Track Days - M3 Forum 2010 2009 BMW M3 2008 BMW M3 BMW E90 M3 E92

themetz · 05-14-2009, 08:32 AM

Having been roaming about the forums for a couple of months since getting my M3 - and in need of a new hobby (tried golf last year, but couldn't stop sneezing) - I'm of the opinion that I really should get a track day under my belt.

Also, thinking it would be pretty useful to have a good session one-to-one with an instructor on how to master the basics before tearing round on my own.

Anyone got any advice on where to start and further info about open track days etc - I don't want to turn up and not know what I'm doing!!!

How does insurance work if you go in your own car?

How long will it be before I can hold my own at the North Loop?

Is there an equivalent to the Spartanburg M School (http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...SchoolFAQ.aspx) nearer to Blighty?

Suggestions?????

chriszeh · 05-14-2009, 09:45 AM

im not sure where you are located but most tracks offer instruction when you first go. i went to pacific raceways on monday and did an entire day of driving skills including a whole afternoon of lapping at speed. i already sent in my returning drivers form and plan on going again in 2 weeks where i will get another hour of instruction before im turned loose on my own. not sure what you mean by holding your own but its like any other sport, say golf, you dont turn into tiger woods without a huge amount of work. that being said its about as much fun you can legally have. do it.

themetz · 05-14-2009, 11:00 AM

Thanks for the post chris - I'm in the UK so looking for something just as you've described, but over on this side of the water!

J1220 · 05-20-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themetz

Thanks for the post chris - I'm in the UK so looking for something just as you've described, but over on this side of the water!

Hi mate, I'm in the same boat as you. Dont really want to prang me new car before really getting to enjoy it. Take a look at this.

http://retail.motorsportvision.co.uk/m3-master.aspx

Let me know if your close to London maybe we could do it on the same day.

Thanks

themetz · 05-21-2009, 04:01 AM

Hi J - already booked in on this next week. Will let you know how I get on!

J1220 · 05-21-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themetz

Hi J - already booked in on this next week. Will let you know how I get on!

please do mate...

themetz · 05-27-2009, 11:40 AM

Had a right good laugh on this track session - orgainsed by Motor Sport Vision.

Get 2 x 15/20 minute driving sessions blasting round in one of their M3s - also had a couple of laps round with one of their instructors (Stu) who was unbelievably quick and skilled with the drive prog on 6 and all the dsc off!!

Can highly recommend this to novices (like me) - it's a real eye opener on what your car can really do!

PLus, you get 10% discount booking via:
http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/bmwmagazine

Incidentally, one of their race engineers confirmed that if you want to track your car EDC is a MUST HAVE OPTION to get the maximum out of the cars performance (something to do with riding up on the yaw without it ???!!)

This taster session has really got me in the mood to try another day with them later in the summer - they've got a whole host of cars to thrash around!

Maybe we should do a group session...
http://www.palmersport.com/palmersport-gt.aspx

???

booforty · 05-27-2009, 12:36 PM

Good write-up!

Sounds like you had a lot of fun

I've tracked my M at Snetterton and it was great fun! That way you get to push you car the the limit and you have all day to enjoy the circuit, not just a few short sessions. They are very professionally organised and SAFETY is paramount so you shouldn't have any problems. I highly recommend a track day

STEVIEHOOPS · 05-27-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themetz

Incidentally, one of their race engineers confirmed that if you want to track your car EDC is a MUST HAVE OPTION to get the maximum out of the cars performance (something to do with riding up on the yaw without it ???!!)

Well, well, well - who'd have guessed that, huh!!!!!?

On a serious note, great write up - i was thinking of doing this a while ago but it sounded like a lot of money for what seemed like very little track time. I'd be up for a group thing if we can get something organised.

themetz · 05-28-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwbailey

Well, well, well - who'd have guessed that, huh!!!!!?:

I knew you'd like that BB !

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwbailey

On a serious note, great write up - i was thinking of doing this a while ago but it sounded like a lot of money for what seemed like very little track time. I'd be up for a group thing if we can get something organised.

Can't deny that 2 x 15 minute slots didn't sound like much to me either - but to be honest at the end of the second session I was finding it hard to stay focussed. And I ony managed 4mpg!!! As an absolute novice it's more than enough - but if you've done a track day before, you're right, it's probably not the right thing to do. But if you are a novice it is well worth 162 quid!

