Track forum general chit chat.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by gmx

bigjae1976 Didn't you reduce your front spring rates to reduce the front wheel rate? If you think all EU roads are like Autobahn or what you see on the internet, you're wrong. There is no such thing as a smooth road.

I didn't respond to calls to email James/BW because I already inquired in 2018. Not directly with James admittedly. I didn't accept the oversights and lack of attention to detail before deciding not to go ahead. I actually came as prepared as possible, with a draft cart, weight, weight distribution, types of track, purpose of the car. Funnily enough I forgot to include the tyre I was going to run and was still recommended 650/950 rates.
Since then I considered tractive who do GT3 racecars and remote international telemetry. Same guys that did the RP968 active suspension car. And MCA who do rally cars and all top time attack cars here + Japan. And also production touring cars for the 1Ms/335i/135i. 1M snuck in under MSRP limit by the rules, hence no equivalent M3. That has changed for the last few years enabled F8x entries. You probably never heard of them nor would I expect you to.
So yes, I do believe they, BW and to an extent the rest just operate on a "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday" model. No problem, it makes them money to continue operations, fine. It convinces other teams to buy from them, fine. Lets them buy-in and compete in SRO based GT4, cool. They are big names from your perspective, not mine. By the way, if you actually click that project car link on F8x, they have a KW CS 3-way suspension ready for you to buy, lol because it's used on their "project car". Don't bs. Businesses change to keep afloat.

All F82 GT4 use Drexler. It is a homologated series, you cannot change it much at all when you buy it from BMW Motorsport programme.
Diffsonline, way to carry on the vague theme again. 2 clutch? 3 clutch? Custom ramps or available ramps? Kaaz, Giken???

I did lower my front spring rates after taking 700 lbs out of the car. Before I put in the roll cage, BW's and TCK's recommendations were spot on as far as spring rates and damper settings.

I've driven in Europe, the roads are way smoother. Tracks in TX are bumpy.

I'm not sure why there is an issue with vagueness. For example, Diffsonline recommends 35/60 ramps on a ZF. The rest is custom built and really dependent upon what you want to spend - clutches and/or LSD type.

[Kelse92]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I've driven in Europe, the roads are way smoother. Tracks in TX are bumpy.

You need to bring your car up to Eagles Canyon soon. Bit of a hike from Houston but it’s smoothhhhhh. Totally worth the trip.

[Ximian]

Any events that are a must-go for Road America? I have dates set aside for early June and late September for local events so July would be preferable but not much is coming up on motorsportreg.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Ximian

Any events that are a must-go for Road America? I have dates set aside for early June and late September for local events so July would be preferable but not much is coming up on motorsportreg.

BMWCCA Oktoberfast is the best event. It's early fall so the Kettle Moraine Forest looks amazing! Super cool going from the kink to Canada corner with the leaves changing color.

Could also be a mutha wh0re if you hit wet leaves but at least the scenery will be nice before you hit the wall...lol

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Kelse92

You need to bring your car up to Eagles Canyon soon. Bit of a hike from Houston but it’s smoothhhhhh. Totally worth the trip.

Trying but it's an extra hour above and beyond going to Cresson.

[Kelse92]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Trying but it's an extra hour above and beyond going to Cresson.

I promise its worth making a weekend of it, the 4hour-ish drive really isn't too bad and AirBNB or a hotel stay is cheap in Decatur. I made about the same distance trek to Hallett last year and it was pretty easy.
The track is amazing as it sits now. I didn't get the chance to drive it pre-repave, but the newly added "Italian boot" section of the 2.75mi course is very fun. 90mph right hand sweeper into the entry of that section. And 120+mph back straight. There's lots of videos on YouTube of it now, but they really don't do the elevation changes justice.

[b4hand]

Originally Posted by Kelse92

I promise its worth making a weekend of it, the 4hour-ish drive really isn't too bad and AirBNB or a hotel stay is cheap in Decatur. I made about the same distance trek to Hallett last year and it was pretty easy.
The track is amazing as it sits now. I didn't get the chance to drive it pre-repave, but the newly added "Italian boot" section of the 2.75mi course is very fun. 90mph right hand sweeper into the entry of that section. And 120+mph back straight. There's lots of videos on YouTube of it now, but they really don't do the elevation changes justice.

Im planning on coming up there for a PCA event or 2.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Trying but it's an extra hour above and beyond going to Cresson.

4 hours? I drove back from Laguna for 10 hours in an 87 325i running on 5 cylinders due to a broken rocker arm (thanks honey for bouncing off the Conforti raised rev limiter between 4-5 every lap)...

4 hour drive was for the “close to home” tracks.

Hand in your man card please.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by admranger

4 hours? I drove back from Laguna for 10 hours in an 87 325i running on 5 cylinders due to a broken rocker arm (thanks honey for bouncing off the Conforti raised rev limiter between 4-5 every lap)...

4 hour drive was for the “close to home” tracks.

Hand in your man card please.

LOL

The closest track I have that's worth it is 4h away... then it's up to 10h for other ones

Nothing like driving 10h after a full day of work in track seats with the loudest exhaust ever...

