First Track Day

ThunderMoose · 12-19-2010, 02:01 PM

Today, I participated in my first track event. It was a Driver Education (DE) event sponsored by the Mardi Gras Porsche Club at Circuit Grand Bayou just outside of Baton Rouge.

On my way to the track, I drove through a pretty intense rainstorm. By the time I got to the track, the rain had stopped but it was wet and stayed wet through lunch. It was also very cold. Nonetheless, we were able to run all our sessions.

My instructor's name was Kenny. He was great.

The course is almost 2 miles and has 14 turns and a couple of nice straightaways.

In the first session, I passed a couple of guys, but got passed as well. At the end Kenny gave me some tips on steering. He also said my lines needed some work in a couple of specific turns. I needed help with all of the turns, but there were a few that were really bad. He also said to look ahead to get a better sense of the lines and to make sure I was paying attention to the flag stations. They had 4 stations throughout the track, but I never noticed any until we got the last lap flag which Kenny had to point out.

In the second session, some of my lines improved, but I still had a tendency to chicken out in some of the turns. Kenny claimed that once I committed to throttle through a turn that I needed to keep with it even if I felt out of control - NEVER BRAKE WHILE TURNING was his mantra. The whole group did better. I passed a couple of the older guys and I was only passed by the MazdaSpeed 3. I had more HP but he had better skills and beat me on the turns pretty easily.

The third session went well. I made a couple of passes and did NOT get passed by the Mazda. I hit a lot of my turns, but still was tentative in a few. Kenny volunteered to take my car out during one of the other color groups to give me a sense of what the car could do. He suggested I use my camera which has video to record his laps and then to play back to learn.

I handed him the key when we got back and we went with the blue group. Video recording lasted about 20 seconds until we hit the first turn and I realized I needed both hands to brace myself while he drove. Needless to say, he was very very fast. I was scared for most of the ride, but kept the screams to myself. It was kind of cool to see what my car was capable of, even if I had no intention to drive that fast for the foreseeable future.

The final session was awesome, I improved in almost every turn. I had been running the other laps in 4th gear, but in the final session I started downshifting in some of the slower turns. I managed to pass every one in my group, including the Mazda. I know that's not important by itself, but I could really feel the difference of hitting the points and be able to accelerate through more of the track. I kept DSC on the whole time and it was lighting up light a lot on that final session.

It was a great experience, and I can't wait to drive again. My tires held up pretty well, though the outer tread areas are pretty tore up. I took a couple of pics, but none capture the awesome experience.

The M3, as has been stated many many times, is born for the track. I have always loved the car, but saw its true purpose Saturday. I doubt I'll ever have the courage or skills to push my DD to its limits, but I know it will always have plenty to give as I test my limits.

ase2dais · 12-19-2010, 04:06 PM

thnks for sharing.. we have the same car btw
its a winner on the tracks

Martin_D · 12-19-2010, 05:30 PM

DSC was off....riiiiiiiiiiiight

The M3 is at home on the track, learn the limits and have fun out there!

aus · 12-19-2010, 06:05 PM

Congrats on getting out to the track. It gives you a whole new perspective on the car.
That type of wear is pretty normal with PS2's, even if you don't track it. Just dial in some negative camber and they'll wear nicely but consider other tires if you're going to track more. The Vreds hold up a lot better on the track and are better in the wet, IMO.

dcstep · 12-20-2010, 02:42 PM

Good first report. Steady improvement is the key. There's lots to learn and you're only at the very beginning of the journey.

Get your dealer to dial in the maximum negative camber. If you're willing to mod, consider the Dinan spring set along with the camber kit.

Dave

klammer · 12-20-2010, 09:27 PM

welcome to the party, you'll never look at driving the care the same way again

linsm3 · 01-08-2011, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klammer

welcome to the party, you'll never look at driving the care the same way again

I only tracked for my first time last year and am looking forward to this year but I have to say getting passed all the time really played with my head, I tend to be a little too cautious but thanks for your impressions nonetheless

skierman64 · 01-08-2011, 10:21 AM

Be careful, it's addicting.