Also been looking at this: http://www.catdrivertraining.co.uk/

05-14-2009, 08:32 AM	#1
themetz smokin' kipper Drives: E92 335i MSport (N55) imminent Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 493 iTrader: (0) View themetz's Garage	Track Days Having been roaming about the forums for a couple of months since getting my M3 - and in need of a new hobby (tried golf last year, but couldn't stop sneezing) - I'm of the opinion that I really should get a track day under my belt. Also, thinking it would be pretty useful to have a good session one-to-one with an instructor on how to master the basics before tearing round on my own. Anyone got any advice on where to start and further info about open track days etc - I don't want to turn up and not know what I'm doing!!! How does insurance work if you go in your own car? How long will it be before I can hold my own at the North Loop? Is there an equivalent to the Spartanburg M School (http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...SchoolFAQ.aspx) nearer to Blighty? Suggestions????? Last edited by themetz; 05-14-2009 at 11:01 AM. Reason: no reason

05-14-2009, 09:45 AM	#2
chriszeh Lieutenant Drives: 2008 JB e90 m3 6mt Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: washington state Posts: 561 iTrader: (0)	im not sure where you are located but most tracks offer instruction when you first go. i went to pacific raceways on monday and did an entire day of driving skills including a whole afternoon of lapping at speed. i already sent in my returning drivers form and plan on going again in 2 weeks where i will get another hour of instruction before im turned loose on my own. not sure what you mean by holding your own but its like any other sport, say golf, you dont turn into tiger woods without a huge amount of work. that being said its about as much fun you can legally have. do it. __________________ JB 08' e90 M3\|6MT\|EDC\|PDC\|EPS\|CW pkg\|tech. pkg\|prem. pkg\|carbon leather\|extended leather\|power rear and side shades\|19's\|moonroof\|ipod/usb\|HD/satellite radio\|cf roundels\|smoked tailights\|tinted windows\|painted reflectors\|polished oem exhaust\|mtx 10 sub and amp\|afe pro5r filter\|airbag sticker delete\|clutch spring delete\|macht snell spacers 12mm rear\|matte grille and gill\|camaro's 20,000k hid's\|vmr v710 matte black 19x9.5 all 4\|advan ad08's\|

05-27-2009, 12:36 PM	#8
booforty Major General Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,814 iTrader: (0) View booforty's Garage	Good write-up! Sounds like you had a lot of fun I've tracked my M at Snetterton and it was great fun! That way you get to push you car the the limit and you have all day to enjoy the circuit, not just a few short sessions. They are very professionally organised and SAFETY is paramount so you shouldn't have any problems. I highly recommend a track day __________________

05-14-2009, 11:00 AM	#3
themetz smokin' kipper Drives: E92 335i MSport (N55) imminent Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 493 iTrader: (0) View themetz's Garage	Thanks for the post chris - I'm in the UK so looking for something just as you've described, but over on this side of the water!

05-21-2009, 04:01 AM	#5
themetz smokin' kipper Drives: E92 335i MSport (N55) imminent Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 493 iTrader: (0) View themetz's Garage	Hi J - already booked in on this next week. Will let you know how I get on!

05-27-2009, 11:40 AM	#7
themetz smokin' kipper Drives: E92 335i MSport (N55) imminent Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 493 iTrader: (0) View themetz's Garage	Had a right good laugh on this track session - orgainsed by Motor Sport Vision. Get 2 x 15/20 minute driving sessions blasting round in one of their M3s - also had a couple of laps round with one of their instructors (Stu) who was unbelievably quick and skilled with the drive prog on 6 and all the dsc off!! Can highly recommend this to novices (like me) - it's a real eye opener on what your car can really do! PLus, you get 10% discount booking via: http://www.motorsportvision.co.uk/bmwmagazine Incidentally, one of their race engineers confirmed that if you want to track your car EDC is a MUST HAVE OPTION to get the maximum out of the cars performance (something to do with riding up on the yaw without it ???!!) This taster session has really got me in the mood to try another day with them later in the summer - they've got a whole host of cars to thrash around! Maybe we should do a group session... http://www.palmersport.com/palmersport-gt.aspx ???