Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: omega2018 on 24 November 2024, 00:38:33
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Was thinking of taking my CL500 on a track day, anyone done this? I was thinking of just the basic, no tuition, novice track day, somewhere near London or Oxford. To be honest I'd prefer the track to myself but I know there would be a lot of other drivers, are they safe?
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How sorted is the ABC system on your CL? It could prove to be an expensive day out...
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How safe they are depends entirely on how well organised they are and the mindset of the other drivers.
My advice would be to go along and spectate at an event first and decide if you'd be happy driving.
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Was thinking of taking my CL500 on a track day, anyone done this? I was thinking of just the basic, no tuition, novice track day, somewhere near London or Oxford. To be honest I'd prefer the track to myself but I know there would be a lot of other drivers, are they safe?
Assume not! ;D
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Not in my own car but...
I was given a day out at Mallory park as a birthday present.
We were given a Formula Ford type of car. My car came with a 2 litre 16 valve engine from the Astra GTE. 150 BHP in a car weighing about 500KG was a lot of fun.
Before this, they allowed us a few laps in Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 4X4......220 BHP, which does not sound like much today.
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Years ago when I was young and invincible, I went on a works corporate team building day at Goodwood, which included things like playing on the skid pan and a couple of laps round the track in a single seater racing car, after going round in a hot hatch of some description with an unhinged professional at the wheel. :y
Can't remember what the car was, but I do remember that the gear knob clearly came from British Leyland's spares box and would have looked more at home in an Austin 1100 than a racing car. :)
Nevertheless, it was very fast, handled like it was on tracks and for some reason people kept waving flags at me as I zipped round the course overtaking all my slow colleagues. :o
I assumed that they were impressed with my racing driving skills, and indeed I got an award at the end of the day.... Mad Dog Of The Day! :y
Not sure what that did to my career prospects though.... :-\ ;D
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How sorted is the ABC system on your CL? It could prove to be an expensive day out...
On it's second pump. I recently put 2 new spheres in, and a full oil flush and filter change using the 'rodeo' option on my scanner. Which was entertaining. I have some more hydraulic oil and a filter which I would put in afterwards.
It is weird driving round bends at speed with zero roll. Not like the barge was.
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How safe they are depends entirely on how well organised they are and the mindset of the other drivers.
My advice would be to go along and spectate at an event first and decide if you'd be happy driving.
Thanks good idea, I had a quick look on youtube and it has put me off, looks like stock car racing with the added thrill of many drivers with enthusiasm beyond experience, eg this video at Castel Combehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NMdX6pb33s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NMdX6pb33s).
To keep up I think I would get through a full set of tyres. Would be much happier on my own on a track in the rain.
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Used to do quite a lot of track days in the Carlton. Have done Castle Coombe, Silverstone, Donnington, Brands Hatch, Croft, Snetterton, Goodwood, Marham and a few others.
Most of the better organised ones will spilt you into 3 groups based on your declared ability, although they will promote/demote you if you're obviously out of your depth. Each group typically gets 15-20 minutes of track time once per hour. The afternoon may turn into open pit lane, which means you can go out as often as you like for as long as you like. This is normally because in the afternoon there are fewer people - either because the others have crashed, broken something, run out of brakes/tyres, or just got bored.
They are NOT races - you will get thrown out if you break the rules. These rules include not overtaking near or in corners. You are basically there to enjoy your own car without putting anyone else at risk. There are often instructors available, but really I only found them useful if you couldn't quickly work out the correct racing line. Donnington was the most tricky circuit to learn in my opinion.
Remember that if you have to drive home afterwards, you cannot afford to break or wear anything out on the track. It gets expensive very quickly - I was getting through a set of tyres (£600), a set of brake disks and pads (£1000) and god knows how much fuel (£200?) per track day. Plus the cost of entering (typically £150-£300) and getting there and back (Croft is a long way from Somerset). And those were the days when noting broke.
Oh - and your road insurance and RAC/AA cover probably won't be valid on the circuit. If you break down or have an accident you're on your own.
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Much safer and cheaper to do run what you brung drag racing, it does get addictive trying to improve your times and start line reaction.
