Laguna Seca!

M5spotty · 5th December 2007, 05:59

I've been invited to bring my 2008 M5 to Laguna Seca to drive laps with the Shelby Club.

Totally looking forward to being able to drive my car (it's broken in!) on a course where you dont have to worry about getting a ticket.

Any pointers or tips for a novice? My goal is to just have fun and enjoy the car- with M mode of course!

Thanks in advance

Cosmos · 5th December 2007, 06:13

I have many laps at Laguna, what do you want to know?

I will say take it easy and dont take the DSC off for the event. Also dont get "Red Mist" with the Shelby guys. I assume many of them have nice cars so you should be ok.

SeverelyOpinionated · 5th December 2007, 07:22

I would drive "intelligently." Every time I have been there, atleast 1 car has had an off and kissed (or smacked) the wall. There isn't a lot of run-off at that track (not trying to scare you). Nevertheless, the M is an easy car to drive there. It is a fantastic track as well. Also, make sure you do all your braking in a straight line before the corkscrew.

SeverelyOpinionated · 5th December 2007, 07:24

Also, maybe watch some hotlap or track 'guide' videos on youtube. Should help get you familiar with the track.

M5spotty · 5th December 2007, 08:38

Thank for the tips!

How about mounting the fire extinguisher? Are there any creative ways to install the bottle - without much damage to the interior?

Also, thanks for the corkscrew tip - good to know

Way2fast · 5th December 2007, 10:22

Be very careful of the turn at the bottom of the front straight. If you do go off at Laguna be very careful trying to get out of the gravel traps. Most cars sink or kick up a ton of pea gravel trying to get out. You are better off just waiting for the tow truck to pull you out

sechsgang · 5th December 2007, 17:04

Just as an overall "tip". The word of the year for novice track drivers ( and for advanced as well...) is SMOOTH. Imagine a cup of mostly filled coffee on your dash and that you SHOULD be able to go around that track without spilling any of it. That is the goal anyway. With smooth, comes speed, and ALOT of it. When turning in for corners, dont just quickly jerk the wheel, feed the steer into the car and you will find there is a lot more grip to be had. When braking, dont pound the pedal, but be forceful with the application and try to NOT use ABS as it is mostly a fail-safe device that should really be used if only necessary. The same goes with the throttle. SQUEEZE on the throttle, don't just mash it. If you try to keep those things in mind (again summarized by smooth), you should be just fine and you will have a great time learning the balance of your car. Once you know how to balance your car (really you will find the pedals are just there to change the balance of your car as you progress) and you will be amazingly fast. Good luck and have lots of fun!

Way2fast · 5th December 2007, 19:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by sechsgang

Just as an overall "tip". The word of the year for novice track drivers ( and for advanced as well...) is SMOOTH. Imagine a cup of mostly filled coffee on your dash and that you SHOULD be able to go around that track without spilling any of it. That is the goal anyway. With smooth, comes speed, and ALOT of it. When turning in for corners, dont just quickly jerk the wheel, feed the steer into the car and you will find there is a lot more grip to be had. When braking, dont pound the pedal, but be forceful with the application and try to NOT use ABS as it is mostly a fail-safe device that should really be used if only necessary. The same goes with the throttle. SQUEEZE on the throttle, don't just mash it. If you try to keep those things in mind (again summarized by smooth), you should be just fine and you will have a great time learning the balance of your car. Once you know how to balance your car (really you will find the pedals are just there to change the balance of your car as you progress) and you will be amazingly fast. Good luck and have lots of fun!

Very well stated. I totally agree

erikmoeser · 5th December 2007, 19:52

Try a bunch of laps in an M5 on a PS2 (GranTurismo 4) if you have access to it. Here is a lap in a Lotus. I am thinking the speeds shown are KM/H!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmgnR7va6tA

chrisn · 5th December 2007, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikmoeser

Try a bunch of laps in an M5 on a PS2 (GranTurismo 4) if you have access to it. Here is a lap in a Lotus. I am thinking the speeds shown are KM/H!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmgnR7va6tA

I second the idea of Gran Turismo practice. Be sure to turn off stability control and use road tires (in the game! don't turn off DSC on the track if you are a novice). If you invest in a steering wheel / pedal set, I actually think Gran Turismo laps help a lot.

Obviously, real life is different, so don't try to match your PS2 times right away.

The Lotus video of Gran Turismo is pretty good, but here's me beating a real life yellow Lotus on the real Laguna (in my E60 M5):

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...86410754222740

-Chris