E9x M3 LAP TIMES (Road Course)

[okusa]

^ nice lap Rabbit!

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by dogbone

First time at Thunderhill. Nice track----although the Bypass is very hard on the car if you're trying to go fast. The off-camber landing is not a fun experience in a heavy car.

E90 M3
Track/course: Thunderhill w/Bypass
Best Lap Time: 2:00.98
Brakes: AP Racing - Cobalt Friction XR2 front/XR3 rear
Tires: Hankook TD - 295/30/18 square on Apex Arc-8 10.5"
Suspension: JRZ RS Pro
Other mods: VF620, Akrapovic X-Pipe with stock exhaust, (no aero parts), Euro-MDM on ( )

I think with a little more line work and understanding exit speeds, going sub-2:00 should be very doable. I only had one day there, so I'm happy with this result. Unfortunately, it's almost 500 miles from me so I won't be getting back there for awhile.

The track was buzzing because the new 2-mile section is now fully paved and will be opening I think this weekend.

Nice time. Sub 2 is definitely doable. I know a stock-powered, non-aero E46 M3 that does 1:56 with the by pass. Some really fast guys at T Hill.

[Ti-Jean]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

Nice time. Sub 2 is definitely doable. I know a stock-powered, non-aero E46 M3 that does 1:56 with the by pass. Some really fast guys at T Hill.

What's the standard configuration for TH? Bypass or cyclone? Also, which one is faster and by how much?

Thanks!

[dogbone]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

Nice time. Sub 2 is definitely doable. I know a stock-powered, non-aero E46 M3 that does 1:56 with the by pass. Some really fast guys at T Hill.

Thanks!

Yeah, I need some more time to get more familiar with that track. And I did that lap time in the heat of the afternoon. I would guess in the nice cool morning, there's an automatic time gain to benefit from. Now I have something to look forward to on my next trip there.

Member Ti-Jean was following me in his GT3 on that lap and recording video. He had less grippy tires than me and stayed there the whole lap until the final straight when my horsepower put distance between us. He did some great driving and did a 2:01 that lap. The funny thing is that when he wasn't chasing me, the fastest he could go on those same tires was 2:04…….sometimes you just need a rabbit to chase down.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by Ti-Jean

What's the standard configuration for TH? Bypass or cyclone? Also, which one is faster and by how much?

Thanks!

I think the cyclone is more standard (and beginner friendly), but I've run them both pretty equally in various clubs. If I had to guess I'd say the difference in time is maybe somewhere around 3-5 seconds (correct me if I am wrong). Personally, I prefer the bypass.

[dogbone]

Since we did a couple different tracks over the last few days, I also have a new fast lap to share from Sonoma. I improved on this track by 3 seconds.

E90 M3
Track/course: Sonoma Raceway
Best Lap Time: 1:51.26
Brakes: AP Racing - Cobalt Friction XR2 front/XR3 rear
Tires: Hankook TD - 295/30/18 square on Apex Arc-8 10.5"
Suspension: JRZ RS Pro
Other mods: VF620, Akrapovic X-Pipe with stock exhaust, (no aero parts), Euro-MDM on ( )

I'm chasing an Ariel Atom. hehe futile chase. I think on this lap I was gaining on him, but he was running 1:46-1:47 all weekend long.

[PrimeBMW]

Last time I was there it was a 1.7 sec difference with the bypass being quicker. E46 M3 with stock engine and aero. 1:57 bypass and 1:58.7 cyclone. My straight line speeds were 10 mph less than yours but I could carry 96-97 mph minimum through corner 1 for example.....

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by PrimeBMW

Last time I was there it was a 1.7 sec difference with the bypass being quicker. E46 M3 with stock engine and aero. 1:57 bypass and 1:58.7 cyclone. My straight line speeds were 10 mph less than yours but I could carry 96-97 mph minimum through corner 1 for example.....

Wow that's not much difference at all. I always find it hard to imagine the time being so close. I guess I just don't know how to fly through the cyclone.

[03///m3]

Ran a 1:01.7 at lime rock.
Stock with AD08's and PFC08's.

[PrimeBMW]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

Wow that's not much difference at all. I always find it hard to imagine the time being so close. I guess I just don't know how to fly through the cyclone.

I have only been there 3 times but have a great driving coach. Next time will be the 5 mile course and with the S62 installed into the e46 M3

[USCTrojanMan29]

Originally Posted by dogbone

First time at Thunderhill. Nice track----although the Bypass is very hard on the car if you're trying to go fast. The off-camber landing is not a fun experience in a heavy car.

