Fpan thought I would start a new topic as the brakes one was going so well.
I see your point over Cadwell, one of the very few tracks I've not been to, stops the power merchants.
I live close to Oulton Park, so may try there first, or Donnington my fav, but never in the 100.
Not sure on time scale for myself, but a group of Pandas would be fun, and I bet we would not be at the back....

I've only done Bedford in UK (in my FSTi) which was excellent but the 100HP might be "dangerous" there in the sense it will have trouble picking up speed and breaking from triple figure speeds.
Do you have another track car?

I love Caldwell park even if I have had one or two squeaky bum moments there ��

Donnington (without the Melbourne loop) could be a right laugh in the 100hp. You could probably get around most of it without using the brakes!

Me? Sadly not, two kids......
I think in any car you would need some slowing at the old hairpin, unless you liked grass, gravel or bluebird..... Or Mansell!

When I went around in my TF pre children, I found brakes was what was required, and grip.
Hence my interest in the brakes thread.

Yeah I guess the Cadwell is called mini-ring for a reason, not much run off space so it's not the place to get it wrong.

I've been at Donnington (not driven) and it seems interesting as well.

My car has a racing pedigree, having been around tracks a number of times, and also hillclimbs.


She now however is living a more sedate life...still the odd fun drive...but I can't see me doing anything like that...although it might be fun.


I'm not far from Croft, anyone else been there too?

ive done donnington park in an old car, Twingo RS133. Was great fun, loved every minute of it but my car was standard and so suffered from bad brake fade (no braided lines and better fluid) and i chewed the conti tyres and broke my clutch too.Car wasnt really powerful enough for the circuit either, if you want to do it n the 100 id recommend a tighter, smaller circuit where a lack of power isnt as niticeable

Punto MC, Croft would be great in the Panda, you should give it a go. I don't think that anyone should be worried about tracking the Panda, it should be quick enough to hold its own. Just use your mirrors.

Got those Nankangs back on the car yet? That'll make a pretty big difference. Hope the car's going ok.

Hi Dan, hows things?


I'm looking after the Panda, don't worry


Going good thanks, just had the a/c regassed, see if it holds up as it stopped working a while ago.
Also a strut top mount to sort....but other than that...fine!


Yeah got the original wheels and Nankangs on, definitely feel better to drive, more feel and grip.


Track driving is something I've probably always wanted to do...but also something where I've though...naah, I might show myself up. So have never done it...

neilwill said:

Me? Sadly not, two kids......
I think in any car you would need some slowing at the old hairpin, unless you liked grass, gravel or bluebird..... Or Mansell!

When I went around in my TF pre children, I found brakes was what was required, and grip.
Hence my interest in the brakes thread.

Click to expand...

I did say most of it (Trust me I'm no Senna )

Brakes wise, I searched about and the only "fast road" pads I could find that would be any cop are Ferodo part number FDS1466 (front) and FDS1324 (rear). They also do them in track day DS2500 part number FCP1466 & FCP1324, although not sure how well they'd work on a cold rainy January morning commute.

As Dan said it would do OK - Hello Dan

I have been to Croft for the British GT's in 07 thats the only time - a long way but a fun and flat place for sure.

Knockhill anyone LOL - THAT would suit the Panda hehehe

Daveb100hp said:

ive done donnington park in an old car, Twingo RS133. Was great fun, loved every minute of it but my car was standard and so suffered from bad brake fade (no braided lines and better fluid) and i chewed the conti tyres and broke my clutch too.Car wasnt really powerful enough for the circuit either, if you want to do it n the 100 id recommend a tighter, smaller circuit where a lack of power isnt as niticeable

Click to expand...

Interesting! It's good to hear you have owned a Twingo 133 and a 100HP, I was at some point thinking of swapping my 100Hp for a twingo, how does the twingo drive?Is it more fun (see lift off oversteer) and how is the ride quality and mpg on a daily commute?Cheers!

To be honest I'm probably the wrong person to answer this because my Twingo was the best car I've ever driven but the worse car I've ever owned in my life. It was awful, nothing but problems with it from day one. As soon as it was working and I was able to drive it though, my goodness it was awesome. Mine had under warranty a steering rack, steering column, 2 exhausts, a steering wheel, a gearbox and was rewired.

The traction control can be turned completely off and it handled like it was on rails. Such a joy to drive and on the track it was very predictable.

Tyres are 130 quid each though and it goes through a lot of them, there is not a lot of tuning potential because it was a highly strung engine. 133bhp from a 1.6 n/a. Bottom ball joints are a weak spot and they are expensive to replace. I had the cup chassis and its no worse than the 100hp for harshness. Be lucky to see 30mpg because of the engine and it was very drony and loud over 65mph but it makes such a nice noise when its being driven spiritedly and the vvt was amazing over 4500k. Horrible flat spot around 3k though. Tax is more than the 100hp and so is insurance.

Heres mine

Sorry to say, but it's a Renault, I used to be a big fan, but our family went through a very bad patch with them.
Could not go back unfortunately, which is a real shame, as I totally agree on paper they make fun cars.
Which is where Fiat always was....

Wow a lot of faults, I wonder whether these are common or you got a Friday afternoon car.

Why the need to rewire it?

When I talked to an AA road assist technician he said Renaults in general are renown for their electrical problems.

They are great fun cars out of the box though, I've test driven a Clio Trophy, RS 230 F1 and RS250 and loved them.

The Megane is a very fast A to B transport.

As if god knows im wrong some balance, after all i have said about Renaults.
I drove past the BMW garage in Crewe and what should be pulling out - a V6 Clio MK2 in Blue..... heaven what was he thinking!!!!
I hope it wasnt I need more seats - he got a thumbs up at the lights and I got a nod.

So back to track day, I need to do a brake rethink - I have half a plan - then I will make a plan for a track

Decent fluid, braided lines and fast road pads are the way to go really

Mind reader or what.
Going for the HEL kit and some DOT4 plus fluid and see what i've got under me.

Slightly different good news. I've been having all kinds of problems with wheel spin.
At pull away, mid corner, corner exit..... Only under braking did they behave.
The wear was even, the pressures monitored, the tread depth plenty.
So yesterday morning I gently went to work, spin spin.
After work I had to run an errand to Nantwich the local bypass dual carriageway with islands.
Nice day yesterday the Yokos worked!
You go steady over the winter, then as the days lengthen you open the taps, but it's cold!
Much better and lots of fun, did not look at mpg.......

Punto MC said:

Hi Dan, hows things?


I'm looking after the Panda, don't worry


Going good thanks, just had the a/c regassed, see if it holds up as it stopped working a while ago.
Also a strut top mount to sort....but other than that...fine!

Yeah got the original wheels and Nankangs on, definitely feel better to drive, more feel and grip.

Track driving is something I've probably always wanted to do...but also something where I've though...naah, I might show myself up. So have never done it...

Click to expand...

Sorry about the A/C... mind you, I can't ever regassing aircon in any of my cars - so probably about due!

You won't show yourself up on track, especially if you get some instruction to start with.

The fiesta has already done a few laps of Silverstone GP circuit (that's a quick track!), has done a sprint in Cornwall and off to its first hillclimb this weekend.