CL55 AMG...Knockhill......should I or shouldn't I?

[Silver CL55]

I've priced getting some private lessons then driving my own car around Knockhill circuit.
Lessons on an empty track from one of the professionals there, then "top marques day" with other cars over 10k.
Soooo......should I or shouldn't I, and if I do what problems might I encounter/cause?
Car has done around 70k, has full MBSH and is covered under an MB Tier 2 warrant (which does not cover me for racing/track days I know, but if I don't tell them?)
I would just like to be able to drive the car at it's limits for once, a track seems ideal but I wouldn't dream of trying it without lessons/instruction of some kind.
What do you all think?, any racing experts here?
Colin.

 

[Mark300SL]

I like Knockhill as a circuit but to be fair the Scots dont have too many choices when it comes to tracks!
Like all trackdays make sure the levels are up to the mark and you have very good brake life left. I am sure the car will cope - I'm not so sure my wallet would cope with replacing the brakes/tyres if I cooked them on a trackday.

When we take the CRX on track we reckon the front brake pads will last the day, when we use it on the road they will last at least a year
We have a spare set of wheels with track tyres on them that are much better suited to the job and it also means we drive home on the same nice legal rubber that took us to the circuit in the morning.

Track tyres make the whole experience more enjoyable and an instructor will certainly show you how to get the best out of both the car and tyres


Just make sure you are prepared for the "extras" as far as costs are concerned as trackdays are superb fun but more expensive than you originally plan for. Brakes/tyres/pertol are the main expenses, In a whole days driving I will use 2 full 40L tanks of petrol in a 2.0 normally aspirated CRX - god knows how much you will use in a CL55


Worst case scenario for a full day - you need new pads & discs (AMG=ouch!), likely 2 rear tyres, if not fronts as well and you might hit £150+ in petrol consumed
Best case - you fill it up and use the car as it was intended, brakes survive and tyres survive and the only extra cost is fuel.


You may come away addicted though - then it really starts


HTH


Mark

 

[grober]

Noooooooooooo!

What about your car's insurance policy are you covered ? I once saw a guy bend his Ferrari 456 into a banana shape there and another blow both turbo inlets on an F40 on the same day. People do get carried away despite themselves! To be honest a CL55 is not a "track day" car being more of a grand tourer and a bit too heavy and softly sprung IMHO sorry---- but it's your money?

 

[timskemp]

Tell you what, meet me there and pass me the keys, I'll burn a tank of fuel for you and let you know if I think you'd enjoy it

 

[wemorgan]

It's possible to take out special track day insurance. It's very expensive, but necessary in my view. The red mist is likely to come down for you or other drivers around you, putting your car at risk.

If you're going to try to be competitive then try to remove as much excess weight from the car; spare wheel and general rubbish from the boot. But sadly it won't add up to too much compared to the weight of the CL55.

Don't for get to check the wheel bolt torques and tyre pressures.

As a guide my mate in his racing MX5 uses roughly 1L of fuel every 2 minutes of track time.

I'm sure you'll have a great time, but as Grober says, the CL55 is not a track car and you'll be surprised how slow you are compared to smaller, lighter and less powerful cars. But maybe that's not the point Have some fun and show us the photos!

 

[Druk]

Possibly joining in with a private track day tomoro at Knockhill myself. Not going if it's wet though. No fun that in an old SL.

 

[R2D2]

I've have been driven around Knockhill by an instructor in my old W202. It was fun, interesting but even the w202 seemed big around the back of the circuit. I have also been around knockhill on a Ferrari owners club jaunt and went out in a 308gtb which was up against more modern machinary, we were outclassed and spun twice trying to keep up.

The last track day I went to there (to watch), there was a guy with a beatiful Audi A8 and although on the straights he'd blast up the hill and earn himself a little space he was being caught by a stripped out metro! The local EVO boys were lapping him.

I'm sure driving the CL there will be blood pressure enhancing and could be fun for a few laps but it is not without its risks and could be costly or even put you off your lovely car...HTH. All IMHO.

 

[BlackC55]

The CL has ABC and this system has minimal body roll and pitch but your brakes will be the weak point as the car is very heavy

 

[Will]

Maybe cheaper and more rewarding to look for a track day opportunity in a ready-supplied car more suited to the purpose?

I guess the CL55 is a luxury high-speed autobahn stormer, and probably quite poor for a track day experience.

