Fellow Bimmer owner took his E46 on track for the first time (long story) :)
09-16-1999, 07:45 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Fellow Bimmer owner took his E46 on track for the first time (long story) :)
This is from my email buddy, Jim Heisler, who has a 99 323i and just finished his first track school. Sounds familiar (especially the part about the shaking hands....) 
enjoy...
--------------------------------------------
Hey,
Thanks so much for your advice and tips...I obviously had a great time
and am now debating if I should attend one in mid-Ohio for $200, I'd
have to take 2 days off from work and it would cost around $350 for
everything. Maybe auto-x is the way to go, it's only $18 and less than
2 hours away usually.
This is the article for my local chapter newsletter, the editor might
fix some things, not sure yet.
Thanks again, Jim
------------------------------------------------------
I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time, not only getting a
new BMW but also driving it on a race track under controlled conditions.
Now I can’t wait to do it again.
After a mostly sleepless night at the hotel, I was ready for the day. We
met at Blackhawk Farms raceway outside of Chicago for the drivers
meeting at 7:30 am. At the meeting the BMW club member in charge of the
event welcomed us, then one of the corner workers explained what the
flags meant and what to do if we had any problems. This lasted a half
an hour.
Then I went back to my car and emptied it out and talked with a couple
of the people parked next to me. I was surprised how nice and easy to
talk to they were. One guy helped me tape my lights with his tape. Then
he gave me a few pointers, the most important of which is to look ahead
and try to set up for the next corner.
First was a class with a really great instructor. We introduced
ourselves and told each other what kind of cars we had. All of us had
BMWs. I was the only one with an E46. There were 2 m-coupes and a few
M3s, one woman even had an automatic 5 series mid-90s wagon. Everyone
seemed very excited and a little apprehensive about what they were about
to
get into. He explained what we should do if we happen to go off track
and the theory behind apexes and brake points. He told us about the
contact patches of the tires and which tires had better grip depending
on what we were doing, like braking/turning/accelerating. He also told
us about his experiences on the track. It was kind of funny because
after the drivers meeting, the instructors were on the track and we were
standing around the pit lane and a Ford Mustang came in and there was
smoke coming out of it. The catalytic converter was on fire. It was our
teacher’s car with him driving.
Next we prepared to go onto the track. We drove our cars onto pit lane
and my instructor came up and introduced himself. He drove the first 2
laps, then I drove. As he was driving I was thinking he was beating on
my car, but now I think he was taking it easy. The first turn was a
little scary for me. We were going like 65 towards a right angle turn,
and I thought we
were going into the woods for sure, but he slammed on the brakes and
made the turn very gracefully. I was surprised how well my car handled.
I was also grateful that I got the
sport seats because I really got pushed around in the turns. Then it was
my turn behind the wheel. I maybe floored the gas pedal a couple of
times each lap, but I didn’t know how well the brakes worked. I didn’t
even come close to the ABS on the first run. The tires squealled a
little. I’d never heard my tires squeal before, but they held and the
car went where I
pointed it.
After that I got out of my car and was shaking a little. I sat and
thought about my laps and how I might get the apexes a little better. I
was a late apexer. After the first track session I was grinning the
whole rest of the day. I couldn’t think of anything else. Then we had a
class and the instructor told us how to take the first few turns.
Then we had a tour session where I took my girlfriend around the track
in my car and showed her what I did well and the turns I didn’t do well.
On the first lap she was a little scared even though we were going under
60 mph, then she started enjoying the speed and feeling of going quickly
around the turns.
After the tour, the instructors had a session and my instructor invited
me to go with him on a few laps. He had an M3 with 4 point seat belts.
When he braked on the turns I was thrown forward and thankful he had the
padded belts. I was really thrown around in his car, much more than my
car. I noticed that he braked at the exact same place for each turn on
each lap. That was a lot of fun because I could see how to drive the
track.
Later I had another track session and the time went by really quickly. I
did much better after seeing the track at a slower speed from the tour
session and what to do at the turns after the instructor time. I don’t
really remember too much about the session, only that I was
concentrating on the brake points and the apexes. I do remember catching
the other cars and going into the pits to get more room on the track.
