Track Day Car transporter?

[bimerok]

I'm just wondering how you guys transport your cars to and from Track Events?

I wouldn't really want to drive the car you planning to use for the event to a track that is few hundred miles away and then if something happens to it have a headache of bringing it back.

Just looking to see what everyone is doing?
U-haul dolly?

[boom-monkey]

Drive there, if something happens I'll deal with it when the problem happens.

Too poor to afford a tow vehicle/trailer.

You'll find this is common for people around here.

[cwsqbm]

I don't see many people trailering cars to the track - I'd say 95% of the people drive the cars even that distance. A U-haul dolly would only be a good idea if you have a fwd mini. Otherwise, you're either looking at putting the rear tires on the dolly (not a good idea), or disconnecting and the driveshaft (not fun). The right way would be to rent a full trailer.

What are you worried about happening to your car?

[jlevie]

One way of looking at this is that if you drive the car to the track you have a greater incentive not to break/bend it...

If you aren't going to drive the car to the track it needs to be on a trailer. There are plenty of failure modes that would prevent being able to dolly the car home.

In 24 events over the last three years I've only experienced one occasion of not being able to get the car home under its own power. And I could have limped it home then, but a trailer was graciously made available by a friend. Assuming that you take the car to the track in good mechanical condition the odds are that it will be running at the end of the weekend. And if you exercise good judgment on track it shouldn't get bent.

[bimerok]

I was more worry about something happening mechanically then bending it... a simple thing as stupid coolant hose burst could prevent you from driving it back... but I guess it worth the risk....

Also what's wrong with using dolly and let rear wheels ride along - it is not an automatic where you have to worry about tranny overheating???

[Charlie]

Also what's wrong with using dolly and let rear wheels ride along - it is not an automatic where you have to worry about tranny overheating???

Nothing really. You can tow a manual e30 in neutral with no real worries, other than perhaps the car falling into gear.

-Charlie

[atomic]

Also what's wrong with using dolly and let rear wheels ride along - it is not an automatic where you have to worry about tranny overheating???

You can use a dolly and put the rear tires on it, unlike another post said was a bad idea. Just make sure you have the front wheels locked in the straight position. By doing it this way the drive tires are off the ground and the front wheels will be the free rollers and will not have to worry about disconnecting a drive shaft and other problems associated with towing the wrong way. I have done it many times this way without a problem.

[JRKOUPE]

getting to track

I have found a very ez and affordable way. I put car in gear( usually first).........put my arse in the drivers seat...........and DRIVE it.


In all seriousness..........a well maintained m20 usually gets it self home if you show some decent mature decisions at the track.

On the other hand...... a rocker arm could happen to the best maintained car!!!....or you could have a track incident. My buddy drives a street legal TMS set up e36M3...... he's very consistent and safe.....but at Lime Rock last week a 911 in frt of him spit some fluids.......and he spun off into Armco. If you track long enough over the years its bound to happen.

[bimerok]

Thanks for the advices. I hope my S50 is well maintained :)

[155///MPH]

2004 F150 and an open trailer.

After driving to events for 4 years I was more than ready to get the tow vehicle. I miss having a street car sometimes, but that is what the wife's car is for. . . .

[browntown]

get an old diesel chevy, there's a whole thread about a cheap tow vehicle:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=85091&highlight=tow+diesel

[matt]

I drive to events. There is always someone there with a trailer who would be willing to help me get home if need be.

[xLibelle]

i bought an Anderson trailer, single 3,500lb axle under 14x7 wood planks for about $1200.
i cut the railings lower and welded some added support, cut off the rear gate and made it into ramps, as well as made the fenders removable in seconds.
the trailer is extremely light weight and will tow 3000 lbs without a doubt!
i have had no trouble with it behind a town&country over the past year.

[golde30]

you tow with a mini-van??

[joshh]

Drive there, if something happens I'll deal with it when the problem happens.

Too poor to afford a tow vehicle/trailer.

You'll find this is common for people around here.

You speak for me as well....although PIR is only 15 miles away from me.