities and either running into me or forcing me off the track to avoid a collision.

Any resulting panel damage could be catastrophic.

I think the point you've raised is the number 1 worry when going on track for anyone who has any attachment to their car. I attended a trackday at Bedford Autodrome recently and as the car park filled up with Nissan GTRs, V6 Exiges and BMW M2/M4s, it wasn't 'cheap cars' I was worried about - it's a GTR coming past me at twice the speed.

Hopefully this will alleviate your concerns (from my experience):

• - 'Cheap cars' with exhausts hanging off/dropping oil etc. don't seem to attend trackdays; thankfully I don't think hoards of knackered Clios and Polos on track is a thing anymore
  - Generally, the cars are spread out enough that overtakes are a fairly rare occurrence. When someone does come up behind you it is very easy to state your intention with your indicator - they don't want to race you, they probably just want to emasculate you by whizzing past you once you've indicated to let them past, which as far as I am concerned is a perfect arrangement
  - Most British tracks are too tight and twisty for something like a GTR to build up enough speed to come past you at significantly more speed. I have experienced this at Silverstone with Ultimas coming past but the track is wide enough so that it isn't an issue

I've always used trackday operator 'Javelin' who seems to attract decent quality cars with very little or no dodgy stuff attending. Ultimately, with the Clio, finding the sweet spot of other cars is important, whilst you don't want to be on track with very slow cars, you also don't want to be on track with very fast cars - minimising the speed differential is the preference.

Going on track can be an intimidating prospect but once you get out there and begin to relax and dispel your pre-conceptions, you begin to enjoy yourself!

 

[moktabe]

^^^ Thanks for that :approve:

Will keep an open mind and see what turns up! :race:

 

[10]

I should mention, the intention of this thread is that, in an ideal world, we can get enough cars together to do a group booking and minimise the number of other cars/non-vee owners on track. I'll be happy to try and arrange if we can get the numbers up.

 

[Jamesv6]

That Goodwood day by the Originse RS guys was ideal for Vees and a few classics, maybe they are doing something again sometime?

[mention=2133,#000000]renaultalpine[/mention]

 

[Brett]

That Goodwood day by the Originse RS guys was ideal for Vees and a few classics, maybe they are doing something again sometime?

[mention=2133,#000000]renaultalpine[/mention]

Would love to do another ORS but its a lot of bloody work for a single marque of car and you can never keep everyone happy.

Generally, people have nothing to prove at track days. 9 times out of 10, said cars are either more valuable than a vee and/or a lot faster.

 

[DaveL485]

I've done a lot of track driving, and the toll it takes on the cars is quite heavy. The wear rate on components is easily ten times normal road driving, if not more. I've done a set of brake pads in a day, ruined many, many (MANY) tyres and wear on suspension and wheel bearings etc is accentuated. Service intervals need to be dropped also. You need to be aware of that, and be prepared for it. You also have the risk of stacking it which is also vastly greater.... and far greater than the chance of anyone hitting you. Over the years and many track days i've never hit anyone or been hit on track. Not even come close. It's generally well behaved and the marshals will jump on anyone being a prick.

My other tip would be to get tuition at the circuit, if you are not an experienced track driver. You may feel like you are Senna reincarnate, but I promise you will benefit in speed, stability, laptime and most importantly safety with an instructor.


My highlights:
Harsh kerbs at curborough killed a gearbox on my 172, had to recover it home.
Bonnet came off my 2.0 Turbo Fuego @150mph flat out on the Brunters straight. Poopy pants time.
Span the same Fuego through Port Froid at Blyton trying to take it flat out, well over 100, flat spotted my tyres.
In the wet/rain at Blyton and powersliding the 21 (and I mean a full turn of opposite lock) out of Bishops and my wiper linkage fell apart. Immediately couldnt see where I was going!

Nothing like this though which happened at Blyton... suspected suspension failure. No serious injuries, luckily! (Not me btw)

 

[Kett]

Perhaps I can help dispel any myths or concerns about track days from my (limited) experience. It really is an excellent way to get to know your car in a relatively controlled environment.

Let me know!

I’ve limited experience too but Bedford seems to be the best combination of not needing ‘hard anchors’ and having good runoffs. It would be nice to be able to lean on the Vees ability without usual the concerns.

My nearest track is Pembrey, which is more suited to motorcycles & super-lights. It has x2 hairpin bends which immediately follow fasts straights. Impossibly taxing on the brakes!

Have you seen the Alpine drivers event listed for September? (Vees welcome)

I think it’s 25/09/2021 at Thruxton

 

[Kett]