[eddie99]

Has anyone/many people done trackdays in the basic 1.7 puma?
Just looking around at cheap trackdays, seem to be good price...
Thanks
Ed

[SilverBall]

a trackday isnt about machinery, its about attitude.
There are a load of worse cars that can be tracked than a Puma - congrats that you have picked 1 of the best FWD handlers, it will never be an Ultima, but go enjoy, then upgrade the brakes - laptime wise, a good brake upgrade = 100BHP, especially at Knockhill!

[formulastuart]

Hi, I did a trackday in november 2009 with standard puma and was very impressed. It needed some powerflex bushes and stiffer springs but car was amazing as standard. Would highly recomend. I did the charity trackday and was very impressed with running and attitude of the day. Because of the short daylight the day was short but worth it. I would recommend larger brakes for the first performance upgrade as standard ones faded quickly around combe even in 5-8 degree ambient temperature.

[eddie99]

Thanks for your replies. What i meant more is, is it nuts of me to take to the track in my virtually everyday car? Anyone else do this? or wouldnt dare?
Thanks
Ed

[RichB]

all trackdays are a risk, no insurance so if your hit by someone else unless they want to be nice chances are your paying for it. Just drive sensibly and you'll be fine, getting an instructor is always a good idea as they show you the lines, braking points etc. also be aware of cars coming flying up behind you.

have a look here about halfway down to scare you but it should not put you off just highlight how aware you need to be

[Shilly]

ive tracked a 1.25 standard fiesta in the past its all about having fun its not a competition if you feel your going slow indicate over and let the faster cars go past

[zara014]

Ive had my 1.7 everyday puma on the Nurburgring....

just know ya shit mate andtake it easy

[volcomstone411]

make sure cars suspension and brakes and engine are all working best they can standard...still set a great time. Don't underestimate tyres either

[Dogsbody]

I managed to stay with a Ariel Atom, well for half a lap
And get past a VX220 in my FRP, no chance on paper, but it's down to the maniac behind the wheel.

Best fun I have ever had in a car "on my own"
planning to do at least two more trackdays this year, LSD now fitted so no more wheel spin

[philalix]

me, see my signature !

Quite puzzled by what you say about being able to follow an ariel atom for half a lap...was the driver fall asleep or drunk ??

Just kidding, but I've driving the car, clearly another planet, nothing to compare to our cars, needless to say !

More seriously, what kind of lsd have you fitted ? the one provided by ford ?

Thanks again ?

[Dogsbody]

philalix, on 28 February 2010 - 10:55 PM, said:

More seriously, what kind of lsd have you fitted ? the one provided by ford ?

Thanks again ?

Series 2 Escort RS Turbo LSD, does fit when you know how
£50 off Ebay and around £50 for bearing and oil.
Then the cost of fitting.
About the cheapest way to go.

Terrible video really as the tax disk is in the way
clicky
But I let him past about 3.25 into the video and he goes off. Every corner I close him down again, then he pulls away coming out of the corners.

[baconjazz]

Hi all.

How much does a typical track day cost ££££

Looks like great fun , if you don't stuff it !

[volcomstone411]

buy some really good tyres...get a mecahnic to check your car. take oil and fuel. RS combe day is £135

[Shilly]

baconjazz, on 24 March 2010 - 05:47 PM, said:

Hi all.

How much does a typical track day cost ££££

Looks like great fun , if you don't stuff it !

anywhere from 100-300 depending on day / demand
petrol should be around 100

when you get home is the issue
tyres / brakes / clutch some possible problems with a good day out

[puma2012]

eddie99, on 04 January 2010 - 07:30 PM, said:

Has anyone/many people done trackdays in the basic 1.7 puma?
Just looking around at cheap trackdays, seem to be good price...
Thanks
Ed

Should be a good starter car,you aint going to brake any lap records,try club msv at brands for track taster sessions or track evenings just to try your car out before commiting for a longer session !!! I am doing the same thing as well as i have,nt got loads to spend at the moment,keep in touch!

[StevenRaith]

Mate of mine at one point had a WRX, Exige and Jag XJR.

Took the XJR and Exige to one track day, swapped the sticker from the Exige to the Jag - officials rolleyed while stifling a snigger and waved him on. That was one of the weirdest ten minutes of my life, coming down craner at 110 in 1700kg lounge and coming out of the tight right hander at the end of that comlpex totally crossed up!

He current has an STI Type C and a GTR - when trackdays comeup, both cars go, get tracked and come home.

As long as the car is in a reasonable or better state mechanically (bushes, tyres, brakes, clutch, fluids, shocks etc all prefectly satisfactory) then the biggest thing you have to worry about is tyre wear, brake fade and nomex-clad pricks who think they are Lewis Hamilton (when they're closer to Mr Bean) being numpties and passing on corners.

Most trackdays (almost all Bookatrack, for reference - they are good) I've been to (passenger, never a driver) have had excellent standards of driving, and friendly, chatty people.

IN all seriousness, go as a spectator - you'll get a good feel for it, blag some passenger rides (won't be hard - my first trackday I got a ride in an ex-race 964RS!) with more experienced drivers, and just ask questions - no-one will grumble, I promise, because everyone is there for the same reason - to enjoy their cars.

Edit - another note - if you go to a Bookatrack day, hunt down Johnny, the MD/owner - he's very friendly and accomodating, to the degree where he stripped the ECU out of one of his hire caterhams to get an Elise back on track at one point. This is true, I watched him do it.

This post has been edited by StevenRaith: 10 August 2012 - 07:15 PM