I just got back from Kershaw, SC, home of CMP raceway and a local Mustang club performance driving school. There were lots of Tarheel (NC) BMW CCA cars, Sandlapper (SC) BMW CCA cars, and Porche PCA cars there as well as Mustangs of all descriptions. What an interesting weekend so I wanted to write it all up.
I wanted to do some upgrades this time so I did the Axxis Deluxe Plus pads, brake vents, ATE type 200 fluid, and Kuhmo Victoracers on 17in ATS Type 10 rims. I was axious to try them all out. The bad news was the pads were installed 2 days before the event and were not bedded in fully.
I packed everything in the car. Since the tires lost a ride down, they were wrapped up in bags on an old blanket in the back seat. I can't believe I did that but I wasn't leaving them home after the money I just spent on them.
Saturday morning started foggy with a wet track so the street tires (new Michelin Pilots) were on. I was unsure of the brakes since they just didn't feel right at first and took it easy. I braked early and easily and unforturnately learned the hard way that this creates more heat than just mashing on them. CMP is rough on brakes and they were getting soft before the end of the first session
I also heated up the Michelin Pilot street tires pretty well blistering the tread blocks a bit. I had no idea I could be that rough on them trying to take it easy. The sky cleared up and on went the Kuhmos. I loved them on the track for the last two sessions. They were very grippy, progressive, and easier than I thought to feel their adhesion limts (but I never tried going over them). Although, I was too hot in one turn, was 2 feet over onto the exit gators, and the tires just held as I powered out of it. The brakes were soft but held through two sessions with the track tires. I knew it would rain Sunday morning so back on went the street tires at the end of the day.
It sure was raining on Sunday. They allowed windows up and I ran with DSC on and the Michelin street tires. The brakes were still soft but weren't needed much. I soon learned the limits of the conditions without relying on the DSC and only blinked it on occasion. I easily passed most Mustangs in the rain and even a few e36 M3s and e30 325is. I got help bleeding the brakes and all seemed well for the 2nd sesson and the start of the 3rd.
For the 3rd and final session the rain had stopped and the track was drying out. I had figured out the place and really put the pedal down (even on street tires). I was passing everything in sight (even a beginner group Vette that I just blew past exiting a tight turn)! I was running tail out on several turns. The instructor pushed me almost harder than I was comfortable with here and there. He wanted me to feel how the car reacted when unsettled but knew that I could deal with it. The M5 truely was a beast out there. The bad news, these higher speeds once again took their toll on the brakes, resulting in a soft pedal for the trip home. I also have a squeak at the end of the clutch travel for some reason. I thought it was the brakes at the end of a stop until I pressed the clutch in by itself.
Leason learned: for a track as hard on the brakes as CMP, track pads would be worth it.
I do have a few pics I plan on uploading as soon as I have time but none of me on the track.
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