gasser
04-15-2009, 11:47 PM
Disclaimer: I have NEVER tracked ANY car before, just drag racing and spirited drives on twisty canyon roads. My track experience consists of attending a number of PCA/SCCA events with my parents (both track their own cars, 914 Porsche and Mini Cooper S). I have gone over videos with them and read 3 different books, so knew the basics. So, with that being said, very much a track newbie.
My stage 2.5 M3 performed so well, it actually surprised me. I ran in the white group, meaning novice driver. I was able to run 4 sessions that lasted about 30min each and each time got better at understanding the limits of the car. I probably only pushed the car to about 85% of its cornering ability, was a bit nervous to push more. I had instructors in the car for sessions 1 and 3, so that was a huge help to learn the track layout and line. ALL 4 SESSIONS I was in pump mode since I was learning the track and the power limits of the tires/track. So, here is my experience:
I got to the track and quickly swapped out my street wheels for a set of 18x9.5 SSR Comp H's with 245/40/18 Toyo RA1's (yea, narrow, but came on the wheels when I bought them). The mandatory driver's meeting showed us on a map where the "passing" zones would be and that you were NOT allowed to pass until the person in front of you motioned you past. So, get all ready to go and get in line for the 1st session.
1st session was to learn the track and the instructor was very knowledgeable about the track and I warned him about the HP that my car had. He suggested leaving on the DSC and the HPF TC, so I did. This session, I mainly got used to the track layout and braking zones. The instructor was very impressed with the smoothness of the power and kept telling me to get on the power a bit sooner. I did start to really push the car in the closing laps and really started having fun. The car never skipped a beat and the oil/water temps never budged.
2nd session, I was by myself since the instructors were talking to the student class. So, got a bit more brave this time. I turned off the DSC and left the HPF TC in Sport mode. I really was starting to learn my lines and how well a car can turn with a set of R compounds. There are 4-ish straights on the track and I was hitting 120mph on 3 straights and hitting 140 on the long, back straight. My brakes were finally getting warm and so were the tires. Oil temps rose up to about 210-220, but never moved past that. Water temps were rock solid, right in the middle of the range on the dial. The power was so smooth, I did realize that I was under boost for about 1/2 of the 3.1 mile track. Throttle response is very linear if you understand how the boost ramps up on my car, VERY predictable. Car sprung a small oil leak in one of my fittings on my new/custom front mount oil cooler (just needed tightened a bit). Very productive session.
3rd session, had an instructor for about 1/2 of the the 30min. He had to get out and get his own car ready for his next session. He taught me some better lines for an M3 and it really did help. I ran the HPF TC in Race mode this time along with the DSC off. I was carrying about 4 mph more speed through one of my problem corners and it really helped the exit speed. Started hitting the turn-in points and apex cones a lot more often this session. Chris has video of this run with a few cuss words from the instructor and myself. We both were having fun. Again, no problems with the oil/water temps after 30min of hard driving. I ended this session with Chris video taping me touching the cool intercooler (was almost cold to the touch on the driver's side) and putting my hand on the intake showing that they both were not hot after 30min of tracking the car. The experiences/info learned from this session along with being alone in session 2 really were making me into a track addict.
4th session, on my own again. HPF TC was in race and DSC was off. I followed my dad out this session to see his lines, since he drives a momentum Porsche 914 (meaning he only has 85hp and uses all the momentum he can get). He was able to pull away from me while I was learning his line. On lap 3, I was all over him and passed him on the back straight. I used his lines and was able to go even faster through some of my trouble corners. This increased speed allowed me to hit @ 150mph on the back straight 2 times. The higher speeds really forced my Alcons into doing their part, and they did what was asked of them. Again, not a single hiccup from the car and oil/water temps were rock solid. The water temp did raise up just a bit when I slowed down for my "cool down" lap, but quickly returned to mid-line in about 2 minutes. Most likely from the decreased airflow through the front end.