The tires were squeeling on
every turn and it was a great feeling making the turns on the apex. I
also realized I had to increase my braking distance as the time went by
and my exit speed was increasing. After the track session it was evident
that as my exit speed increased my brake points for the next corner came
sooner. I didn't realize this until after the session.
Then we had our last class and he told us the most important turns were
the ones leading onto the 2 straights. And we talked about our hardest
turns. He also said one of the turns could be taken at full throttle. I
tried it on the last track session and he was right. It was a little
scary but after a couple times it was the most fun part of the track.
My last track session went by really quickly. My instructor was really
supportive, telling me the turns I did well. I’d be pleased with myself
on a turn and he would applaud or give the thumbs up and it really made
me feel great. I would tell him what I did wrong on the turns I went
into too hot and he agreed. For some reason I would go into the slowest
turn too fast each time, but on the last lap I finally understood I had
to start slowing down before the end of the previous turn. I was so sad
to see the checkered flag because I though I could really do a good lap,
finally.
Afterwards I talked with a few of the participants and they were really
nice. The level of trust was something I’d never seen before. I’d only
been to sporting events and concerts and realized that I’d better watch
out for my stuff. There, I felt really comfortable, at ease and relaxed.
I could focus on the track and how to improve. I felt like I could talk
to anyone and
they could talk to me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some pictures are at:
http://www.mindspring.com/~jimheisler/
enjoy...--------------------------------------------
Hey,
Thanks so much for your advice and tips...I obviously had a great time
and am now debating if I should attend one in mid-Ohio for $200, I'd
have to take 2 days off from work and it would cost around $350 for
everything. Maybe auto-x is the way to go, it's only $18 and less than
2 hours away usually.
This is the article for my local chapter newsletter, the editor might
fix some things, not sure yet.
Thanks again, Jim
------------------------------------------------------
I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time, not only getting a
new BMW but also driving it on a race track under controlled conditions.
Now I can’t wait to do it again.
After a mostly sleepless night at the hotel, I was ready for the day. We
met at Blackhawk Farms raceway outside of Chicago for the drivers
meeting at 7:30 am. At the meeting the BMW club member in charge of the
event welcomed us, then one of the corner workers explained what the
flags meant and what to do if we had any problems. This lasted a half
an hour.
Then I went back to my car and emptied it out and talked with a couple
of the people parked next to me. I was surprised how nice and easy to
talk to they were. One guy helped me tape my lights with his tape. Then
he gave me a few pointers, the most important of which is to look ahead
and try to set up for the next corner.
First was a class with a really great instructor. We introduced
ourselves and told each other what kind of cars we had. All of us had
BMWs. I was the only one with an E46. There were 2 m-coupes and a few
M3s, one woman even had an automatic 5 series mid-90s wagon. Everyone
seemed very excited and a little apprehensive about what they were about
to
get into. He explained what we should do if we happen to go off track
and the theory behind apexes and brake points. He told us about the
contact patches of the tires and which tires had better grip depending
on what we were doing, like braking/turning/accelerating. He also told
us about his experiences on the track. It was kind of funny because
after the drivers meeting, the instructors were on the track and we were
standing around the pit lane and a Ford Mustang came in and there was
smoke coming out of it. The catalytic converter was on fire. It was our
teacher’s car with him driving.
Next we prepared to go onto the track. We drove our cars onto pit lane
and my instructor came up and introduced himself. He drove the first 2
laps, then I drove. As he was driving I was thinking he was beating on
my car, but now I think he was taking it easy. The first turn was a
little scary for me. We were going like 65 towards a right angle turn,
and I thought we
were going into the woods for sure, but he slammed on the brakes and
made the turn very gracefully. I was surprised how well my car handled.
I was also grateful that I got the
sport seats because I really got pushed around in the turns. Then it was
my turn behind the wheel. I maybe floored the gas pedal a couple of
times each lap, but I didn’t know how well the brakes worked. I didn’t
even come close to the ABS on the first run. The tires squealled a
little. I’d never heard my tires squeal before, but they held and the
car went where I
pointed it.
After that I got out of my car and was shaking a little. I sat and
thought about my laps and how I might get the apexes a little better. I
was a late apexer. After the first track session I was grinning the
whole rest of the day. I couldn’t think of anything else. Then we had a
class and the instructor told us how to take the first few turns.
