Track Day number 3 at Laguna Seca :-)

[sfbimmer13]

I just came back from my 3rd track day with the M-DCT M3 and I still love the car - this was the first time I tried my new track tire setup and it worked beautifully. The tires are BFGoodrich gForce R1s with 265/35/18 front and 285/30/18 back. This rubber is incredibly sticky and while I got a lot of tire squeal with the PS2's at Infineon and Buttonwillow, it was completely gone with the R1s.

As previously reported by me and others the DCT has a downshift issue under hard braking - My BMW SA is working with BMW NA to figure out what is going on and hopefully it will be fixed soon. Once that is resolved the M3 DCT might very well be the best 4 seater track car ever!!!

Here is the video from a couple of laps at Laguna Seca - in the 3rd or 4th lap you see a yellow Porsche Turbo that had to let me pass

[u2b]<object width="425" height="349"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q3Uv9hoyh4E&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd 311b&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q3Uv9hoyh4E&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd 311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="349"></embed></object>[/u2b]

here are also some pics of my track tires and rims:








In case anybody is interested on how thirsty the M3 gets on track:


and for our EU folks:


quite a difference comparing to the mileage I was getting driving to Laguna:

[ace996]

Great job!!!
What pads were you using?
I guess it's another CruiseCam mount??
Thanks,
TomK

[dawgdog]

Excellent! I am going to my third lapping day Sept 11. Clearly you are way ahead of where I am driving wise. Thanks for posting.

[sfbimmer13]

Originally Posted by ace996

Great job!!!
What pads were you using?
I guess it's another CruiseCam mount??
Thanks,
TomK

I am using the regular pads, and they are pretty much worth one more track day before they have to be changed - one thing I will do is getting either the Pagid RS19 or the BMW race pads and better break fluid - having said that: the regular pads did an awesome job so far.

and yes CruiseCam mount

next up will be Reno Fernley next weekend

[sfbimmer13]

Originally Posted by dawgdog

Excellent! I am going to my third lapping day Sept 11. Clearly you are way ahead of where I am driving wise. Thanks for posting.

you have to come down here to CA - the tracks are just mindblowing - Laguna and Infineon are top notch...

[M3Rad]

1:53s at Laguna Seca is a decent time for a sedan on the stock suspension. It can be faster, but watching the video shows that you were driving with a very good margin of safety. Good driving by the way.

It is a shame that the pads don't last that long. The good thing about RS19 is that they're the longest lasting track pads available anywhere. They were developed for Endurance Racing.

I still have 80% life left from a 4 years old set of rears, and 20% left from a set of fronts.

Castrol SRF is the best brake fluid out there. Be aware that the RS19 don't have good grip when cold, just press the brake pedal harder.

[sfbimmer13]

Originally Posted by M3Rad

1:53s at Laguna Seca is a decent time for a sedan on the stock suspension. It can be faster, but watching the video shows that you were driving with a very good margin of safety. Good driving by the way.

It is a shame that the pads don't last that long. The good thing about RS19 is that they're the longest lasting track pads available anywhere. They were developed for Endurance Racing.

I still have 80% life left from a 4 years old set of rears, and 20% left from a set of fronts.

Castrol SRF is the best brake fluid out there. Be aware that the RS19 don't have good grip when cold, just press the brake pedal harder.

Thanks M3Rad! It was all about the fun

I am seriously considering those brake upgrades...

[footie]

Mate, sorry for stealing your thunder by posting the videos before your good self.

BFGoodrich are owned by Michelin, are they not?

On the downshifts, have anyone you have been in connect with given any opinions as to what is causing the problem?

[sfbimmer13]

Originally Posted by footie

Mate, sorry for stealing your thunder by posting the videos before your good self.

BFGoodrich are owned by Michelin, are they not?

On the downshifts, have anyone you have been in connect with given any opinions as to what is causing the problem?

no worries M8

As far as I know BFGoodrich is owned by Michelin and TireRack...

My Service Manager has no good explanation for the downshift problem, however they did read out the pressure values of the tranny to see if they can make sense of it and explain the issue, haven't heard anything back yet though...

[slikk66]

just out of curiosity, did you opt for any track day insurance? if so which.. and if not, are you just relying on your current auto insurance? seems to me from that video it wasn't just point by passing in designated areas, just upping the "danger" factor some. great video, that was awesome =)

[sfbimmer13]

Originally Posted by slikk66

just out of curiosity, did you opt for any track day insurance? if so which.. and if not, are you just relying on your current auto insurance? seems to me from that video it wasn't just point by passing in designated areas, just upping the "danger" factor some. great video, that was awesome =)

no track day insurance, I was relying on my regular insurance, pretty sure though that they would not cover accidents on a race track...If I am running with BMCCA or Hooked on Driving I will get the Lockton-Affinity track insurance, unfortunately they don't offer insurance for Speedventures or Trackmasters...