[ThunderMoose]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

LOL

The closest track I have that's worth it is 4h away... then it's up to 10h for other ones

Nothing like driving 10h after a full day of work in track seats with the loudest exhaust ever...

Admittedly I tow so it's a bit easier. However I live in Louisiana but my home track now is VIR and I try to make WGI once a year. Multi hour drives are the norm for me.

[Kelse92]

Originally Posted by admranger

4 hours? I drove back from Laguna for 10 hours in an 87 325i running on 5 cylinders due to a broken rocker arm (thanks honey for bouncing off the Conforti raised rev limiter between 4-5 every lap)...

4 hour drive was for the “close to home” tracks.

Hand in your man card please.

Haha
We’re Really spoiled in TX. Especially Dallas area is I feel like... I live in Downtown Dallas and can get to Cresson in an hour, Eagles Canyon in an hour.
3 hours to COTA, 4 hours to MSR Houston, 4.5 hours to Hallett.
The most-often used local lot for autocross is a mere 15minutes from my house LOL
NOLA would be 8hours, Heartland Park 7, and Barber 9. They’re all on my list to make a weekend out of soon.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by admranger

4 hours? I drove back from Laguna for 10 hours in an 87 325i running on 5 cylinders due to a broken rocker arm (thanks honey for bouncing off the Conforti raised rev limiter between 4-5 every lap)...

4 hour drive was for the “close to home” tracks.

Hand in your man card please.

lol...I don't have as much schedule flexibility right now so I need to be within 4 hours. Otherwise it makes it tough to do when my home track is 40 minutes away.

[rhyary]

Can someone chime in on putting 285/35/19 on the rear?

If I want to try the Firehawk Indy 500 the combinations available Rear/Front are:

275/35/19 265/35/19
275/35/19 275/30/19
285/35/19 265/35/19
285/35/19 275/30/19

There are two new 285/35/19 on ebay that would allow me to try this tire inexpensively

TIA

[Ximian]

Finally got around to ordering the ST60s for the front. I was planning on spending the BBK budget on more events but then my wife asked "Wouldn't it be better to have better brakes for those track days?" Can't argue with that logic.

Are people still running the ST60s with anti-knockback springs?

[romero1990]

Originally Posted by Ximian

Finally got around to ordering the ST60s for the front. I was planning on spending the BBK budget on more events but then my wife asked "Wouldn't it be better to have better brakes for those track days?" Can't argue with that logic.

Are people still running the ST60s with anti-knockback springs?

somebody got a keepher.

Mine meanwhile, "not gonna get into your car anymore, the ride is too stiff and bumpy"

[Bartledoo]

Originally Posted by romero1990

somebody got a keepher.

Mine meanwhile, "not gonna get into your car anymore, the ride is too stiff and bumpy"

My wife actually convinced me to stop being so sensible and get the M3 she knew I wanted. Fast forward to now and she has become "not gonna get into your car anymore, the ride is too stiff and bumpy" and "do you have to do that at every turn?" She probably regrets it, but I'm thankful.

[Kelse92]

Originally Posted by Ximian

Are people still running the ST60s with anti-knockback springs?

I just got some ST-60's too! Mine were used and needed a re-paint and I just got them back from that so now time for a rebuild.
As part of all that it has been recommended to me to add the anti-knockback springs so I ordered them. They're pretty inexpensive so probably worth adding.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

lol...I don't have as much schedule flexibility right now so I need to be within 4 hours. Otherwise it makes it tough to do when my home track is 40 minutes away.

Diesel powered excuse generator upgrade. Nice!

[b4hand]

Originally Posted by Kelse92

I just got some ST-60's too! Mine were used and needed a re-paint and I just got them back from that so now time for a rebuild.
As part of all that it has been recommended to me to add the anti-knockback springs so I ordered them. They're pretty inexpensive so probably worth adding.

Didn't you have some stoptech rotors? Would you want to sell them?

[Kelse92]

Originally Posted by b4hand

Didn't you have some stoptech rotors? Would you want to sell them?

OEM Sized StopTech fronts. I just bought them in June so they are in pretty good shape. I would maybe sell them, I’m tempted to save them as spares but PM me and maybe we can figure something out

[ThunderMoose]

Originally Posted by Kelse92

Haha
We’re Really spoiled in TX. Especially Dallas area is I feel like... I live in Downtown Dallas and can get to Cresson in an hour, Eagles Canyon in an hour.
3 hours to COTA, 4 hours to MSR Houston, 4.5 hours to Hallett.
The most-often used local lot for autocross is a mere 15minutes from my house LOL
NOLA would be 8hours, Heartland Park 7, and Barber 9. They’re all on my list to make a weekend out of soon.

You have any plans to sign up with NASA and do Time Trial events this year?

[dbyrd]

Originally Posted by ThunderMoose

You have any plans to sign up with NASA and do Time Trial events this year?

How much time do you drive at speed in TT? Seems like it's just a few laps to qualify, then a hot lap or two on new A7s at each event. It doesn't seem like much driving at speed. What am I missing?

Thanks!