Texas Trifecta at COTA

[admranger]

Originally Posted by r1214

The RE-11's aren't bad, I tracked the M3 in the fall with them and they did okay. They squeal pretty much non-stop at the limit which is annoying though. They were definitely the limiting factor in the overall enjoyment on track. I just want to maximize my COTA experience and it will be a lot more fun (for me) with more grip.

Send me an IM with details on car rental. I have actually considered it, but since I am selling the M3 shortly after COTA, I really kind of want to drive my car there.

RE11's are fine as a track tire. I've corded three sets now. They aren't much slower than r-comps of old. Easy to drive at the limit (due to, amongst other things, the noise they make) and easy to recover if you step over the limit. Don't stress, just drive on the RE11s.

[silverap1]

Originally Posted by r1214

I just registered a week ago, I'm really pumped! Haven't missed a year of USGP F1 racing at COTA and have dreamed of actually being able to drive the track.

I've been contemplating a kind of interesting idea. I wonder if anyone going to the event would possibly "rent" me some wheels and tires for the weekend. Odd question, I know. But I want to drive with something a little more track worthy than my street tires (Potenza RE11) and I don't really have a way of getting there with an extra set of wheels/tires. Ideally I'd like some Toyo R888 or something similar. I figure 2 days of DE should probably only wear about 25-30% of the tire life on a tire like that, but my experience with race tires has mostly been on race cars weighing around 2000lbs, so maybe I'm optimistic on how much wear the M3 would put on some tires tracked at COTA for 2 days.

Anyone want to help me out? Or know someone that could? Figured I would check around various SCCA/NASA/BMWCCA forums but just happened to see this thread and figured I'd ask.

I've some C51 scrubs if you're interested.

[surlynkid]

If you take those C51's and don't have a ton of front camber, you will destroy and cord the outside of the front left in a couple of sessions if you are running fast times.

[Kong Sheng Han]

Originally Posted by jphughan

Shouldn't be tough to find a ride. I'm not sure what BMW CCA's policy is in terms of cost for non-participants getting rides, but in the unlikely event that you can't get a ride at the Trifecta, I'll be instructing with Edge Addicts Jun 25-26, so you can PM me in advance if you want to get a ride with me on one of those days. I'm not running an M3 anymore if you were hoping to see what one of those is like at speed there, but if that doesn't matter then I'll be happy to take care of you.

Thanks for the offer. If the autocross event doesn't last all day, I'm sure I'll be able to find a ride. If I don't, I'll get in touch with you. Type of car doesn't matter to me.

[admranger]

So I go onto Motorsportreg and see I'm not confirmed for this event as an instructor. One of the very, very few people not confirmed. I gave the registrar multiple very well known instructors as references. What's really funny is there are people I've instructed over the years and helped achieve instructor status that are confirmed though. I had my registration done on day 1 or 2, fwiw.

I sent the registrar an email asking when a decision will be made b/c I need to arrange for work time off, etc. Hoping to hear back very soon. If they don't need/want me, so be it, just send my $$$ back and I'm good. No problem.

If I can't go, I'd like to know ASAP so I can think about O'Fest instead. Laguna is one of my favorite tracks as I've had some incredibly memorable *moments* on it.

Hope I hear from someone soon...

[surlynkid]

There are a bunch not approved yet.

[M3 Number 86]

Need to know track rental car info please

[admranger]

Originally Posted by surlynkid

There are a bunch not approved yet.

And they rectified that this weekend. :thumbs:

Now to do some logistical planning...

[bigjae1976]

Didn't drive, just showed up to instruct. Had a great time despite nothing to drive and the heat.

I finally met @Admranger. I was looking for a middle aged white dude but he's actually far older looking than I expected. Somewhere between dirt and dinosaurs. First phrase out of his mouth was "PF08".

@Dbyrd...Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about the "incident" on the last lap of the day.

I also found out that I somehow get blamed for people spinning despite me not even being in the same state anymore!

[Kong Sheng Han]

The fact that I had four different instructors who were teaching me four different lines, telling me to be in different gears at certain zones, etc made the day pretty frustrating and annoying. My last instructor was great though. I wouldn't say it was worth $400 today, but I'm sure it will be worth the money if I can get one good instructor for the weekend next time.

I would like to do a full weekend next time. I hope I feel that it's worth it after the two day event.

Edit: James should've instructed for me.

Originally Posted by admranger

And they rectified that this weekend. :thumbs:

Now to do some logistical planning...

I didn't realize you were driving the red E90 yesterday until this morning..and I couldn't find you today..

[03BeastCharmer]

I saw BigJae's helmet as I was heading out last night. Can't miss that one.
I got placed in the Advanced group this weekend, and felt a little like a moving chicane given the number of point bys I was giving. So many GT3/4s out. Had a good last session and brought the car home safely, so I'm happy.

