Is it to soon to take new car for spin at Winton track day?

Mossie · 21-01-2012, 03:50 PM

Hi guys, just wanted to know weather its too early in my utes life to take it on a track day? Ive only had the ute for nearly 2 weeks now and I wanted to take it down for a spin at the Winton fun day on 28th Jan 2012 its only done 700kms at the moment, it’s a 2011 FPV GS 315. Either way im still going to go down and check it out, sounds like it’ll be a good day driving or spectating, only $35 to enter for a day of track driving sounds pretty awesome. If anyone goes come say hi, im always up for a chat. I tried to start a thread in the events - vic/tas section yesterday arvo but it hasn’t come up yet. Heres the link with info about the fun day if anyone’s interested.
http://www.wintonraceway.com.au/events?date=28-Jan-2012

Cheers
Mossie

Jim Goose · 21-01-2012, 03:54 PM

And if something happens on the track do you think your warranty will pay up?

dawsman · 21-01-2012, 03:55 PM

I reckon you'll be alright. The run-in procedure recommends 1600km before subjecting them to "race conditions", but I'd hardly call a public track day race conditions. If anything, it will help with the run-in, especially bedding-in the brakes!

b2tf · 21-01-2012, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

And if something happens on the track do you think your warranty will pay up?

Absolutely certainly will not, which is why you remove the number plates and you don't post on a public forum what you're doing!

Smoke Pursuit · 21-01-2012, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2tf

Absolutely certainly will not, which is why you remove the number plates and you don't post on a public forum what you're doing!

Ford cannot deny warranty for track days (FPV run their own remember), there are plenty of people who drive them worse on the street then some of us do on the track (within reason ofcourse).

Having already modified the ute though your warranty is pretty much stuffed anyways.

I would try and get a few thousand km's on it before you take it there just so everything is bedded in.

Tribal · 21-01-2012, 04:07 PM

I'd use the next 7 days to try and put another thousand k's on...

Mossie · 21-01-2012, 04:56 PM

Thanks for the replies guys, they’ve satisfied my decision to play it safe and not to take it out, I don’t want to risk ruining the ute, and even more so by going against manufactures recommendations like dawsman wrote 1600km before going to the track. Just thought id post the question over the forum after talking to a local mechanic that said it would be good for it, at least now when im spectating and thinking to myself that im a pussy and should get out there, that im doing the right thing by my ute. Ill just have to wait till the next fun day in july, it should have plenty of kms under its belt by then so no excuses. Thanks again guys.

Cheers
Mossie

Smoke Pursuit · 21-01-2012, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mossie

Thanks for the replies guys, they’ve satisfied my decision to play it safe and not to take it out, I don’t want to risk ruining the ute, and even more so by going against manufactures recommendations like dawsman wrote 1600km before going to the track. Just thought id post the question over the forum after talking to a local mechanic that said it would be good for it, at least now when im spectating and thinking to myself that im a pussy and should get out there, that im doing the right thing by my ute. Ill just have to wait till the next fun day in july, it should have plenty of kms under its belt by then so no excuses. Thanks again guys.

Cheers
Mossie

Just take it for a decent few runs... I can do 500 kms very quickly... as long as you have around 1,500 on it you should be fine. Check all fluids and make sure you give it an oil change after!

kyro_02 · 21-01-2012, 06:24 PM

go easy on the brakes

i found out the hard way of rooting the brakes after a day on the track

why not go on anyway? not different than taking it around a windy road with some cliff's :P

351ciofgrunt · 21-01-2012, 06:59 PM

The worst thing you can do for a new motor is baby it. I'd be taking it trackside from day 1

IceValk85 · 21-01-2012, 08:02 PM

^^^ agree

more than one mechanic i deal with believes in belting the crap out of them from day one

especially diesels it seems too.

Ice

Pepscobra · 21-01-2012, 08:23 PM

I'd take it to the track for sure... In fact, i did with mine when it was only a few weeks old also. No problems what-so-ever.
Have done a few track days since and she seems to love it. Doesnt burn oil at all.

Trevor 57 · 21-01-2012, 08:35 PM

and don't forget the insurance implications of having your ride on a 'race track'

Pepscobra · 21-01-2012, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Trev

and don't forget the insurance implications of having your ride on a 'race track'

That is true... There is some elements of risk in this.
Some insurance companies do offer a day cover for track events at an extra cost... So long as it is a properly organised event.