Video(s) / Pictures: Homestead-Miami Speedway Open Track Day

[yandy]

General Stuff

I've been tracking for about 2.5 years, not that long, but with a 135i (highly modified). I did allot of work to the car to get it track worthy, and it was fun and quick, but it always felt lacking. I upgraded suspension all the way to adding LSD like most serious about the track. Now, I'm no great driver by any means, so the car probably had allot more than I could've given it. With that said however, today on my first day out on the ///M, stock with carbotech pads and RBF 660 fluid + wheels and tires (same tires left over from the 135, today were probably their last day and I can get bigger ones now) I was able to shave off ~3 seconds or so from my fastest time. This is me leaving with the feeling that there's probably another ~2 seconds in it with me as driver.

The 135i did it's job and I'm extremely happy to have owned it and driven it for more than 4 years. However, coming to the ///M is such a different experience (better) in just about every way. The 1 was quicker/faster in a straight line (after modes), more torque down and so on, but the ///M gives you the confidence to push the car and yourself. I by no means pushed it to it's limits today as I took it more of learning and experiencing it.

Though the 1 series calipers were 6 pistons in the front, there's much more confidence in braking with the ///M. I've always wondered why the 135 would have "bigger/better" brakes, but it really doesn't. With the right set of pads you can really push the braking zone with the ///M, will just have to see whow the seals/pistons hold up to the heat. The 135 pistons broke down after just 5 track days from the heat, and needed a rebuild constantly, also they seem to apply less braking pressure inspiring less confidence.

I have an ESS tune, intake filter and some Test pipes (pipes on the way) and swift springs to install soon. Will eventually look at doing the full coil-over conversion but wanted to do this in steps, be a bit more meticulous and experience every change.

No more boring you with words, now to bore you with the videos and pictures.

disclaimer: forgot to turn on the microphone in one of the sessions and had to add music (oops!).

Videos - Two sessions for now, I'll combine the best parts and upload that video later.

Session 3 on the Grand-AM course

Session 4 on the Club Course -- forgot to turn on external mic for this session

Session 5 same Club Course but with exhaust sound this time -- times not as good. The afternoon got extremely hot and the surface was too slippery for good lap times.

Side-by-Side best laps with each car

Pictures

[yandy]

Added new video:

Session 5 same Club Course but with exhaust sound this time -- times not as good. The afternoon got extremely hot and the surface was too slippery for good lap times.

[klammer]

Looking good out there. Enjoy the M, she's a blast on track

[yandy]

Originally Posted by klammer

Looking good out there. Enjoy the M, she's a blast on track

thanks, she was definitely a blast, it's been a while since I had that much fun at the track. Feeling confident in the car is a big thing, and she delivered with grace

[OC3]

[yandy]

I will say one thing though, even with a 4-point harness (I have it cause it keeps my upper body firmer to the seat) my damn knees are killing me.. damn! now I know why the knee pads.

[klammer]

Originally Posted by yandy

I will say one thing though, even with a 4-point harness (I have it cause it keeps my upper body firmer to the seat) my damn knees are killing me.. damn! now I know why the knee pads.

I've got callouses on my knees now, fuck it

[yandy]

Originally Posted by klammer

I've got callouses on my knees now, fuck it

Train them to endure? ha!

[yandy]

Just for fun, added a side-by-side comparison of my best 135i and M3 laps on the same course.

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by yandy

I will say one thing though, even with a 4-point harness (I have it cause it keeps my upper body firmer to the seat) my damn knees are killing me.. damn! now I know why the knee pads.

Why are your knees hurting? Thought there was enough leg room in the M3, no?

[yandy]

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

Why are your knees hurting? Thought there was enough leg room in the M3, no?

side support on stock seats is just as bad as the 135 at the track, in corners left/right, your knees are bracing either the door or center console for support.

[SflBimmer8484]

Tons of pics of you on his website.

http://rayschneider.smugmug.com/Cars...0152&k=T97qDCB

[Car54]

I wear a volleyball knee pad!