Car enthusiasts all over the world love a good track day. Taking your car to the local racetrack and bashing a few laps is what makes us happy. It's become massively popular over the years because many racetracks have allowed track days to take place.
The track-day business has become so big that many car manufacturers nowadays actually make a few sports cars designed specifically for the track. Here are the ten best new cars if you want some track day action.
10 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4
The 718 Cayman GT4 is a very sought-after sports car that is an absolute weapon around the track. It's small, lightweight, and mid-engined, which makes it a treat to drive around the bends. Under the hood is a 4.0 flat-6 with 414hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, and it is an absolute beast of an engine since it revs to 8k and there are no superchargers or turbochargers.
The GT4 hits 60 in just 4.3 seconds with the 6-speed manual gearbox. With the PDK it's just under 4 seconds. The manual is best for the track since it is so precise and also fun. However, if you want to set some seriously quick lap times, then the razor-sharp PDK gearbox is for you.
9 McLaren 765 LT
The 720s McLaren is a very good car on the track. In fact, why isn't it on this list? Well, things can always be improved, and the 765 LT takes things to a new level. With more power at 755hp, the car hits 60 in just 2.8 seconds with a top speed of 205 mph. Slower than the 720s due to added drag from the aerodynamic parts at these speeds.
The 765 LT is 80kg lighter than the 720s. The aerodynamics also produce 25% more downforce than the 720s, which is insane since the 720s were very aerodynamic. If you pay a little extra, you can spec this car with the same brake calipers as the Senna, which McLaren claims have four times the thermal conductivity of standard carbon-ceramic brakes.
8 Caterham Seven
A traditional track day car, the Caterham Seven is seen at racetracks all over the world. Produced since 1973, these cars can be built to your standards, plus they are very easy to repair. The fastest model is the 620R which is just stupidly quick, doing the 0 to 60 sprint in 2.79 seconds and a hp per tonne of 568hp.
The 420 is the best bet. It's not too fast, but it isn't exactly slow, with a 0 to 60 time of 3.8 seconds. Handling is crisp, it sounds incredible, and it feels like a proper race car on the track. If you want a true track day car, look no further. This was built for the job of going fast on any race circuit.
7 Ariel Atom
A car that is very similar to the Caterham Seven, is the Ariel Atom. A two-seater, road-legal race car, the Atom does what it says on the tin. It weighs literally next to nothing, it's powered by a turbocharged Honda unit with 320hp, which for a car like this is more than enough.
The Atom handles like a go-kart, and it feels so mechanical. Since this car has no roof, no doors, and the cabin is pretty open, you feel pretty much everything. This car is sure to boost your adrenaline levels to new heights.
6 Toyota GR Yaris
A rally car for the road, that can distribute power 50:50 between the front and rear wheels. It's a serious bit of kit that features a 1.6 liter turbocharged 3-cylinder with 268hp. The car hits 60 in just 5.2 seconds, which is pretty decent. This is a nippy little car that can easily fit in and out of the tiniest gaps.
The GR Yaris was one of the best cars of 2021. It is a shame it won't be available in North America, but small cars have never been too popular. If you're a hot hatch enthusiast living elsewhere, then you need to own one of these at some point in your life. It's incredible.
5 Porsche 911 GT3
A staple of the track day, the GT3 is a textbook example of what a good track day car should be like. Lightweight, fast and fun, these cars really show just how good Porsche is at building proper sports cars. The new 992 models may be expensive, but it sure is worth it.
The 992 GT3 has 503hp from a 4.0 naturally aspirated flat-6. The 0-60 time with the PDK is 3.4 seconds, whilst with the manual is 3.6 seconds. Flat out, this car almost does 200 mph. The GT3 has state-of-the-art aerodynamics that make it wild around corners.
4 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is the fastest unmodified production car around the Nürburgring doing a time of 6:43:61 around the track. It's a hardcore version of the AMG GT that utilizes a flat-plane crankshaft V8 rather than a traditional cross-plan crankshaft used in the other AMG GT models.
The GT Black series pushes out 720hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. It hits 60 in just 3.2 seconds and flat out does 202 mph. A very quick car indeed. At 155 mph, the wing can produce a maximum downforce of 400kg, which is pretty decent. It's a very aerodynamic car that definitely gives the likes of Porsche a run for their money.
3 Lamborghini Huracán STO
This is a real race car for the road. Reminiscent of the Huracán Super Trofeo Evo race cars, the STO (Super Trofeo Omologato) features things like a roof snorkel, an aerodynamic shark fin, and a massive rear spoiler. It's a very sexy car indeed, that is powered by a 5.2 liter V10 with 640hp and 417 lb-ft of torque. All of that power is sent to the rear wheels, making this car more of a handful.
The STO hits 60 in just 3 seconds and flat out does 190 mph. A very quick car indeed, however in terms of top speed it is the slowest car out of all the Huracán models. This is due to the amount of drag the performance parts create at high speeds.
2 Ferrari SF90 Assetto Fiorano Handling Pack
The Ferrari SF90 is the current top-of-the-range flagship Ferrari, and it's also the first plug-in hybrid Ferrari. It's a 986hp monster that hits 60 in just 2.5 seconds, which is absolutely ludicrous. Flat out, this car does 211 mph. As of 2021, the SF90 is the fastest car around the Ferrari Fiorano test circuit. Faster than the LaFerrari.
The one to get is the SF90 Assetto Fiorano Handling Pack. What you get here, is better aerodynamics, better shock absorbers, a better exhaust system, etc. It definitely makes the car more valuable and better looking. The SF90 is an awesome handling car, and it features things like fly-by-wire brakes. This car is packed full of technology.
1 Toyota GR86/ Subaru BRZ
The new Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ is by far one of the more simple cars on this list, as well as being the cheapest and most practical. Four seats, decent gas mileage, comfortable, and it looks pretty cool. However, this car is an absolute joy to drive. With a naturally aspirated boxer-4 under the hood, this car pushes out 232hp, and the 6-speed manual gearbox is super slick.
This car is so easy to control, which is what makes it easily accessible to drivers who may not have as much experience or confidence. It may not do a 0-60 sprints like a Ferrari SF90, and it may not handle as well as a Mercedes GT Black Series, but it sure is one of the most exciting cars on this list. Let us face it, most of us don't go to the track to do banging lap times. We go to have fun, and this is what this car does best.