View Poll Results: Do you drive to track days or trailer your track car?
I drive to the track
34
42.50%
I trailer my track car to the track
45
56.25%
Swear ta me!
1
1.25%
Voters: 80. You may not vote on this poll
Drive to the track or trailer your track car? Poll!
12-27-2014, 12:45 PM
#1
Gasoline Addict
Thread Starter
Drive to the track or trailer your track car? Poll!
Do you prefer to drive to the track or trailer your track car?
This thread is created to quantify the number of responses to this thread:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...the-track.html
This thread is created to quantify the number of responses to this thread:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...the-track.html
12-27-2014, 02:18 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
A track car should be trailered. Now a street car prepped for the track? I trailer either way.
I like knowing I have a way home no matter what happens (God forbid)
I like knowing I have a way home no matter what happens (God forbid)
12-27-2014, 11:28 PM
#4
Pro
Member Since: Sep 2005
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If it's a Z06, it was designed to handle the rigors of track duty; to be driven to the track, and driven home.
Yet, if you are going to drive 10/10ths every lap and not manage the car, trying to be Joe Time-Trial Wanna-Be-Racer on track days (eg, not backing off when the brakes, engine, etc, get hot) then it's probably best to trailer it because **** will obviously fail.
Keep the car stock, with street tires, maintain it well and inspect and replace things proactively, and it will be a very reliable track car. A AAA membership can handle any towing needs if something happens. Start upgrading the tires, adding supercharges, go-fast mods, and driving it 10/10ths will likely cause reliability issues.
With that said, GM cars are not all that reliable, if I towed it to the track, then I'd also just tow it around town on the streets, with a Tundra doing the tow
Yet, if you are going to drive 10/10ths every lap and not manage the car, trying to be Joe Time-Trial Wanna-Be-Racer on track days (eg, not backing off when the brakes, engine, etc, get hot) then it's probably best to trailer it because **** will obviously fail.
Keep the car stock, with street tires, maintain it well and inspect and replace things proactively, and it will be a very reliable track car. A AAA membership can handle any towing needs if something happens. Start upgrading the tires, adding supercharges, go-fast mods, and driving it 10/10ths will likely cause reliability issues.
With that said, GM cars are not all that reliable, if I towed it to the track, then I'd also just tow it around town on the streets, with a Tundra doing the tow
12-29-2014, 08:05 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
I drive my car to the track and home. 99% of the people do, especially Vettes. It's rare to have problems.
And to the numnuts point above, I've seen plenty of Japanese cars get towed off the track, and a lot of German cars too. Anyone that has spent any time on the track will verify this.
My last event, the only thing that blew an engine was a Porsche. Other cars that broke crap were Mazda's, etc. Not a single Vette or Camaro broke anything.
Now that you mention it, not a single TOYota broke anything - oh wait, that's because I don't recall ever seeing any on the track LOL......
PS - And I even own a F150 and still choose to drive, not tow.
Last edited by Coach62; 12-29-2014 at 08:07 PM.
12-29-2014, 08:17 PM
#6
Drifting
Well maintained cars of all makes tend to be reliable in my experience, this brand snobbery is stupid. Just about every company has made some great and terrible cars.
If you want to drive to the track and run the car all day and drive home without ever even bothering to even check your oil, then yeah buy a truck and trailer. Otherwise it's pretty unlikely that you will ever break even on the "investment" of a truck+trailer vs. paying for towing in the event of a breakdown.
12-29-2014, 08:25 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
You might want to have your eyes checked, I can't imagine a track day not having anyone in an FRS or MR2 or Celica - all great cars from Toyota.
Well maintained cars of all makes tend to be reliable in my experience, this brand snobbery is stupid. Just about every company has made some great and terrible cars.
If you want to drive to the track and run the car all day and drive home without ever even bothering to even check your oil, then yeah buy a truck and trailer. Otherwise it's pretty unlikely that you will ever break even on the "investment" of a truck+trailer vs. paying for towing in the event of a breakdown.