It was actually point by only, it is kind of hard to see in the video though, since some drivers just pointed their finger out the window rather than giving a clean point by

[GT3 Tim]

Originally Posted by M3Rad

The good thing about RS19 is that they're the longest lasting track pads available anywhere. They were developed for Endurance Racing.

I still have 80% life left from a 4 years old set of rears, and 20% left from a set of fronts.

Castrol SRF is the best brake fluid out there. Be aware that the RS19 don't have good grip when cold, just press the brake pedal harder.

+1 on everything! I used RS19's on my GT3 and loved them....they last forever and are boat anchors when hot...

Also, SRF FTW!


edit: So......why didn't you wave to the Porsche driver after he pointed you by? You waved at everybody else.... HAHA.
Enjoy the M!

[sfbimmer13]

Originally Posted by GT3 Tim

+1 on everything! I used RS19's on my GT3 and loved them....they last forever and are boat anchors when hot...

Also, SRF FTW!


edit: So......why didn't you wave to the Porsche driver after he pointed you by? You waved at everybody else.... HAHA.
Enjoy the M!

I was too busy not slowing him down and wanted to get away fast

[Dascamel]

Nice vids, good report!

[SV Concepts III]

Looks like fun Rupert! Wish I could have made it out.

[sfbimmer13]

Originally Posted by Dascamel

Nice vids, good report!

hope to see you in Buttonwillow in the future...

Originally Posted by Nick@Jlevi SW

Looks like fun Rupert! Wish I could have made it out.

Nick, we'll meet on the track for sure in the future - have you signed up for BMWCCA Infineon Nov 1st and 2nd?

[attbimmer]

I was there all weekend as well running my E36 with the POC. I only remember seeing you Friday I think, but your car certainly sounded nice going down the main straight.

[sayemthree]

BFG (yes owned by Mich) are awesome tires. TRM wheels awesome too.

[skierman64]

sfbimmer: Nice video, I can't wait to get my R compound tires. The PS2s on my car took a beating at the 3 day track event.

I've been to Laguna Seca twice as a spectator for an IndyCar race (Mario Andretti's last IndyCar race) and for AMA Superbikes, however I never got to drive the track.

Three questions: Going into turn 2 at the end of the front stretch it looked as if you were going in narrow (not far right), it doesn't seem like that would be the fastest line, however I'm guessing it probably is; is there a reason going into turn 2 from the middle of the track is preferred. Serious question, not being critical.

Second question, the last corner before the front stretch it sounds like you were using 2nd gear, were you using 2nd gear anywhere else, like the top of the corkscrew?

Last question, did you notice the dct upshift shifting delay to effect you in any way, I personally didn't find it to be any factor in my 3 day school I just completed. I was able to use the shift lights in my perifial vision to determine shift points for upshifting without having to even look directly at the tach. What technique did you use?

[sfbimmer13]

Originally Posted by skierman64

sfbimmer: Nice video, I can't wait to get my R compound tires. The PS2s on my car took a beating at the 3 day track event.

I've been to Laguna Seca twice as a spectator for an IndyCar race (Mario Andretti's last IndyCar race) and for AMA Superbikes, however I never got to drive the track.

Three questions: Going into turn 2 at the end of the front stretch it looked as if you were going in narrow (not far right), it doesn't seem like that would be the fastest line, however I'm guessing it probably is; is there a reason going into turn 2 from the middle of the track is preferred. Serious question, not being critical.

Second question, the last corner before the front stretch it sounds like you were using 2nd gear, were you using 2nd gear anywhere else, like the top of the corkscrew?

Last question, did you notice the dct upshift shifting delay to effect you in any way, I personally didn't find it to be any factor in my 3 day school I just completed. I was able to use the shift lights in my perifial vision to determine shift points for upshifting without having to even look directly at the tach. What technique did you use?

Hi skierman64,

you are correct about turn 2 - I took the non ideal line thru there everytime...I will have an instructor with me this Friday at Laguna and post videos - hopefully with the correct line - early next week

I used second gear at turn 11 and turn 8 (top of the corkscrew)

upshift delay? what upshift delay I got so used to the sound the engine makes that I hit the upshift points dead on 99% of the time and the shift lights in my peripheral vision also helped - the real issue is the downshift, as discussed before...can't wait for the update, which according to my service manager should be available mid September

[sfbimmer13]

here are some additional pictures and a video from a spectator perspective of the cork screw

[u2b]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WdlrR7UUwWM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WdlrR7UUwWM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/u2b]

I love the sound of my car when it is flying by :-) :-)

[DJ9]

Rupert!! You are making me so jealous that I did not go that weekend...i was too burnt out from Infineon and Thunerhill the week prior!!

Nothing better than TMR at Laguna....I had a blast when i went there with them back in May.

Anyhow, great vid....and I want to hear all about your track set up...will be calling you.

Did you get a ave lap time off your vid? I did not have a chance to check. I bet with your tire setup...the M must have been amazing through the corkscrew.

By the way, the pic in my sig....can you guess what turn that is at Laguna?