What Do I Need To Get My VTS Track Ready?

30th September 2008, 18:49

What do you think i would need to get my car track ready? think like uprating brakes etc? what would you reccomend?

30th September 2008, 18:53

Cage, buckets, harnesses, good tyres, 206 GTi brake set up? Or Brembo 4 pots - but rear can get alittle light under heavy braking.

30th September 2008, 18:57

Decent suspension setup always helps mate lol.

30th September 2008, 18:57

what about uprating things like poly bushes, drop links, track rod ends? do you reccomend renewing or upgrading this sort of thing?

30th September 2008, 19:12

Billies all round and faulkner springs, toyo r888's, buckets and harnesses and helmet are the essentails i would say

30th September 2008, 20:57

sounds good to me!

30th September 2008, 21:20

Is your car completely standard? Have you done a track day? If you do a track day withstandard equipment you will quickly get a feel for what needs to be uprated.

Suppose the basics would be a good suspension setup, improved brakes - not necessarily bigger just better spec standard size equipment will help. Buckets and harnesses arent crucial nor is a cage. But they will certainly help if you crash / roll. As said a helmet will be necessary - try and get an open face one so you can have maximum vision.

Other than that id say get the back end stripped out, seats carpet etc.

30th September 2008, 21:30

its not totally standard, lowerd but just springs, no coil overs etc, then de-cat thats pritty much it! i havnt done a track day before, just drag race, and i noticed after a few drag runs my brakes were shocking! lol i noticed the track day at croft that steveVTS posted on the NE section and would love to do it, but would rather wait and get my car sorted for it first!

Yer i think roll cage, bucket seats and harnesses would be the last thing i would do!

30th September 2008, 21:44

u may find the standard seats are not as surportive as u think they are as the corner forces are alot more when on track as u will be cornering alot faster

30th September 2008, 21:51

yer thinking about it your proberly spot on, like i said i have never been on the track b4 just a strip and never really experienced the forces on a track!! i think i want a bmc kit, supersprint manifold,newman cams, remapped, coilovers bucketseats, harnesses and i really would want a cage, as i have rolled a saxo b4 and i really didnt like it! but it is alot of work and alot of money! so i am going to have to save up lots and lots of pennys and see what i can get!

Thanks for your help Matey!

30th September 2008, 21:55

u could just buy mine for 2500 quid with all that done mate

1st October 2008, 02:48

like ron said i would go on as you are and see how it feels, i done croft last time with standard seats and had no problem, of course it would be better with buckets

theres lots you can look into, but imo what id look into is the bushes, get uprated, its amazin how much it transforms the cars feel and drive, go on with them and the suspension you have and work on it from there, maybe some better pads and discs, although i run with gti 6 standard discs and pads and not had a problem but then its down to you and confidence with brakes, if your not confident with them get something better for track

croft is a very good track for a saxo, and great to get the feel for the car, ideal for saxos

1st October 2008, 05:38

as said really you dont need a mad spec
i personally wouldnt use buckets without a cage as (god forbid) if you roll it the roof caves in but your body is held where you are instead of being thrown out of the top of seatbelt and moving
so the roof hits your head (i had a lucky escape but felt the roof hit me had a sore neck for about 2 weeks)
other than that its down to how seriouse you are about it and how deep your pockets are

i know of a few people who say i they wanna go on track but there cars not fast enough

i had a 1.1 forte that i was planning on tracking a few months back
had minimal mods but was just for the fun tbh

1st October 2008, 06:43

both viper and sayer have tracked there diesels... standard specs

im going to look into buckets, not experienced a crash in them, and hope i dont so cant comment on the cage comment. could you not go buckets and seatbelt? then your not held in by the harness so movement is alot better but you still have the buckets to 'hold' you on corners

as said im looking into buckets but not cage any time soon

1st October 2008, 08:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by paddy88

What do you think i would need to get my car track ready? think like uprating brakes etc? what would you reccomend?