Well maintained cars of all makes tend to be reliable in my experience, this brand snobbery is stupid. Just about every company has made some great and terrible cars.
If you want to drive to the track and run the car all day and drive home without ever even bothering to even check your oil, then yeah buy a truck and trailer. Otherwise it's pretty unlikely that you will ever break even on the "investment" of a truck+trailer vs. paying for towing in the event of a breakdown.
12-30-2014, 08:46 AM
#8
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Mar 1999
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"Ask Tadge" Producer
What I like to call "rolling chicanes".As for the OP: I currently drive, and have driven all of my cars to and from the track since starting this activity back in '97. I have a truck. I don't have a trailer. I have the interest and desire to trailer my car, but I have to get over the mental hump of actually doing it.
Until then, I'm driving (on my Rs)
Last edited by jvp; 12-30-2014 at 08:49 AM.
12-30-2014, 10:07 AM
#10
Drifting
Member Since: Dec 2007
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As soon as you make the swap to track tires, tow it. If street tires you can't really push anything hard enough to have the risk of breaking stuff. If you aren't trailering you are just out there to have fun and goof off which is fine and how most start.
Buying a trailer and tow vehicle won't break anyone's bank. Problem is most people are snobs and are too stuck up to buy a ****** looking tow vehicle/trailer that run and drive fine. I tow my vette with a '94 4cyl manual Toyota truck. It is full throttle all the time dragon-fly the whole way. My trailer cost $1500 and has breaks and everything. Not pretty but gets the job done.
I am thankful I trailer considering all the spare parts and tools I have needed and use frequently.
I thought the same way about how much simpler it is to drive to the track till I got a trailer. Now I look back and think, "yea that was a waste of time"
Buying a trailer and tow vehicle won't break anyone's bank. Problem is most people are snobs and are too stuck up to buy a ****** looking tow vehicle/trailer that run and drive fine. I tow my vette with a '94 4cyl manual Toyota truck. It is full throttle all the time dragon-fly the whole way. My trailer cost $1500 and has breaks and everything. Not pretty but gets the job done.
I am thankful I trailer considering all the spare parts and tools I have needed and use frequently.
I thought the same way about how much simpler it is to drive to the track till I got a trailer. Now I look back and think, "yea that was a waste of time"
12-30-2014, 05:22 PM
#14
All or nothing. I knew from the get go that I would need a truck/trailer. Did that first, then bough a dedicated track car. A pretty long-term goal(s) but it paid off. Took 3 years but it's all worth it. I had a ton of fun in my street z but I knew the track is where it's at.
Last edited by Blackonblack89; 12-30-2014 at 05:25 PM.
12-30-2014, 05:27 PM
#15
Gasoline Addict
Thread Starter
01-02-2015, 10:20 AM
#18
Safety Car
$400 towing bill from VIR to my house was enough to get me to invest $2000 in a trailer (already had a truck). It is much more convenient anyway. It was incredible how much stuff I could get in the car though.
01-03-2015, 01:03 AM
#19
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Oct 1999
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If it's a Z06, it was designed to handle the rigors of track duty; to be driven to the track, and driven home.
Yet, if you are going to drive 10/10ths every lap and not manage the car, trying to be Joe Time-Trial Wanna-Be-Racer on track days (eg, not backing off when the brakes, engine, etc, get hot) then it's probably best to trailer it because **** will obviously fail.
Keep the car stock, with street tires, maintain it well and inspect and replace things proactively, and it will be a very reliable track car. A AAA membership can handle any towing needs if something happens. Start upgrading the tires, adding supercharges, go-fast mods, and driving it 10/10ths will likely cause reliability issues.
