Another Good Track Day

Richard in NC · 15th December 2004, 04:35

I just did a Carolinas PCA club driving school at Carolina Regional Motorsport Park in Kershaw, SC. I was one only 5 or so BMWs there but showed that the M5 could do quite well. By Sunday, the only car that could outrun me in my run group was a 911 GT3. It was FAST! And with a good driver. The Corvettes and standard 911s were no problem to hang with or outrun.

I'm still mostly stock but with Kumho R compound tires, a Dinan sway bar at the outside setting, brake ducts and ATE Type 200 high temp brake fluid. Per my instructor, I was running 2:00 flat. A 10 second improvement compared to the last time at the track when the sway bar was in the wrong setting! BTW, instructors in track modded cars can run 1:55 or so. There was also a Posche Cup car that ran 1:45 with traffic and 1:40 flat in clean air!

Amazingly the brakes held up with only a little fade at the end of each day and some squeal in one session. It didn't re-appear the next (and final) session so I don't know what was going on.

Here is a link to the track's web pagehttp://www.carolinamotorsportspark.com/

Anita · 15th December 2004, 05:23

Richard,

I'm soooooo jealous. The temp's like 12F here--not an open track in site!!!

Seriously though, a 10 second improvement--way to go--impressive. And way to keep those old 'vettes and 911's in line.

I've still got a couple of Kuhmo Victor Racer's to use up on my Coupe--I still like them although I really can't compare them to anythig else!!

Interesting about the M5 brakes--I saw a driver at Road Am last spring running stock brakes--he did notice fade, if I remember right, but I think he was experienced enough to know what he was doing and how to control the situation if things got out of hand.

You didn't do any cording while you were out there, did you?

Anita

Richard in NC · 15th December 2004, 05:31

No cording this time. The tires were brand new!

I've had significant fade at that track before but brake ducts, high temp fluid, and experience made the difference. I imagine if I get good enough I will have to step up to track pads or a BBK.

Redshift · 15th December 2004, 05:43

When are you coming to VIR? Next event is Feb. with THSCC. I'll be there and also BMW CCA in March. You coming?

Richard in NC · 15th December 2004, 05:47

Redshift;
My friends and I are planning a trip to Little Talledega in February so I doubt I'll do anything else soon. The BMW CCA events at VIR seem almost impossible to get into as well. Maybe one of these days I might be able to meet up with you.

BmwNut · 15th December 2004, 07:16

Sounds like a great day. A 10 second improvement on a 2 minute track show a huge amount of progress was made, and glad to hear you had a blast! Hauling a 4000lb car down from speed is tough on brakes, but as you said some small mods but more importantly a slight change in behavior goes a long way. Keep up the good work.

CSBM5 · 15th December 2004, 14:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard in NC

Redshift;
My friends and I are planning a trip to Little Talledega in February so I doubt I'll do anything else soon. The BMW CCA events at VIR seem almost impossible to get into as well. Maybe one of these days I might be able to meet up with you.

Richard,

Come join the THSCC, www.thscc.com, and you may find it easier to get into an event at VIR -- great club, well run events. There is an event in Feb and one in April at VIR coming up.

What kind of pads are you running at the track?

Chuck

Lscman · 15th December 2004, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard in NC

The Corvettes and standard 911s were no problem to hang with or outrun.

If you're a good driver, you undoubtedly outran lots of sports cars. That said, the relative performance of vehicles can hardly be compared in such a venue.

With equal drivers, any stock 6spd Corvette with produced after 1991 with Z51, Z06 or Z07 heavy duty suspension option will outrun a stock E36 M3 or E39 M5 on a road race track. I can't think of any exceptions to this rule. A smooth super banked speedway might suit the M5 powerplant, except it's spring rates are not compatible with max lateral G's at triple digits. The M5's luxo spring rates, extra 600 lbs of girth, higher cg, Boge dampers and BMW McPherson strut front suspension design are serious handicaps when it comes to high speed cornering & braking. The Corvette spring wheel rates are at least double the M5 and these cars came with multi-piston calipers & superior Bilsteins. I think the roofline on a aging C4 Corvette is close to steering wheel height in an E39 & it's neg camber-generating SLA front suspension & 9.5" wheels on all 4 corners don't hurt either.

M5 brake and spring rate issues can be easily addressed, but then the car is not stock.

RRoberts · 15th December 2004, 15:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lscman

If you're a good driver, you undoubtedly outran lots of sports cars. That said, the relative performance of vehicles can hardly be compared in such a venue.

With equal drivers, any stock 6spd Corvette with produced after 1991 with Z51, Z06 or Z07 heavy duty suspension option will outrun a stock E36 M3 or E39 M5 on a road race track. I can't think of any exceptions to this rule. A smooth super banked speedway might suit the M5 powerplant, except it's spring rates are not compatible with max lateral G's at triple digits. The M5's luxo spring rates, extra 600 lbs of girth, higher cg, Boge dampers and BMW McPherson strut front suspension design are serious handicaps when it comes to high speed cornering & braking. The Corvette spring wheel rates are at least double the M5 and these cars came with multi-piston calipers & superior Bilsteins. I think the roofline on a aging C4 Corvette is close to steering wheel height in an E39 & it's neg camber-generating SLA front suspension & 9.5" wheels on all 4 corners don't hurt either.

M5 brake and spring rate issues can be easily addressed, but then the car is not stock.

Why not provide a simple compliment regarding driving skill? Carolina Motorsports Park is the opposite of a banked superspeedway; it is a 14-turn road course with several failrly low speed corners. I did a day of testing there two weeks ago with my E36 race car. Notwithstanding the superior specifications of late-model Corvettes that you cite, I have found my M5 to provide more than ample competition for these cars in past track day outings.

Regards, Dick Roberts

BmwNut · 15th December 2004, 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRoberts

Why not provide a simple compliment regarding driving skill?

I was wondering the same thing. Lscman I know you speak often of it isnt what you drive but how you drive, so maybe just a small congratulations is in order for doing well in an "inferior" car? JMHO, but according to what you stated in regards to 'vettes, he did what you usually speak of doing at the track...