If you are talking track day a completely standard car is fine. All you have to do is bring some fuel with your self. Also have a eye on your tyres as if your planning on driving home after they still have to be road legal at the end of the day. Though don't forget you will have to bring a suitable helmet for your self. Only real issue with a standard car is the brakes will tend to heat up but then you just stop and have a tea brake. Don't forget track days are about having fun and you can quite happily take a standard 1.1 Saxo to one and have a great day.

1st October 2008, 12:16

Agree with Axracing..Was going to say the same thing..

You dont need mad spec suspension and brakes etc..When you go to a trackday, your not competing like you are in a race, your driving to your and your car's limits in a safe and enjoyable environment..

People build nice specs because they want to, not because they have to..My VTR handled the Nurburgring really well and thats completly standard only lowered -50mm on Eibach springs..The seats etc were plenty supportive enough..

If you can afford to spend alot on sus, brakes, cage, buckets etc then go ahead but it really is not necessary..90% of people on trackdays use standard or slightly modified car's..Quite rare to see a full on stripped out caged car..

1st October 2008, 12:37

woooo wooo wooo

Throwing up specs is one thing lol

To get your car ready for track.

You dont need all this high end shit to start with, the only way you will find out what you really need is by taking your car on standard.

The ultimate to have your car ready is.

Check oil level and if it needs changing
Condition of belts, alternator and timing belt
Brake fluid level
Coolant level
wheel nuts are on tight. i do mine to 100nm if go over board will sheer them.

Brake pad level and condition of the discs.
Make sure driveshafts are in good nick.

Basically make sure your car is mechanically sound before taking it on.

Once you have been on track you will then learn that you may need better discs and pads, dont have to go mad and buy bigger brakes etc.

Standard brakes with mintex m1144 pads will out perfrom any 266mm 283mm upgrade with standard pads imo.

Before you start splashing out on a load of stuff you more then likely need.

No doubt if you get the drug you will want uprated shocks and lower the car (think yours is already done).

The thread was what do i need for my car to be track ready, not i have a load of cash and want an ultimate track slag.

you could have all that fancy shit that someone randomly listed, yet if you havent checked basics then your going no where.

1st October 2008, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannyhall

Cage, buckets, harnesses, good tyres, 206 GTi brake set up? Or Brembo 4 pots - but rear can get alittle light under heavy braking.

if your cars set up properly no twitchy ness at all on the rear tbh.

only time mine has been twitchy was when i had the rear dampers on fully hard, under braking it stepped out even in a straight, so loostend them off.

Quote:

think i want a bmc kit, supersprint manifold,newman cams, remapped, coilovers bucketseats, harnesses and i really would want a cage, as i have rolled a saxo b4 and i really didnt like it! but it is alot of work and alot of money! so i am going to have to save up lots and lots of pennys and see what i can get!

slow down.

Why do you want coilovers? no need.
BMC? rather a green panel filter.
what cams? only ones worth getting are ph3's ph4's will need to uprate the inturnals.

Bucket seats are not really needed standards are fine.

Do you want to change your thread to i want a track slag? or leave it as give me advise for my first track day lol

1st October 2008, 12:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_VTS

if your cars set up properly no twitchy ness at all on the rear tbh.

only time mine has been twitchy was when i had the rear dampers on fully hard, under braking it stepped out even in a straight, so loostend them off.

The rear brake bias valve needs adjusting, i'll get that done when it goes in the garage next. It's a bastard to change myself tbh!

But doesnt cause a problem day to day driving

1st October 2008, 12:58

ha ha good advice steve mate

1st October 2008, 13:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannyhall

The rear brake bias valve needs adjusting, i'll get that done when it goes in the garage next. It's a bastard to change myself tbh!

But doesnt cause a problem day to day driving

if its a mk2 you dont have a brake bias valve

unless someones stuck a mk1 rear axel on then am not sure what takes priorty as its electronically controlled on a mk2.

