So... HPDE at Thunderhill Dec 1st.

[Danny]

And I'm hella nervous as its my first time.

Any help? :oops:

[Jean]

Was just talking to a friend of mine who told me his buddy crashed his e30m3 there this past weekend pretty bad. It ended up being on it's side and still has the drivers shoes in it (stuck)....

Having said that, TAKE IT SLOW if it's your first time out there (or 2nd). It's a fairly safe track with a lot of run off BUT if you go OFF keep the wheel straight as to not roll the car.

You'll be assigned to an instructor first anyway, who will have to sign you off to let you go solo if he/she feels you are capable of going solo safely.

Make sure nothing important (brakes/suspension/seats/belts/battery/coolant etc) is half-assed, double check everything. Take all your crap out of the car, keep it as clean as possible.

Drink plenty of fluids and don't think you are the next Lewis Hamilton and you'll be ok. Google their homepage and look through their online video to see the lines and/or look at the pictures to get to know the corners.

What organizing group are you attending with (hookedondriving, unlimitedlaps, something else etc)?

I've attended hpde events at that track about 3-4 times, and it's fun, you'll get hooked.

[Danny]

NCRC I believe.

What gear are you usually in?

Because my second gear synchros are fucked.

Also I am very bad at heel-toe-ing.

[Jon325i]

NCRC I believe.

What gear are you usually in?

Because my second gear synchros are fucked.

Also I am very bad at heel-toe-ing.

I've done T-Hill a few times for HPDEs. When I was running a 4.10 LSD, I could get away with using just 3rd and 4th gear only. Not sure what you've got in your car but seeing this is your very first time at the track, take it conservatively. You might use 2nd gear for turns 11 & 12. As for top speed achieved on the main straight? If I got a good exit speed out of turn 15 I could nudge 105-110 before braking for turn 1.

Definately heed all of Jean's advice - every bit of it is true. Oh...and one other thing. Check your ego in at the gate. You're there to learn - not earn a seat with a team for the 2009 F1 season ;-)

Jon

[Danny]

Yeah I have a 4.10 and I'll try to avoid shifting to 2nd as best I can.

And I have no desire to race out there, I know this is just to learn :D

[devonjordan]

Im doin my first @ buttonwillow in early november! So excited...

[Spiff325iS]

You should be just fine. Don't panic, stay relaxed and aware of what you are doing. Don't drive your mirrors, just focus on what's in front of you; you have your instructor to keep and eye out for cars behind you.

Don't stress, just play some Forza before you go out, haha. Remember, you are paying for the whole track, so use it! Outside-inside-outside.

[erik325i]

Yeah I have a 4.10 and I'll try to avoid shifting to 2nd as best I can.

And I have no desire to race out there, I know this is just to learn :D

I only use 2nd gear for one turn. The rest are 3-4. I was running a 3.73 in my 325 though, so with your 4.10 you may not have to use it.

Take it slow at first and listen to your instructor. Make sure you tech your car. You don't want to find out something is fucked up once you are already out there.

Erik

[Danny]

Well I think I'll just take it real easy, I have good tires and they should be really sticky.

My goal is to not spin out :)

[erik325i]

Remember, you are paying for the whole track, so use it! Outside-inside-outside.

Watch out for those new curbs though they put in over the summer... From the pics I saw they did not look too friendly.

Erik

[laz]

You'll be fine. ThunderHill is a great first track since the only wall is on the front straight. There are a few other spots to screw up your car, but screwing up in most places is relatively low impact. 2nd gear is only needed in T11, and you can go without it (focus on entering smoothly in 3rd). With a 4.10 you may not even feel like you're lugging it out through the esses.

Definitely memorize the track before you get there. It's easier to learn from your instructor when he says "turn 6" and you instantly know where it is and roughly what the line should be. I learn visually, so I watch a lot of track videos before I get to a new track.

Focus on learning and forget about going fast and you'll be fine. It's hard to not get caught up in "I passed X cars, and one of them was a loser in a Ferrari F430!", but in the long run nobody cares. Pick up smooth driving, basic technique, and the speed will come naturally and effortlessly. It sounds super easy, but trust me, it's not :)

It's addictive. Watch out.

[Jon325i]

Danny - YouTube is your friend :-D

E30 at T-hill (running the bypass instead of the Cyclone at turn 5)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8eVYgdbvvo

Another one of an E30 at T-hill.....my friend Greg's (now departed) 325is. Includes the Cyclone at turn 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY5KyClUXFk

Both videos are running the track anti-clockwise (as the F1 guys say). Its the direction most commonly used.

Watch it.....learn it.....live it.


Jon

[sumyungguy]

I didnt have a instructor when I went up there earlier this year with my ex-e30 m42 car, managed to pick up a pretty smooth line and kept it in 3rd for most of the track except the 2 straits.

Have fun!

[hugh jass]

I only use 2nd gear for one turn. The rest are 3-4. I was running a 3.73 in my 325 though, so with your 4.10 you may not have to use it.

Take it slow at first and listen to your instructor. Make sure you tech your car. You don't want to find out something is fucked up once you are already out there.

Erik

you're in second in turn one? that's one of the fastest turns on the track.

[devonjordan]

you're in second in turn one? that's one of the fastest turns on the track.

For one turn, not for turn one...

reading comprehension > you, LOL... jp