Then we had a tour session where I took my girlfriend around the track
in my car and showed her what I did well and the turns I didn’t do well.
On the first lap she was a little scared even though we were going under
60 mph, then she started enjoying the speed and feeling of going quickly
around the turns.
After the tour, the instructors had a session and my instructor invited
me to go with him on a few laps. He had an M3 with 4 point seat belts.
When he braked on the turns I was thrown forward and thankful he had the
padded belts. I was really thrown around in his car, much more than my
car. I noticed that he braked at the exact same place for each turn on
each lap. That was a lot of fun because I could see how to drive the
track.
Later I had another track session and the time went by really quickly. I
did much better after seeing the track at a slower speed from the tour
session and what to do at the turns after the instructor time. I don’t
really remember too much about the session, only that I was
concentrating on the brake points and the apexes. I do remember catching
the other cars and going into the pits to get more room on the track.
The tires were squeeling on
every turn and it was a great feeling making the turns on the apex. I
also realized I had to increase my braking distance as the time went by
and my exit speed was increasing. After the track session it was evident
that as my exit speed increased my brake points for the next corner came
sooner. I didn't realize this until after the session.
Then we had our last class and he told us the most important turns were
the ones leading onto the 2 straights. And we talked about our hardest
turns. He also said one of the turns could be taken at full throttle. I
tried it on the last track session and he was right. It was a little
scary but after a couple times it was the most fun part of the track.
My last track session went by really quickly. My instructor was really
supportive, telling me the turns I did well. I’d be pleased with myself
on a turn and he would applaud or give the thumbs up and it really made
me feel great. I would tell him what I did wrong on the turns I went
into too hot and he agreed. For some reason I would go into the slowest
turn too fast each time, but on the last lap I finally understood I had
to start slowing down before the end of the previous turn. I was so sad
to see the checkered flag because I though I could really do a good lap,
finally.
Afterwards I talked with a few of the participants and they were really
nice. The level of trust was something I’d never seen before. I’d only
been to sporting events and concerts and realized that I’d better watch
out for my stuff. There, I felt really comfortable, at ease and relaxed.
I could focus on the track and how to improve. I felt like I could talk
to anyone and
they could talk to me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some pictures are at:
http://www.mindspring.com/~jimheisler/
09-17-1999, 12:02 AM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
The instructor seemed to leave out one important item!
That carosel, if the track is still the same after all these years, gets some high G forces going. And when I raced there, we were always told to dump an extra half quart (at least) of oil into the engine, or it would all slosh up to the one side in the pan unless you had baffles in it.
And I wonder, does Midwest Council still have AutoX events there? Here in SoCal they'd be called Solo I events, but way back then we didn't have all those restricions and anybody could run there. And though I love Road America the best of all, and Riverside 2nd, Blackhawk will always be a close 3rd in fond memories for me! It was a blast in my 69 Europa, but awesome in my 79 RX7! and when I had the 5" Suppertrapp, I ran it gutted (open megaphone), and folks always would say they knew when I was shifting from clear across the other side of the track
I also remember that on the RX7 I had run on near bald P6's (shaved) and did ok on those. But when I got brand new BFG Comp TA's, it was night and day difference - specially in the carosel. WOW!
And once when it rained, the Rabbits had me by near 4-5 seconds per run. But soon as it dried up, I nailed them by over 8! Oh those days! And the greenery too! Here in SoCal all is nearly desert where there are tracks! UGH!
And I wonder, does Midwest Council still have AutoX events there? Here in SoCal they'd be called Solo I events, but way back then we didn't have all those restricions and anybody could run there. And though I love Road America the best of all, and Riverside 2nd, Blackhawk will always be a close 3rd in fond memories for me! It was a blast in my 69 Europa, but awesome in my 79 RX7! and when I had the 5" Suppertrapp, I ran it gutted (open megaphone), and folks always would say they knew when I was shifting from clear across the other side of the track
I also remember that on the RX7 I had run on near bald P6's (shaved) and did ok on those. But when I got brand new BFG Comp TA's, it was night and day difference - specially in the carosel. WOW!
And once when it rained, the Rabbits had me by near 4-5 seconds per run. But soon as it dried up, I nailed them by over 8! Oh those days! And the greenery too! Here in SoCal all is nearly desert where there are tracks! UGH!