Ignore all that if you have a mk1 lol

1st October 2008, 13:12

Early Mk2, single plug ecu, with the brake bias valve on the axle

1st October 2008, 14:14

For your first trackday all you need to do is make sure your car is roadworthy.

Check the fluid levels, check the condition of brakes / suspension, check your tyres... don't forget petrol lol

No point in modding the car just for that occasion as you may not like it.

Once you get the bug then have a think about how the car feels on track and gradually improve the car. That experience will also give you an indication as to what is required be it tweaks to the brakes / chassis / engine etc.

1st October 2008, 14:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by KamRacing

For your first trackday all you need to do is make sure your car is roadworthy.

Check the fluid levels, check the condition of brakes / suspension, check your tyres.

No point in modding the car just for that occasion as you may not like it.

Once you get the bug then have a think about how the car feels on track and gradually improve the car. That experience will also give you an indication as to what is required be it tweaks to the brakes / chassis / engine etc.

snapppp

1st October 2008, 16:29

woow, I have just came online and this thread has been very busy, thanks for alll the advide and i think it boils down to getting my arse on the track and giving it ago with a road worthy car then just see what i want to upgrade!

1st October 2008, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by paddy88

woow, I have just came online and this thread has been very busy, thanks for alll the advide and i think it boils down to getting my arse on the track and giving it ago with a road worthy car then just see what i want to upgrade!

c'rect

1st October 2008, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by paddy88

woow, I have just came online and this thread has been very busy, thanks for alll the advide and i think it boils down to getting my arse on the track and giving it ago with a road worthy car then just see what i want to upgrade!

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxo_ron

c'rect

Correct.

1st October 2008, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yates

both viper and sayer have tracked there diesels... standard specs

im going to look into buckets, not experienced a crash in them, and hope i dont so cant comment on the cage comment. could you not go buckets and seatbelt? then your not held in by the harness so movement is alot better but you still have the buckets to 'hold' you on corners

as said im looking into buckets but not cage any time soon

you can go buckets and belts but the belt positionig is thrown out most of the time and the lap strap is lifted clear of your body unless you feed it through the seat
personally find i still move a fair about without harnesses (im 13 stone so not extremely heavy) so i dnt see the point
but yea i wouldnt really reccomend harnesses without a cage

also a comment to people who run harnesses on standard seats im not 100% sure how true it is but i have heard of the forces on the headrest are quite large and the headrests brake
causing the harnesses to become free at the top

not a good think tbh

not trying to say dont buy buckets (they are good at what there designed for and i know at least 1 lad who would be dead right now if he hadnt had them)
but if you do end up in a big accident they could be whatebds your life

1st October 2008, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex-VTS

you can go buckets and belts but the belt positionig is thrown out most of the time and the lap strap is lifted clear of your body unless you feed it through the seat
personally find i still move a fair about without harnesses (im 13 stone so not extremely heavy) so i dnt see the point
but yea i wouldnt really reccomend harnesses without a cage

also a comment to people who run harnesses on standard seats im not 100% sure how true it is but i have heard of the forces on the headrest are quite large and the headrests brake
causing the harnesses to become free at the top

not a good think tbh

not trying to say dont buy buckets (they are good at what there designed for and i know at least 1 lad who would be dead right now if he hadnt had them)
but if you do end up in a big accident they could be whatebds your life

eh?

Belt position seems fine in richies VTR with buckets and hardness.
You have yours adjusted correctly?

You have the ones that go around your waist tight?

obv if there not tight and you have the shoulder ones too tight its going to lift that furhter up your body.

