In summary - Best automotive experience of my life ever!
I was under the impression the m42 will not be fun to drive on the track however it's perfectly matched to my skill. I think I was the slowest car engine-wise out there. I actually registered my car as a 318iSlow and wish I had the badge on it.
Engine modifications =1 Mark D chip.
Suspension = Koni SA x4 & GC Semi Co @ 600front 650Rear with no rear swaybar with -3.4 degrees of negative camber infront, full caster from offset m3 bushings and zero toe (wasn't full zero that day as I had to swap tie rod ends and didn't get to get the car aligned. Eyeball alignment was surprisingly good
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Tires Falken Azenis 615. Started off around 34lbs ended up around 45lbs or so (I should learn to write these things down :rolleyes:)
M42 driving style & reviewI was basically planting the gas pedal to the floor in 3rd and 4th gear all around the track. The car's balance was PERFECT! I had nothing but good words from both my instructors (My main instructor was late to grid once so I got Laura Patton to instruct once -- she runs spec e30) with regards to my overall driving. After 2 laps both asked why I was in D class (there are 4 classes with D being the novice class) I learned other lines around the track(I have driven it once during an SCCA touring lap event for about 2 25min session) and when I got it right, boy were we both ecstatic
The nitty gritty.
My car was never passed by any of the fellow cars in the D group. My buddies were in a 99 e36m3 with massive bolt ons and a 325iS with cams and some other boltons not forgetting moutons or w/ever they're called. The red 318Ti you see in the pic with me in the "esses" was a supercharged S52. I passed him more than once in some session. I lapped numerous other cars such as e30m3s, e30 325iS, e36m3s, e39 m5s etc.
The "why?" to the nitty grittyWhy was I able to lap them? I was more comfortable & capable with my car in the twisties and basically tailed people all through and passed them in the open straights. It was very challenging to do this as all they would do is slow me down in the twisties and floor it in the straights. My buddies and I brought it up in class and they kinda listened to us as the day progressed and it was easier for me to pass.
My car is very slow _ I admit it_ but my power is not intimidating and once I knew the line - I just kept slinging the car with all the momentum I could. Momentum driving is not as easy to do as it seems and if you screw up you loose speed. How do you know you mess up? The car bogs under load as it tries to recover.
HighlightsThe best parts of the 2 day session was when the red 318Ti was trying to keep up and follow my line only to end up off the track but luckily he got back on without much damage. Next was an e36m3 chasing me while about 8 cars away and infront of my buddy in his 99m3 and realised too late that he was too hot into turn 12 and he lifted (A BIG NO NO) and spun out. Luckily it was just flat spotted tires and a bruised ego and he was back out on Sunday. The climax was myself and a Lotus Elise. I was able to keep up with him on the straights a wee bit but once we got to the turns I was faster. He pointed me by and we were had a nice session with him on my tail on the straights (he decided not to pass after we swapped positions each time we came out of turn 12) but a few car lengths or close to me in the other sections. His car was put in check by the m42.:p
Super highlight of the day for me was when people in my run group asked me what I had done to my car's engine and what it was and when I told them it was a 318iS they thought I was lying :rolleyes: :eek:
I also won an award for the most consistent driver as well for Saturday.
ClassingI could've gotten bumped from D-group into B-group but there was no space and my ego didn't need any stroking as I know what I am trying to learn and was more comfortable with the people I had already driven around as they now knew to let me by when they saw me in their mirrors. My instructor could've gotten me into C group as well but I told him I didn't care as I was having fun.
Did I learn a lot? Hell yeah.
Do I want more power in my car? Not yet - I know what I am aiming for with consistency and driving a slow car and now my $$ is best spent on DEs, tires and other basic maintenance.
Why was I able to pass all those people? They were all in group D like myself as we are all novices per the CCA classificiation but I guess we are not in the same "skill bracket" per se. When I get bumped up to C or B class - I will not lap people or dominate the whole sessions like I did. The very last heat was us and C-groups together and I was able to keep up with the big boys until we got into the twisties. They were more aggressive and I was finally feelin the tiredness of the whole day and since the car had already been put through a lot and was heating up I led the session for about 5 laps or so due to traffic with me passing the slow cars and then when the big boys got thru on the straights after a few laps, I just took my time and relaxed.
Sorry for the long boring read. I am still ecstatic
