Impressed with my E30 at the track (video)

[Panici]

Hey guys!

So I just did an evening at the track with my E30, and i'm very impressed!
It handles quite well for a comfortable street setup.

From what I've read, I expected a lot of lift-off oversteer, but I don't think I managed any even when I was trying to on purpose. Either my setup has dialed this out, or maybe I need to be closer to the limit.

It's not exactly slow either, the best session I got on video was only two seconds behind my friends PB of 1:35 in a modified early 2000s Mini Cooper S (supercharged +200hp, lighter then my E30)

I managed some quicker times, but my camera was dead at that point.


Details in my build thread:
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...37#post4697237

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_kMTAj2gZk

[LJ851]

Where's your helmet? That mustache is not going to provide much meaningful head protection.

[Panici]

Where's your helmet? That mustache is not going to provide much meaningful head protection.

No helmets required by the track organizers. It's a relatively slow course.
I MAYBE hit 130km/h (80mi/h) on the fastest straight (top of 3rd with 4.10s), after which the (fastest) first sweeping corner is at 100km/h (60mi/h).

Thanks for your concern for my safety though.
It was my first time out, so I wasn't pushing myself or the car hard. Next time I'll bring my Shoei!

[LJ851]

Looks like a lot of fun!

[2mAn]

Other than the mustache everything in the video looked great :razz:

[Panici]

That mustache is not going to provide much meaningful head protection.

Other than the mustache everything in the video looked great :razz:

Haha you guys!
My girlfriend likes it, so that's all that matters ;)

[Adrenaline Junkie]

Nice lap man!!

[Panici]

Nice lap man!!

Thanks!
I think I did alright for my first ever track session in a car!

I actually pulled two 1:37s in a row, I have the full video here if anyone is interested:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC2t2-Mupoo

[dnguyen1963]

Don't mention girlfriend here or they are going to ask for her pics.

[Panici]

Don't mention girlfriend here or they are going to ask for her pics.

Well, she's in my build thread already. Helped me pull a motor a few years ago.

She's lost about 50lbs since those pictures though, and put on a fair bit of muscle on top of that. She can leg press over 500lbs IIRC. ;)

[LJ851]

I could see this thread veering wildly off course.

[Panici]

I could see this thread veering wildly off course.

That's fine, as long as everyone is respectful.

I'm planning on proposing to her!

[Emre]

That's some pretty smooth driving for your first time on track! I'm guessing you've got experience in karts or on bikes?

I spent my first couple of seasons on track in a totally stock '91 318is on 14" all-season tires. Didn't even use track pads! This was about 20 years ago, so it was a pretty common setup. Learned a ton with that car.

My advice would be to join the Trillium chapter and start doing some HPDE events with proper instruction. Once you've driven Mosport, Calabogie, and Tremblant you won't be able to go back to TMP, Shannonville, etc. :devil:

[craz azn]

My advice would be to join the Trillium chapter and start doing some HPDE events with proper instruction. Once you've driven Mosport, Calabogie, and Tremblant you won't be able to go back to TMP, Shannonville, etc. :devil:

+1! Totally agree 100% :)

[Panici]

That's some pretty smooth driving for your first time on track! I'm guessing you've got experience in karts or on bikes?

I spent my first couple of seasons on track in a totally stock '91 318is on 14" all-season tires. Didn't even use track pads! This was about 20 years ago, so it was a pretty common setup. Learned a ton with that car.

My advice would be to join the Trillium chapter and start doing some HPDE events with proper instruction. Once you've driven Mosport, Calabogie, and Tremblant you won't be able to go back to TMP, Shannonville, etc. :devil:

Thanks!
Yeah, I used to do motorcycle trackdays (think I did 9 in total over a few years), but I haven't ridden my Yamaha R6 trackbike more then once in the past 4 years. Been busy with E30 stuff mostly!


I went one more time on the 12th of October. (Once I have a chance to review my video over the winter, i'll post about it in detail in my build thread.)

For now, I will just say that I'm not planning to take my E30 to the track again.

Let me explain:
When I drive/ride fast at the track, sometimes I go into what I call "red" mode, or I guess you could call it "pushing".

I am able to run significantly faster then when i'm operating normally, but I am not able to actively and consciously improve my skills. I also disregard machine condition and focus on running the fastest possible time. When I get into this mode I don't learn, and I don't enjoy myself as much.

For reference, on my trackbike, I could run a consistent slow-to-medium laptime in intermediate group while riding normally. But when I went into "red" mode I was running slow advanced group laptimes.

The first time I had my E30 at the track, I maybe got into this mindset for one or two laps only, before I reigned myself in.
At the trackday I did on the 12th, I ran in this mode for at least half of my laps.

I'm sure when I review my videos from the 12th, I'll find I had some very fast laps with the car on the limit. I know I was passing significantly newer (and probably more powerful) cars.

Trouble is, I never intended to make my E30 into a track car, rather I just want a comfortable summer DD. Running my car hard like this can only end in sadness when I bump it on a wall, or worse.


My plan as of now is to get back to riding my trackbike next summer, and potentially get involved in some organized racing.
Long term, as time and budget allows, I'll be building a track car (thinking about an E36 328i), that I can thrash without worry. Then I'd be glad to get involved with the Trillium chapter and go to some other tracks.


I'm not saying I will never track my E30 again, as I am sure I will. But right now I'm not willing to risk all the hard work i've put into the car when I could be getting my kicks on my R6 at the track.