With that said, GM cars are not all that reliable, if I towed it to the track, then I'd also just tow it around town on the streets, with a Tundra doing the tow
Yet, if you are going to drive 10/10ths every lap and not manage the car, trying to be Joe Time-Trial Wanna-Be-Racer on track days (eg, not backing off when the brakes, engine, etc, get hot) then it's probably best to trailer it because **** will obviously fail.
Keep the car stock, with street tires, maintain it well and inspect and replace things proactively, and it will be a very reliable track car. A AAA membership can handle any towing needs if something happens. Start upgrading the tires, adding supercharges, go-fast mods, and driving it 10/10ths will likely cause reliability issues.
With that said, GM cars are not all that reliable, if I towed it to the track, then I'd also just tow it around town on the streets, with a Tundra doing the tow
Obviously, truck purchasers don't agree with your Tundra thoughts since Toyota doesn't sell many of them in a year. Look around and see what all of the contractors are driving. New/Old Fords, Chevys, and Dodges. The reason they give reliable, low cost service.
Granted Toyota cars have a solid reputation but it is over blown. You can look at years of JD Power 3 year Dependability studies and the Toyota's although slightly better in average reliability/durability don't deserve the reputation they have. Over the last 12 years Toyotas have been averaging just under 2 failures per 3 year old vehicle while GM cars average just over 2 failures per 3 year old vehicle. That is the difference of making two trips to the shop Vs 3 trips when the vehicle is 3 years old. When the records are checked the myth isn't borne out in reality and it is obvious they don't really deserve the price differential people pay for them. However, for people who read the data it is nice to get just as good of a vehicle for less money.
Bill
01-03-2015, 02:23 PM
#20
Burning Brakes
I have been towing my car to the track on my 21 year old trailer with my 12 year old 100K Tahoe for 12 years. Like all cars the Tahoe has had a couple of issues over those years (no repair that took more than 1 day) but the engine/drivetrain are still going strong and the only issue I have is rust since the Tahoe sat outside in the salt and sand every winter for 11 years. Typical End of Life mileage on a Tahoe is in the 250K mile range so they have a pretty good durability record.
Obviously, truck purchasers don't agree with your Tundra thoughts since Toyota doesn't sell many of them in a year. Look around and see what all of the contractors are driving. New/Old Fords, Chevys, and Dodges. The reason they give reliable, low cost service.
Granted Toyota cars have a solid reputation but it is over blown. You can look at years of JD Power 3 year Dependability studies and the Toyota's although slightly better in average reliability/durability don't deserve the reputation they have. Over the last 12 years Toyotas have been averaging just under 2 failures per 3 year old vehicle while GM cars average just over 2 failures per 3 year old vehicle. That is the difference of making two trips to the shop Vs 3 trips when the vehicle is 3 years old. When the records are checked the myth isn't borne out in reality and it is obvious they don't really deserve the price differential people pay for them. However, for people who read the data it is nice to get just as good of a vehicle for less money.
Bill
Obviously, truck purchasers don't agree with your Tundra thoughts since Toyota doesn't sell many of them in a year. Look around and see what all of the contractors are driving. New/Old Fords, Chevys, and Dodges. The reason they give reliable, low cost service.
Granted Toyota cars have a solid reputation but it is over blown. You can look at years of JD Power 3 year Dependability studies and the Toyota's although slightly better in average reliability/durability don't deserve the reputation they have. Over the last 12 years Toyotas have been averaging just under 2 failures per 3 year old vehicle while GM cars average just over 2 failures per 3 year old vehicle. That is the difference of making two trips to the shop Vs 3 trips when the vehicle is 3 years old. When the records are checked the myth isn't borne out in reality and it is obvious they don't really deserve the price differential people pay for them. However, for people who read the data it is nice to get just as good of a vehicle for less money.
Bill
How dare you bring pesky little things like facts to a discussion. Don't get me wrong, I looked at Tundras, but OMG are they massively over priced. Toy sure is proud of them. You can get a more fuel efficient Silverado for about 10K less, equally equipped (after incentives).