20 replies to this topic

[Mad Max]

Having mucked about with minis quite alot now i want to build a low budget track car, something i can just hurl round a track and not worry to much about smashing up. I'm not looking to build a outright track ******* just something to burn off that undying urge to go very fast round corners. Been trying to weigh up which car to use as you do and keep going round in circles. I was just wondering what everyone else opinions are on them.

My opinion is that they handle really well are cheap to maintain and i know them inside out. Parts are easy to get hold of and can easily kit it out with handling and braking increases very cheaply. The downside is the crappy engine and wheel bearings just don't seem up for it. I need to keep it small as i want to tow it to track and the smaller the better so BMW or the likes is out of the question but what other hatchbacks out there would be fit for purpose?

[blister]

pro's are easy to think of when thinking interms of a track car and using a mini

easy to make lighter, cheap to buy, parts are cheap, handle brilliantly,

cons i cant personally see/think of any, except the urge to want to go fast but basically a completely stripped out mini is going to be very competetive and give you a buzz even with just a 1275 engine..

any car you chose as soon as you have felt that you have meet the need for speed you will non the less want to go faster! and the options of making a mini go faster are endless!but you will find yourself spending more and more money!

[jameswildcooper]

i wouldnt say the engine are a downside or the wheelbearing. just keep on top of everything and they will be fine. you could do something like 1380 or got turbo or supercharged. 150+bhp is more than enough in a mini.....

[mini_mad69]

First off pros and cons

Pro:
Cheap parts/tyres
Fun
Good handling
Easily and cheaply modified.

Cons:
Reliability
Slow straight line speed (but dont let that put you off)

My biggest problem is trying to get the oil to stay in the car.
As you can imagine, oil on a track is very bad.


MX-5 is one of the most popular track cars I see.
But also things like saxos, clios and 106 gtis seem very popular and quick.

[jameswildcooper]

MK1 clio 16V 1.8L and 137BHP as standard. pick a car up with MOT and tax for around £600 these days. fairly quick and handle v well

[mini_mad69]

Just to add, I had an amazing amount of fun in my 998 mini on my first track day.

Power isn't everything on track, but my 1380 was faster, and it still needs to be faster again.

[blister]

i sadly cannot comment on the use of a mx5 for a track car, i am still waiting for the keys for my mx5 i would assume that they would be good track cars also when using a mx5 you can get turbo kits very cheap every now and again on ebay

[Mad Max]

First off pros and cons

Pro:
Cheap parts/tyres
Fun
Good handling
Easily and cheaply modified.

Cons:
Reliability
Slow straight line speed (but dont let that put you off)

My biggest problem is trying to get the oil to stay in the car.
As you can imagine, oil on a track is very bad.


MX-5 is one of the most popular track cars I see.
But also things like saxos, clios and 106 gtis seem very popular and quick.

Thats my problem exactly, don't get me wrong i love the mini but am i barking up the wrong tree entire when you start considering the other hot hatches out there. I know everyone says that mx-5 are hairdressers cars and that that is only said by people who don't own them but ITS A HAIRDRESSERS CAR I can't help but think a newer car would be better in terms of reliability, both my minis have been reliable but thats only because of the constant proactive maintenance i do on them would a newer car be any more reliable under the strains of track days?

[jaydee]

They're just like a big heavy kart..and bags of fun to drive but slow on straight..
If you're after power to make them competitive, then reliability is the real problem of a trackday mini, plan to rebuild the engine on regular basis. But parts are very cheap when compared to modern cars.

Edited by jaydee, 20 September 2011 - 05:23 PM.

[jbj]

I bought my Mini for track use and what little action it got before I started pulling the engine apart was great. Pug 205 GTI or 306 GTI6 would be good choices too.

[mini93]

From what iv seen at track days, which we go to sometimes with work running a modified 1.9 205 GTI... thats slow. a mini isnt going to stand a chance unless its a fire breather... always better of starting with a fast car and making it faster

whilst of course a track day isnt about passing every car on track, if your always having to drive over to the side to avoid other drivers pouncing you from behind, your concentrating on something else other than having fun.
Drove my mini round combe last year, that was a blast. compaired to some other mini's mines got a decent pace and being that it was with minis and not things like lotus' or porshes its alot more easy going not having to look behind all the time... even the binis were slow haha

[Mini_Magic]

Bear in mind though that while the parts are cheap, a new shell sure isn't.

You can pick up much better and faster track cars for less, but then won't be as fun or have the heritage of the Mini.

If you love Minis then I'd say go for it, if you just want to go fast around a track for cheap then look elsewhere.

[steverose]

I have raced and track day'ed my mini for the last 3 years and touch wood have never had a mechanical breakdown, although I did run out of fuel at Oulton Park once!!! They are not the fastest thing on the track by a long way, although there is a sense of pleasure overtaking an M3 mid corner (I know your not meant to but I couldnt help it) after all there is no point in having a tool if you are to afraid to use it.
Mini's hold the road well (although I have had a few offs, including rolling it a few weeks back), and I dont think you can get a car for the same money that will put such a smile on your face. If you keep on top of the work you should have no problems. But as with all track cars they are pushed a lot harder than they were intended so things will fail quicker than on the road, but once you have found the weak points you can do something about them.
If its for use only on a track though I would put a full cage in it, as you can still have a good shunt at low speeds.

[Black.Ghost]

Porsche GT3 RS. I heard they are ok.

A Pug 205 GTi could be good fun.

I think it could be a case of just looking around to see what is available. Something might jump out at you as a good option.

I would love a track Mini, or track car in general.

What about a Caterham or something like that? You could pick up a kit car fairly cheap one somewhere, and you could do so much to it. Plus they are light and easily moved around.

[TopCatCustom]

I saw a Merc C220 (I know auto) for £700 or offers local to me yesterday, cant believe how cheap some cars are and stripped right out it would be good fun on track!