CO Upcoming Motorsport Events! SCCA Autox 4/13

[fsmtnbiker]

Have fun! I am still planning to be out next Friday (12th) for the afternoon.

[Cloudbase]

Woke up yesterday to snow. The track was soaked when we got there, but at least the snow had stopped. There were only 6 other cars. A late model WRX, '86 911, WV R32, B6 (I think) S4, E90 335xi Coupe, and an S52 M Coupe. Grip was sparse, but the wet was a great way to learn the car. The Nitto NT05's are worn just above the wear strips so water evacuation was way less than on new Star Specs in the spring. I spun on the first lap on the exit of T11 trying to feel the edge of the grip. I did 2 full circles trying to save it, but ended up with both rears in the mud.

The track dried quickly, but the cold was oppressive all morning. I really like the North Course -- more than the full course actually. Two less slow speed turns and nuclear speed through 4s and into 9a and b. The S52 is frustratingly slow in sections where the S54 sings, but it feels like it has more low end at times. I can't figure out if it is faster to downshift to 2nd in T2 and T11 or just stay in 3rd. The set up of the roady makes up for the power difference, even with its chassis slop compared to the super rigid M Coupe.

I met Emerson, who has a very well sorted S52 M Coupe and is a fast driver. We had it out for almost an hour. He had a definite power advantage over me and was faster out of T11 and T2. I could out brake him and was faster through the linked turns though. Good fun!

This is the only vid I have up for now. I loose the rear end in T4s, scaring the shit out of my passenger. It was his first day ever at a race track.

[Eric]

Dude, you need to raise your camera up! Cant' see any of the track!

[fsmtnbiker]

I can't figure out if it is faster to downshift to 2nd in T2 and T11 or just stay in 3rd.

3.23 diff? Leave it in 3rd. No question.

3.15 or taller, 2nd gear helps coming out of 11 if you don't have grippy tires (read: lower apex speed.) I've never used 2nd in T2, there is absolutely nothing to gain in that corner by downshifting.

You're talking about a max of 0.5s gained by going to second in T11. And a significant chance of missing a shift and blowing much more time than that.

[Eric]

Interesting... I think I entertain putting it in 2nd at both corners! Definitely do it at T11 in the M5 as it needed the RPM to lugg it up the hill.

Can't remember what I'm doing in the E30, it's been so long :(



In other news, Tom is finnaly going to get hooked on this track driving stuff!

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1903411

[Cloudbase]

Yeah camera angle is too low. I have a windshield mount too, but I'm still working on hang gliding footage from Sept. I'll get something put together from that weekend eventually.

The coupe (S54) has a 3.15 and I always go to 2nd in T2, T6, T8, and T11. Its only really necessary in T8, but it is on the low end of the powerband in the others. In the S52 feels like it has more low end and the 3.23.

I need to adjust my line through both corners to take better advantage of the grippier tires on the Roady. It seemed like I could move my apex forward slightly with coasting or maintenance throttle rather than super late apex and throttle steer out. Emerson was double apexing T11 and dam if he wasnt faster out, but he does have a power advantage.

I'm keen on doing the 11th, but there is a 10 hour go kart race at Summit Point that weekend. If I don't go to that and I can get a vanos oil line I'm in for the 11th.

[fsmtnbiker]

The extra 1000 revs of the S54 help a lot on that downshift too - being able to carry the gear longer up the hill, especially out of 11.

Grippy tires are fun, but they are very addictive.

[Bimmerman325i]

I usually go 2nd in T2 and 11. In 11 it seems to help, T2 I haven't figured out a good line through so my gear choice seems mostly irrelevant. I've tried 3rd but I think I'm not carrying enough speed into T2 to really use 3rd well. I think I use 2nd in 6 and 8 also.

[Roland H]

The extra 1000 revs of the S54 help a lot on that downshift too - being able to carry the gear longer up the hill, especially out of 11.

Grippy tires are fun, but they are very addictive.

extra 600 in Alex's case. :(

[Cloudbase]

I'd say the engine's characteristics are more telling than the actual RPM difference. The difference between tht two near redline is stark. S52's power seems to fall off near redline, while the S54 pulls the whole way. I found myself shifting a few 100rpms lower than redline in the Roady, while I'm bumping the rev limiter every couple laps in the coupe.

[Cloudbase]

I have both the 27th and the 3rd off. The Roady is down for the season, but if my S54 Vanos Oil Line comes in time I'm considering one or both. Anyone interested? I can't do the one on the 11th because I'm doing a 10 hour go kart race :-)

[blefevre]

I have both the 27th and the 3rd off. The Roady is down for the season, but if my S54 Vanos Oil Line comes in time I'm considering one or both. Anyone interested? I can't do the one on the 11th because I'm doing a 10 hour go kart race :-)

I could be down for one of those days.

[blefevre]

Is anyone going on the third?

[Cloudbase]

I'm planning on it, as long as the Wx cooperates.

[fsmtnbiker]

I may be there.