12-19-2010, 02:01 PM	#1
ThunderMoose Lieutenant Colonel 746 Rep 1,848 Posts Drives: PY E46 M3 and SG E46 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: League City, TX iTrader: (0)	First Track Day Today, I participated in my first track event. It was a Driver Education (DE) event sponsored by the Mardi Gras Porsche Club at Circuit Grand Bayou just outside of Baton Rouge. On my way to the track, I drove through a pretty intense rainstorm. By the time I got to the track, the rain had stopped but it was wet and stayed wet through lunch. It was also very cold. Nonetheless, we were able to run all our sessions. My instructor's name was Kenny. He was great. The course is almost 2 miles and has 14 turns and a couple of nice straightaways. In the first session, I passed a couple of guys, but got passed as well. At the end Kenny gave me some tips on steering. He also said my lines needed some work in a couple of specific turns. I needed help with all of the turns, but there were a few that were really bad. He also said to look ahead to get a better sense of the lines and to make sure I was paying attention to the flag stations. They had 4 stations throughout the track, but I never noticed any until we got the last lap flag which Kenny had to point out. In the second session, some of my lines improved, but I still had a tendency to chicken out in some of the turns. Kenny claimed that once I committed to throttle through a turn that I needed to keep with it even if I felt out of control - NEVER BRAKE WHILE TURNING was his mantra. The whole group did better. I passed a couple of the older guys and I was only passed by the MazdaSpeed 3. I had more HP but he had better skills and beat me on the turns pretty easily. The third session went well. I made a couple of passes and did NOT get passed by the Mazda. I hit a lot of my turns, but still was tentative in a few. Kenny volunteered to take my car out during one of the other color groups to give me a sense of what the car could do. He suggested I use my camera which has video to record his laps and then to play back to learn. I handed him the key when we got back and we went with the blue group. Video recording lasted about 20 seconds until we hit the first turn and I realized I needed both hands to brace myself while he drove. Needless to say, he was very very fast. I was scared for most of the ride, but kept the screams to myself. It was kind of cool to see what my car was capable of, even if I had no intention to drive that fast for the foreseeable future. The final session was awesome, I improved in almost every turn. I had been running the other laps in 4th gear, but in the final session I started downshifting in some of the slower turns. I managed to pass every one in my group, including the Mazda. I know that's not important by itself, but I could really feel the difference of hitting the points and be able to accelerate through more of the track. I kept DSC on the whole time and it was lighting up light a lot on that final session. It was a great experience, and I can't wait to drive again. My tires held up pretty well, though the outer tread areas are pretty tore up. I took a couple of pics, but none capture the awesome experience. The M3, as has been stated many many times, is born for the track. I have always loved the car, but saw its true purpose Saturday. I doubt I'll ever have the courage or skills to push my DD to its limits, but I know it will always have plenty to give as I test my limits. Attached Images Last edited by ThunderMoose; 12-19-2010 at 02:03 PM.. Reason: remove pics
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12-19-2010, 04:06 PM	#2
ase2dais //Mdicted 347 Rep 9,988 Posts Drives: a Cop Magnet Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 495 Ring iTrader: (18) Garage List 2009 e92 M3 DCT CF ... [10.00] 2015 S-Works Roubaix [0.00] 2013 Trek Madone 5.9 [9.50] 2012 Scott - CR1-Pro [10.00] 2008 e92 M3 6MT (Up ... [10.00] 2002 e46 M3 Cabriol ... [7.00] 2006 e90-325i (DD) [7.00] 2002 e39 M5 (retired) [9.50]	thnks for sharing.. we have the same car btw its a winner on the tracks __________________ Oo\(lll)'(lll)/oO : 2009-e92 ///M3 SpaceGry DCT CF Rf/Trim ZTP ZPP ZCW Sat/PrmSd : \_lOOl___lOOl_/<< Clickies
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12-19-2010, 05:30 PM	#3
Martin_D Lieutenant Colonel 102 Rep 1,787 Posts Drives: Ford Super Duty Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (34)	DSC was off....riiiiiiiiiiiight The M3 is at home on the track, learn the limits and have fun out there!
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12-19-2010, 06:05 PM	#4
aus Major General 892 Rep 9,032 Posts Drives: Odysse Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seal Beach, CA iTrader: (10)	Congrats on getting out to the track. It gives you a whole new perspective on the car. That type of wear is pretty normal with PS2's, even if you don't track it. Just dial in some negative camber and they'll wear nicely but consider other tires if you're going to track more. The Vreds hold up a lot better on the track and are better in the wet, IMO. __________________ Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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12-20-2010, 02:42 PM	#5
dcstep Major General 1291 Rep 7,389 Posts Drives: '09 Cpe Silverstone FR 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 M3 [8.40]	Good first report. Steady improvement is the key. There's lots to learn and you're only at the very beginning of the journey. Get your dealer to dial in the maximum negative camber. If you're willing to mod, consider the Dinan spring set along with the camber kit. Dave __________________ Flickr Photos Ucm, Inc.
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12-20-2010, 09:27 PM	#6
klammer Brigadier General 97 Rep 3,246 Posts Drives: 11 spc gry m3 e90, 19 X5 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: chicago iTrader: (0)	welcome to the party, you'll never look at driving the care the same way again __________________ mods: track ready stuff
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01-08-2011, 10:21 AM	#8
skierman64 Brigadier General 127 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: E92M3-E46M3-E46Wagon-E89Z4-E36 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater St Louis Metro area iTrader: (1) Garage List 1994 325is Race Car [0.00] 2011 BMW Z4 [0.00] 1998 M3 Coupe [0.00] 2008 M3 Coupe [0.00]	Be careful, it's addicting. __________________ Invest Wisely...The best mod for your money?? BMWCCA high performance driver's school. The mod that lasts a lifetime and improves the performance of any car you drive[/LEFT]
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