Here's some generic ramblings on my journey to taking my e30s on the track.
First off: It's the driver that makes the car fast, not the car that makes the driver fast.I started off with auto-x care of a buddy of mine a couple of years back. I could barely afford to mod my car when I was in college so I auto-x'd bone stock with no mods. Auto-x is almost opposite of HPDE and track activities. Auto-x is somewhat more tasking and def. not for everyone. Same applies to HPDE/Track driving.
This was my 3rd time on road ATL in an official HPDE fashion. I had ridden with a few pros and instructors, did touring laps with the BMWCCA (you pay $5 or so to drive on the track during lunch break on Sunday), an SCCA PDX (2 - 25 min sessions with an instructor) and then went to Little Taladega for a whole track day with my buddies in Alabama to pop the "high speed driving on a short track" cherry. After Little Taladega, I was more addicted than ever and driving on Road ATL was even more fun as I already had an idea of what to expect to a degree.
By this point - I was really excited and more eager to get into track related driving. HPDEs can be intimidating to A LOT of people. It's not for everyone and it's ok to admit you like cars in "another way." I know a lot of people who would rather have a "drag" set up on their e30. I take grip over power any day. Not to say power is bad, but as Pirelli ads state...power is nothing without control. To have the ulimate car with power and grip usually costs a lot but it's often the driver's skill playing catch up with the vehicle in a lot of cases. There's nothing wrong with that, just be wary and respect your cars power and make sure you "learn" your car as you enhance your skill. (You will notice a good driver can hop in ANY car and be fast. His skill is transferable as all he needs are a few mins to feel the balance, grip, power and brakes of the car)
To date I have gotten a lot of feedback on the positive side and it's a fun learning experience. Never let false confidence kick in with performance driving. The best thing to do for high performance events is to leave your ego at home, pay attention to what is said and make sure you "improve" on what's pointed out as an error. Get rides with instructors & racers, be open-minded to feedback. Understand why you do what you do, make sure you can "feel your car" as you drive it. Set targets for improvement, acknowledge errors you make and "fix them." Ride alongs on tracks are very important so you know the line. Following someone isn't the best way to practice how to take a line (different cars and set-ups.) If you don't know why someone short-shifted, braked, took a late apex etc, just ask and they'll tell you why
Pick stationary objects for reference and pay a lot of attention to road surface, debris, camber etc as well when you drive daily. This will enhance your "look ahead" skill which is VERY IMPORTANT. Looking ahead is very much a key in auto-x and even more crucial in daily driving for accident avoidance. Same applies to HPDE so when s.one goes off-line or when they are getting in trouble, you don't follow them
Ride along or watch videos online from respected racers and level-headed HPDE instructors/participants. (yes - I am repeating myself)
Costs: Only mods to do for track fun is make sure your car is BONE STOCK RELIABLE. I.E can it take abuse @ high rpm loads? Don't get some fancy stuff and skimp on BASIC MAINT. You will regret. Make sure your fluids are up to date, make sure all vital bolts, nuts, screws are tight. Don't go waste money on a BBK you won't use. Don't go get a piece-meal improperly tuned turbo unless you really know what you're doing. An improperly, inefficient car is NO FUN and UNSAFE. Taking your car to 6500,7200rpm daily is nothing like winding 3rd and 4th to the limit and laying hard on the brakes for 20-25 mins. Cooling system, tranny & diff fluids and brakes are the key parts.
If you think driving on the street from stoplight to stop light and racing in the local mountains makes you a good driver, that's fine. Just leave that attitude when you get to the track. Learn to read lines of travel. Understand the basics of slow-in-fast out before pushing faster. Understand the balance of the car in relation to brake and throttle application. If you're one who's into drifiting, don't drive that way on the track, you're simply wasting tires and being slow. Use that skill when you get in a hairy moment rather than provoking the car to get upset.
Then comes the question, how does on "practice?" It is hard to deal with curbs, law enforcement and various safety issues. Do any practice at your own risk and be prepared to deal with consequences for your actions. It's wasteful on tires going to industrial lots without a real plan or timing and I stopped doing it after too many close calls with the law and in all honesty it's just not as fun :p
I try to attend as many auto-x as practice. I currently auto-x with the BMWCCA and SCCA and both offer numerous challenges from varying perspectives.
Bear in mind I am no expert and merely learning as I travel along the path of automotive related fun. A lot of things were passed on to me, some I learned the hard way and others I learned from others mistakes and successes.
Sorry for the LONG post :eek:
