08-09-2022
BAC Mono
With styling influenced by a fighter jet and a ridiculous 520 bhp per tonne, the BAC Mono is just about as extreme a track car that money can buy. It lacks a V8 or road friendliness, sure, but on a lap around Anglesey, Brands Hatch or Castle Combe, you will find few cars that will keep up or look as good.
The magic starts with a 2.3-litre Cosworth engine, that makes 280 bhp and 206 lb/ft. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a paddle-operated six-speed gearbox to produce a 0 - 62 mph time of 2.8 seconds... which is Bugatti Veyron Super Sport territory.
Ariel Atom 3.5R
Whatever version of the Ariel Atom you might have or are considering, one thing is for sure - you're going to have a riot on track days with it. For me, the best version for the track is the 3.5R, which is slightly lighter than the V8-totting 500 but still manages 350 bhp from its supercharged Honda VTEC engine.
0 - 60 mph happens in 2.6 seconds and the Atom corners like you wouldn't believe. Aside from our number one entrant, I don't think anything would though an Atom 3.5 around a track.
Just remember to wear some eye goggles.
Caterham Supersport R
There's many versions of the Caterham to go for, but the Supersport R is next level. For track days, the agility of the Caterham Supersport R is priceless and it has a fair bit of poke too - 180 bhp and 143 lb /ft, in a car that weighs just 550 kg. The only thing that's going to affect performance here is your weight.
As the replacement for the R300, this car is essentially the same old Seven, which means it's quick and corners like a house fly.
Caterham Superlight
The Caterham Superlight is an impressive track day car, and especially so in R500 guise. The R500 is powered by a 2.0-litre Ford Duratec engine that makes 263 bhp and 177 lb /ft of torque which when combined with the optional six-speed sequential gearbox and launch control, means 0 - 60 mph in a frankly outrageous 2.88 seconds.
Importantly, this car is tuned to pull in higher gears, so it isn't unreasonable around town either... so you can drive to the racetrack in peace.
Ariel Atom 500
The Ariel Atom 500 is arguably the most desirable Atom there is - but it isn't the best track version, although to be honest, it will still lap rings around much more expensive machinery. The 500 is powered by a 3.0-litre John Hartley designed V8 engine that produces 500 bhp, which means this car with a kerb weight of 550 kg has a power-to-weight ratio of 909 bhp per tonne.
With 0 - 60 mph available in less than 2.3 seconds, this is the ultimate traffic light sprinter. The only trouble is you have to be a pretty skilled driver to get anywhere close to bringing out the best in this car.
Radical SR3 SL
With 240 bhp and 265 lb /ft of torque, the Radical SR3 SL is one powerful machine. It's also super light and built to corner as fast as physics allow. What makes this car fantastic is that it's a true racer - you get a tiny windscreen, a race-ready steering wheel, and no other luxuries.
The 2.0-litre engine also loves to rev and will get you to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and to 100 mph in 8.4 seconds. And with a top speed of 161 mph, you won't get overtaken on the straights too often either.
Lotus Exige S
Everybody always says that the Exige S isn't that fast... but I beg to differ. With a 0 - 62 mph time of 4 seconds flat and 343 bhp and 295 lb /ft of torque, the Exige S is a pocket rocket with a 170 mph top speed and the finest handling you will find in the class.
The Exige S has a V6 engine that also sounds fantastic, and the car really looks the part; it looks like a mini supercar, which it is to be honest. You also get a standard 6-speed manual.
KTM X-Bow
Perhaps the most radical looking of all track day cars, the KTM X-Bow is a go-kart with license plates and some serious performance. It's powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine and the latest version packs 300 bhp and 300 lb /ft of torque, which is a lot in a car that weighs just 790 kg.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual gearbox. 0 - 62 mph happens in 3.9 seconds.
Porsche 911 GT3
If you want a car that'll really knock the socks of other track day drivers, there's little else that will do it better than the new Porsche 911 GT3. With 475 bhp and a top speed of 196 mph, this machine is one serious bit of kit and it has a price tag to match.. it costs £100,540 which might be a little steep for most.
This is the purest 911 experience there is though, with a super-low suspension and a tight chassis to gift the GT3 with house fly-like cornering capabilities.
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
The Mercedes-Benz C63 is a little old now, which makes it a bargain second hand. A good model can be purchased for under £30k which is way less than an A45 AMG, which doesn't sound anywhere near as good or offer real-wheel-drive thrills. Unlike the other cars here today, this car is also comfortable with lots of driver technology and four doors for the family.
Caterham Seven 160
Track day cars don't have to be super-powerful to be super-fun. A case in point is the super-basic Caterham Seven 160, which makes our list thanks to a 490 kg kerb weight and 163 bhp-per-tonne power-to-weight ratio. 0 - 62 mph is covered in 6.5 seconds, which is the same as a Volkswagen Golf GTI, but I can assure you that you'll have more fun on a track with this rear-wheel-drive terrier.