Track

[lenrok]

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

If your gonna go do "driving school" to get your "solo" class your stock car will be fine. You can borrow a buddies motorcycle helmet if you like. Go get a baseline for your car and interest. Don't sink a ton of money into yet.

I was thinking on just hitting the track in Millvile, NJ. I need to do some hw on the process. I'm sure you can't just show up.

[SAMM3Y]

Originally Posted by lenrok

I was thinking on just hitting the track in Millvile, NJ. I need to do some hw on the process. I'm sure you can't just show up.

I joined a club who require you do a "driving school" including classroom work as well as follow an instructor around a track for four or five 20 minute sessions throughout the day. I didn't have to do the driving school since I have a lot of track experience on a motorcycles but I have sat in on some classrooms and it's VERY informative and helpful. If you do a driving school your stock well maintained car with a decent set of rubber will be fine. At the end of the school an instructor will watch you around the track and sign you off to track with the club in "solo" class. It's point by passing only on certain corners on the track which get discussed at the drivers meeting before hand. You're still on probation at this point though and after the first session of the day it's back to the classroom for discussion and "download".

It's a lot of fun, go do one before spending $500 on pads and fluids. You don't need a private instructor or a HANS device! Go learn and be smooth if you get it quickly you can manage the stock setup appropriately.

[JackieChiles]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

these are great track cars. Progressive, communicative, quite fast in the right hands

Agree with the above, even for lower experience levels and skill levels, which is most of us on this forum, myself included (skill level wise specifically)

It is a good track car because it’s relatively forgiving which makes it a fairly good car to learn and improve in. I’m a pretty mediocre driver on track and feel confident pushing this car more than others, it’s pretty progressive when it starts to move around.

It’s not ideal like a Miata, but it’s a really fun car on track.

[pbonsalb]

BMWCCA local clubs do an advanced driving school
periodically.

[SoCalRPM]

Who has recommendations for good track/driving gloves?

[lenrok]

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

I joined a club who require you do a "driving school" including classroom work as well as follow an instructor around a track for four or five 20 minute sessions throughout the day. I didn't have to do the driving school since I have a lot of track experience on a motorcycles but I have sat in on some classrooms and it's VERY informative and helpful. If you do a driving school your stock well maintained car with a decent set of rubber will be fine. At the end of the school an instructor will watch you around the track and sign you off to track with the club in "solo" class. It's point by passing only on certain corners on the track which get discussed at the drivers meeting before hand. You're still on probation at this point though and after the first session of the day it's back to the classroom for discussion and "download".

It's a lot of fun, go do one before spending $500 on pads and fluids. You don't need a private instructor or a HANS device! Go learn and be smooth if you get it quickly you can manage the stock setup appropriately.

I just registered to do just this coming up in the next few months at NJ Motorsports Park:

Progressive Paced Laps Beginner ($195) The Progressive Paced Laps experience is for those who want to experience the speed of New Jersey Motorsports Park, but don’t have previous on-track experience. Drivers will take part in a full day of performance driving education including classroom instruction and (4) 20-minute sessions on track, led by the official Skip Barber pace car. Each session will build on the previous, progressively increasing speed and frequently exceeding 100 mph by the end of the day.

[SAMM3Y]

128mph is top track speed in my car at my Local track. It's about 20mph faster on a motorcycle.

[StripclubDJ]

Once you go track , you never go back.




SIKE, you can't stop going back

[lenrok]

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

128mph is top track speed in my car at my Local track. It's about 20mph faster on a motorcycle.

I have to install my MS test pipes and do the OEM exhaust mod soon.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by SoCalRPM

Who has recommendations for good track/driving gloves?

For regular driving it's hard to beat the M driving gloves. Really thin leather, great for all regular things

[lenrok]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

For regular driving it's hard to beat the M driving gloves. Really thin leather, great for all regular things

I have an alcantara steering wheel will it not ruin the suede?

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by lenrok

I have an alcantara steering wheel will it not ruin the suede?

I run alcantara steering wheels on all 3 M3s and even on the steering wheel that is 5 years old the alcantara still looks like new

What ruins alcantara is the grease and oil as well as plain old dirt from your fingers and hands seeping into the material

This is what I have in all the cars:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...BoCWnkQAvD_BwE

[StripclubDJ]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I run alcantara steering wheels on all 3 M3s and even on the steering wheel that is 5 years old the alcantara still looks like new

What ruins alcantara is the grease and oil as well as plain old dirt from your fingers and hands seeping into the material

This is what I have in all the cars:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...BoCWnkQAvD_BwE

Would you use them on track if you forgot your racing gloves ?

[pbonsalb]

Do you need to wear them every time you drive? I would not have the patience for that.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by StripclubDJ

Would you use them on track if you forgot your racing gloves ?

Definitely. They have great feel. I don't use them for the track just because they aren't fireproof

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Do you need to wear them every time you drive? I would not have the patience for that.

I'm sure I don't need to but it prevents me from cleaning the steering wheel so that's a win for me

Usually I start the car and while it runs a bit I move my seat closer to the steering wheel (manual seats) and put the gloves on, set the suspension mode, etc. Then I drive off

[MiamiE93Vert]

Originally Posted by Spoff_E90_M3

Minimum upgrades to get on track - Brake pads I recommend are Performance Friction PFC 08 on all corners with high temp Motul RBF600 fluid. Everything else can be stock. Go out and have some fun before committing to this VERY expensive hobby!

Just the safety gear alone is expensive:
The cheese grater rotors eat pads on high speed tracks. My front pads last only 2 days of HPDE and the rears go 12-15 days.

Stock front rotors last me about 15-20 track days and my rears have over 50 days and are still okay.

My Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires will go 15-20 track days but will not have as much grip on the later days.

This, or go with Castro's srf for fluid which is liquid gold

[MiamiE93Vert]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

For regular driving it's hard to beat the M driving gloves. Really thin leather, great for all regular things

I use these too; work great and fun to rock the m gloves in your //M

[MiamiE93Vert]

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

If your gonna go do "driving school" to get your "solo" class your stock car will be fine. You can borrow a buddies motorcycle helmet if you like. Go get a baseline for your car and interest. Don't sink a ton of money into yet.

Motorcycle helmets don't carry sufficient fire ratings to work, you need the snell specs specified in the thread.

[MiamiE93Vert]

One other item to look into if you go regularly is a HANS device. I use a Simpson R3 device compatible with stock seats. Not cheap but 40+ mph into a wall is 40+ mph into a wall. In a stock car I am more worried about whiplash than a fire.

Also said but very important. track day insurance!

[dparm]

Originally Posted by lenrok

Who has tracked their cars? I have an itch for getting mine out there, something entry level to have some fun and learn. Mine is 100% stock other than being on H&R springs. I might pick up a second set of squared 219M wheels on Bridgestone RE71R's.

Any feedback on your experience? Over time I know I'll need to upgrade the stock brakes as even on street use they tend to fade a bit.

There is an entire sub-forum dedicated to this. I suggest you poke around in there and see what people say.

Also, a more descriptive thread title will get you better answers next time.

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

If your gonna go do "driving school" to get your "solo" class your stock car will be fine. You can borrow a buddies motorcycle helmet if you like. Go get a baseline for your car and interest. Don't sink a ton of money into yet.

Alas, I repeat what others have said. So just ignore me