Will

 

[Mactech]

In my experience the enjoyment of a track day will be inversely proportional to the weight of the vehicle.
When we used to run the Audi S4 at Bedford Autodrome they could get through a set of discs and pads in a day
The lightweight Caterhams and real racecars were (unsurprisingly?) much less labour intensive.
I used to get the job of setting up the Caterhams every couple of weeks to try to ensure they each handled in at least a similar manner. (Dirty job, but someone had to do it!)
To take this to its logical conclusion, the most fun I have ever had is on 75kgs of 125GP race bike, the least in nearly 2 tonnes of road car.
But that's just my 2p's worth...

 

[Adam230K]

If you want to enjoy your car to the max ... take it there but try not to have an accident and just be in the know that it might cost you some wear/tear items to replace.

 

[Kalahari]

Morning ALL

This is my first post so any advice or pointers would be more that welcome!!!

Just read through this thread and thought i would throw my 2 peneth worth in!!!

had a few races at Knockhill a number of year ago and a few ventures into the green stuff surrounding the track!!!!! This is a very demanding circuit not only left and right and accelerate and brake but UP and DOWN!!!

I totally agree with Mactech, it is all about weight (sprung and un-sprung) and whilst the CL55 is an awesome car is certainly has had a few pies!!!!

I wont be a cheep day but mega fun!! Just incase it ends in tears maybe trackday insurance might be worthwhile?? Trackcover.com - Track Day Insurance

Cheers

 

[petermansell]

Do it. You only have one life and I am sure you will have a great time. I recon you will get two laps before your brakes go spongy but once they cool down you will be back out on the track.

Of course as with all things that stretch the car you might break a few things on it - but hey - its only a car.

 

[Rob77]

I've been round Knockhill a few times now (though not recently) on cars and bikes. All sorts of bikes and they were all fun. Lots of my friends smashed their bikes in various fairly major ways but I never did (touch wood).

The only cars I went round in were either stripped down with track suspension or formula first. Personally, I couldn't imagine wanting to take a road car around a track. Why? Would you be happy to lose it? Because you could.

On a side note, what is it with the term "racecar" nowadays? Is it only a matter of time before we have trainshoes

 

[Lugy]

I've been round on a few track days there, as well as being a marshal at the bike racing, I'd say go for it, you don't need to be giving it 100%, just drive within your limits and give yourself plenty room with whatever you do until you feel more confident.

Just remember it's a heavy car.

 

[Ian B Walker]

The car is built to have things like a spare wheel in the boot etc. Remove them and the back end will lighten up, thus reducing your traction at the time you really need it, like corners and braking. The brake / suspension system previously mentioned will compensate for some of the necessary forces, but even so you may find it light at the back.

 

[LTD]

I'd book the Ferrari 360 Modena experience first.

A friend did that for a birthday and loved every minute of it. Tuition and decent track time coupled with them footing the maintenance makes it a no-brainer.

 

[hygt2]

I've priced getting some private lessons then driving my own car around Knockhill circuit.
Lessons on an empty track from one of the professionals there, then "top marques day" with other cars over 10k.
Soooo......should I or shouldn't I, and if I do what problems might I encounter/cause?
Car has done around 70k, has full MBSH and is covered under an MB Tier 2 warrant (which does not cover me for racing/track days I know, but if I don't tell them?)
I would just like to be able to drive the car at it's limits for once, a track seems ideal but I wouldn't dream of trying it without lessons/instruction of some kind.
What do you all think?, any racing experts here?
Colin.

If you want tuition then you can always go to people like Cadence or Don Palmer.

I have tracked my S320 CDI a few times a year and here are a few pointers;

1) Never drive at race speed for more than 15 minutes and always rest for 15 minutes - the brakes start to overheat after about 10 minutes at race speed and that is with the AMG brakes package. However, even with this sequence, my brakes always have smoke pouring out of the wheels after about 2 hours. Also, you can have a mental and physical rest and work out where you need to improve.
2) Don't stop the car immediately after you pit - run it at walking pace for 5 minutes to cool the brakes and oil.
3) Try to ride with co-pilot who knows the place and can coach you around. It is a learning exercise after all.
4) Drive within 80% of "your" capability (not your car's capability).
5) Make sure you enjoy yourself.

 

[lynall]

The last track day I went to there (to watch), there was a guy with a beatiful Audi A8 and although on the straights he'd blast up the hill and earn himself a little space he was being caught by a stripped out metro! The local EVO boys were lapping him.


I would love to do this but, 1 im to tight, 2 wouldnt want to wreck my only car, 3 how emabarresing to be whooped by some young un in a shopping trolley.

Wrecking someone elses car sounds like a much better idea probably work out cheaper as well, taking into account fuel brakes etc etc.

But as said you only live once.



Lynall