There's just no point anymore

[MikeB]

Most cars will slot into one of three categories, road, show or track and their owners will keep them in a condition suited to them.

I used to sit on a pointy thing between road and show however. But after a trip to Essex and a track day at Castle Combe circuit recently, my values have changed. After many joyrides on recently sprayed and chipped and unswept roads in Essex and the attrition of a track day, I checked the damage yesterday.

The front alloys are wrecked by gravel, there are stone chips to bonnet/hood, cills and doors, all tyres have worn significantly and my poor 3000 mile old engine has been thrashed.

Two months ago I would have gone into a major decline, but now its just a Gallic shrug of the shoulders. So be it, sh*t happens and I had far too much fun to get annoyed by the resultant damage.

Question is, do I need a psychiatrist now, or should I have had one before

[gazza1]

I'm sure a lot of us freak about our pride and joy..but then reality hits and you can,t live in a bubble.

Enjoy it to the max and remember chips can be fixed(better than new car standard)tyres can be replaced(with a better tyre)and as for the engine they are designed for hard work and if in the unfortunate case if something goes wrong you have 3 years coverage under warranty.

The R8 is at its best when it's grabbed by the scruff of the neck!

Don't spend money on your brain spend it on more track days.

[Garyhun]

I was freaked out for about the first 4 weeks ow ownership. Then I realised how lucky I was to own such a car and thus it should be used as much as possible.

I'm just about to rent a house for 6 months while I sort out a new home and I'm not sure the car will fit in the garage so will have to stay on the driveway. I would, in the past have been scared to do this. Now though I see it as an opportunity to get the car onto the road quicker

[harrison]

A coat of wax is all the protection I use. Sometimes I feel that everytime I scrape the undercarriage, I scrape away a thousand bucks. And every canyon run I take diminishes my tires considerably. The pins and needles feeling I get in my feet though, makes it all worth it !!!!

[MikeB]

I guess I am now sitting on the fence between road and track use. The track day sure shifted the horizons.

[Davey_Dee]

Because your getting chips all over maybe you should think about protection film? I'm sure I'll get a few but I don't want the protection film so I made sure I got the paint touch up cover option.

[Garyhun]

I guess I am now sitting on the fence between road and track use. The track day sure shifted the horizons.

What do you mean Mike? Are you thinking of getting a track day car or not sure what to use the R8 for? If the former - a Radical or something would be awesome!! If it's the latter then why not both?

[conm]

I've also found stone chips on the mag wheels and on the front windsceen.
I've been working in an area where construction work occurs. My wife warned me to take the 4wd but frankly I can't drive anything but the R8........
Yes I'm a druggie can't get the R8 out of my blood....

[MikeB]

Just giving up preening the old girl. I would love an Elise for the track but I'm also looking for an Elan plus 2 for a different track day and the 10 spot for the rest. Still don't half enjoy a bit of spit and polish!

[dailydriver]

Just giving up preening the old girl. I would love an Elise for the track but I'm also looking for an Elan plus 2 for a different track day and the 10 spot for the rest. Still don't half enjoy a bit of spit and polish!

I had considered going down the Elise or Exige path and dedicating it for track use and buying a more practical everyday car. I did this before I bought my XKR and considered it again before I ordered the R8. I think the R8 is the perfect balance to do both. Although I am now considering a Spec Miata car (they are cheap and fun - and very safe) to leave and the track just to beat on and work on driving skills (my track also has a competitive race series each year for this class).