1M @ Atlanta MotorSports Park 061712

[Dan Parker]

It was a long day at AMP but I had a blast! There's nothing like going to a brand new track and the car did not disappoint. Since there aren't many counter clockwise tracks in the states it made for an interesting change. It got very hot in the afternoon (I measured 91 in the shade and 111 on the asphalt so it was a good hot weather test for the car and tires. I used my 18" setup with the Hankook RS3's and they worked well. I kept the hot pressures around 36 and this seemed ideal to me. 1/2 lap and they were up to temp!
In the 3rd session (just after lunch) I made some suspension adjustments that made the car very loose and I nearly lost it at around 85 mph. My passenger is a track rat so no shorts were dirtied but it woke me up to the change in the cars handling. 2 clicks on the rear Motons after the session and the car was back to neutral. Anyway, if anyone can get to this track I highly recommend it. They have fairly strict noise ordinances so if you have an exhaust and/or downpipes you might not be there very long. 98 db from 50 ft is the policy and they have several meters around the track. It's unfortunate they have to do this but there are neighbors that fought the building of the track so AMP is very sensitive to this. Anyway, I hope this is entertaining.

[EINSER M]

aweseome drift!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dan Parker]

Thanks! I wanted to explore the entire track but that was unplanned. :0

[EINSER M]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

Thanks! I wanted to explore the entire track but that was unplanned. :0

was awesome how you both looked at each other

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

It was a long day at AMP but I had a blast! There's nothing like going to a brand new track and the car did not disappoint. Since there aren't many counter clockwise tracks in the states it made for an interesting change.

We have cornered the US market on them here in Texas.. as a matter of fact....
most of the tracks local to me run CCW as their PRIMARY direction.


MSR Cresson 1.7 and 3.1 Counter Clockwise (also can be run 1.7 CW)

http://www.motorsportranch.com/3.1-road-course.cfm

MSR Houston 2.3 miles Counter Clockwise (also can be run CW)

http://msrhouston.com/pdfs/RoadCourse-corners.pdf

Texas World Speedway 1.8 and 2.9 miles Counter Clockwise (also can be run CW)

http://www.texasworldspeedway.com/th...ility-map.html

Eagles Canyon Raceway 2.3 miles Counter Clockwise (also can be run CW)

http://www.eaglescanyon.com/2008/facilities.php


Circuit of the Americas 3.4 miles Counter Clockwise (construction in progress)

http://circuitoftheamericas.com/arti...-championships

also...



Hallet Motor Racing Circuit 1.8 miles Counter Clockwise (also can be run CW)

http://www.hallettracing.net/

Heartland park 2.5 miles Counter Clockwise

http://www.hpt.com/index.php?option=...452&Itemid=292

[Dan Parker]

But I thought Texas was it's own country? It's certainly large enough. I guess I should have said "east coast." Will I see you at Austin F1?

[MrRoboto]

Off topic, but is there any difference between the performance steering wheel with the yellow stripe compared to the one with the blue stripe?

[Aussie_in_London]

Blue centre stripe is the M3 performance wheel and has the m tri colour stitching, the yellow is the non M performance wheel and the stitching is in silver/white.......

[Dan Parker]

I was told the yellow version was simply replaced with the blue one. I didn't like the baby blue color so I got the yellow.

edit: The blue one I saw had the same stitching as mine. Maybe there are different versions?

[Dan@UnitedBMW]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Off topic, but is there any difference between the performance steering wheel with the yellow stripe compared to the one with the blue stripe?

no difference except color

good vids Dan, I'll be there this weekend!

[avsbmw]

awesome save on the drift!

[Dan Parker]

Dan,
The elevation changes are awesome. There are a few spots where they need to smooth some dips but for the most part it's a great track.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

But I thought Texas was it's own country? It's certainly large enough. I guess I should have said "east coast." Will I see you at Austin F1?

Not this year. I have a conflict that wasn't one until the date change. Although I'd like to see lots of you at the track here as a a new track to run on for a de/cr weekend or for ofest.

Already bending schlossmans ear.

[RPChan]

Great looking circuit. I was at Heartland on Friday. They have made some great improvements to the facilities. I think it may be one of the most entertaining tracks in the Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas area. I like it better than Hallet and Eagles Canyon and I really like both of those tracks. If you drove it in the 90's it is a completely different track today with changes on the front straight and the backside at turns 8 & 9.

[Powerbeast]

Sweet drifting.

[Dan Parker]

Although I'd like to see lots of you at the track here as a a new track to run on for a de/cr weekend or for ofest.

Austin is 1000 miles from my doorstep so I will most likely be flying out to race in some enduros next year. I got robbed at Indianapolis F1 back when they had that tire debacle (2005?) so I'm overdue to attend F1 (not on the tele).

Sweet drifting.

Thanks. I'd be super proud if I was actually trying to drift.

---

I must say the RS3's hold up very well. I ran them at Road Atlanta and now AMP and after a close inspection yesterday they are in excellent condition. Both tracks are pretty easy on tires but I expected more wear.

[Dan Parker]

A few entertaining pics that were just sent to me...

[firechicken99]

Originally Posted by EINSER M

aweseome drift!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally had a chance to watch the video... Awesomeee!!! haha

Now we all know thanks to your lesson.

1M drifting 101.....
1. Apex Late
2. Suddently cut wheel
3. Gas
4. Clinch or change your pants

Wish there was outside video of that, had to look sick! Love the wheel

[firechicken99]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

A few entertaining pics that were just sent to me...

Wow thats some soft sand!! would much prefer that than the latter!

Looks like an awesome track, wish there were more like that closer to me in NY!

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by RPChan

Great looking circuit. I was at Heartland on Friday. They have made some great improvements to the facilities. I think it may be one of the most entertaining tracks in the Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas area. I like it better than Hallet and Eagles Canyon and I really like both of those tracks. If you drove it in the 90's it is a completely different track today with changes on the front straight and the backside at turns 8 & 9.

Yuck. While Flat Out was a great event, Heartland Park is anything but entertaining in my opinion. Sashay on over to High Pains Raceway in Colorado for a serious track. HPR is far and a way the best track in the great plains states, although I have not been to MPH. (Hastings).

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

A few entertaining pics that were just sent to me...

Look! A camaro in it's home environment on the beach! What's that you say? It's not a convertible? Oops my bad.

[Dan Parker]

1M drifting 101.....
1. Apex Late
2. Suddently cut wheel
3. Gas
4. Clinch or change your pants

It's more like:

1. Over stiffen the rear end
2. Over use the rear tires for a lap prior to #3
3. Enter the turn with too much speed
4. Let the rest sort itself out with quick hands and some throttle
5. Shart yourself just a little but laugh it off as if it didn't happen.

Look! A camaro in it's home environment on the beach! What's that you say? It's not a convertible? Oops my bad.

I don't usually make fun of people's mistakes on track (karma) but since the gamaro had been racing around the track (this was a DE, not a race) with a new Mustang (Laguna Seca edition) for several laps before he completely missed T1 and threw a ploom of sand 1/2 mile in the air all bets are off. No kidding, it looked like a nuclear bomb went off! This car had a 2"+ layer of sand on it and in it. No lie, for about 1 1/2 hours the guy was blowing sand out of the car with someone's air compressor! I was thinking a vacuum might work a little better. When I left the track I drove by it and the car looked as if it had been dipped in glue then sand. After his "off" I started braking about 10 ft earlier then I had been. I love Georgia.