1st October 2008, 16:59

im saying if you have standard belts (from the b pillar)
then the sides of the seat lift the off our lap

in harnesses i have them damn tight lol

1st October 2008, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex-VTS

im saying if you have standard belts (from the b pillar)
then the sides of the seat lift the off our lap

in harnesses i have them damn tight lol

lol

1st October 2008, 17:08

anyway yea
go out and see how you drive
try what you think will work for you

i found out the hard way what was said to be a pretty good start setup didnt work for me much

its all a bit trial and error but a little bit at a time is a good way
i know after a few plays what sort of works now but it has taken me quite a while and playing with a 1.1 as a test bed for stuff
but even advice from places like gmc didnt work for me

so yea just see what you personally think and never be afraid to ask the other guys at the track about there setup

1st October 2008, 18:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex-VTS

anyway yea
go out and see how you drive
try what you think will work for you

i found out the hard way what was said to be a pretty good start setup didnt work for me much

its all a bit trial and error but a little bit at a time is a good way
i know after a few plays what sort of works now but it has taken me quite a while and playing with a 1.1 as a test bed for stuff
but even advice from places like gmc didnt work for me

so yea just see what you personally think and never be afraid to ask the other guys at the track about there setup

Thanks for that matey! that sound spot on tbh, like you said trial and error, fingers corssed not to much error, as i dont wanna flip another saxo !

1st October 2008, 18:20

cant really go wrong on track unless you cant drive *cough* alex *cough*

1st October 2008, 21:10

haha i slid into gravel sideways at 80
its an easy mistake to make.............................................. ...........

erm kinda

1st October 2008, 22:16

yeah i know the standard seatbelts will not hold you and will move

you can roll at any time, luckily you were on track, well unlucky you rolled but better it was on track, and if there wasnt gravel there then i would of thought you wouldnt of rolled

2nd October 2008, 05:13

yea i know you can roll anywere
i know about 3 ladsw who rolled driving to work and stuff
it doesnt take much to pop the car over

yea if it hadnt been n track then it would have been different
prolly would have been trees ect in the way so worse outcome is highly likely

as for the gravel without that i would have hit the wall at about 70-75 mph
rolling is better than a sudden impact into conctrete at those speeds tbh
its a moe gental decceleration
and tbh my car probably came out straighter than if id hit the wall

2nd October 2008, 08:45

ah didnt realise there was a wall there lol thought it was gravel and then grass

2nd October 2008, 10:48

the wall was further back
but yea nice concrete blocks
did have tyres there
but my car still woulda been fucked

ah well it's meant I can just go mad n build a 'proper' track car outa most of the bits from that lol

2nd October 2008, 10:48

iphail

2nd October 2008, 11:32

paddy crofts a circuit suited to the smaller car like saxo, its not a hard circuit really, good for begineers, i seen one car go off all day there, chevette infront of me, well i didnt see him go off, but i seen him bout 30 metres off track lol

2nd October 2008, 11:33

only cars i seen go off are.

Honda perlude on first corner in the dry
TVR on the end of the second straight

2nd October 2008, 12:24

at mallory i think about 7 or 8 cars had offs
me danny josh Sam jam some guy in a Porsche engines quattro

was a bad day tbh
very slippery track in those kinda conditions

also saw a scooby bin it at donnington backwards into a wall

2nd October 2008, 13:06

Good thread this.

I was going to say what Kam did, but he beat me to it.

Just make sure all fluids are good, brakes are good and everything is in good order, but if you look after your car then it should be already.

If i didnt need a new steering rack and a large service id be signing myself up for a track day soon.

2nd October 2008, 13:23

lucky that's all yours needs haha!!

both mine need full bare shell rebuilds

2nd October 2008, 13:24

this fucking phone grrrrrrrrr

2nd October 2008, 13:45

lol i forgot bout the guy in the tvr!! i wonder if he will be here next time

well i seen that rover go off, but that didnt really count cos he was trying to drift at every corner

2nd October 2008, 18:46

I hoping to do my first track day next year. So some sound advise has been given here.

Never knew buckets without a cage could be dodgy, I'll bear that in mind in the future.

3rd October 2008, 06:48

lots of people don't
even after I rolled n claimed my seats had prolly saved me i read something (think it was in pfc) about it n realized that I was sooooo close to being dead because of them

even a little half cage is enough to keep you safe
but personal choise for me is full lol