First event questions

[rochoa21]

Hello

I will be participating in my first track event in feb at thunder hill.

I was in the process in saving to go to smaller rims from 20s to 18s.

Question can I get by using my 20s and just buy new tires?

Not sure how often I will be tracking my 2010 m3 e92.

If I can get by using 20s I can buy new pads and personal equipment needed.

[roastbeef]

Forget the 20's and get some 18" wheels. You'll probably bend the dubs anyways. I would imagine managing pressure of a 20" tire would be a nightmare as well.
Normally, I'd tell you to jump in, but I'd wait until you sell the 20's at the very least.

[Azeka1]

Originally Posted by rochoa21

Hello

I will be participating in my first track event in feb at thunder hill.

I was in the process in saving to go to smaller rims from 20s to 18s.

Question can I get by using my 20s and just buy new tires?

Not sure how often I will be tracking my 2010 m3 e92.

If I can get by using 20s I can buy new pads and personal equipment needed.

Congrats on getting out to the track! There are quite a few threads that discuss this:
- https://www.m3post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=novice
- https://www.m3post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=novice

In short, so long as your tires are in good shape, just use your 20" wheels. Make sure you have fresh fluid, >50% life on your pads and that your car is mechanically sound. This is your first time out so you want to just focus on driving, learning the basics and -most importantly- having fun.

If you decide to get out to the track more, then maybe it might make sense to invest in a set of dedicated wheels/tires. Hope this helps!

[kyippee]

http://racetrackdriving.com/

[SAMM3Y]

Originally Posted by rochoa21

Hello

I will be participating in my first track event in feb at thunder hill.

I was in the process in saving to go to smaller rims from 20s to 18s.

Question can I get by using my 20s and just buy new tires?

Not sure how often I will be tracking my 2010 m3 e92.

If I can get by using 20s I can buy new pads and personal equipment needed.

You'll be fine in a stock m3 for your first event, 20's will be fine too.. are you doing driving school or running solo? The first time I tracked at t'hill, I cooked the stock rotors temporarily running EBC yellowstuff pads in the first session, but they unwarped themselves for the rest of the day. Chances are you won't be breaking records on your first event, so no worries. Have fun, plenty of run off space out there, it's a great track.

[rochoa21]

My friend is renting the track so it will be around 20 cars for the whole day. Track time will be pretty much unlimited

[SAMM3Y]

Originally Posted by rochoa21

My friend is renting the track so it will be around 20 cars for the whole day. Track time will be pretty much unlimited

In that case you're gonna need a set of te37's squared with nt01's, Ohlins r/t coil overs with edc delete (just assuming you have edc) stoptech trophy F/R and don't forget about downforce... buy my APR splitter I have for sale on this forum, I'll hand deliver it to you when You invite me to your private track meet?

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by rochoa21

My friend is renting the track so it will be around 20 cars for the whole day. Track time will be pretty much unlimited

That's a HUGE mistake.

[Chris_PDX]

Originally Posted by rochoa21

My friend is renting the track so it will be around 20 cars for the whole day. Track time will be pretty much unlimited

Will you have an instructor who knows the track and car? Doing track driving without an instructor is such a bad idea. I'm an instructor, and the amount of just plain dangerous habits that people come to me with when they spend time doing track days without instruction (looking at you, Track Night in America) is just astounding.

If you want to get into driving on the track, even if it's just 3-4 times a year, you should get an instructor to show you the ropes. The car will feel a lot different driving at track speed than it does on the street, and you have to recalibrate your brain to an extent.

If it's open track (i.e. 3-4 hour chunks throughout the day), try to limit yourself to 20 minute stints. The brakes will overheat quickly, and you'll need time to cool them off. And YOU will need time to reset yourself in between sessions.

[rochoa21]

I have a few friends that will be there that have a lot of experience so will have them with me to get all figured out on the track.

[PrimeBMW]

At the very least hopefully they will have two run groups. One for the less experienced and one for the more experienced. I would suggest you ask for someone in the right seat as often as possible. Personally I would skip the day if they mixed everyone together. Too much risk for this guy.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by rochoa21

I have a few friends that will be there that have a lot of experience so will have them with me to get all figured out on the track.

That’s a HUGE mistake.

If I’m paying to do a private event, and I have to babysit some noob friend? All you’re going to get is “stay track left, let people pass on straights and you’re good to go.”

Because *I* would want to maximize my track time.

IF it’s a close friend, and require adult supervision for the whole day? That would piss me off to no end, because every lap I have to sit with you is 2 laps I won’t get to drive on track. No offense.

Lastly, if you’ve never driven on a track before? It’s a recipe for disaster, especially Thunderhill. It’s a technical track with numerous high speed blind corners and lots of elevation changes, and you’re at a private event where most of the attendees probably have significantly more track time then you. You will be overwhelmed. This is not an easy sport and it is very easy to get sensory overload and when you f**k up, and believe you me, you WILL, the results are typically not very pretty.

Worst of all, now you’re forcing a bunch of experienced drivers to dodge a rolling obstacle course every few laps.

Stay home. Sign up for an instructed event for newbies. BMW CCA. Audi club. NASA. Speed Ventures. HOD. There are numbers of organizations out there that will give you the proper foundation to learn this sport before you have to ask what size rim you should buy, IMO.

[SAMM3Y]

Driving school with NorCal race club is on and open for February 11th @ Laguna Seca. They run a pretty tight ship and give lots of instruction with lots of classroom work. If you can make that and it's before your buddies track day you should do it! You'll learn a ton