Redline Time Attack NJMP 1st Place Enthusiast

[noxredna]

I ran MDM in the first day of practice and subsequently turned it off. I actually clocked a 1:17.5 lap during practice session using MDM as well. It is a pretty good traction control system (compared to some other car maker's), but it does get in your way. I turned traction control of during my 2nd day where I had my Timeattack qualifying session and the actual 3 laps where I clocked my 1:17.6 lap.

No the event is not like an open track day. They are quite strict with which run group you run on. You can see full schedule below attached. First day is practice session where they run Noivce, Intermediate and Advanced. You get about 5 - 6 sessions of 25 mins which is a lot of time compared to other Driver's Ed school. 2nd day is where the Timeattack rules really take on to place. You have to grid 5-10 mins before you enter the track and everything is quite strict. They play the national anthem prior to the first time attack event. The Enthusiast class was the first to go, so I was in grid when the anthem was playing. I had my engine off and when the national anthem is done playing, everyone cheered and you start up the engine and give it a little rev. It's definitely an experience as close to professional racing as you get.

During the time attack day you get 2 practice session in the morning and 2 time attack sessions in the afternoon where you have 1outlap, 3 laps (where you need to clock your fastest time) and 1 inlap where you cool down. The top two cars of each class can also qualify for super session where by it is wheel to wheel racing, sprint race 5 laps. However to qualify you must have a wheel to wheel racing license from SCCA, followed by the regular safety stuff (rollcage, firesuit, etc.) I obviously didn't qualify for that.

Regarding 3.62 diff, this is basically shorterning my final drive ratio so basically I have shorter gears. Dinan makes them as well and salisburry (diffsonline.com) also has them. I bought it used from a member in m3post. It has been one of the best mods so far for me both on the street and on the track especially because DCT shifts so effortlessly. For 6 speed drivers, it depends which track you are on as certain parts might require you to do an extra shift thus forcing you to do two down shifts instead of riding 5th gear or 4th gear to the red line; this might cost your lap time slightly.

You can get more info about the 3.62 diff here: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...al+drive+ratio

[vladberca]

Congrats and thx for the infos, pics and videos!

[dawgdog]

Thanks for the writeup. Gets me excited about my BMWCCA lapping day tomorrow. I started HPDEs 2 years ago and love it. I don't see how you can really appreciate these cars with street driving only. I did, however, warp my stock rotors after about 10 events.

[94JZA80]

congrats on your showing! i see you entered the event for no more than $450. out of curiosity though, how much $ did you spend on parts (and any labor you didn't do yourself) to prep the car for the event?

also, what are the technical differences between the Enthusiast RWD class and the Street Tire RWD class? you mentioned that it was the class above you - did you mean it was a more advanced class, or a less advanced class?


TIA,
Eric

[nvk]

big congrats to you! and thank you for sharing your experience. its quite amazing to read abt the mod crazy week you had!!!

[noxredna]

The $450 entrance fee for the whole weekend was very accessible. Prepping the car was my own decision to be competitive in the event. The AD08s were from tire rack and they were around $1200 after rebate, wheels around $1200/set before overnight shipping for a pair of them. Brake pads were $280 for fronts and rears. The seats were not exactly necessary but I wanted to do it because I wanted more support, turned out to be around $1200 with mounts, etc. Labor is about 4 hours in total.

Rules are attached and you can go through the detail. I spent half an hour reading every single line, they are very precise with everything.

Here's the summary taken off the RTA website:

Fontana Nissan Enthusiast Class
The Enthusiast Class has modification limitations and is intended for relatively "stock" vehicles. Basic Performance Upgrades (BPUs) are permitted, like Cold Air Intakes, Headers, Exhaust Systems, Brake Upgrades, Suspension Upgrades, Etc. Competing in Enthusiast Class is a great way to get started in Time Attack racing for those who are interested!


