And now for something completely different...

[Shad]

For my 25th birthday this year I thought I'd take my 7 to Brands for a track day. Unfortunately the weather was not favorable, and having recently done the slidey-slidey thing at a wet Silverstone, I thought I'd take my every day car instead. My 998cc, three cylinder, 67hp Toyota iQ

What ensued was one of the most entertaining track days I've ever done. The iQ is a cracking little car, with such a short wheel base it loves to wag its tail as you lift off the throttle and tease it through an apex. The only downside is the stability control which tends to do some unexpected things. But that said, I could nail it everywhere and even ride the soaking wet curbs, much to the annoyance of everyone else who was tippy-toeing around. I managed a few drifts through Paddock Hill, including tyre squeal, and a couple of overtakes. Pretty sure it would cock the inside rear if it was dry, came very close today.

Anyway, it was brilliant. Just goes to show you don't need lots of money or lots of power (although I was a bit of a mobile chicane on the straights, but they're the boring bits anyway). It's not what you drive, it's how you drive, right fellas?



Click here for loads of silly iQ track day pictures

I might not get my head through the door for the rest of the week though... I took two Britcar drivers out since they were quite curious as to why I was grinning after each session. Both said my driving was "faultless" and I am welcome to test in their race car! I just need loadsamoney to effectively buy a seat... which isn't going to happen

Anyway, I drove their Caterham CSR they'd brought along. 270hp or thereabouts apparently. Have to say, fantastic engine. So much torque, you barely need tickle the upper rev range. Which is handy since it was happy to spin up in 4th onto the pit straight and kick the tail out! Bit of a brown trouser moment but a lift and a dab of oppo and all was well again

I wasn't really looking forward to being 25 but today has changed my mind!

[Guy]

Ahhh yes doing trackdays in the daily hack is MUCH more fun than people first think!

Ok I had a *little* more power than the IQ, but when up against S13's/S14's a turbo'd MX5, an M3, and an RX7 I was expecting to be the laughing stock for the day, but no the Ford held its own

[Shad]

Nice!! Those Mondeys are a very capable. And you can get your shopping the back too.

[Guy]

Nice!! Those Mondeys are a very capable. And you can get your shopping the back too.

Yus they are Its suprising how little body roll the thing generates!

I found that I only really needed to use 2 gears most of the day, I was just keeping it in third whilst cornering, then slingshotting it, out of the corner then down the straights into 4th, then back down to third when cornering again. 2nd was occasionaly used if I cocked up under braking, and later on towards the end of my sessions on track due to cooked tyres and brakes!

Speaking of brakes how did the IQ hold up in that respect? I imagine as it doesnt way that much, and isnt kicking out huuuge powers you never really noticed much fade?

Oh there was more than shopping in there!

A tent for 2, all associated other bits duvets/pillows etc, camping chairs, huuuge cool box, food, LOTS of beer, 20 litre Jerry can just in case, and 2 spare tyres as Llandow the surface is almost like sandpaper! combine that with a 30+ degree day = tyre shredding! Oh and most importantly it managed to swallow everything Lou bought. (Why can't girls pack light?!)

[Shad]

Ah Llandow is a great place. How many times did you use the 'oh sh1t' lane?

Brakes were fine all day. Didn't use them much anyway to be honest, mainly for Druids. Everywhere else you can brush them as you downshift and scrub speed on turn in

[jimbouk]

Lol 2 people with crash helmets in a iQ does look amusing, but if you had fun then it's all good One day when I'm confident my car won't explode I'll take it on the track...

[Guy]

Ah Llandow is a great place. How many times did you use the 'oh sh1t' lane?

Brakes were fine all day. Didn't use them much anyway to be honest, mainly for Druids. Everywhere else you can brush them as you downshift and scrub speed on turn in

Well I only missed the bus stop once if thats what your refering to It was my que to come back in and let the tyres/brakes cool down
The track temp that day was very high 30's/early 40's the track claimed a few victims that day! Suprisingly mainly not the nissans! 1 melted boost hose on a S14, 2 overheating MX5's and an intercooler hose failure on an RX7.
Thats why I liked taking the Ford, drive 2/3 hours to get there, spank it round the track for the entire day, drive home again. Job done!

I've been to Llandow several times to watch various rounds of the BDC, but had never driven it until earlier this year, gotta say its an awesome little track.



I did think that might be the case I suppose by the time druids came up again, they had then had almost another lap of minimal use to cool.

[Vimeous]

Lovin' it gents
Shad that is somewhat legendary!
Maybe the tow-car, trailer and 7 next time?

'Ere Rasta did you need new rubber and pads after that? I always worry I'd eat mine if I tried it.

[Guy]

'Ere Rasta did you need new rubber and pads after that? I always worry I'd eat mine if I tried it.

In the end I didnt, the spare tyres were just precautionary as I didnt fancy a 200 mile drive back on slicks

Next time I wouldnt bother tbh, as long as you've got a reasonable amount of tread, and some meat left on the pad's you'll be fine.

[Konan555]

Anyway, it was brilliant. Just goes to show you don't need lots of money or lots of power ..... It's not what you drive, it's how you drive, right fellas?

No money... check
Not much power... check
Drive like a van man... check

Reckon I could sign to Red Bull next year then?

[Shad]

Reckon I could sign to Red Bull next year then?

If you don't ask, you don't get