[dbyrd]

Great weekend guys! Thanks to the wisdom of Paul aka Ortho281 and BigJae (Hoon Extraordinaire), I improved 5 seconds from last year with a 2:35:39 on Sunday morning. Huge spin in turn 8-9 to cap off the weekend - too bad the camera wasn't working!

Great meeting the guys in garage 16-18 from Austin, Kansas and Arkansas!

Do you guys think I can get another day out of these pads?! I went through these Carbotech XP12s in 4 days. Time for new rotors and cooling ducts!

See y'all next year!

-Daniel

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by 03BeastCharmer

I saw BigJae's helmet as I was heading out last night. Can't miss that one.
I got placed in the Advanced group this weekend, and felt a little like a moving chicane given the number of point bys I was giving. So many GT3/4s out. Had a good last session and brought the car home safely, so I'm happy.

Sorry I missed you. You're not supposed to see me in my helmet since its camouflage.

Which car were you in?

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by dbyrd

Great weekend guys! Thanks to the wisdom of Paul aka Ortho281 and BigJae (Hoon Extraordinaire), I improved 5 seconds from last year with a 2:35:39 on Sunday morning. Huge spin in turn 8-9 to cap off the weekend - too bad the camera wasn't working!

Great meeting the guys in garage 16-18 from Austin, Kansas and Arkansas!

Do you guys think I can get another day out of these pads?! I went through these Carbotech XP12s in 4 days. Time for new rotors and cooling ducts!

See y'all next year!

-Daniel

Plenty of meat left. Still got a sirloin on that bone!

That was a pretty damned fun last session!

[03BeastCharmer]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Sorry I missed you. You're not supposed to see me in my helmet since its camouflage.

Which car were you in?

I was the slow white E92 in Advance group. Car #15

I know Ortho passed we twice.

I tried out the BMW Drive Analyser thing, frustrating that you can't have it show lap times vs just straight elapsed time. Other info is interesting.

[Kong Sheng Han]

Originally Posted by 03BeastCharmer

I saw BigJae's helmet as I was heading out last night. Can't miss that one.
I got placed in the Advanced group this weekend, and felt a little like a moving chicane given the number of point bys I was giving. So many GT3/4s out. Had a good last session and brought the car home safely, so I'm happy.

I, a green student, ran a session in Advanced. I had cars on my ass constantly. I slowed dbyrd down on the carousel/sweeper while he was chasing ortho. Oops.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Kong Sheng Han

The fact that I had four different instructors who were teaching me four different lines, telling me to be in different gears at certain zones, etc made the day pretty frustrating and annoying. My last instructor was great though. I wouldn't say it was worth $400 today, but I'm sure it will be worth the money if I can get one good instructor for the weekend next time.

I would like to do a full weekend next time. I hope I feel that it's worth it after the two day event.

Edit: James should've instructed for me.

Lol...there's a lot of good instructors out there. Honestly...what's the right gear to be in? Depends.

I kind of felt the same way about students. I like to work on things throughout the weekend. I got my drivers mixed up among the 6 that I instructed. I definitely missed some opportunities to help my students to improve.

I can also see the benefit of changing things up too. Different points of views can be a good thing.

Would be good feedback to give to the head instructor. At least they're trying some different things.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Didn't drive, just showed up to instruct. Had a great time despite nothing to drive and the heat.

I finally met @Admranger. I was looking for a middle aged white dude but he's actually far older looking than I expected. Somewhere between dirt and dinosaurs. First phrase out of his mouth was "PF08".

LOL, I think my walker gave it away.

Thanks a ton for taking my intermediate student Sunday afternoon. It took me 2 hours to swap pads, wheels, pack, nearly puke from the heat, and get on the road. I'd have been a hurting gator driving back if I'd have had to take those last two sessions with him. I owe you a few beverages.

Oh, one last thing: PFC 08's rocked all weekend long, even with drilled AND slotted ECS rotors on the car! Saw 140 to 40 every time down in the braking zone of the back straight due to my tremendous right foot talent!

Sorry I missed some of you guys this weekend. I was suffering from your humidity and warm-ish temps.

Best session of the weekend for me was the first one on Sunday. Took a student who was in garage 21 (silver-ish M4) with me. It was spitting rain and the track was everything from dry to damp. Blew by a few folks who weren't set up good for mixed conditions. For once having a stock (eibach pro kit only) suspension paid dividends! All the race suspension guys were skating around.

Fun times!

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by admranger

LOL, I think my walker gave it away.

Thanks a ton for taking my intermediate student Sunday afternoon. It took me 2 hours to swap pads, wheels, pack, nearly puke from the heat, and get on the road. I'd have been a hurting gator driving back if I'd have had to take those last two sessions with him. I owe you a few beverages.

Oh, one last thing: PFC 08's rocked all weekend long, even with drilled AND slotted ECS rotors on the car! Saw 140 to 40 every time down in the braking zone of the back straight due to my tremendous right foot talent!

Sorry I missed some of you guys this weekend. I was suffering from your humidity and warm-ish temps.