E90 M3
Track/course: Thunderhill w/Bypass
Best Lap Time: 2:00.98
Brakes: AP Racing - Cobalt Friction XR2 front/XR3 rear
Tires: Hankook TD - 295/30/18 square on Apex Arc-8 10.5"
Suspension: JRZ RS Pro
Other mods: VF620, Akrapovic X-Pipe with stock exhaust, (no aero parts), Euro-MDM on ( )

I think with a little more line work and understanding exit speeds, going sub-2:00 should be very doable. I only had one day there, so I'm happy with this result. Unfortunately, it's almost 500 miles from me so I won't be getting back there for awhile.

The track was buzzing because the new 2-mile section is now fully paved and will be opening I think this weekend.

Nice driving. You should come up in July when PCA GGR is running the 5-mile course.

[swhat]

Experiencing the 5 mile Thunderhill track July 6th...Definitely feeling excited, but also wondering if I should run with the slower group since I will be learning the the new section.

[USCTrojanMan29]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

Nice time. Sub 2 is definitely doable. I know a stock-powered, non-aero E46 M3 that does 1:56 with the by pass. Some really fast guys at T Hill.

That was probably Dan Avon in his white E46, huh?

[dnyc]

Originally Posted by apexkingjusto

No lime rock times??

Car: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP
Track: Lime Rock
Time: 1:03.60
Mods: Vanguard exhaust
Suspension: Stock w/ mdm
Brakes: Stock pads with Motul dot 4 fluid
Tires: Mich PSS (front 245 ) Mich PS3 (rear 265)

Sorry for the windnoise

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by USCTrojanMan29

That was probably Dan Avon in his white E46, huh?

Yup. That guy is incredibly fast in that car.

[OC3]

Avon indeed is incredibly fast.

[dapopa9]

Originally Posted by dogbone

Thanks!

Yeah, I need some more time to get more familiar with that track. And I did that lap time in the heat of the afternoon. I would guess in the nice cool morning, there's an automatic time gain to benefit from. Now I have something to look forward to on my next trip there.

Member Ti-Jean was following me in his GT3 on that lap and recording video. He had less grippy tires than me and stayed there the whole lap until the final straight when my horsepower put distance between us. He did some great driving and did a 2:01 that lap. The funny thing is that when he wasn't chasing me, the fastest he could go on those same tires was 2:04…….sometimes you just need a rabbit to chase down.

Great video! At 1:47 was that off-track or is that the intended line?

[dogbone]

Originally Posted by dapopa9

Great video! At 1:47 was that off-track or is that the intended line?

hehe that's the Turn 11,12,13 combo. We were on track---well, at least on pavement haha!---but usually I think there are some barriers there so you can't go that wide. But for some reason, on that day, there was nothing there to stop us from going wide.

I was told to go as wide as barriers allow you to go. I guess we lucked out that there were no barriers at all.

[OC3]

Originally Posted by dapopa9

Great video! At 1:47 was that off-track or is that the intended line?

Been there only once (June of 2012) and we drove like that line. Wasn't any cones or makers there that day. (NCRC was the organizer)

[TheKosherStogie]

WSIR - 1:35:5
2006 E46 M3
KW Clubsports
Headers and full exhaust
Nt01 (275)
Stock brakes w/ hawk dc10 pads

Car feels good but so much slower than my e92m3 ;( 120mph on the straight instead of 135-137 in the e92. hoping to get past to my e92 times in the winter. Was hot as balls yesterday.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by TheKosherStogie

WSIR - 1:35:5
2006 E46 M3
KW Clubsports
Headers and full exhaust
Nt01 (275)
Stock brakes w/ hawk dc10 pads

Car feels good but so much slower than my e92m3 ;( 120mph on the straight instead of 135-137 in the e92. hoping to get past to my e92 times in the winter. Was hot as balls yesterday.

I'm closing in on my straight speed of the e90 with my e46 now because I can get thru and out of corners carrying so much more speed.

[TheKosherStogie]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

I'm closing in on my straight speed of the e90 with my e46 now because I can get thru and out of corners carrying so much more speed.

Yeah I hear you. I do feel like I was entering some turns hotter and carrying more speed. But need to look over both vids side by side. Car feels great. It's also summer now and everyone is slower.