First time on the high speed oval - the 135i is a fun car indeed

[1spirit]

An oval track.
Banked turns.
Driving over 140+ mph.
At Auto Club Speedway.
Losing all traction at 85mph.

All first times. Unfortunately the GoPro wasn't ON for that last one...that was a near religious experience!

The course for this event connects the high speed oval track with a technical road course section inside the oval. It's a great combination! Link to course map: http://www.autoclubspeedway.com/Gues...t-Car-Map.aspx

The day was cold (~50 degrees) with some moisture on the track due to scattered light rain. Tires were worn out with the rears especially low on grip (rears used for 12 track days & 6 days on fronts, combined with street use). Braking and cornering performance of the tires felt far from par but it was a great opportunity to manage the tires' behavior at these reduced levels.

The rear was extra loose all day, just waiting to snap around quickly and suddenly. The car went sideways at 85mph at Turn 11 (over a tiny puddle) then off the track and into the grass while correcting the slide. Concluded it was best to brake earlier and keep the car straight as possible with late apexes and by getting back on throttle later...

The colder temperatures were good for one thing, the brakes - keeping them from overheating and fading too much, which normally happens.

At the end of the day, I let the rear tires go free for some extra fun... My second attempt at drifting on a track...wish I could practice more on road courses and truly develop the skills

Could the day be more fun? Hard to say, especially for a trackday, it was a ton of fun...

Setup: stock power, 235/265 Hankook R-S3, Ohlins R&T, Quaife LSD, M3 arms/bushings, Vorshlag camber plates at -2.4, PFC-08 pads with RB stainless steel pistons + Castrol SRF, E46 M-rotors

[Matticus91]

Wow that looks like nutty kinds of fun!

[infinitekidM2C]

Looks fun but also a bit hairy to have a wall there when you're going over 130mph! Might try that as i usually just do big willow.

[Gray_Panther]

Awesome driving and unique toe-sidefoot downshifting!

Nice gloves at the end!

[1spirit]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Wow that looks like nutty kinds of fun!

Originally Posted by infinitekid2002

Looks fun but also a bit hairy to have a wall there when you're going over 130mph! Might try that as i usually just do big willow.

The high speed oval section is banked 14 degrees during the turn so that helps keep the car planted at those speeds. The wall does come at you pretty fast!

Big willow seems more hairy to me but I'd love to try that track sometime. My main concern there is overheating and unmanageable brake fade as ambient temps seem usually hot at the location.

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

Awesome driving and unique toe-sidefoot downshifting!

Nice gloves at the end!

Thanks! Really had no choice but to use the side of foot because the pedal would sink way below the throttle! Normally in the first sessions, the preferred heel is used...then later in the day, reluctantly becomes sidefoot lol. Good observation

Had to whip out the BMW leather gloves to save those pricey Alpinestars from getting too wet haha.

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by 1spirit

Big willow seems more hairy to me but I'd love to try that track sometime. My main concern there is overheating and unmanageable brake fade as ambient temps seem usually hot at the location.
.

valid concerns. My first time i had both issues. Had to upgrade the oil cooler and brakes/brake lines, fluid.

[Dylanize]

140+? Limiter removed?

[1spirit]

Originally Posted by Dylanize

140+? Limiter removed?

From the factory, 155mph is the top speed if your car has the M-sport package.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...50&postcount=6

[Dylanize]

Originally Posted by 1spirit

From the factory, 155mph is the top speed if your car has the M-sport package.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...50&postcount=6

Oh, I can go faster than I thought!