Questions about preparation for first track event (Summit Point, WV) Questions

[macleod135]

I have a completely stock 2009 135i that is less than 2 months old. I am taking it to the track next weekend and I have a few questions about what I need to do to prepare my car for a safe and fun day at the track. I have done a track driving school once before, but it was not my car so I didn't have to worry about any preparations for the car. I just showed up!

Do I need to flush or bleed my brakes? I have never done this before, so any advice would be appreciated. What type of fluid, procedure, etc.?

Will the stock Dunlop RFT be ok for the track? I have about 2,500 miles on them but I have no idea if they are ok to take to the track. Do I need to use a different tire pressure from what is suggested in the manual? I have seen some posts mentioning 36psi up front and 41 in the rear. Is this the best bet when considering how hot the tires will get?

Sorry if these questions are basic or have already been covered, but I am a complete novice when it comes to preparing my car for the track so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[scorcherjf]

2 month old car? Don't really think you need to flush the brakes unless you're feeling air in it.

I've done track days with the stock runflats, they'll be fine. Not the best tires to use, but it's not like they'll fall apart catastrophically. They wear pretty fast though.

No way in hell should you be 36 cold. You want to be at around 40/40 front/rear HOT at the max, so you should leave them at about 32 cold or maybe even lower. Don't let them get over 40 hot. After your first session, which you shouldn't be doing 10/10ths anyway, measure them right after you get off and adjust accordingly. Then you should be setup well for the next sessions of the day.

Try and pit with some other BMWs so you can talk to people who know a lot about tracking their cars, it's a really fun experience.

[macleod135]

Thanks for the information. Apparently one other 135 will be at the event and a couple M3's. It should be a fun weekend.

One other question: Does anyone have recommendations for reading materials (online or print) about track driving techniques? I did one quick driving school, but they didn't really cover much more than how to get around that specific track with a good line.

[Blue82]

A good book is "Speed Secrets: Professional Race Driving Techniques" by Ross Bentley. Since I bought the original Speed Secrets, it looks like Bentley has turned it into a series with various volumes. I'm not sure how much the follow-on volumes add, but the original is quite good.

[xxSpudxx]

what event is this?? i live in northern va and hit up summit on my sportbike..

[macleod135]

It is a 3 day event through PCA. I believe it is called PorscheFest. It should be pretty cool to see a bunch of Porsche's and get a chance to track my car for the first time.

[white911]

Generally good advice, your car is so new the fluid should be new. Ok -- our (PCA) rule on flushing the fluid. Stock Fluid - 3 months; Racing Fluid, ATE Blue, 200, Motul, SRF, etc.. 6 months. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and starts absorbing water as soon as the can is opened. It takes a long time to deteriorate; but, if you look at the side of the can you will see two numbers -- Dry boiling point and Wet boiling point. I just happen to have a can of ATE TYP 200 here: 536F dry; 392F wet. We have run a number of tests with brake fluid and I will say that we (PCA) are pretty conservative because the fluid takes longer then expected after the first few percent of deterioration. You will be fine with your stock fluid at this event.

You do not want to boil your fluid -- it makes your pedal very soft and may require multiple flushes and an ABS cycle while flushing. Again, I don't think you have to worry about the fluid.

Saturday I teched an 09 M3 coupe which will be in your group. Be prepared to have fun!! I think I sent you everything else in an email.

I am still planning to have my 135I there as we are doing some tire testing. See me when you get in. We will be paddocked near registration. White 911 #46. Actually, my wife, Sally runs registration.

Lots of things going on at this event -- Banquet catered BBQ -- with a drawing and lots of prizes. Taste of the Track where folks can donate to charity for a ride.

One other very cool thing we have going on at this event is called, 'Vets on Track'. We host wounded vets from Walter Reed and have a special session for them. They get rides in instructor driven cars -- one lucky vet will get a ride in a Daytona 24 winner driven by a Daytona winner.

[macleod135]

Thanks for the information. I will come see you when I get in on Friday morning. Look forward to checking out your 135 and hopefully learning a ton about driving!

[ersatzS2]

One of the best free resources I have ever encountered for the rank beginner:
http://redlinerennsport.com/DriversEdEd.html

[jlee]

I took my 135i to summit within a few months of having it and i realized 3 things..

1. the brakes are horrible..I ran into brake fade at the end of my 1st session
2. the run flats are horrible..
3. turn the DSC all the way off..I kept going..WTF ?

So not sure if your new tracking your car but becareful going into Turn 1 and the carousel..

Jeff

[white911]

Jeff -- the brakes are not horrible, the brake pads are horrible. The run flats are much better with the DSC all the way off. I would not advise a first timer to turn off the DSC. The Green students will be subjected to me as their classroom instructor -- both my classroom instructors have work committments, so they will have to make do with stand-ins.