- 2,832
- Lincoln
- Victory_Reign93
- Linthium Reign
Let’s talk about the best value for money pick and was the cheapest Brand Central vehicle before the Ambulance came along.
The Racing Shifter Kart 125.
At only 10k, you’ll have very likely used it for the Firm Favourite trophy as it’ll only set you back 100k for the required 10 vehicles.
At 584pp, it offers WTC600(Not Tokyo 600 before you get your hopes up.) potential for nearly half the price of a Mazda Demio.
It’s 125cc Single Cylinder engine makes 49hp, revs to 15,000rpm and the whole Kart weighs 105kgs so it can really use all that 49hp to its fullest.
With brakes at all four corners(most Karts run just rear brakes.) and a 6 speed sequential gearbox, it’s a big step up from your regular Karts.
As you’d expect, it handles most turns flat or with very late braking, but you do have to bare in mind that because you’re so low to the ground and with practically no suspension to smooth out bumps, tackling high kerbs and such is risky business as it won’t take much to unsettle it.
Of course with it being a kart, your event options are limited with it being a #Racing Car, but you can find events like the WTC600 events to run in so you’re not completely screwed on that front.
And because it’s only 10k, even an midfield finish in one of those events will pay for itself.
Overall, it’s a nice cheap way to go decently fast and tear up most tracks on most days.
Verdict: Sleeper 😉👍
And speaking of days at the tracks.
You remember back in 2021 when we drove the Audi R8 4.2 on GTS that I attended a Supercar Trackday Experience?
Well over the weekend, I got to do it again and the venue was quite a notable one.
Yep, Mallory Park.
1.3 miles long(Was shorter as the hairpin was skipped.), I had 16 laps across 3 cars to drive around and experience them with other supercars & a couple of Ariel Atoms on the track too, albeit with racing instructors too, naturally.
Now last time I did this, I drove a DB9 Volante, a 997 911 Carrera and a I8 Coupe so naturally I wanted to up the ante a bit this time around.
Just ignore the fact that before this weekend, I hadn’t driven in over a year since getting my drivers licence.
Talk about throwing myself in at the deep end am I right?
First up after the drivers briefing was my first pick, a Gen 1 Nissan GT-R.
IIRC, it had the 2010 facelift and that put its power at around 520hp, already a step up on the DB9 from last time.
It likely wasn’t in full track mode as the shifts weren’t ultra fast, but it was a perfect car to learn the track and get back into driving a car again.
I was originally meant to drive the Gen 3 Version, but it was either somewhere else or out of action, so I got the Gen 1, but with an extra lap thrown in to boot. 👍
After that, my 2nd pick got swapped around so I would be driving it last, in retrospect, this turned out to be a blessing as it would’ve likely ruined me for what my 3rd car was.
The Audi R8 V10 Plus.
And yes, you can consider this my face reveal.
Over 600hp from its 5.2 V10, fast shifting dual clutch and instant throttle response, it was a big step up from the GT-R in terms carrying speed through turn one and just a fast & stable beauty to drive, even through the cone chicane on the front straight.
Again I was originally booked for the regular R8 V10, but that was at another event so everyone got the V10 Plus as a free upgrade.
But the last car was something I did book and WAS here and let’s just say that the best was saved for last.
What can top a very capable 600+hp Audi R8?
Try a McLaren 720S with well over 700hp and rear wheel drive.
All the instructors I drove with did great jobs in keeping everyone safe, but also encouraging you to lean on the cars performance a little.
The 720S’s Instructor was especially encouraging on helping me get more out of it in a safe manner, he was great with feedback too.
I came into the bus stop chicane on one lap a little too hot and was wider on the exit than he liked(still on the track mind), he told me that and next lap around I was right on the money for braking.
Despite the back straight being somewhat short and coming on to it in 4th gear, hearing the 720S’s turbos spool up and slingshot us down it was quite the experience of pure acceleration.
Through the cone chicane on the front straight it felt agile and nimble, darting through it with ease.
At the end of the laps and pulling in to the infield to park up for the next vict.. I mean paying customer, As I was getting out and with my back turned, the Instructor saw my Mum and said, ‘He’s Very Good.’ to her.
It’s the little victory’s like that put a smile on my face. 😁
Similar scores as to last time despite a big step up in the cars I drove.
Lastly we finished up with a high speed passenger ride in a BMW M140i for 2 laps.
“We? “ you may ask?
Yes, both my mum and her mum went along with me.
So yeah, that’s how I spent my weekend to close out September.