09-21-1999, 04:13 PM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Yop, there were near misses (with my car involved)....pisses me off....loongg
Got it on video though.
Mark F driving (thank GOD, I wouldn't have handled it so well).
One time a fellow group 3 driver (light blue car made by the other German manufacturer with a number just below 4 in it's name and the first letter of Mark's name, not to SLAM THEM, just one driver of such a high performance vehicle) cut over from the "pit lane" (picture the entrance to turn #2 being the exit now)- he was wavering on heading to the pits, then decided not to. So at about 40 ish MPH he cuts HARD RIGHT into the driving lane, where we were in my A4, I estimated 80 MPH and accelerating full out (the video doesn't show the odometer). Agressive braking, horn on full blast, us screaming, no avail- the driver (or his supposedly professional instructor riding along) never saw us. We were within a foot (or less) of his rear right side hitting the front 1/4 panel on our driver's left- Mark evaded nicely (whew the stock brakes DO WORK WELL).
Same lap- same driver- there is passing everywhere now (Group #3's last run of the day) and the fool thinks he can overtake a car during turn #2 (which is the last turn in the race now), but by braking & turning simultaneously he pulls some donuts in the middle of the track, tire smoke everywhere. The car he is passing, us, an RX-7 (or was it a 280Z?), etc all within a few feet behind him, we all squirm & brake every whichway on the track. Again, got it on tape.
The driver is an older gentleman and just driving a bit too agressively for his skills in that car (my experienced guess, after 3 track times I'm an expert right??), although he's got a professional instructor with him, so he doesn't get booted from the group or the track (I think he had 2 or 4 wheels off at least 5 TIMES before this last famous lap).....
Oh, it was FUN don't get me wrong! Stan kept up with a Porsche, we got footage of Stan (and Sharon?) and us of course going a bit airborne on the top of turn 5- used to be a twisty downhill but becomes an uphill launch ramp the other way- WHEEEEEEEEEE!
OK let's have a lunch again soon and I'll bring the video.....
Mark F driving (thank GOD, I wouldn't have handled it so well).
One time a fellow group 3 driver (light blue car made by the other German manufacturer with a number just below 4 in it's name and the first letter of Mark's name, not to SLAM THEM, just one driver of such a high performance vehicle) cut over from the "pit lane" (picture the entrance to turn #2 being the exit now)- he was wavering on heading to the pits, then decided not to. So at about 40 ish MPH he cuts HARD RIGHT into the driving lane, where we were in my A4, I estimated 80 MPH and accelerating full out (the video doesn't show the odometer). Agressive braking, horn on full blast, us screaming, no avail- the driver (or his supposedly professional instructor riding along) never saw us. We were within a foot (or less) of his rear right side hitting the front 1/4 panel on our driver's left- Mark evaded nicely (whew the stock brakes DO WORK WELL).
Same lap- same driver- there is passing everywhere now (Group #3's last run of the day) and the fool thinks he can overtake a car during turn #2 (which is the last turn in the race now), but by braking & turning simultaneously he pulls some donuts in the middle of the track, tire smoke everywhere. The car he is passing, us, an RX-7 (or was it a 280Z?), etc all within a few feet behind him, we all squirm & brake every whichway on the track. Again, got it on tape.
The driver is an older gentleman and just driving a bit too agressively for his skills in that car (my experienced guess, after 3 track times I'm an expert right??), although he's got a professional instructor with him, so he doesn't get booted from the group or the track (I think he had 2 or 4 wheels off at least 5 TIMES before this last famous lap).....
Oh, it was FUN don't get me wrong! Stan kept up with a Porsche, we got footage of Stan (and Sharon?) and us of course going a bit airborne on the top of turn 5- used to be a twisty downhill but becomes an uphill launch ramp the other way- WHEEEEEEEEEE!
OK let's have a lunch again soon and I'll bring the video.....
09-22-1999, 08:26 AM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Ok, I figured out the "3" but what's Mark's name? just kidding...
No wonder why my GF calls 'em ****** he he. But kudos to you and Mark's driving in avoiding situations like this. Pays off in everyday driving if you ask me. I would like to see those videos. Specially with the reverse track direction.
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