Palmer Motorsports Park

[Candide13]

I am looking for impressions and tips for driving the M3 on this new track. I have been twice and I am planning to go for a third time in September (with BMW CCA Boston).

For those who don't know, it's a brand new track carved into a hillside near Springfield in Massachusetts. It has lots of elevation changes and barely a straight bit of track. Amazing track, really.

It also currently has an unpaved parking lot and no running water, but this will change in the near future.

So far, I feel that I am getting to grips with most of the track except for turns 4 and 5, which are two slow tight uphill turns. There my car (E90 6MT, bone stock except dual-use brake pads) always seems to be in the wrong gear. I initially tried it in third gear, but wasn't fast enough to have any power for climbing the hill. Now I am trying it in second gear, which has the power, but is difficult to get in and out of smoothly on a track.

Very interested to hear how other folks are working it at this track!

[Candide13]

Not all at once guys!

I know you're out there because I've seen other M3s on that track, and surely every M3 owner in the country is on this forum..

[M3 Esq]

I haven't been there yet but planning on going this fall with Porsche or BMW CCA.

[SYT_Shadow]

I drove it just once so you probably know it better than I do

I did both of them in third and had enough power to slide the car around quite a bit.

[Candide13]

Originally Posted by M3 Esq

I haven't been there yet but planning on going this fall with Porsche or BMW CCA.

You'll love it!

[Candide13]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I drove it just once so you probably know it better than I do

I did both of them in third and had enough power to slide the car around quite a bit.

Good to know! Is yours a 6MT as well? Do you recall the speed/revs you were taking through there?

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by Candide13

Good to know! Is yours a 6MT as well? Do you recall the speed/revs you were taking through there?

I recall a E90 zcp that day with the cf goodies, grey maybe? A PCA event?

Yes mine is 6mt. I don't recall the revs, but I'm sure I did not downshift into second

It's a fun track!

[StealYourFace]

I talked to a cpuple giys last week at the Glen that were at Palmer and sang its praises. Wish it wasn't so far.

[boostincincy]

going tomorrow with NASA. First time at Palmer and first time tracking M3 (been in Advanced Group in an EVO for a few years )

[Candide13]

Originally Posted by boostincincy

going tomorrow with NASA. First time at Palmer and first time tracking M3 (been in Advanced Group in an EVO for a few years )

How did you like it?

[AWM3ME2]

Originally Posted by Candide13

How did you like it?

I went to that same event. I drive a spec E46 and it was an awesome technical track. Took some time to get used to but overall great experience looking forward to going back.

[M3 Esq]

I was there last Saturday with BMW CCA. It was cold as f%ck but we still had a good time.

It was my first time there as well and yes it's a very technical track with a lot of turns and good flow. When you get it right it feels great. You really have to look ahead and look through the turns because most of the apexes are blind. It really teaches you to keep your head up.

Because of the low temps the track didn't have much heat in it so grip was a little dicey especially toward the end of my sessions. Overall I liked it. It's not as high speed as say Lime Rock or WGI but it's fun. I'll definitely go back.

[typicaltrabes]

It's definitely one of my favorites tracks around. I was so frustrated with it on day 1, I left a little disheartened. Day 2 though I really got to learn it and it became a lot of fun and the most rewarding track I have been one yet.

It's also fun that no one claims to have the line down yet either. Even the instructor sessions, everyone is trying different lines to figure out what works best for everyone. It makes the whole experience all the more challenging but figuring out the track for your car makes it all the more rewarding. Just my 2 cents.

[boostincincy]

Originally Posted by Candide13

How did you like it?

It was my first event in the M3 (again came from years in an EVO) and also first time at the track, so... I was learning the car and the track at the same time. Track was a ton of fun, but not really knowing the limits of the car I just kept DSC ON, to limit my variables, which was a bit frustrating but I look forward to going back next year.