2 HPDE's later

[Day Laborer]

I think I have finally been converted into a track rat.

After one M Club day at the BMW Performance Center and three 20 minute sessions in my own car at Summit Point's Jefferson Circuit- I think I am ready to start driving on the main circuits.

I can't begin to explain how my point of view has changed after these HPDE's

On a race track, speed is all about momentum, technique, and smoothness.
I had a great instructor that made me realize that downshifting and revving at high rpms around the corner (before and after) just slowed me down; I also learned that the most momentum comes from the mid RPM range and from allowing the car to "track-out" at the end of the turn.

I also realized that down shifting to second gear after a corner did noting but stress the car and loose momentum- certainly downshifting did feel faster, but really, it wasn't. I noticed this on the passing lanes when following several turbo cars that would drop to 2nd gear, shoot flames, and still would not pull away from me as I stayed in 3rd gear the entire time.

My favorite part was seeing the sloppy lines of the cars in front of me as the M3 so effortlessly closed the gap by minimizing the distance from apex to apex.

Anyone else car to share their "lessons leaned" from their beginner experiences on the race tracks?

[snowmants]

Uh oh! Kiss your savings goodbye! You've caught the bug! Enjoy--it is so much fun... Try VIR also if you like summit. It is a world class track. I will be there at the NASA hpde end of July. I just track the Nissan in my avatar though.