In summary, the idea that you can't track a forced induction car (be it turbo or S/C) is not true. If you know how to handle the power, can put the power down smooth, you can track any car. I was a complete novice and never spun the car out once. The HPF TC did kick in twice on the final session because I got on the power a bit too soon and it saved my butt. The power from the stage 2.5 was VERY controllable and allowed the car to be VERY fast. I am sure with a more seasoned driver, the car would have been even faster. I had a great time and am now a true track addict, love it. :woot:
My stage 2.5 M3 performed so well, it actually surprised me. I ran in the white group, meaning novice driver. I was able to run 4 sessions that lasted about 30min each and each time got better at understanding the limits of the car. I probably only pushed the car to about 85% of its cornering ability, was a bit nervous to push more. I had instructors in the car for sessions 1 and 3, so that was a huge help to learn the track layout and line. ALL 4 SESSIONS I was in pump mode since I was learning the track and the power limits of the tires/track. So, here is my experience:
I got to the track and quickly swapped out my street wheels for a set of 18x9.5 SSR Comp H's with 245/40/18 Toyo RA1's (yea, narrow, but came on the wheels when I bought them). The mandatory driver's meeting showed us on a map where the "passing" zones would be and that you were NOT allowed to pass until the person in front of you motioned you past. So, get all ready to go and get in line for the 1st session.
1st session was to learn the track and the instructor was very knowledgeable about the track and I warned him about the HP that my car had. He suggested leaving on the DSC and the HPF TC, so I did. This session, I mainly got used to the track layout and braking zones. The instructor was very impressed with the smoothness of the power and kept telling me to get on the power a bit sooner. I did start to really push the car in the closing laps and really started having fun. The car never skipped a beat and the oil/water temps never budged.
2nd session, I was by myself since the instructors were talking to the student class. So, got a bit more brave this time. I turned off the DSC and left the HPF TC in Sport mode. I really was starting to learn my lines and how well a car can turn with a set of R compounds. There are 4-ish straights on the track and I was hitting 120mph on 3 straights and hitting 140 on the long, back straight. My brakes were finally getting warm and so were the tires. Oil temps rose up to about 210-220, but never moved past that. Water temps were rock solid, right in the middle of the range on the dial. The power was so smooth, I did realize that I was under boost for about 1/2 of the 3.1 mile track. Throttle response is very linear if you understand how the boost ramps up on my car, VERY predictable. Car sprung a small oil leak in one of my fittings on my new/custom front mount oil cooler (just needed tightened a bit). Very productive session.
3rd session, had an instructor for about 1/2 of the the 30min. He had to get out and get his own car ready for his next session. He taught me some better lines for an M3 and it really did help. I ran the HPF TC in Race mode this time along with the DSC off. I was carrying about 4 mph more speed through one of my problem corners and it really helped the exit speed. Started hitting the turn-in points and apex cones a lot more often this session. Chris has video of this run with a few cuss words from the instructor and myself. We both were having fun. Again, no problems with the oil/water temps after 30min of hard driving. I ended this session with Chris video taping me touching the cool intercooler (was almost cold to the touch on the driver's side) and putting my hand on the intake showing that they both were not hot after 30min of tracking the car. The experiences/info learned from this session along with being alone in session 2 really were making me into a track addict.
4th session, on my own again. HPF TC was in race and DSC was off. I followed my dad out this session to see his lines, since he drives a momentum Porsche 914 (meaning he only has 85hp and uses all the momentum he can get). He was able to pull away from me while I was learning his line. On lap 3, I was all over him and passed him on the back straight. I used his lines and was able to go even faster through some of my trouble corners. This increased speed allowed me to hit @ 150mph on the back straight 2 times. The higher speeds really forced my Alcons into doing their part, and they did what was asked of them. Again, not a single hiccup from the car and oil/water temps were rock solid. The water temp did raise up just a bit when I slowed down for my "cool down" lap, but quickly returned to mid-line in about 2 minutes. Most likely from the decreased airflow through the front end.
In summary, the idea that you can't track a forced induction car (be it turbo or S/C) is not true. If you know how to handle the power, can put the power down smooth, you can track any car. I was a complete novice and never spun the car out once. The HPF TC did kick in twice on the final session because I got on the power a bit too soon and it saved my butt. The power from the stage 2.5 was VERY controllable and allowed the car to be VERY fast. I am sure with a more seasoned driver, the car would have been even faster. I had a great time and am now a true track addict, love it. :woot:
