first track day car?

[burge124]

hi, ive been interested with motor sport for many years, im currently looking at a westfield for a track car.

can anyone give advice if this is a suitable track car for a novice, i drive a type r on a weekday and am use to the power of that car, but am not sure if a westfeild is suitable!?! What size engine would people recommend for novice drivers?

and anything in particular to look out for when viewing built cars

can anyone tell me approximate running costs

i dont have a racing licence and am limited to only weekend opertunities to use the car, is joining a suitable group/membership?

thanks!

[nikpro]

Buy an MX5 - best value track car around! (and it's rear wheel drive with double wishbone suspension all round).

...but most importantly you have a chance of hearing the instructor sat next to you!

[markcoopers]

Budget is the all important factor here, so be very honest with yourself, what do you want the car for. 1 or 2 track days a year or 1 or 2 a month?

If 1 or 2 a month, I would of said that you would want to be looking at reasonable well specialised cars with all the suitable racing and safty mods already done. So looking for decent breaks, tyres, shocks, lightweight, decent gearbox etc, and a sensible engine spec. By this i mean there is no point in buying a 250bhp zetec car as a starter when with 150bhp and a decent set of tyres/breaks and a gearbox you will go quicker.

I find it hard to recomend Bike engine cars, but don't let my 1 opinion diswade you, but i prefer a car engine in a car, so would of suggested a car with around 150-190bhp and the above decent breaks, gerabox etc would be reliable and very fast.

If you only want 1 or 2 a year, then a wider audience of cars exists with less of the racing mods but more comfy trim, but still with the same kine of output.

Wide and indipendent are often favoured as chassis options, but all are good, so long as you fit. However make sure the chassis is straight and rust free, get on your hands and knees and check the chassis around the rear suspension pick ups, under the fule tank and in the engine bay. also look to see if in the rear arches and the engine bay if the gaps between the body and teh ali pannels are sealed, so that crud can not get in between the two.

Never believe " build by retired engineer" and "never driven in the wet", they all say that, but do believe the build diary/all the recipts and pictures they have documenting all the spec and the build. Also if there is a recipt for a "XYZ bling bit", check that it is fitted.

Get to the local meat and see all the cars, and ask the owners.....theay are all proud so will be only too pleased to offer adice and point you in the right direction/review a potential car with you.

Be prepared to travel for the right car......they never come up for sale 10mins away.

[Kevin Jones]

The BEC or CEC point is often debated here, people have strong opinions    I run a BEC but I would say that cost is likely the key issue on choice, In the limited price range of say 8-10k a BEC offers good value for track IMO but will likely need a bit more maintainance, below this you want a CEC, above it's very dependent on the specific car. Below say 6k I would seriously look at MX5 as nicpro advises or another make like an MK or MNR but with all kits beware the badly put together ones.

[stantman]

Having sarted with a 1600 CVH I would recommend a tuned 1.8 zetec or 2 litre as minimum for track work.

About 150 to 160bhp meas you aren't left behind by all the tin tops especially on a fast circuit like Castle Coombe.

200 bhp will give you huge fun but as a novice you will easily over cook it.

BEC seem great fun on the track, but are noisy on the road so decide on your likely use and what you can live with. To this end visit your local club and get an over enthusiastic passenger ride from the members

If you cant finance the 150 bhp plus (High tuned x flows the other option, but old engine will require more TLC) I would suggest a cheaper tuned MX5. I was passed by a few at coombe before the engine swap.

[Kevhl]

Definately set your budget first, and include running costs in that... I've run numerous cars on track and have seen massive differences in costs. The Westfield can be a relatively cheap car to run; lightweight normally equals less wear and cheaper friction materials. If you're learning as well, consider starting with something you can potentially write off (in terms of cost), last thing you want is to be too scared of taking your car out to enjoy it!

There are plenty of nice Westfields out there, I personnally would look for a car engine'd one.

If you're in the 8-10k budget drop me a PM!

