Driving at Watkins Glen - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

2002m5BGM · 18th September 2002, 23:17

Hello All:

I will be returning for my third time this summer to Watkins Glen for the BMWCCA DE. I did a Trackmasters event in June and a BMWCCA DE in August. I am interested in learning from others about the techniques used to drive at the Glen on a turn by turn basis. Can we start with the gears used (are you getting into 5th), when are you shifting, when do you break (at what feet markers), for the various turns. At what point are you upshifting in the esses to 4th and then to 5th.... Are you at Max throttle at the end of turn 2,...

I am getting floating front Euro rotors put on my car this week. I already have the front air ducts and last month at the end of the second day, my brakes started to feel like they were grinding. They still worked, but they did not feel good. The smoothness has somewhat returned although they still do not feel like new anymore. The car is a 2002 (Oct build) M5. I do not think the brake fluid was boiling as I did not experience fade.

I am interested in a thread here on anything that I can learn before I go back out on the track again. I just ordered a new helmet and a neck support brace.

Excited about the event - thanks - Bill

Stealthne · 19th September 2002, 01:07

Back at the end of July I was at a two day Watkins Glen school with the Porsche club. I too installed the euro rotors the week before with new Porterfield R4S Pads. 3 Sessions later, the pads were gone (metal on metal). Granted, I had my Hoosiers on, so it's MUCH harder on the brakes.

On street tires, you'll hit 4th gear not 5th. Turn one is fun, from there all the way to the bus stop it's flat out. Then, hard on the brakes, downshift to third for the right hander, stay in 3rd past the left hander (towards the toe of the boot), round the tip, then at the crest of the hill shift back to 4th, then downshift 3rd and the right hander, stay in 3rd for the off camber left hander all the way to the front straight, then back to 4th.

BRING A SPARE SET OF PADS!! BRING BRAKE FLUID and a 9mm wrench to bleed your brakes. Have fun, here was my video from
"The Glen"

http://www.fontanas.net/movies.htm

DrKevM5 · 19th September 2002, 03:45

Hey Bill, we talked a bit at the August event and I emailed you my recommendations about the brakes. I have done 14 events in my Beast, primarily at Watkins Glen, Mosport, Shannonville and Lime Rock and the most important mod is your pads. I have used Mintex Race brake pads exclusively for the track and they are incredible!!! I get on average 2-3 two day events before I have to change them, very little fade, and they are very kind to the floating rotors. Of course this was in conjunction with the ducts. I think you would benefit from the braided brake lines as they give you a better feel of pedal modulation. Don't forget to use high temp brake fluid. The first time I took the car to the track, I could only put about 5-6 laps in before fade would set in on the stock pads. VERY scary going into Turn One!
I only use 3rd and 4th gears throughout the Glen. I am at redline at the long straight going into the Bus Stop, but by the time you should shift into 5th, it's time to brake for the chicane. Wasted effort. I use Hoosier track tires, but last year I used the Comp T/A R1s which I felt were a better tire (more predictable). With traction control off, it is very easy to rotate the rear of the car, especially going into the boot, and at turn one. Second best improvement for the track was the installation of the Harnesses. Just hang on and drive!!! You wouldn't believe how much bracing you are doing with your body while cornering. Wish I could join you in September, but I'll be attending F1 in Indy.
-Kevin Wood

BTW, I had to leave Saturday as I had an emergency at the office. How hairy was the rain? Did you see your picture on the Genesee Valley Chapter website? Were you really getting overhauled by a 318i?!

http://www.gvc-bmwcca.org/

2002m5BGM · 19th September 2002, 19:23

Eric

Your movies are great - just what I was looking for. I noticed in one movie you down shifted in the bus stop. Is is better to down shift before entering the bus stop or when you did it?

Not getting into 5th must have meant holding it at redline on the straights. I am surprised at that.

Kevin - I liked your ideas on the brakes - so I went with the floating rotors. I saw the pictures on the front of the GVC web site as well. Its to bad they focused on the wrong car. And I was passing just about every car on the track - the 318 was my next victim!

Driving in the rain was actaully a blast - we slowed way down, but I was really using the antilock brakes and when it got dry - I felt better about braking harder before the turns as a result.

Bill

Joe Lapicki · 20th September 2002, 00:30

Eric.........how did you get to drive with the PCA group? I tried when I was at Watkins Glen in June and they said Porsche only.

Stealthne · 20th September 2002, 02:25

Quote:

Originally posted by Joe Lapicki
Eric.........how did you get to drive with the PCA group? I tried when I was at Watkins Glen in June and they said Porsche only.

Different regions allow BMWs. The Northeast Region does. Also
Shattanbaum does as well.

Most others don't, even though almost all BMW CCA clubs allow
porsches.

"Besides, porsches are girlie cars any how"
-- Hans Stuck