Best session of the weekend for me was the first one on Sunday. Took a student who was in garage 21 (silver-ish M4) with me. It was spitting rain and the track was everything from dry to damp. Blew by a few folks who weren't set up good for mixed conditions. For once having a stock (eibach pro kit only) suspension paid dividends! All the race suspension guys were skating around.

Fun times!

No problem but I didn't see that guy line up and then I was filling in for another instructor that was a no-show. I'm glad you were able to hit the road sooner!

I'm talking about the out of town folks, understand why they would want to leave early on a Sunday. But this seems to be a continual issue at COTA, at least at the 3 I've been at. Don't like calling out people but if the shoe fits...wear it. Everyone loves the track time discount...not everyone commits to the job and responsibility. The responsibility is you stay until your student is done. Period.

I was in a car 5 out of the 6 non-instructor sessions in the morning and then 2 of the 4 in the afternoon. I had to cover for other instructors that left without making any arrangements to cover them.

[Kong Sheng Han]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Lol...there's a lot of good instructors out there. Honestly...what's the right gear to be in? Depends.

I kind of felt the same way about students. I like to work on things throughout the weekend. I got my drivers mixed up among the 6 that I instructed. I definitely missed some opportunities to help my students to improve.

I can also see the benefit of changing things up too. Different points of views can be a good thing.

Would be good feedback to give to the head instructor. At least they're trying some different things.

No idea on gears. I'm going to experiment with 3/4 on the esses and carousel next time.

I plan to do the full weekend next year to maximize my opportunity for improvement. You should instruct for me.

I agree, seeing different points of view is good. I do that at TWS; I ask instructors to ride with me and give me pointers (also people off the track). I try all of their suggestions and keep what I like and reject what I don't like. An example at TWS are my lines at the transition and carousel, changed them significantly. I guess the reason why different POVs frustrated me on Sunday was because I didn't have some kind of baseline like I did at TWS. At TWS I got one perspective and modified it as I went, but I think getting multiple perspectives at COTA and choosing what I like is good. Next time I go to COTA, I'll probably improve just as well as I did at my second TWS event.

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I'm talking about the out of town folks, understand why they would want to leave early on a Sunday. But this seems to be a continual issue at COTA, at least at the 3 I've been at. Don't like calling out people but if the shoe fits...wear it. Everyone loves the track time discount...not everyone commits to the job and responsibility. The responsibility is you stay until your student is done. Period.

My first instructor was with me in the morning for both sessions and planned to leave at noon, so he tried to solo me in green group. I'm kinda glad I was able to pick up some instructors in the afternoon who were willing to instruct for me on short notice. I also got thrown in with Advanced/Advance plus for a session in the afternoon. It was stressful.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Kong Sheng Han

No idea on gears. I'm going to experiment with 3/4 on the esses and carousel next time.

I plan to do the full weekend next year to maximize my opportunity for improvement. You should instruct for me.

I agree, seeing different points of view is good. I do that at TWS; I ask instructors to ride with me and give me pointers (also people off the track). I try all of their suggestions and keep what I like and reject what I don't like. An example at TWS are my lines at the transition and carousel, changed them significantly. I guess the reason why different POVs frustrated me on Sunday was because I didn't have some kind of baseline like I did at TWS. At TWS I got one perspective and modified it as I went, but I think getting multiple perspectives at COTA and choosing what I like is good. Next time I go to COTA, I'll probably improve just as well as I did at my second TWS event.

My first instructor was with me in the morning for both sessions and planned to leave at noon, so he tried to solo me in green group. I'm kinda glad I was able to pick up some instructors in the afternoon who were willing to instruct for me on short notice. I also got thrown in with Advanced/Advance plus for a session in the afternoon. It was stressful.

I hope to make the one they have planned for Nov. Trying to line up a Driver's Edge event or two before then. Won't be driving since I'll be caging my car but would be willing to be your instructor.

Getting thrown in with Advanced can be a good thing. I moved my intermediate student into advanced. He really struggled the first half but once the relaxed...did great! It's just a matter of thinking ahead and being aware of what's around you.

[Kong Sheng Han]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I hope to make the one they have planned for Nov. Trying to line up a Driver's Edge event or two before then. Won't be driving since I'll be caging my car but would be willing to be your instructor.

Getting thrown in with Advanced can be a good thing. I moved my intermediate student into advanced. He really struggled the first half but once the relaxed...did great! It's just a matter of thinking ahead and being aware of what's around you.

I was planning to do PDS in Nov (trying to get sub-2:00). And doing COTA more often would be too rich for my blood. I'll probably stick to summer Trifecta.

I was giving point byes a lot and had people on my ass pretty much the whole time. It was stressful at COTA because I was still trying to learn the track and was extremely slow. But at PDS, as a blue student, I enjoy running with yellow and white in the combined BYW sessions. It's fun chasing/keeping up with people, as well as getting passed by badass cars like Radicals and even a stock car. I'm sure I'll enjoy it at COTA too once I get used to the track.