The time has come for my e30 to hit the track.

[rwh11385]

like I said you'll have a blast.

and plus, you'll have a better understanding through practice of the shit you are working on and doing on the job, the purpose. Just, as every noobie needs to hear, check your ego, be safe and obey your instructor.

have fun man.

[ColdAccord]

the fuel issue is definately a problem. For one, you will get awful gas mileage, so compensate for that. I got ~16mpg last time, and thats including the 5th gear highway drive there. so like 12mpg on the track lol

but also, when fuel sloshes around in the tank, and cuts power, the weight transfer can cause problems. when you accelerate post apex weight transfers to the rear of the car. if your sputtering due to low fuel, weight pushes forward and can mess you up

[MitchFong]

i have an exam tommorrow, but i had to read this. So, seeings i have no information to add to this ill just say have fun.. And i wish i had a track on this island.. Only be a few cavaliers running around on it tho i assume. Not much in the way of auto x, but there is a minute community for it. You guys are lucky to have these tracks for your cars.
GL Jordan, please dont hurt your car.. I know that this is what it wants to do, but it is in rather nice shape to do it. I like the suggestion of picking up a beater and do a few inexpensive mods and still have a blast.
CHeers,

[jim89325is]

Jordan,
First, your car is amazing. You've done good work and should be proud.

Now, let's get serious. You shouldn't be worried about spring rates if this is your first time on the track. Nor should you be worried about wheel size, brake caliper size, tire pressure, sway bars, harnesses, seats, or anything else that relates to "mods" you've done or plan to do to your car.

They mean nothing at this point. You might get passed. (alot) Or, you might be an amazing driver who gets signed off on his first ever track day. Doesn't matter. LISTEN to your instructor(s). Check your ego. I repeat, check your ego. (BTW, I'm not implying that you have a huge ego. I'm just suggesting that you go into this very humbly. Personal experience here.) It doesn't matter what you've done on the street. Driving on the street gets you nowhere near what you will do on the track, even in your first track event. Once you've done a track event, you'll see what I mean. Promise. It might even make you think of different kinds of mods you can do to your car, which I'm sure will be equally impressive.

Most of all, have fun. And listen to your instructors!!

Good luck,
Jim

[oh2fly]

Great post Jim. I think the best first track day car is a stock one with street tires. Then you learn how to make the most of it's shortcomings along with your own. Then upgrade one step at a time and you will appreciate what the improvements really mean. Then you will have more car control so you can deal with most situations when they arise.

[jim89325is]

Thats what I did. First track day, stock '89 325is. Next track day, 225/50 15s Yok AVSi's. After that, some suspension mods. After that, some brake mods. Since then, I've picked up an extra set of wheels and 225/50 RA-1's, and installed some M3 control arm bushings. I plan to run with that set up in the spring.

BTW, I run in the BMWCCA B class, and have no trouble keeping up with most E30 & E36 M3's. The really fast cars are the true race cars, with gutted interiors, roll cages and fast drivers.

IMO, it all depends on the driver. Once you get better as a driver, you can start modding the car, and actually feel the difference those mods make.

Have fun,
Jim

[rwh11385]

Great post Jim. I think the best first track day car is a stock one with street tires. Then you learn how to make the most of it's shortcomings along with your own. Then upgrade one step at a time and you will appreciate what the improvements really mean. Then you will have more car control so you can deal with most situations when they arise

INTERESTING ADVICE AS NO ONE IS WILLING TO LISTEN TO IT!

[Jand3rson]

INTERESTING ADVICE AS NO ONE IS WILLING TO LISTEN TO IT!

Well, the reason is that a lot of people, such as myself, have made suspension and tire upgrades before hitting the track. I had missed the auto-x season here by the time I got my new suspension and tires/wheels, and didn't want to wait for next summer before I could put my stuff in.

[e30sd]

auto-x is so last year. next year i'm running the alk0-cross.

[rwh11385]

miss the auto-x season?

I've heard the phrase before, and "planning to attend an auto-x" is the dumbest concept i have ever heard. what is there to plan?

it's easy.
license (well, maybe an issue for some)
a car (any car that runs and doesn't puke oil or coolant everywhere and has tires not on cords can do)
$20
YOU.

hell, most places even have loaner helmets if you don't have one. . .


How exactly did you miss the season? You don't work saturdays do you? Did you not have $20 handy? Could you not drive your car, or even borrow the wife's??


ha. Pasha, 2/3rds of my Auto-Xs were done with massive hangovers and little sleep following an hour drives to get there. that's probably where i can really improve my times, to cut that out.

[Charlie]

ha. Pasha, 2/3rds of my Auto-Xs were done with massive hangovers and little sleep following an hour drives to get there. that's probably where i can really improve my times, to cut that out.

I think any sunday auto based event shares that designation for me.

-Charlie

[rwh11385]

my friends got a kick out of my stumbling to my room at 3 or 4am and shouting, "ALRIGHT I"M GOING TO AUTO-X NOW, I GONNA BED IN THE MORNING!"

[Jand3rson]

miss the auto-x season?

I've heard the phrase before, and "planning to attend an auto-x" is the dumbest concept i have ever heard. what is there to plan?

it's easy.
license (well, maybe an issue for some)
a car (any car that runs and doesn't puke oil or coolant everywhere and has tires not on cords can do)
$20
YOU.

hell, most places even have loaner helmets if you don't have one. . .


How exactly did you miss the season? You don't work saturdays do you? Did you not have $20 handy? Could you not drive your car, or even borrow the wife's??

I often do have to work saturdays, and if I wasn't working, I just couldn't find the time to get out there. Not to mention, the tires I had before I got my new wheels and tires were getting pretty bald, and they wouldn't have let me run on them. I've got plenty of money, and friends with helmets.

I've got other things going on in my life, unlike some carefree kids (not referring to you) who have nothing to do but get to class, and pick up 15 hours a week at little side jobs. The auto-x club here starts at 8am on saturdays and sundays, and goes until about noon. When I have to work saturdays, I have to be there at 7am, and get of at 11. Things like auto-x take a backseat, sometimes.

[rwh11385]

i just needed to post my point about how "planning to auto-x" is the stupidest shit ever.

IT"S LIKE NIKE:
JUST DO IT!

and you fell victim. next year plot out all the auto-x events on your calender and schedule off work. then just GO.

[Jand3rson]

i just needed to post my point about how "planning to auto-x" is the stupidest shit ever.

IT"S LIKE NIKE:
JUST DO IT!

and you fell victim. next year plot out all the auto-x events on your calender and schedule off work. then just GO.

I wish. Saturdays are sort of mandatory, IF we have to work, and not going is pretty frowned upon. Luckily, I'm applying for a position at work soon that's mon-fri, 8-5. Sales rep, no more working on the line. Werd.