Author Topic: Track Pics - Road Atlanta 4 cyl style (Read 13398 times)

sheepdog · « **Reply #15 on:** July 19, 2006, 04:08:34 PM »

You are far better off learning with a momentum car than anything else. With lots of power you tend to "point and shoot", relying on your power to win rather than focus on taking a corner well.

Learn with a low power car, and practice with one on occasion and your driving will be much better.

Power cars allow you to be lazy, momentum cars keep you busy and show you exactly where you are driving poorly as you can see instant results when you make a mistake.

Choking Hazard · « **Reply #16 on:** July 19, 2006, 05:02:31 PM »

E9, do you go to the ALMS events at Road Atlanta? I'll be there at the end of September for Petit LeMans. Are you going?

e9nine · « **Reply #17 on:** July 19, 2006, 05:13:15 PM »

Quote from: BrandC

Are those stock basketweave 14" wheels? Or what wheels did you run?

15 x 7 BBS RZ wheels. Tire size 205-50-15.

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So, I guess my picture taking skills left something to be desired! :rolleyes:

But, when you have a 1 gig digital Nikon with big manual zoom lenses, you really can get close in. My dad has a better camera. Next time I'll think about bringing it. Digital zoom is a joke. Need Optical.

Yeah, love the write up. Need to get on the track soon!!! :cool: I WANT your suspension! That thing hardly leans at all... looks very stable in the corners.

Well his photography equipment alone is worth more than some e30s (mine included) :p

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You are far better off learning with a momentum car than anything else. With lots of power you tend to "point and shoot", relying on your power to win rather than focus on taking a corner well.

Learn with a low power car, and practice with one on occasion and your driving will be much better.

Power cars allow you to be lazy, momentum cars keep you busy and show you exactly where you are driving poorly as you can see instant results when you make a mistake.

So true yet not listened to by most

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E9, do you go to the ALMS events at Road Atlanta? I'll be there at the end of September for Petit LeMans. Are you going?

I haven't been to any yet. I do plan on going this year though. PM me when you start to put your plans together so we can at least meet up with some bier and grub on the track in a nice spot. I am sure some of the local bimmer guys will be there as well

2002maniac · « **Reply #18 on:** July 23, 2006, 01:40:09 AM »

wow. Road atlanta is beautiful! The only tracks I've been to are in the desert

Willow springs, Buttonwillow, Spring mountain, and Miller Motorsports.

Looks like you had a great time.

318is on the track ftw!!

M42boy · « **Reply #19 on:** July 23, 2006, 10:15:32 AM »

Quote from: e9nine

I haven't been to any yet. I do plan on going this year though. PM me when you start to put your plans together so we can at least meet up with some bier and grub on the track in a nice spot. I am sure some of the local bimmer guys will be there as well

Oh, this is a must!!! If the BMWCCA doesn't sanction off a spot to corral cars and watch, we'll have to do it ourselves. Show up early to get a good spot. But, we MUST bring a big cooler, a camping grill, etc. Sit out there and drink good German beer and watch the fun.

It was crowded last year, but it's pretty cool thing to watch, especially the racing at night!

mgold · « **Reply #20 on:** July 23, 2006, 12:12:57 PM »

One of our chapter members used to race a '91 318is in NASA and BMWCCA club racing. He bought it to replace an '87 325is. I asked him if it was a lot slower than the 325is and he told me that the 325is had much better power for elevated sections (like at Laguna Seca), but that the 318is was better balanced and much faster through the corners. Lap times, in his experience, were virtually identical. The only reason why he retired the car was due to a crash at Sears Point (sway bar link broke). After that, he successfully campaigned an E30 M3 for several years (car was retired last year and is now his daily driver).

I'm glad to see you representing the M42 crowd out there.

silverblades181 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 23, 2006, 03:22:12 PM »

Nice track, looks big. I've tracked mine twice and it's lots of fun. I've been elevated from the novices by my instructor

He said the 4 cyl bimmers were much more fun on the track then the heavy 6s. My car is very predictable and I can litteraly throw it into the corners. My only problem was the low rev limiter....I was hitting it way too often. I also felt I could of used more power(read torque) into the straights...does the chip correct this problem? The M42 is plenty for most beginners. My friend with his 535i had to be carefull with the throttle to keep himself from spinning while I was at WOT most of the time

silverblades181 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 23, 2006, 03:33:20 PM »

Tracking the M42 is awesome. I've done it twice and I'm hooked. The only problems with those events is the price and the preventive maintenance and inspections they require. My only problem was hitting the rev limiter in the corners, I wish it would rev higher (I need a chip!) I also would of liked more power (read torque) in the straights...I guess I need to get more momentum. Would the chip fix this? I've also been bumped a class. My instructor wanted me to go try solo but we were caught by rain and the track was too slippery from rubber. The only cars that could pass me were two E46, a 328i and a 323i (chiped) with crazy suspension setups. Being on the track is one of the best experience I've had. But find a good club or organisation to track with. There are too many hotrods who ignore safety and organisers who slack on security out there and accidents do happen and they don't forgive at 150 km/h. Personally, I track with the Quebec Chapter of the BMW Car club of Canada which is affiliated with the BMW CCA. They're the best

RMachucaA · « **Reply #23 on:** July 24, 2006, 01:26:02 AM »

E9, what pressures are you running in your tyres?

e9nine · « **Reply #24 on:** July 24, 2006, 08:02:26 AM »

SilverBlades --
The price on getting entry into a track event is cheaper than you think in all honesty. I paid $375 for the 2 day school with full instruction all through the w/end. Have you ever approached anyone in a bid to rent a track with corner workers and professionally approved instruction? It now pales in comparison.

