I have a 2003 TB Evo VIII that is my daily driver. I have been to one Track Day as a novice with an instructor, and by the time the day was over I was completely hooked. My sole purpose for the track days is to get faster and to gain understanding about performance driving, not to compete.


Problem:
I don't have any funds to buy a used E30 or miata to turn into a track car, but I want to hit 4-5 track days every year. I am worried that taking my DD to the track that often will make me susceptible to catostrophic failure (i.e. I will have to tow it home) at the track (not from hammering the car or being stupid, but just putting excessive stress on the components).

Question:
For my purposes, do I need to worry a lot about breaking the car (my daily driver) at the track just from track day wear and tear? Should I stop dreaming about tracking my DD and just save up enough money to buy a $3000 car that I can run hard at the track?

Like I said, I don't plan on hammering my Evo, but I do want to improve, and get faster each session and each HPDE. I changed the oil before and after my first HPDE and I got the 60k Mitsu service so all of my other fluids were replaced as well.

Mod List:
-Megan Track Series Coilovers (12k front, 10k rear)
-Perrin 25mm adj. rear sway bar with stout mounts
-Kumho MX 245/40/18 tires on Work CR Kai 18x9.5 rims
-Hawk HPS Pads
-Jun B.L. Catback exhaust
-K&N Panel Filter
-Forge Evo 15 DV
-Hallman MBC set at 21.5 PSI
-Tym Switzer tune
-Takata harnesses

Future Mods
-SS brake lines
-Better brake fluid (currently Mobil 1) Any suggestions?
-Racing seats

What do you think?

Btw here are some pics from my track day Carolina Motorsports Park HPDE

 

Fortunately I have a bike I can rely on in a bind... but anything can happen on the track. That said, I'd put that $3k plus in a safe place for a rainy day. I think you will be fine in the evo if you are reasonably responsible.

You will probably learn to drive better in a worse/slower car, but those skills will not necessarily directly translate to the ability to drive your evo fast.

You also have to remember that your beater will need registration, insurance, storage, and plenty of other costs unless you have a tow car.

 

Those are definitely good points! I don't have cash for those ^^^^ either. I am saving up though

 

If you can't afford to write it off, don't take it to the track. Simple as that.

 

That just about covers it.

 

Mine is a DD, including throwing on some Hakkapolitas for the winter snow.

Ive got almost 40k on my car with numerous trackdays (more than 30) and most of those Ive instructed and drove most of the sessions.

Ive only replaced rotors, pads and a clutch at almost 30k.

Go enjoy your car like it was meant for. But enjoying it doesnt mean beating on it. (dont get the wrong impression!) Smooth is fast.

Musts for your mod list are:

Motul RBF 600 fluid
SS lines
Performance Friction Z Pads
AMS Brake Duct Kit

All can be purchased from AMS.

Be fast, but safe.

 

Sorry guys, disagree. I cant afford to write mine off anymore than the avg evo owner. Dont scare the guy.

Drive as fast as you feel comfortable and dont EVER enter a corner with out being in controll.
Dont late brake.
Work your way up to it.
Dont ever rush anything behind the wheel.
Dont use the guys brake lights in front of you for an indicator when to brake.

Never break these rules and you'll be fine.

 

These comments are verrrryyy constructive. Thanks for the advice

 

edit: I forgot to say that I upgraded to Hawk HPS pads

 

I wouldn't say I drive my T2 race car on the street daily, but I do drive it on the street quite often and I doubt there are too many Evo's out there that are beat on more than mine. Yes, I have tags, inspection stickers and insurance! I agree with Lawrence, drive the car as it was intended to be driven, just take it easy on the transmission with nice easy shifts, upgrade your brake fluid and pads (better than HPS IMO) change your fluids often and you should be fine.

Marty

 

Great suggestions guys! Brake upgrades will come for sure.

 

Your right, he asked about mechanical failures related to track days. Take care of the car and it will take care of you. I raced my Evo for 2 years with ZERO mechanical failures, save one, so it can be done. Of course that ONE failure resulted in a 130 mph flight into a gravel trap...

 

*begin oh **** face, que music* fly me to the moon, let me play, among the gravel, let me see what spring is like, *pause* without a race car

Deff seen 100k dollar machines with better drivers plow into scenario's I don't want to even think about debt wise (even though that isn't the case with them, it is with us) so just keep it safe. You got the right idea to attend a skip barber or the like, you get to beat on their cars and make the n00b mistakes that way you feel safer at speed in your car.

 

Thanks guys. Sometimes the truth hurts about this kind of stuff, but I appreciate the honesty.

I'm definitely taking it slow because competition isn't a big deal to me... yet

 

Even some of the guys on here are blowing it up too much... Pads, and fluids (diffs, tranny, oil, brake) and tires are all I ever changed, for 3 years... over 40 track days, 52k miles, most of which were DD. Never needed brake lines, or brake ducting, even after getting Michelin race slicks, nor clutch.

You take care of your car, it will take care of you. Any and all problems I've had with my two cars, as well as our old race S2000 were not directly race related but related to some other issue they had before. i.e. first track day with the pcar I didn't change the brake fluid for high heat... bad idea

Sure, if you want to get crazy serious brake ducting and some stainless steel lines will help a lot. But if you're just doing HPDEs, trust me when I say I was fine, I was the fastest (or second fastest, if my dad was running our S) in our advanced run group many many days on track.

Best words of wisdom so far for Evo-hpders: "Drive as fast as you feel comfortable"
But remember not to be too comfortable, your Evo is an amazing track machine that is very very forgiving... But when it doesn't accept your apology, you're gonna be sideways, backwards, or upside down, I guarentee it.

And on that note... To have it pretty much always be forgiving... just remember "Dont ever rush anything behind the wheel." Can't really say it better than that... Always ALWAYS be smooth. Don't jerk the wheel, don't slam the brakes, don't slam the gas, dont jerk through gears. Not because it is always a bad idea on track (sometimes in a Miata you just gotta slam the gas, haha) but unless you take out some weight or do some other modifications to counter it: your car is a big heavy sedan, with lots of weight to shift around. Slam on the brakes, and most of that goes forward, off the rear wheels... You now have a FWD car that likes to spin like a RWD car. Granted, its not as unstable as say... a rear-engined car. But still.

In the end, here's the truth: I did it for 3 years. I had problems with the Evo, but none of them could be directly or indirectly traced back to the track (especially considering I beat on it pretty hard every day anyway). Take care of it, do routine maintenence more often (I did all the fluids I said above every 3000 miles), and check the things that need checking (oil pressure, temps, levels of fluids, pads, rotors, tires wear and pressure, etc) and you'll be fine.