I’ll hopefully get around to a write up on the 930 911 Turbo at some point this week or next week. 🙂
The Racing Shifter Kart 125.
At only 10k, you’ll have very likely used it for the Firm Favourite trophy as it’ll only set you back 100k for the required 10 vehicles.
At 584pp, it offers WTC600(Not Tokyo 600 before you get your hopes up.) potential for nearly half the price of a Mazda Demio.
It’s 125cc Single Cylinder engine makes 49hp, revs to 15,000rpm and the whole Kart weighs 105kgs so it can really use all that 49hp to its fullest.
With brakes at all four corners(most Karts run just rear brakes.) and a 6 speed sequential gearbox, it’s a big step up from your regular Karts.
As you’d expect, it handles most turns flat or with very late braking, but you do have to bare in mind that because you’re so low to the ground and with practically no suspension to smooth out bumps, tackling high kerbs and such is risky business as it won’t take much to unsettle it.
Of course with it being a kart, your event options are limited with it being a #Racing Car, but you can find events like the WTC600 events to run in so you’re not completely screwed on that front.
And because it’s only 10k, even an midfield finish in one of those events will pay for itself.
Overall, it’s a nice cheap way to go decently fast and tear up most tracks on most days.
Verdict: Sleeper 😉👍
And speaking of days at the tracks.
You remember back in 2021 when we drove the Audi R8 4.2 on GTS that I attended a Supercar Trackday Experience?
Well over the weekend, I got to do it again and the venue was quite a notable one.
Yep, Mallory Park.
1.3 miles long(Was shorter as the hairpin was skipped.), I had 16 laps across 3 cars to drive around and experience them with other supercars & a couple of Ariel Atoms on the track too, albeit with racing instructors too, naturally.
Now last time I did this, I drove a DB9 Volante, a 997 911 Carrera and a I8 Coupe so naturally I wanted to up the ante a bit this time around.
Just ignore the fact that before this weekend, I hadn’t driven in over a year since getting my drivers licence.
Talk about throwing myself in at the deep end am I right?
First up after the drivers briefing was my first pick, a Gen 1 Nissan GT-R.
IIRC, it had the 2010 facelift and that put its power at around 520hp, already a step up on the DB9 from last time.
It likely wasn’t in full track mode as the shifts weren’t ultra fast, but it was a perfect car to learn the track and get back into driving a car again.
I was originally meant to drive the Gen 3 Version, but it was either somewhere else or out of action, so I got the Gen 1, but with an extra lap thrown in to boot. 👍
After that, my 2nd pick got swapped around so I would be driving it last, in retrospect, this turned out to be a blessing as it would’ve likely ruined me for what my 3rd car was.
The Audi R8 V10 Plus.
And yes, you can consider this my face reveal.
Over 600hp from its 5.2 V10, fast shifting dual clutch and instant throttle response, it was a big step up from the GT-R in terms carrying speed through turn one and just a fast & stable beauty to drive, even through the cone chicane on the front straight.
Again I was originally booked for the regular R8 V10, but that was at another event so everyone got the V10 Plus as a free upgrade.
But the last car was something I did book and WAS here and let’s just say that the best was saved for last.
What can top a very capable 600+hp Audi R8?
Try a McLaren 720S with well over 700hp and rear wheel drive.
All the instructors I drove with did great jobs in keeping everyone safe, but also encouraging you to lean on the cars performance a little.
The 720S’s Instructor was especially encouraging on helping me get more out of it in a safe manner, he was great with feedback too.
I came into the bus stop chicane on one lap a little too hot and was wider on the exit than he liked(still on the track mind), he told me that and next lap around I was right on the money for braking.
Despite the back straight being somewhat short and coming on to it in 4th gear, hearing the 720S’s turbos spool up and slingshot us down it was quite the experience of pure acceleration.
Through the cone chicane on the front straight it felt agile and nimble, darting through it with ease.
At the end of the laps and pulling in to the infield to park up for the next vict.. I mean paying customer, As I was getting out and with my back turned, the Instructor saw my Mum and said, ‘He’s Very Good.’ to her.
It’s the little victory’s like that put a smile on my face. 😁
Similar scores as to last time despite a big step up in the cars I drove.
Lastly we finished up with a high speed passenger ride in a BMW M140i for 2 laps.
“We? “ you may ask?
Yes, both my mum and her mum went along with me.
So yeah, that’s how I spent my weekend to close out September.
I’ll hopefully get around to a write up on the 930 911 Turbo at some point this week or next week. 🙂