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How safe they are depends entirely on how well organised they are and the mindset of the other drivers.
My advice would be to go along and spectate at an event first and decide if you'd be happy driving.
Thanks good idea, I had a quick look on youtube and it has put me off, looks like stock car racing with the added thrill of many drivers with enthusiasm beyond experience, eg this video at Castel Combehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NMdX6pb33s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NMdX6pb33s).
To keep up I think I would get through a full set of tyres. Would be much happier on my own on a track in the rain.
Way too many bell ends trying to drift and not a marshal in sight. I wouldn't fancy that one.
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How sorted is the ABC system on your CL? It could prove to be an expensive day out...
On it's second pump. I recently put 2 new spheres in, and a full oil flush and filter change using the 'rodeo' option on my scanner. Which was entertaining. I have some more hydraulic oil and a filter which I would put in afterwards.
It is weird driving round bends at speed with zero roll. Not like the barge was.
How happy would you be replacing valve blocks and the system hoses at the side of the road?
It's a fantastic system but track driving will be a surefire way to stress test it to failure. Not to mention the physics involved as the brakes and tyres try to deal with keeping two tonnes of Merc coupé in check. And if you've AMG brakes and wheels, then there's the potential for doing about £10k of wear and tear damage... Notwithstanding any accidental contact or off roading.
A better approach might be to try in someone else's car and then buy something as a track toy rather than potentially destroying the CL.
On the plus side, both the C215 and C216 were offered with a factory towbar, so you can at least turn up with a trailer full of tools/tyres/spares... >:D
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How safe they are depends entirely on how well organised they are and the mindset of the other drivers.
My advice would be to go along and spectate at an event first and decide if you'd be happy driving.
Thanks good idea, I had a quick look on youtube and it has put me off, looks like stock car racing with the added thrill of many drivers with enthusiasm beyond experience, eg this video at Castel Combehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NMdX6pb33s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NMdX6pb33s).
To keep up I think I would get through a full set of tyres. Would be much happier on my own on a track in the rain.
That looks like a very entertaining afternoon at Castle Coombe watching that corner! :y
The fella in the BMW estate wasn't having a great day, but I loved the synchronised drifting! ::) And the Skoda Yeti!! ;D
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Buy something cheap make sure it’s safe and has decent brakes…brake pads, and tyres, (you may find some cheap semislicks part worn or new on eBay or somewhere else) go to your nearest track, pay attention at the briefing, start as novice plod around going faster and faster, just use it as a taster and gain experience. You will then be on the road to spending a fortune as you will love it and want to do it all the time👍🤣 I’ve been on many tracks in the Evo, Senator 24v auto Carlton 24v manual, to mention a few, if you like driving you will be very happy when you can finally blast around with confidence and enjoy it.
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Watched some more, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6nCXLkoZ-8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6nCXLkoZ-8) seemed to be a fair representation of a track day, despite the title.
It's not what I am aiming for, I just want to go round some bends faster than I would/could on the road, without worrying about other traffic or pedestrians and ideally in the wet if only to save my tyres. So I think it'll be a supermarket carpark on a rainy sunday evening or some rural roundabouts in the early hours.
On the plus side, both the C215 and C216 were offered with a factory towbar, so you can at least turn up with a trailer full of tools/tyres/spares... >:D
No option for a towbar on the C216 I'm told it can't be fitted except as a bike rack, defo not for towing. Or roofrack except an inflatable.
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there's the potential for doing about £10k of wear and tear damage... Notwithstanding any accidental contact or off roading.
Tell me about it - a new plastic front grill costs £580 and that was just cracked by someone carelessly parking in front of me. New rear windscreen (double glazed) £2K.
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there's the potential for doing about £10k of wear and tear damage... Notwithstanding any accidental contact or off roading.
Tell me about it - a new plastic front grill costs £580 and that was just cracked by someone carelessly parking in front of me. New rear windscreen (double glazed) £2K.
Doesn't sound ideal as a track day car. A tatty MS-5 would probably be a better bet, and possibly just as much fun.
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there's the potential for doing about £10k of wear and tear damage... Notwithstanding any accidental contact or off roading.