As to the amount of $ needed for safety inspection and replacement of wear and tear parts - these are things that help you keep all 4 wheels on the ground and go home with a smile on your face. I drive my car VERY HARD on the track and I was able to predict my driving habits. Everycar I get is subjected to the basic maintenance bits before modifications. Never get some aesthetic piece before maintenance.
Brakes Pads & Rotors - Good working calipers - Tie Rod Ends - Control Arms - Cooling components (W.Pump, Thermostat, Hoses, Coolant flush), Strong stock seats (bad seats mess up your driving experience) Fuel lines, fuel pump, fuel filter spark plugs and some other things I have missed are all BASIC maintenance parts for any car whether or not you will drive on the track.

The phrase you have to pay to play is very true and when I go to the track I pay to play and have safe fun not to endager other drivers, my instructor or myself.

It took me a long time to get started in auto-x when I was in college and it's been almost 4 years since I graduated college and now getting into more regular auto-x attendance and track sessions. It didn't happen overnight for me and yes I feel every penny I put into my cars but it's worth it.

If you're hitting your limiter, you might want to short shift into a higher gear when you can safely do so. For Road ATL - I short shifted into 44th gear for turns 5 and 12. With my driving style - banging on the limiter isn't something else I need to add while driving on the track. The extended limiter @ 7200rpm does help a lot in holding gears but the short shifting helped better.

RMachucaA --
I started my tire pressure around 35 cold or so and ended up around 41-45 or so. I am ashamed to admit I didn't document this so the accuracy is questionable as I used 2 different gauges as well (no gauge known to me is spot on 100% accurate to boot)

2002maniac --
I would so love to drive many more tracks in the future resources permitting. From your pics you posted it looks like you had a hell of a time as well :cool:

mgold --
:cool: someone has to represent for the m42s on this corner of the country. I try do what I can haha. Racing an m42 has got to be very interesting. I am eager for the next session so I can be in a slightly different array of drivers as it helps focus better and you can better see your cars performance versus the other vehicles and their pilots. It's not just an old scratchy record when you tell people power isn't all there is to a car. Balance and control are 2 key variables that are essential and really beneficial when matched the right way.

e9nine · « **Reply #25 on:** July 24, 2006, 08:03:32 AM »

Quote from: M42boy

Oh, this is a must!!! If the BMWCCA doesn't sanction off a spot to corral cars and watch, we'll have to do it ourselves. Show up early to get a good spot. But, we MUST bring a big cooler, a camping grill, etc. Sit out there and drink good German beer and watch the fun.

It was crowded last year, but it's pretty cool thing to watch, especially the racing at night!

A few local guys plan to go as well. I'll keep abreast of their planning and let you know when to bring the SUV over with the cooler :cool:

silverblades181 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 24, 2006, 01:02:10 PM »

I know that the price is relativly low when you track with a club then if you went out and did it all by yourself. But I'm a full time student and only work part time. I wish I could get more seat time but unforthunatly..I can't afford to attend every event. There is a 2 day event at Le Circuit Mont Tremblant which once hosted the F1 Grand Prix..I'd LOVE to try it but it's 600$ CDN for 2 days...thats more then I make in two weeks lol. As for short shifting, I was about to try it when the rain caught us and made the track unsafe. I've driven in the rain which is always a good experience...but when ciment walls are involved and wet rubber...they just called it off.

kramerica5000 · « **Reply #27 on:** July 26, 2006, 08:26:09 AM »

Quote from: e9nine

In summary - Best automotive experience of my life ever!

Thanks for the story . . . very enjoyable to live vicariously. I plan to do a BMWCCA school next year hopefully.

Just wondering, care to share your laptimes?

Katz Tsubai · « **Reply #28 on:** July 26, 2006, 08:40:48 AM »

Quote from: silverblades181

...I wish I could get more seat time but unforthunatly..I can't afford to attend every event...

Go to your local indoor kart track, if there's any. It's cheap, and it'll be very good practice - I feel that seat time is more important than anything else, regardless of the type of vehicle you're driving. And when you have some extra dough to spend, take your car out.

Quote from: 2002maniac

...and Miller Motorsports...

I so envy you!! I'm going to the salt flats next month and there's a lapping day, but I'm not taking my car

e9nine · « **Reply #29 on:** July 26, 2006, 08:59:28 AM »

Quote from: kramerica5000

Thanks for the story . . . very enjoyable to live vicariously. I plan to do a BMWCCA school next year hopefully.

Just wondering, care to share your laptimes?

Didn't time myself. My focus wasn't on timing. Maybe next time around I'll time if I can find someone in pit lane or an instructor willing to do so.

Quote

Go to your local indoor kart track, if there's any. It's cheap, and it'll be very good practice - I feel that seat time is more important than anything else, regardless of the type of vehicle you're driving. And when you have some extra dough to spend, take your car out.

So very true. I love karting as I know the line I want to take consistently and run consecutively without losing grip or messing up the line. Very challenging with traffic but fun none the less. Down here it's expensive at this one place we go to so I can't go as often as I'd like but hey - in my world nothing is cheap :rolleyes: