[2e9x's]

Yesterday was the Central California Chapter BMW CCA Driver's School at Buttonwillow Raceway. It was really great to see some of you out there enjoying your cars!

First off, the car ran GREAT! The Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec tires were amazing!! While a touch noisy under cornering, they stuck like glue and only got greasy toward the end of the session. After 4 30 minute sessions under very aggressive driving they barely look scuffed. No chunking or cupping. The tires were very predictable and very stable.

Secondly I have to comment that yesterday was my inauguration into the "A" group. As many of you know, BMW CCA ranks the drivers based on experience - D Novice to A Advanced.

The speed and driving skill differences between A and B are indescribable. While I was usually one of the fastest in B, I was definitely one of the slowest in A. Those guys are unbelievably good drivers. They also, for the most part, drive highly modified cars. While I am honored to be included in this group, I recognize that I have a lot to learn.

Being in a group like that caused me to really step up my driving. My instructor for the day initially thought that I was not being smooth with my throttle inputs. However during the last session I turned DTC on and the jerkiness went away.

Thirdly there were at least 3 SSTT equipped cars...1 instructor (6MT), 1 A student (6MT) and one very competent C student (6AT). Weather got up to 85 degrees. Not one limp mode or problem. My oil did climb to 300 at one point but the car did not go into limp mode (which occurs at 314 degrees). I suspect the Colgan bra was covering the oil cooler inlet so some further experimentation is indicated.

This first video is me trailing S4to335i on the track. Thanks Steve for holding back so I could follow your line! Note that at one point I gave a point-by to an instructor driving a GT3 in the middle of the corner. That is one of the new things they are trying in BMW CCA...cooperative passing anywhere on the track for the A students. I, for one, did not love it.

This second video is just entertaining because it shows exactly how fast those guys go.

This was my first track event with my new video camera, an RCA Small Wonder. I think the quality is great for a <$80 camera. I am very pleased!!

In all this was a great day. I can't wait to do it all again.

Stay tuned for more videos as the day progresses.

[Dascamel]

Thanks for the vids. Grats on the A group also, just wondering how many events and how long did it take to get to that level?

[2e9x's]

Thanks. I have been auto-x'ing for 22 years and have about 16 schools under my belt. In reality I only began seriously tracking cars 3 years ago.

Be patient...once you get into A the speed goes WAY up. The cars are more heavily modified and the drivers are more able to take advantage of those modifications. It is a whole different ball game.

[S4to335]

Nice..that is the first time I have seen myself in the 335 on track...from behind. I will bring my camera next time...my camera has a bit better sound.

[LOLrance]

I am very surprised at your impression with the star spec. My friend who tracks his car (albeit a s2k not a e9x) had the Z1 chunking like crazy. More so then my Ecsta MX (which is known to chunk).

i really wanted to try the star spec but tirerack said the star spec is developed for lighter cars which kinda scared me since our cars are pigs at 3000+ pounds. If you dont mind me asking, how much PSI were you running on each tire and do you have any suspension mods?

[5soko]

Congrats man!! looks like a really fun time out there. you guys are some good drivers

[2e9x's]

Originally Posted by l4wr3nc3

If you dont mind me asking, how much PSI were you running on each tire and do you have any suspension mods?

My suspension is all stock. I started the event with 36/39 warm. By the end of the day I had taken about 2 out of the front and 4 out of the back. I was using a laser pyrometer and monitoring the surface temperatures. I found that the rears were barely heating up the outside edges which is why I kept lowering those.

Also note that a friend of mine was also running the Star Specs on a 335i. His tires looked untouched by the end of the day.

[2e9x's]

Originally Posted by 5soko335i

Congrats man!! looks like a really fun time out there. you guys are some good drivers

Thanks! It was a blast!! BMW CCA puts on some really good events IMHO!

[longodj]

Originally Posted by 2e9x's

Secondly I have to comment that yesterday was my inauguration into the "A" group. As many of you know, BMW CCA ranks the drivers based on experience - D Novice to A Advanced.

[sg335]

Looks like you were running a 2:27 minute lap. Steve, what was your lap time?

[Dascamel]

That sounds slow for the A group. I've run a 2:20 with speed ventures(same config) and both of these guys are far faster.

Good sample of lap times:
http://www.speedventures.com/results/Default.aspx

[S4to335]

Steve, I have no idea what my times were. Sorry...that was definitely re-orientation day for me..since I have not been there for 6-7 years. I mistakenly sold my hot lap timer with my old BMW..and my AMB transponder with my Spec Miata. I did buy a hand held robotics unit recently ..but forgot to bring it with me. My best times were the last run session....when no one was in front of me.

[2e9x's]

Originally Posted by Dascamel

That sounds slow for the A group. I've run a 2:20 with speed ventures(same config) and both of these guys are far faster.

Good sample of lap times:
http://www.speedventures.com/results/Default.aspx

2:26-2:27 is what I ran...pretty consistently BTW...That is a great time man!!

[sg335]

Originally Posted by S4to335

Steve, I have no idea what my times were. Sorry...that was definitely re-orientation day for me..since I have not been there for 6-7 years. I mistakenly sold my hot lap timer with my old BMW..and my AMB transponder with my Spec Miata. I did buy a hand held robotics unit recently ..but forgot to bring it with me. My best times were the last run session....when no one was in front of me.

Traffic kills your times. Did you get a seperate instructors run group that weekend? Most CCA events while instructing you lucky to get 60 minutes of driving for the day.

[S4to335]

Originally Posted by sg335

Traffic kills your times. Did you get a seperate instructors run group that weekend? Most CCA events while instructing you lucky to get 60 minutes of driving for the day.

No...we had to run in A group...it would have been difficult if it were a shorter track like Infineon or Laguna. I WISH they had dedicated instructor run groups.

[Dascamel]

Originally Posted by 2e9x's

2:26-2:27 is what I ran...pretty consistently BTW...That is a great time man!!

Thanks, hard to compare days though.

I think the official time I got that day was 2:23, regardless it didn't feel as fast as your times when I did the ride along with Steve and my other instructor. I'm sure you guys were lower. That day was even hotter (90+ temps), we left the track after my 1:00 pm session. This whole temperature issue is a buzz kill on the 335i.

[sayemthree]

nice vids - sorry I missed that one - did you go to Willow spgs too?

[S4to335]

Originally Posted by sayemthree

nice vids - sorry I missed that one - did you go to Willow spgs too?

I didnt go to Willow Springs..I actually think that big willow is kinda boring..except for the pucker factor on T8 and T9. I went there twice back in 2004...I think...but probably wont be back since it is so far from my house..and Laguna and Infineon are much closer and much more interesting to drive.

[2e9x's]

I agree with Steve about Willow...it is not that fun of a track and I consider it to be very unsafe. There are too many places where if you go off, it is a major incident.

[S4to335]

Originally Posted by 2e9x's

I agree with Steve about Willow...it is not that fun of a track and I consider it to be very unsafe. There are too many places where if you go off, it is a major incident.

Yeah..going sideways at 100 mph, in dirt, is never advisable. I have stopped my spin escapades..and never did any at Willow Springs..but definitely dont want to.

[sayemthree]

as far as safe there is much more to hit at Sears point as in solid barriers. I agree WS is not my favorite. but I also think LS is a bit boring other than the thrill of the corkscrew drop off. Sears is my favorite west coast track. Cal speeday 2nd.

[S4to335]

Agreed on Sears Point..lots of stuff to hit...I have run there several times in the rain with the Audi club..many many altercations with dirt walls..tire walls...cement walls. Not me...but I have been instructing in a car that rotated 180 and hit the wall on my side a the turn in for T1 at Sears. Not fun. I would not recommend Infineon/Sears Point to any beginners. Learn at Buttonwillow or Thunderhill first...

I like Laguna the best...it is not boring at all...and the pucker factor is definitely there. It is by far the smoothest track too. Sign me up anyday for Laguna.