I tracked my Nomad

[Karl V]

The rears were dead flat and the fronts toe in about 2 degrees.

[Karl V]

It was a single track - a bit narrow in places. The surface was quite rough but the Nomad performed faultlessly.

The horse coming the other was a bit of a surprise!

[Karl V]

For fun, I called the police and they found it. It was in my garage.

[Karl V]

Seriously though, I'd love to hear from others who've taken on other cars on track days.

I must confess, I was pushing the Nomad at Devon Dash to keep up with my sisters in their Atoms. It felt so planted and eager for more. I loved it!

Top speed though? Forget it. 6th gear instantly killed all enthusiasm and sense of urgency.

I know others out there have tracked their Nomads. What's it like?

[GraemeW]

The Americans not keeping you busy last night ?

[Karl V]

They are cretins...

[TBev]

Hi Karl,

yes I have tracked my Nomad 3 times now. 1 at the summer gas, and then twice since at Donnington. It was an absolute dream. I had the 18" wheels with the 08 tyres on it, SC and Ohlins. It compensated for my lack of talent and when I ran out of it, it just went sideways, pointed in the right direction and basically said "go on then" so stamp hard down on the throttle and off it went.
I left mine in road suspension set up and was generally more than quick enough not to be embarrased. It wasnt too far off the Atom pace, just really lacking in the corner speed. I would thouroughly recommend it as it just 4 wheel slides, and if you brake and turn the snap seems very recoverable so. (maybe I wasnt trying hard enough). I will be looking to do another one soon, or early next year if you fancy joining me?
Cheers Simon

[Karl V]

With 15" wheels with AT tyres, N/A engine and standard suspension, I suspect I'd be left in the pit lane with my winch at the ready :-(

I'm still tempted with a track day at some point, but would hate to be up against more road focussed cars.

Gutted my car wasn't ready in time for SG this year, but would love to have a play on smooth tarmac with other Ariels in the future.

Great to see pics of the Nomad doing us proud on a track Simon!

[Karl V]

BTW - Looks like your left front tyre was doing all the steering through that right-hand bend...

[Lighty]

I have tracked mine at Donnington.
I wound the Ohlins up using the plastic knob & went up 3 clicks on the Allen keys from my normal fast road setup.after an hour or so, I took the spare wheel off, you could tell the difference immediately .
I went out at lunch time without a passenger & the car lifts the inside front wheel in corners, but not quite with a passenger.
We had the best day on track ever & it taught my son fantastic rear wheel drive control, he was better than me by the end of the day.
Hoping to do another in early December.
Tbh the car is so forgiving, we were just drifting for fun by the end of the day.

[Lighty]

[Lighty]

[Trigger]

I've been to Bedford, Goodwood and Zandvoort. All were great fun and different. The Bedford day was a real trial of the car when it arrived to get a feel. We did it on AT tyres and it was grippy but also would let go very easily. I got some autocross rally tyres then and they are awesome ! Goodwood is a power circuit and it was a supercar day and so it was hard not to get overtaken but we held our own. Zandvoort with the Lotus club was great and tbh we overtook alot of cars. I dont think I have really got near the cars track limits. I have Bilstein adjustables and I just firmed them up which worked well.
I am pretty sure on your run of the mill trackday the NA car would still do well - but also bear in mind it really isnt a race and its just the fun of pushing the car in a safe environment (no we all hate being slowest though !!).
A few pics:

nomad track tyre.jpeg (2.05 MiB) Viewed 3046 times

nomad goodwood1.jpeg (3.74 MiB) Viewed 3046 times

nomad goodwood 2.jpeg (2.88 MiB) Viewed 3046 times

Nomad Bedford 2.jpg (1.69 MiB) Viewed 3052 times

Nomad Bedford 1.jpg (502.04 KiB) Viewed 3052 times

[Lighty]

Here are a couple of images from our track day in December at Donnington

[Karl V]

Sweet!

The Ginetta looks worried.