Video: M3 runs at Watkins Glen Int'l in the rain during BMWCCA Oktoberfest

[skierman64]

Here's some video I shot while running at the BMW CCA HPDE at Watkins Glen, NY in my 2008 M3 on the 27th of September.

Note; the concrete patches in the corners get very slippery in the wet, forcing completely different lines than in the dry.

Click here for the entire 25 minute session.

http://www.megavideo.com/?v=6QBKVK70

ENJOY!!

Here's an abbreviated 10 minute long video of the same session on youtube.

Or click here for a link to watch it in high quality.

[skierman64]

No comments at all??

[!Xoible]

... it's rainy

[Deda]

sweet.

[torredresen]

Nice to see some tracktraining

Good job
Cheers

[Subw00er]

My favorite track! In the rain its even fun, but scary. I take much different lines than you.. maybe it was the rain like you said. Check out COMSCC.org - good club.

[skierman64]

Originally Posted by Subw00er

My favorite track! In the rain its even fun, but scary. I take much different lines than you.. maybe it was the rain like you said. Check out COMSCC.org - good club.

Yes the rain line is much different than the dry line. Basically you avoid all the concrete patches and keep your outside wheels on the less traveled portions of the corners.

If you're talking about a different wet line through the corners, I'd be interested in hearing how you handled the wet there and what wet line you were using. It seemed like there were a million different ways to drive the Glen in the wet.

I was a last minute fill into the school, which meant I was uninsured while driving on the track, therefore I was running slightly more conservatively than if I'd had track insurance.

[Gadgetman]

Nice video.

How does your M3 handle on the track? Do you regret not getting a 6MT?

[Subw00er]

Originally Posted by skierman64

Yes the rain line is much different than the dry line. Basically you avoid all the concrete patches and keep your outside wheels on the less traveled portions of the corners.

If you're talking about a different wet line through the corners, I'd be interested in hearing how you handled the wet there and what wet line you were using. It seemed like there were a million different ways to drive the Glen in the wet.

I was a last minute fill into the school, which meant I was uninsured while driving on the track, therefore I was running slightly more conservatively than if I'd had track insurance.

When it rained for us, everyone came off the course, and as a few went out later, I went out.. so it was still very wet like when you ran. Are the concrete patches fairly new? I don't recall them when I was there. I think I pretty much took the race line when it was wet, just a lot slower. As it dried I went faster. I had fun beating up a F430, but to be honest I think that was a case of balls, not that my car was faster/better! As an American, I felt it my responsibility to teach the stallion a lesson.

My favorite corner is the toe where I am very fast in my Z06. The car has the power to muscle through there and believe it or not I can brake, turn and get back on at full throttle there. It feels like its going to spin out, a very strange feeling, but it doesn't. By the time we're going uphill I have 10-15mph on people and pass pretty much everybody with ease. 405hp is good! Next time you're there, try going more aggressive there. BTW, What were your dry lap times there? My best recorded lap time is a 2:15.

[skierman64]

Originally Posted by Subw00er

When it rained for us, everyone came off the course, and as a few went out later, I went out.. so it was still very wet like when you ran. Are the concrete patches fairly new? I don't recall them when I was there. I think I pretty much took the race line when it was wet, just a lot slower. As it dried I went faster. I had fun beating up a F430, but to be honest I think that was a case of balls, not that my car was faster/better! As an American, I felt it my responsibility to teach the stallion a lesson.

My favorite corner is the toe where I am very fast in my Z06. The car has the power to muscle through there and believe it or not I can brake, turn and get back on at full throttle there. It feels like its going to spin out, a very strange feeling, but it doesn't. By the time we're going uphill I have 10-15mph on people and pass pretty much everybody with ease. 405hp is good! Next time you're there, try going more aggressive there. BTW, What were your dry lap times there? My best recorded lap time is a 2:15.

I don't have any dry laps in my E92 M3, it rained all day and I was in a one day only school. In fact, I haven't even looked at the video to see what my lap times were. However, I did a 2:24.6 in my old daily driver, stock, 1998 E36 M3 on R compounds. My buddy races with the BMWCCA driving a J stock E36 M3 (very few mods) and his fast lap is like a 2:12ish. I think a 2:15 is really good for a stock Z06, I'd be surprised if I could touch that in my E92 M3. Were you on street tires? Go to here to see what speeds others are turning at the Glen: http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Watkins_Glen

[skierman64]

Originally Posted by Gadgetman

Nice video.

How does your M3 handle on the track? Do you regret not getting a 6MT?

It handles great on the track. It's very balanced, even more balanced than the E46 M3.

One of the main reasons I got DCT was for track use. It is perfect for track use, especially now that the new software update has been released. I did have the common no downshift issue under threshold braking, but the new software update is supposed to solve that issue. The concentration formerly used for upshifting and heel/toe downshifting can now be used for other important driver tasks. DCT really improves the track experience IMHO.

I occasionally miss rowing my own gears while driving back and forth to work, but it's certainly something I can live with. DCT is a pleasure to drive all the time.

[Subw00er]

Originally Posted by skierman64

I don't have any dry laps in my E92 M3, it rained all day and I was in a one day only school. In fact, I haven't even looked at the video to see what my lap times were. However, I did a 2:24.6 in my old daily driver, stock, 1998 E36 M3 on R compounds. My buddy races with the BMWCCA driving a J stock E36 M3 (very few mods) and his fast lap is like a 2:12ish. I think a 2:15 is really good for a stock Z06, I'd be surprised if I could touch that in my E92 M3. Were you on street tires? Go to here to see what speeds others are turning at the Glen: http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Watkins_Glen

Thanks, ya I love the Glen. Its definitely my favorite track out of all of the Northeast tracks (and up into Canada). I know I can go a lot faster, but the risk is too great for me; I don't want to smack up my car, and I like to leave wiggle room in case I hit oil or something (like the mole I disemboweled at 160mph on the back straight a couple years ago - funny, but very scary). So, I drive at 8/10ths on the track.

My z06 is stock except for pads and Hoosiers. I am in SSU (street stock unlimited class) and thats all they allow for mods. BTW, I was class champion last year!

[Bimmer Nerd]

cool, looks like it was a LOT of fun.

[skierman64]

It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Highly recommended.

[Gearhead999s]

Good Stuff

[Jack28]

Cool! Great vid!

[Subw00er]

Originally Posted by skierman64

It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

Disagree. I have zipper.

[03SG///M3]

Sounds like fun. I can't view the video at work but I'll see it when I get home. Have you had the MDCT update? If so, did it solve the threshold braking downshifting issue? Thanks

[ace996]

Great job, good to see the M on WGI...even in the wet. I did WGI last year in my STI, where it rained, and I will say that the AWD of the STI was in no small part a major benefit. My sessions were not as wet.
A video for comparo...
Here the car is on well abused stock street tires and the tarmac was no longer receiving rain. I believe I was running low 2:20s here...
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Earlier in the day...just after it stopped raining...more people on track...black flag at end due to E30 crash...
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Not surprisingly, Watkins is my favorite track...(only did one weekend there) I'd love to get some r-compounds and see what the M3 can do here, as I believe it is a perfect track for the car.

Be good,
TomK

[win-by-miles]

sweet vid

[MJC///M3]

great vid

[KINGLEH]

WGI is pretty sketchy in the rain...