1day

Having spent a ludicrous amount of money on my suspension, I've decided to chance wrecking my car by going to the September BMW Car Club track day.

I shouldn't really, but, I've never driven the Silverstone GP circuit, so sod it!

I've only just joined the BMW car club, and it was lovely surprise to find a welcome letter to the M power section from a certain Mr Baxter - it's small world sometimes!

I don't have a web link for the track day (sorry), and not sure if I'm supposed to paste details into a public forum (as only just joined the club) - but
if anybody needs the details please send me a PM or email Jamie 'at' Stickman dot biz

it definitely says non members welcome, but, the price is reduced by the same amount as the annual membership fee, so...


Jamie

1day

So I joined the BMW Car Club GB, went to the September Silverstone track day, which was a wash out (very heavy rain ),

However, Silverstone gave the club a free re-run (very generous pretty sure this was only because it was a BMW Car Club event, rather than a commercial track day).

Anyway, in effect my first years membership was free as the membership fee was the same amount as the discount for car club members!

Great deal!

(and lot's of other things come with the membership (regional events, M Power register, meeting other non E34 / 5 series BMW enthusiasts, monthly free glossy mag, and another web forum with like minded people BMW Car Club Forum )

The re-run was Friday Nov 23rd. I had a great day

The weather was dry and sunny, although still cold. Two days and nights of rain beforehand meant the track surface was wet, and very slippy to start with; after lunch, a dry line -wide enough for most people- started to emerge, and sure enough speeds and confidence increased

It was open pit lane, so, plenty of constant track circulation (55 cars max', 100+ cars attending), but I wasn't unduly held up, nor pressurised / bullied by faster drivers (there where some very fast people and very fast cars!). The only problem then was the very low sun, particularly approaching Becketts!

Once the speed picked up I also started to run out of brakes (overheating front pads), which limited my running to 5 or 6 laps, then wait 30 mins to cool the brakes down.

The last two sessions I had where excellent, with the grip now available I was able to remember how to drive (things only really flow when your able to go fast enough imho) by then end I was balancing through the tighter bends on the throttle, controlling the rear

and if that wasn't enough fun, after the day's track driving was done, I then won the star prize in the club raffle at the de-brief meet-up.

DT5_2285 by BMW Car Club GB & Ireland, on Flickr

So, I get all BMW CC GB track days for free in 2013! What luck!

Here's some photos.

The full album (taken for free by a BMW Car Club member -Darren-) is available here - some lovely photos!
Silverstone November 2012 - a set on FlickrSilverstone November 2012 - a set on Flickr


My favourite of my car

DT5_2228 by BMW Car Club GB & Ireland, on Flickr


DT7_0991 by BMW Car Club GB & Ireland, on Flickr

With my instructor (free! the raffle pays the instructors :-) )
he was great, when I got faster later in the day the lines he showed me work a treat!

DT7_0059 by BMW Car Club GB & Ireland, on Flickr

MattH - is this you?

DT7_0990 by BMW Car Club GB & Ireland, on Flickr

cheers dude ! nice M3

DT5_1964 by BMW Car Club GB & Ireland, on Flickr

anyone on here ?

DT5_2116 by BMW Car Club GB & Ireland, on Flickr


DT5_1274 by BMW Car Club GB & Ireland, on Flickr



DT5_1264 by BMW Car Club GB & Ireland, on Flickr

Nice cars !

DT5_1296 by BMW Car Club GB & Ireland, on Flickr


DT7_0280 by BMW Car Club GB & Ireland, on Flickr


DT7_0294 by BMW Car Club GB & Ireland, on Flickr


DT7_0296 by BMW Car Club GB & Ireland, on Flickr

Fordkoppie

Looks like serious fun was had
Why is your alternator cooling duct blank?

1day

presume you mean the missing plastic plate (low part of the front bumper drivers side)?

to expose the towing hook / point (so the marshals can rescue / recover your car from the gravel or barriers if you go off)

you have to remove front and rear towing point covers

MattH

Jamie, yes, that is me on the M Coupe. I would love to say my car is rolling less because of superior suspension - but I'm sure it's because I was less brave than you around the corners (!)

PS - I think the other E34 is Bob from the BMW magazine.

1day

nah, it's because the E34 must weigh double what the M Coupe does!

I remember that you (well the M Coupe) passed me several times until I got some courage from the dry line / traction!

he also passed me in the morning, but, I got my own back later ;-)

Fordkoppie

No. What I meant was that on the passenger side only, the vent below the foglight is supposed to be open with a duct that goes to the alternator.



The driver's side is blank with the temp sensor located in it

1day

Well I never knew that (alternator duct hole)

Thanks for the info, when the think frost has melted off my car (-6 deg' centigrade here last night) I'll have a look.

forksports

that avus blue M5 is so pretty

Fordkoppie

Jamie - This is the alternator ducting supposed to be behind the bumper vent