[perksy]

can anyone give advice if this is a suitable track car for a novice, i drive a type r on a weekday and am use to the power of that car

I'd be going to have a look at this           CLICKY

It has been well developed and is an ideal Track & Road car      

Its also on Pistonheads   CLICKY

[burge124]

thanks for everyones response!

i currently use my type r for racing although would like to keep that car for the road. when you say MX5 do you mean a standard mazda MX5 or a modified version?

also we are currently paying around £100-120 per track day, how can this cost be reduced?

[20v toy]

£100 - £120 is cheap for a trackday on a decent circuit.

If you find any cheaper let me know.

[Guest]

Burge,

Not sure where you live - but if you can spare the time, get along to the Westfield Track Day at Mallory Park next Friday (14th August) - this will provide an opportunity to see all sorts of Westfields from Crossflows, through 1800, 2000, monster V8's and really quick bike engined machinery.  

You are also guarenteed to be talked to death by the endless enthusiasm of the members who will be happy to help you in your choice of potential car.

You might also get the chance for a passenger seat trip around the track if you are lucky!  

See the other threads about the day for further details or PM me  

[Hammy]

The MX5 also has the advantage of better crash survivabilty (if thats how you spell it) than a 7, sounds a good choice -seem to go very well when stripped out too

[Jenko]

Don't let your so called 'Novice status' put you off...It sounds like you have raced before which puts you ahead of most of the people on this forum...

I think for track days, you can't beat 7 type cars.....They are almost always the quickest, but the big plus is running costs........

Although initial outlay can be high, if you buy sensibly they should not depreciate too much...PLUS (and this is a big plus), the usual bits that wear out very quickly on normal cars tend to last much longer due to the light weight of the 7. By this I mean breaks, tyres, clutches, general wear and tear....

As mentioned, bhp is not the thing that gets you around the track quickest....I would guess the following order for quick lap times:

1). Driver talent

2). Tyres

3). Suspension set up and good shocks

4). Car weight

5). Engine power

So the spec of the car is important.......

So, to answer your question, I would say 'yes' a Westfield is fine for a novice. Look for a car with a good spec, and don't get too hung up on engine size.....a standard 2ltr zetec or vx is a great starting point.....

[nikpro]

thanks for everyones response!

i currently use my type r for racing although would like to keep that car for the road. when you say MX5 do you mean a standard mazda MX5 or a modified version?

also we are currently paying around £100-120 per track day, how can this cost be reduced?

Yes, a very standaard Mk1 MX5.

In Race trim they are fully stripped out with a cage bolted in. The engines are completely standard with the cat removed and a head skim being the only Mods allowed.

The Engine produces 130 bhp and the car weighs 950kgs with the driver (has to be ballasted to 960 for racing).

They race on Hancook Road tyres and AVO/GAZ suspension and set very decent laptimes - they are as quick as Caterham Grad. Cars.

I have a relatively high spec Westfield on R888 and it takes me all my time trying to keep up with my mate who races MX5; infact on some circuits I can't.

He's a good driver and I'm crap though!

One time he took the MX5, Caterham and a Honda Powered Elise to Spa for two days; the elise did 4 laps, the Caterham none and the MX5 over 60!!

It is all about driver talent and having fun - you don't worry about breaking them so drive them to their limits - they are a very capable track/drift car.

Instruction is they key to enjoyment and in a 7 you can here feck all what the instructor is telling you.

[burge124]

thanks for advice were looking at a westfield over the weekend, both of us driving the car will be 23 any idea of insurance for road and track? ive heard if we join a westfield group/membership we may get a reduced insurance rate is that true?

we are looking at a westfield with a 1600 x flow engine any ideas how this will perform in the track in comparison with my honda civic r type.

how much are slicks? and are they worth the investment! thanks again!

[nikpro]

thanks for everyones response!

i currently use my type r for racing although would like to keep that car for the road. when you say MX5 do you mean a standard mazda MX5 or a modified version?

also we are currently paying around £100-120 per track day, how can this cost be reduced?

How do you use the civic type R for racing and on the road?

What racing do you do in it?

I'd personally give a miss to the Westfield and just use the Type R. The money you save you can put to 2 years of track days.