My first track day: Thunderhill Sept. 1st

[BrandC]

Well summer is coming to an end, gotta have one last stint and spend $$$ frivelously. I'm taking my '91 318is to Thunderhill with stock suspension, but I've got a few things to prepare it for track abuse. Here's what I spent it on:

Axxis Ultimates + OEM Rotors (SS lines not pictured)

Z4 Shifter

E28 Mounts

M2005 Helmet + 15x7 Kosei K1's

205/50/15 Yokohama A032-R's (heat cycled)



I also ordered an E36 M42 80/88c Aux. Fan Switch and I'm going to run 100% water + Water Wetter. I don't want to take chances with 90deg+ Ambient temps.

I also did a few maintenance items recently:
-M44 Timing Chain Tensioner
-Fuel Filter
-OEM NGK-R Spark Plugs

I figured I don't need much. I'm running bone stock drivetrain, no chip or intake even. Other than that, I'm preparing as I write this for the track day. I just signed up on a whim and decided to go learn to appreciate my E30.

Any other advice from you track rats?

-Brandon

[Rigmaster]

you asked for it.


the main advice I can give you (brace yourself) is to leave the A032's at home. I'm serious here, you WILL thank me one day.

I would strongly recommend street tires for at least your first 8-10 events, even more if you can hold out that long. It's SOOOOOO tempting once you see/hear all the fast guys ripping around on R-comps, but you will learn so much more if you do your DE's on street tires. If your current street tires are not up to the job, find some almost worn out street tires and use them.


Other than holding off on the R-comps, I think you've taken the right approach- just make sure your car is in good mechanical condition and it will be fine. You have alot to learn before you will begin to approach the limits of what that car can do. If you don't believe me, let an experienced driver take you for a ride around the track in your car and see what I mean. (only do this with someone you REALLY trust, and only if it's approved by the folks running the track day).

Other advice- drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest (this won't be a problem after you've been on track all day), keep an open mind, DON'T drive over your own limits for any reason and have fun!!


Bret

[nando]

yeah, definitely save the R-comps for when you have more seat time.

[bmwm3n528]

May want to check your the regular maintenance list several times...

Check brake/fuel lines (hard/soft)
Any big leaks? Fix 'em
Cooling system absolutely A-Okay? (Coolant on the track can can ruin everyone's day)
Wheel bearings
Normal suspension wear items
etc, etc.

...and, oh yeah...

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=39193

[325is///M-tech]

Ditto on leaving the R's at home. The last thing you want to do is get over confident and push it into a spin. R compound tires have a real sudden break away which means they will hold and hold and hold then nothin. I used some R comps for some auto X and 1 track day and I went back to "street" tires (rt-615's). Street tires are much more fun to learn to drive at the limit on, much more predictable and they give lots of warning when you are getting to the limit.

[BrandC]

Well I can probably find some decent 205/50/15 tires, but the A032R's were from my old VW wheels. I'll try and do something about that, since I think tires will be my biggest limiting factor besides myself.

I am currently on my stock 14" basketweaves with Falken Ziex 512 tires, and I do not think they will hold up to track duty, but I'm not sure.

Thanks guys, keep it coming.

[325is///M-tech]

Cheap and good,http://www.vulcantire.com/cgi-local/tirecart.cgi less then $350 mounted

[1991 318is]

Don't sweat it.

The only reason to hold off on the high dollar tires is the high dollars. Take a mechanically sound car out there and have fun. If you're serious about racing you can rent a ride for 2-3 weekends in an older Formula Ford for what most folks spend on upgrading an E30's suspension. You'll learn more about driving and setup than you could in 2-3 years in an E30. You might even be one of those rare individuals that can drive at the limit for an hour or more.

[bmwm3n528]

The only reason to hold off on the high dollar tires is the high dollars. Take a mechanically sound car out there and have fun. If you're serious about racing you can rent a ride for 2-3 weekends in an older Formula Ford for what most folks spend on upgrading an E30's suspension. You'll learn more about driving and setup than you could in 2-3 years in an E30. You might even be one of those rare individuals that can drive at the limit for an hour or more.

DEs are good for more than just teaching you driving skills, also great for learning how your performs at the limit...Instead of somebody else's car.

[Dave]

ditto to what Bret said.

I just finished up the first of two days at Mid-Ohio. I have my r-comps with me - didn't mount them today. ran my azenis and by end of day was running pretty well.

my only comment would be to bring an extrá set of brake pads. I don't know if thunderhill is hard on brakes, if it is, those axxis may not do well after a while.

[02stu]

Coolent has lubricants in it for your water pump, so running 100% water isn't such a great idea. I think 15% coolent is an agreed minimum. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

[BrandC]

Coolent has lubricants in it for your water pump, so running 100% water isn't such a great idea. I think 15% coolent is an agreed minimum. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

Good suggestion, I will run at least 20-30% coolant just to keep things moving along smoothly in the cooling system. I was just going to empty out what was in the radiator and pour distilled water, not a complete flush.

I think I'm going to try the ziex's for one session and then see how they fair, then move to the A032R's, which aren't R-compound btw.

[aaron.j]

You are wrong.

[BrandC]

You are wrong.

Who?

[Rigmaster]

Good suggestion, I will run at least 20-30% coolant just to keep things moving along smoothly in the cooling system. I was just going to empty out what was in the radiator and pour distilled water, not a complete flush.

I think I'm going to try the ziex's for one session and then see how they fair, then move to the A032R's, which aren't R-compound btw.

I think aaron j. is saying that you are wrong about the A032R's not being R-comps. He's right.

Sure they have that "tusk" tread pattern, but they are still R-comps.

I promise you that you'll be a better driver if you hold off on running them for as long as you can. If you are having some problems during the track weekend and are looking for something to blame for those problems, tires should be the last thing on the list. Learn to drive fast with crappy non-sticky tires first and you will pick up fewer bad habits than you will with street tires.



Bret

Bret.