[s-cars] Tracking Ms. PIggy

[Keith Maddock]

Robert wrote:
> I track Ms Piggy because I like having fun with a vehicle that is different.
> The only track events that I see another S6 at are Audi events.  It is fun to
> pass dedicated track cars and sports cars at the track with a family sedan,
> althought this car has become less of a street car and more of a track car as
> the years have gone by.  I also run motorcycles at some of the same tracks, and
> this is the least expensive way to go fast.

I agree this is a lot of the fun of tracking a UrS car - it is much faster than expected
 (even more so in a 200q20v though) and it is fun to drive something different.

Also makes a great car for OneLap due to the incredible amount of room for gear and sleeping passenger.
The Quattro configuration also goes a long way for being very forgivable and nearly idiot-proof.

For occasional track use this is OK, however for heavy track use then this "fun factor" ends up being VERY expensive.

Before I moved here, I tracked both my S2000 and my UrS4 for one summer...
 The S2000 was, in the end, a lot more enjoyable to drive on the track, but it feels like more of a reward to have pitched the S4 around at a reasonable pace (though still slower than the S2000)

This year I've so far  logged 5350 miles on the Nürburgring (equivalent to 2675 laps on a 2 mile circuit!!).
I've done most of these in the 968CS, however have done about 65 laps so far in my shared 89 MkII Golf GTI "Ring-Toy".
  (The Golf has done about 5000 miles itself with the other owners as well).

Since I handle the finances for the our Golf, It's pretty easy for me to then compare running costs of the 968 vs. the Golf.
 In the end, the cost for fuel, brakes, and tires is a good amount  less than *half* in the Golf as the Porsche...
Weight is the biggest factor : 2200lbs vs 3000 lbs - which also creates a need  larger (more expensive) brakes, which creates a need
for larger wheels and larger (more expensive) tires.  Not only are the parts then more expensive, but they wear faster.
I would estimate that a UrS4 would cost at least 25-40% more than the Porsche even, just due to increased wear rates on tires, brakes, and fuel consumption.

(the cheapest so far was a 318i rental for 87 EUR that I got 20 good laps out of !!)

Then there are further benefits to a "prepared track car" , as the Golf has a full cage, proper racing seats and harnesses, so is much safer in case of an accident..
And the "write-off" cost is much lower as well, which means you can enjoy the track even more on a rainy or busy day at the track.
(A Portland lister can vouch for fun in the Golf in rainy weather at the Ring!!)

When I get home, for certain I will be buying a dedicated track car (perhaps a MX-5 street legal at first but  possible later use in Spec Miata).
 But the 93 S4 will still see some track time here and there (perhaps another OneLap or two!)

Cheers,
Keith

93 S4 Ms Piggy "heavyweight"  Portland OR
95 968CS "mittleres-Gewicht"  Koblenz DE
1/8 89 GTI "leicht-Gewicht" Nürburg DE

Keith Maddock, TRW Automotive,  Koblenz, Germany
Slip Control Systems, Systems Design, Traction Control
+49 (0)261/ 895 2474    -   -   keith.maddock at trw.com