Buttonwillow Performance Driving Clinic Review (+photos)

thorny · 12-19-2011, 12:29 AM

I've been contemplating my first track day for quite some time. Finally, the big day has some and I can tell you - this was the most fun I had with the car, ever!

For my first track experience I chose to attend Performance Driving Clinic held 3 times a year at Buttonwillow Raceway. Some people say that the clinic provides too little track time and it is all strictly controlled. I can tell you, I had more track time than I wanted, and their approach is great for beginners and even for some folks who had a few track days under their belt. They did 15-20 minute track sessions and then equal or less time classroom lessons. We had an opportunity to drive with instructors and they pointed out a lot of mistakes that I was making. I learnt the track (counterclockwise) and my driving got 100 times smoother than it was in the beginning.

My car is pretty much stock, all I did in preparation for the event was to install StopTech Performance brake pads, StopTech SS brake lines and Motul 600 fluid. Car held up very well, I had no issues with my brakes at all, the track had two really heavy breaking zones from about 125 MPH. I did not experience any power steering fluid leaks under the hood. I burned my tires a little bit at the skid pad exercise.
I was amazed how easy our cars to control when sliding, the skid is very predictable and very neutral!

Can't wait to do it again!

klammer · 12-19-2011, 10:06 AM

Awesome. Once you go track you never go back:thumbsup

THE TECH · 12-19-2011, 10:13 AM

Looks like a good time!

spdy330 · 12-19-2011, 10:17 AM

I went on Saturday to watch my friends. I believe klammer statement and that is the reason I will just watch others. Tracking is defiantly an experience and the ultimate fun but at a price tag. Be prepared to have a hole in your pocket

Sean aka persian54 took me on 3 laps and all I can say is wow!

Glad you had fun and just be safe out there and watch out for the people around you.

I am looking forward to watching everyone at the track again in the near future.

GOLFFRR · 12-19-2011, 10:40 AM

sweet

thorny · 12-19-2011, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdy330

I went on Saturday to watch my friends. I believe klammer statement and that is the reason I will just watch others. Tracking is defiantly an experience and the ultimate fun but at a price tag. Be prepared to have a hole in your pocket

Sean aka persian54 took me on 3 laps and all I can say is wow!

Glad you had fun and just be safe out there and watch out for the people around you.

I am looking forward to watching everyone at the track again in the near future.

I've been spectating motorsports since as far back as I can remember, I love doing it and will certainly continue on. But doing it on your own gives a totally different perspective on racing. It certainly comes at a price tag, but everything else does too, heck a weekend of skiing at Mammoth cost me just as much if not more with all the hotels, lift tickets, fine dining and other bs. You can do a ton of HPDE events in a stock car at a cost of a full Akrapovich exhaust, etc.

Well, if you put her into the wall - it is a different story. LOL!

cheers!

thorny · 12-19-2011, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klammer

Awesome. Once you go track you never go back:thumbsup

OC3 · 12-19-2011, 09:03 PM

Did they have you go thru car/skid control on this particular PDC?

thorny · 12-19-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC3

Did they have you go thru car/skid control on this particular PDC?

Yep. That's why that tire looks the way it is

I wish they wet it a little

Kenny@VS · 12-19-2011, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klammer

Awesome. Once you go track you never go back:thumbsup

Well Said!!

All ways good to see more people going the track! I'm sure your car thanks you two.

12-19-2011, 12:29 AM	#1
thorny Captain Drives: 2007 X5 E70, 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 935 iTrader: (9)	Buttonwillow Performance Driving Clinic Review (+photos) I've been contemplating my first track day for quite some time. Finally, the big day has some and I can tell you - this was the most fun I had with the car, ever! For my first track experience I chose to attend Performance Driving Clinic held 3 times a year at Buttonwillow Raceway. Some people say that the clinic provides too little track time and it is all strictly controlled. I can tell you, I had more track time than I wanted, and their approach is great for beginners and even for some folks who had a few track days under their belt. They did 15-20 minute track sessions and then equal or less time classroom lessons. We had an opportunity to drive with instructors and they pointed out a lot of mistakes that I was making. I learnt the track (counterclockwise) and my driving got 100 times smoother than it was in the beginning. My car is pretty much stock, all I did in preparation for the event was to install StopTech Performance brake pads, StopTech SS brake lines and Motul 600 fluid. Car held up very well, I had no issues with my brakes at all, the track had two really heavy breaking zones from about 125 MPH. I did not experience any power steering fluid leaks under the hood. I burned my tires a little bit at the skid pad exercise. I was amazed how easy our cars to control when sliding, the skid is very predictable and very neutral! Can't wait to do it again! Attached Images
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12-19-2011, 10:06 AM	#2
klammer Brigadier General Drives: 11 spc gry m3 e90, 07 X5 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: chicago Posts: 3,219 iTrader: (0)	Awesome. Once you go track you never go back:thumbsup __________________ mods: akra evo, dinan 3.45 diff, ess akra tune, dinan stg.3, Alcon bbk, HRE P40
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12-19-2011, 10:13 AM	#3
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 13,001 iTrader: (42) Garage List 2014 Honda Grom [0.00] 2012 Honda Ruckus [0.00] 2005 Chevy Silverad ... [0.00] 1995 Toyota Supra [0.00]	Looks like a good time! __________________
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12-19-2011, 10:17 AM	#4
spdy330 Major General Drives: 05 Tundra, 11 M3, 08 Odyssey Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 5,936 iTrader: (159) Garage List 2011.75 BMW M3 [4.40] 2006 BMW 330i - SOLD [5.00]	I went on Saturday to watch my friends. I believe klammer statement and that is the reason I will just watch others. Tracking is defiantly an experience and the ultimate fun but at a price tag. Be prepared to have a hole in your pocket Sean aka persian54 took me on 3 laps and all I can say is wow! Glad you had fun and just be safe out there and watch out for the people around you. I am looking forward to watching everyone at the track again in the near future. __________________ - 2006 E90 330i TiAG retired. - 2011.75 E90 M3 - BMW Performance Exhaust, BMW Performance Grills, Lux H8 V3, Reflector delete Euro style, Ceramic Tint 58%, Brembo 380mm BBK, V1 with custom multi-color display by www.Radar-Mirror.com - custom radar mount by www.performancepackage.com.
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12-19-2011, 10:40 AM	#5
GOLFFRR BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: Golf Cart Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Solvang, CA/Camarillo, CA Posts: 14,953 iTrader: (4)	sweet __________________ BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEXT BMW, EMAIL US FIRST WE CAN HOOK YOU UP! Need a quote or assistance? GO HERE-->http://www.bimmerdavid.com/#!blank/c1r1e Our Parts Store--> http://www.bmwpartspros.com
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12-19-2011, 09:03 PM	#8
OC3 Havin' a blast! Drives: 2013 M3 E92 Jerez Blk DCT ZCP Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 4,638 iTrader: (0)	Did they have you go thru car/skid control on this particular PDC? __________________ BRP CW13 1:58 \| CVR CW 2:01 \| CVR CCW 2:02 \| ACS 1:53 \| WSIR 1:34 2013 E92 M3 Jerez Black DCT ZCP \| JRZ RS Pro \| Brembo BBK \| Endless ME20 \| Volk TE37 18x10.5 squared \| NT01/TD
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