mammoth713

What are some of the "best" Track Day Cars..

leaving this as a pretty open ended question on purpose

MitchAlsup

Best track day cars: Formula One, Indy Car, LeMans Car, Daytona Prototype, Grand Am, GP2 Car, Formula 2 Car, NASA,..., NASCAR Cup car, DSR, ...

Best streetable track day car: Vette Z06, although if you can afford it a Ferrari 458 would be super--and by afford I mean the maintanence to keep the 458 running after a track day eats the CC brake rotors ($24K).

carlsbad

I would love a Z06 centenial. other than that, a Viper GTS would be best. Mainly because it had ZERO driver aids and RAW unmolested power witch would keep you on your toes!.

Yorgaki1

ritzz06

Is this the "raw unmolested" power you're talking about?

sublime1996525

Well the Aerial Atom and KTM are both pretty sweet track cars.

mammoth713

$24k!!!!

would a c5 z06 be considered a great track day car too, although the c6 z06 would run away in the straights..?

JeremyGSU

I'm not sure what is considered "best". A C5 Z06 is much better than a C6 Z06 from a cost perspective but won't outperform it in anything. Most guys who have tracked both said their running costs went up 3x over C5 for track days from what I've seem on this forum. The LS6 is probably considered more reliable than an LS7 too. Would I sell my C5 and buy a C6 if I could afford it? Absolutely.

nmerhaut

Always thought the Miata was a great track car especially the old Speed model.

71Pantera

I have a 94 turbo Miata that lives at the local track and it is great and cheap.

Be careful with the Mazdaspeed Miata if you are where it gets hot. The factory intercooler is not very good.

I also had a tracked preped STi and it was awsome.

I do not like Atoms on the track. A hand full to drive (if you are not used to it) and other cars on the track can not see you.

I also like C5-C6s.

Lotus Elise and Porsche Cayman are not hell on expendables (tires, brakes, ect...)

Miata hands down is the cheapest car to run.

phxcobra

How'd you like the STI overall. Wouldn't mind an STI as a dd and occasional track car. Was it pretty reliable?

Vette5.5

Well, since a C6 ZO6 is what I have, what I use. Lots of great track cars out there. Standard C5's and ZO6's are good choices too. While not as fast, the mentioned Mazda Miata's and Honda S2000's are lots of fun too. Modified Subaru STI's, and Mitsubishi Evo's, are also track skunks. Amazing how you can run just about any modern car hard on the track, and hold up just fine.

0Randy@DRM

DRM RTR (Ready to Race) Machine

The DRM RTR project was introduced during a late night concept of Doug Rippie’s. “We need to build a safe, light, fast, clean car and sell them to the track guys.” My ears perked up. So sit back, grab a cold one and enjoy.

Body
fiberglass WC C6 Z06
Lexan front and rear windows
Carbon fiber wing
Splitter for increase front downforce
Both doors are fully operational
Front head lights (not DOT approved)
Rear brake lights
Painted to your favorite color
Two GM side mirrors

Chassis
Steel chassis with all unnecessary brackets removed
Full 10 point cage to meet most all sanctioning bodies rules
Nascar style door bars on both sides of the car
Steel firewall for safety
Z06 lightweight cradles front and rear
Chassis powder coated to your favorite color
Front and rear tubular bumpers
Jack posts for easier lifting

Suspension
Mono-ball suspension bearings at all suspension to chassis points
Rod end steering arms for adjustable bump steer
GM power steering rack with a few trade tricks
Power steering cooler in the radiator
LGM Drop spindles
DRM Bilstein coilover shocks
Hyperco springs
T-1 swaybars with adjustable end links
Scaled, aligned and set ride height

Brakes
AP front and rear brake package
Full race pads
14 inch rotor in the front
13.25 inch rotor in the rear
Titlton pedal assembly
Cockpit adjustable brake bias
SS lines to the calipers
Custom stainless steel hard lines
Frame style brake ducting
Spindle ducts

Tire and wheel packages
CCW race wheels
Hoosier R6 compound
295/30/18 front
335/30/18 rear

Engine
GM LS7 crate engine
Custom JE pistons
Katech rod bolts
Upgraded rocker arms
ARE Dry-sump tank and pan
Custom DRM Camshaft (630 horsepower)
Comp cams valvetrain
Aftermarket wiring harness
Modified computer program (pump gas)
Stainless steel headers
Rear exit exhaust
Race style mufflers
Ron Davis radiator with oil cooler
GM fuel tanks
Redline race oil

Drivetrain
Quarter Master race clutch
GM bellhousing
DRM flywheel shatter shield
Remote hydraulic bleeder
GM ZR1 transmission
GM ZR1 rear-end (3.42)
GM wheel bearings with ARP studs
GM ZR1 torque tube
GM CV joint axles
Transmission and differential coolers
Stainless steel Aeroquip lines and fittings
Redline fluids

Interior
Autometer gauge package
Kirban short throw shifter
Kirky driver and passenger seats
Collapsible steering shaft with removable wheel
Crow safety harness
Driver and Passenger window nets
Fire system (afff)

63Corvette

I have a C5 Z06 that works for me, However, I would suggest a used Panoz race school car as a viable option.

Carnac

I love my Z06 for HDPE days, but a Porsche GT3 RS would be my choice if I had the $$$.

A friend of mine went from a C6 Z06 to a Subaru WRX STI. The STI is a dedicated track car that he trailers to the track. Consumables are much less than the C6 Z06.

carlsbad

A C5Z with upgraded brakes and suspension would be a track beast. For more $$$, a Z06 with Z07 package would be awesome!. Dont forget about the Viper ACR.

71Pantera

I have tracked three Subys extensivly and all of them have been great.

1. 03 WRX wagon COBB stage II power, stoptech front brakes, sti springs, COBB sways. Great car about 60k total 5k ish on the track. No issues noted.

2. 04 Forester TX that did the one lap in 04. Great car but very prepaired. No issues that drivers did not cause.

3. 04 STi, COBB stage II pwr, Sways, Ohlins inverted fix pearch struts (very adjustable and great on the track). Was a little harsh on bad roads. This car had close to 68k on it and about 8-9k on the track and no issues at all other than things I wanted to change.

The STi shared driving duties as I have a company car. They are great cars with good power.

I am a big fan. I love my Z06 for different reasons. I am not a brand guy. I would have a 9 second Pacer wagon if I had unlimited funds.

DD/Track cars are a compromise. Best thing I can tell you is get an extra set of wheels and tires for the track. I used the same brake pads track and street. I am lazy!

Good luck.

SilveradoSS500

997 GT3 .1 or .2, it's the most consistent.

phxcobra

I had a 03 WRX with VF30 and other mods. It was a lot of fun. Obviously not as fast as the vette, but I have a soft spot for the subarus. Any heat issues with the STI since it's FI? I used to track an 03 cobra and really got tired of heating issues (IAT and water temps)

MitchAlsup

How much?