Modifications Allowed:

* Engine Mods: Stock Block Must be used, no aftermarket forced induction allowed. Allowed: Camshaft upgrades, Intake, MAF, Intake Manifold, Header, Exhaust, etc.
* Suspension: Up to 2-Way Adjustable Coilovers
* Brakes: Open
* Tires: Any High Performance Street Tire with a tread wear of 140 or higher
* Unique to the Class: All window glass must be present, catalytic converters are required, vehicle must be registered with DMV, Vehicle MUST be driven by the registered owner, use of carbon/composite body panels is not allowed, aero upgrades are not allowed, professional drivers are not allowed



Buddy Club Street Tire Class
The Redline Time Attack Street Tire Class is intended for vehicles that are for the most part "Street Legal" using DOT approved Street Tires driven by grassroots enthusiasts and amateur racers alike. The Street Tire Class is the most popular and accessible Class in the Redline Time Attack Series, it is the true home of the Enthusiasts.


Modifications Allowed:

* Engine Mods: Just about anything goes, except Nitrous Oxide is Prohibited (in all Classes)
* Suspension: Up to 2-Way Adjustable Coilovers
* Brakes: Open
* Tires: Any High Performance Street Tire with a tread wear of 140 or higher
* Unique to the Class: All window glass must be present, catalytic converters are required, vehicle must be registered with DMV, use of carbon/composite body panels is limited, aero upgrades are limited, professional drivers are not allowed

[skim]

Question.. how do you setup those lug studs? They look convenient to change rims and racy!

[img src="http://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=370789&d=1271131200"]

hmm.. how do you embed images?

[Bubbles]

Great pics and vids. Nice work. For a split second I almost regretted getting a 6MT ZCP.

But I'm a sucker for nailing that perfect heel-toe shift. Even if it only happens twice during an event .

[Stunnerable]

So awesome on so many levels!!

[tom @ eas]

Great writeup - glad we could be of help.

[bobbyd1961]

congrats! were there any M3 sedans there? and can you name the cars you were up against? thanks

[bavarian19]

[noxredna]

No, there were no M3 sedans there. In my class there were a bunch of race prepped s2000 and Cobb Tuning 370Z that was driven by Trey Cobb himself (he's not very fast though).

The Lug Studs are from VAC motorsports, turner motorsports have them as well. They are 90mm lug studs and they make changing wheels a lot easier. I switch my wheels out often as I don't run 18" on the street, I run my Advan RS 19". I bought the longer studs as I run 10mm spacers on my wheels to get the wheels flushed to my fenders with an effective offset of +10 and +12.

I have also decided that I am going to compete in some westcoast Redline Time attack events, mainly at Autoclub Speedway and Willow Springs held in May and July respectively. I am going to work on a couple of mods prior to the race and will keep everyone updated.

I really appreciate everyone's encouraging comments and hope to represent our M3s well by taking top positions again in those events! It will be interesting to see how the car holds up and I will really be exploring the definition of a versatile street/track car - commuting from San Francisco city to Menlo Park everyday while competing in some track events this summer.

More M3s should come out for the events in May and July!! It is an incredible experience.

I just saw the RTA 101 Youtube Video and Paul Walker's M3 as well as my car is featured in the clip (it's the closing shot - can't believe HIDs looks that good.. haha)

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[gemini330zhp]

Congrats and Great Write UP!!!!!

[noxredna]

Wanted to give everyone a quick teaser as to what is being done to the car to prep for Autoclub Speedway end of this month!

APEX 18" Wheels painted GT3 RS Red

[chrisjwallbank]

Originally Posted by noxredna

Wanted to give everyone a quick teaser as to what is being done to the car to prep for Autoclub Speedway end of this month!

APEX 18" Wheels painted GT3 RS Red

Attachment 387742

Looks awesome... love the pop the red wheels give!

Are they the same Apex ARC 8’s painted red?? Do you run spacers? The rears seem to fill the arches slightly more than before on this pic...

Got a white E92 M3 DCT myself and starting some track work this year, Kw Clubsport suspension is ordered and now I just need to order the APEX ARC wheels just trying to decide fitment as I prefer staggered to square!
Cheers
Chris