E90 M3 at Thunderhill, 5-mile course

[FrenchBoy]

I have been meaning to post this video a while back but I am finally getting around to doing it.

Early June, a few of us drove down from Seattle for a weekend at Thunderhill on the 5-mile layout. It was my first time at Thunderhill and I have to say I really liked the course. The old section is faster with long sweepers (a little reminiscent of Laguna Seca) whereas the new section is slower with a few tight and bling corners. Very much like Oregon Raceway Park. Very fun. Really, 2 circuits in one.
Unfortunately the temperatures were pretty hot, high 90's - low 100's, so most good sessions were in the mornings. Still we had a blast and I will definitely try to go back, albeit at a different time of the year...

The event was put together by Hooked on Driving and was very well ran.

Here is a video of one of my best lap of the weekend. Hope you enjoy it.

[jbass524]

I have been around that track 100s of times and I sit with a lot of different drivers in their passenger seat. IMHO you did an great job especially since you've never been there.

That's a lot of track to learn and you were smooth and controlled with a lot of the corners done beautifully.

Hats off!

[PrimeBMW]

Originally Posted by FrenchBoy

I have been meaning to post this video a while back but I am finally getting around to doing it.

Early June, a few of us drove down from Seattle for a weekend at Thunderhill on the 5-mile layout. It was my first time at Thunderhill and I have to say I really liked the course. The old section is faster with long sweepers (a little reminiscent of Laguna Seca) whereas the new section is slower with a few tight and bling corners. Very much like Oregon Raceway Park. Very fun. Really, 2 circuits in one.
Unfortunately the temperatures were pretty hot, high 90's - low 100's, so most good sessions were in the mornings. Still we had a blast and I will definitely try to go back, albeit at a different time of the year...

The event was put together by Hooked on Driving and was very well ran.

Here is a video of one of my best laps of the weekend. Hope you enjoy it.

Good job Nicolas! I always try to make a trip down to Thill in the fall. HOD usually has a two day in early November. It would be great to get a group of NW guys together for that trip.

[roastbeef]

that course looks nuts. lots of blind crests with sharp turns afterwards. looks like fun.

[wheatpaste]

Was there that same weekend, only ran on Sunday. The 5-mile course is really fun. Makes the 3-mile course seem a little boring now.

[okusa]

Surprised anyone likes the new section. I thought it was awful. Several people complain it makes them lightheaded and I heard they are changing it up.

[PrimeBMW]

Originally Posted by okusa

Surprised anyone likes the new section. I thought it was awful. Several people complain it makes them lightheaded and I heard they are changing it up.

"makes them light headed"? Please expand on that comment. Change things up like in changing the course?

[kaiv]

Nice vid OP! I love Thunderhill 5 mile and so do all my friends who've been. The old course is high speed and smooth whereas the new course is tighter and slower; just like you said. Combine both and it's an awesome mix!

Ever since they opened the new west course I only go to T-hill to run the 5 mile config. No point for me to drive that far to run a half course.

[okusa]

Originally Posted by PrimeBMW

"makes them light headed"? Please expand on that comment. Change things up like in changing the course?

When I was there a few weeks ago a few people complained of feeling dizzy after coming off track. One of the workers said he has heard that a lot and they may be scrapping the new course at least as it is currently configured.

[FrenchBoy]

Originally Posted by jbass524

I have been around that track 100s of times and I sit with a lot of different drivers in their passenger seat. IMHO you did an great job especially since you've never been there.

That's a lot of track to learn and you were smooth and controlled with a lot of the corners done beautifully.

Hats off!

Thanks much for the compliments. Much appreciated.

[AP3X_FTW]

Originally Posted by kaiv

Nice vid OP! I love Thunderhill 5 mile and so do all my friends who've been. The old course is high speed and smooth whereas the new course is tighter and slower; just like you said. Combine both and it's an awesome mix!

Ever since they opened the new west course I only go to T-hill to run the 5 mile config. No point for me to drive that far to run a half course.

Exactly, love 5 mile! Thanks for sharing OP

[Z K]

Wow! you're going pretty fast there. Is your car stock?

I ran a much slower lap in my stock E90 M3 with KW V3 coilovers on the bypass config 5 mile. The shaking under braking is from my brakes which were pretty fried. Temps in the high 90s and low 100s all day. It is as you say - its like running two courses in one. The faster older track and the tighter new track.

Here is my video from a year ago:

[1MOREMOD]

Nice driving nick, smooth as always.

[FrenchBoy]

Originally Posted by Z K

Wow! you're going pretty fast there. Is your car stock?
]

Thanks guys.

Z K, the car is not stock. In addition to the mods in my sig (JRZ RS1, Stoptech Trophy 4-pot, Akra), I run at the track with NT01s 275 square and Pagid RS29. I am pretty happy with the setup.

Temps were also in the 90s. Next time I go, I need to go earlier or later in the year. Both the car and I were getting hot. Still a lot of fun.

[AP3X_FTW]

Love my pagids

Any photo's of the car you can share?

[FrenchBoy]

Courtesy of GotBlueMilk.com

[Z K]

Originally Posted by FrenchBoy

Thanks guys.

Z K, the car is not stock. In addition to the mods in my sig (JRZ RS1, Stoptech Trophy 4-pot, Akra), I run at the track with NT01s 275 square and Pagid RS29. I am pretty happy with the setup.

Temps were also in the 90s. Next time I go, I need to go earlier or later in the year. Both the car and I were getting hot. Still a lot of fun.

Very nice! I am hoping to hit the track with a few more mods next time. I'm definitely going back for the 5 mile course again when it cools down after summer.

[redpriest]

You're missing out - just went there yesterday and the weather was absolutely beautiful.

[Sleeper519]

OP, very smooth driving. Looks like a whole lotta track to learn for a first time!

Yet another nice track to add to my bucket list.

[dc2-slow]

awesome driving for being your first time at that track with over 27? corners! did the 5 mile a few months ago, and i personally think it was just too damn long, and kind of hard to get 1 clean lap. on the other hand though, the 2 mile course is one of my favorite layouts.

[FrenchBoy]

Thanks guys for the nice comments.

I just uploaded another video from the same Hooked On Driving event at Thunderhill. This time, it shows a couple of laps shot from inside the car.
These are not my fastest laps as the video was shot in the afternoon of day 1 - I was quicker on day 2 - but I think it's a nice perspective nonetheless.

Hope you guys enjoy it