Tell me about it - a new plastic front grill costs £580 and that was just cracked by someone carelessly parking in front of me. New rear windscreen (double glazed) £2K.
Doesn't sound ideal as a track day car. A tatty MS-5 would probably be a better bet, and possibly just as much fun.
Plenty of cheap options for a track toy ;)
Mini/Corsa/Fiesta for wwd...
MX5/BMW 1/3 Series/stripped out C Class coupe for rwd
Also absolutely no factory towbar option for the C216. Not even listed in the EPC. So definitely a non starter.
Best bet for the CL would probably an organised road rally/tour. :-\
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Watched some more, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6nCXLkoZ-8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6nCXLkoZ-8) seemed to be a fair representation of a track day, despite the title.
It's not what I am aiming for, I just want to go round some bends faster than I would/could on the road, without worrying about other traffic or pedestrians and ideally in the wet if only to save my tyres. So I think it'll be a supermarket carpark on a rainy sunday evening or some rural roundabouts in the early hours.
On the plus side, both the C215 and C216 were offered with a factory towbar, so you can at least turn up with a trailer full of tools/tyres/spares... >:D
No option for a towbar on the C216 I'm told it can't be fitted except as a bike rack, defo not for towing. Or roofrack except an inflatable.
Hope that bloke who rammed the tyres on 27min wasn't hoping to drive home in it. ;D
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They are certainly not all like that, go spectate first if you’re that worried.
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MrsGK is a track day fiend. We did an MSV day at Bedford a few months ago and it was brilliant, but you do have to watch out for the muppets in fast cars who think horsepower is more important than sticking to your line, I nearly got wiped out by a young lass in an Audi S1 who decided to go up the inside on a hairpin.
I wouldn't take anything valuable on track, we have an old Saxo for it. Even at 750kg plus fat git driving I cooked a set of tyres.
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MrsGK is a track day fiend. We did an MSV day at Bedford a few months ago and it was brilliant, but you do have to watch out for the muppets in fast cars who think horsepower is more important than sticking to your line, I nearly got wiped out by a young lass in an Audi S1 who decided to go up the inside on a hairpin.
I wouldn't take anything valuable on track, we have an old Saxo for it. Even at 750kg plus fat git driving I cooked a set of tyres.
I have been pondering using the Bini for such purposes... Obviously the car has to be functional, ie brakes/suspension/tyres... But does it need an MOT :-\
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MrsGK is a track day fiend. We did an MSV day at Bedford a few months ago and it was brilliant, but you do have to watch out for the muppets in fast cars who think horsepower is more important than sticking to your line, I nearly got wiped out by a young lass in an Audi S1 who decided to go up the inside on a hairpin.
I wouldn't take anything valuable on track, we have an old Saxo for it. Even at 750kg plus fat git driving I cooked a set of tyres.
I have been pondering using the Bini for such purposes... Obviously the car has to be functional, ie brakes/suspension/tyres... But does it need an MOT :-\
Depends on the track. Proper race circuits usually not. Airfield track days usually yes. Plus you'll obviously have to trailer it there and back if no MOT.
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No, if its trailered there it just has to be safe, each organiser hs their own rules for if you need whatever stickers, spill kit etc, but generally if there's nothing leaking or falling off then it's fine.
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Trailering is a given, especially without an MoT... But also, presuming to drive the thing home afterwards is perhaps optimistic :D
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I wouldn't take anything valuable on track, we have an old Saxo for it. Even at 750kg plus fat git driving I cooked a set of tyres.
You make another good point. The heavier the car, the more brakes, tyres and fuel you'll get through. Kit cars are thus also a good option.
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I wouldn't take anything valuable on track, we have an old Saxo for it. Even at 750kg plus fat git driving I cooked a set of tyres.
You make another good point. The heavier the car, the more brakes, tyres and fuel you'll get through. Kit cars are thus also a good option.
The purple project I'm on with now was previously owned by an esteemed member of this parish. He had used it as a track car... I'm not sure his nostrils have yet recovered!
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Did a track day many years ago my father won it from a company that he did some work for he wasn't interested in going so I went had some instruction & then let loose in a 3.0 S Capri, still have a traffic cone that I damaged severely !