Circuit Mont Tremblant (LCMT) Info

[Benzima]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

With the BMW club (as with the majority of HPDE clubs), for liability reasons, only instructors are allowed to carry "ride along" passengers.

Totally makes sense to me!

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Thanks for clarifying that, I guess we will get handed the rule book once we are there, we just have 8 pages to read for the event and we start at 7:00 am, are we back to school mommy?

Yes you are

It is indeed a driving school. The BMW club does puts a lot of emphasis on safety, which I believe is a good thing. It makes for a lot of reading the first time you drive with them, but after a few events you'll know the drill. The organization is very similar with any serious club. From what I read, your event with VAG was pretty shabby...

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

... From what I read, your event with VAG was pretty shabby...

Shabby maybe, but fun hell yes! I got to ride by myself the whole day and that was an experience by itself! And they're not an club like BMW, it's just an organized outing to LCMT. I'll do a mini review after next week's event. BTW any affordable hotels in MT? All I am finding is $340+

And no internal cameras for beginners what other drivers can have internal cams because they drive better ?!?

PS: sorry for my rant, I need to vent now so I won't get kicked out during the event

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Shabby maybe, but fun hell yes! I got to ride by myself the whole day and that was an experience by itself! And they're not an club like BMW, it's just an organized outing to LCMT.

...and a Viper ended up in the wall...

There is no guarantee for safety, but well run events have a tendency of having less mishaps.

Originally Posted by aboulfad

BTW any affordable hotels in MT? All I am finding is $340+

Look for B&B, maybe in St-Jovite, you might be able to find something cheeper (example). This event is right after the Ironman, so Tremblant is quite booked at that time of the year...

Originally Posted by aboulfad

And no internal cameras for beginners what other drivers can have internal cams because they drive better ?!?

Again, a liability thing.

When proper protocol is followed, participants remain fully covered by their regular insurance policy when driving at an HPDE. It is worth the extra hassle just in case something does happen .

[aboulfad]

Thanks for the info. Btw, the viper was an advanced driver with cold tires or maybe one tire off by 1psi and the ironman explains why most hotels were booked then!!!

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Thanks for the info. Btw, the viper was an advanced driver with cold tires or maybe one tire off by 1psi and the ironman explains why most hotels were booked then!!!

It is usually the "advanced" drivers that have the most tendency to crash

[aboulfad]

stealth70mde , care to share the same B&B alas, even that B&B is full!

[aboulfad]

Nik, so what do you do there, whip the instructors into shape? I have a feeling they're terrified of you I also met Adam@WeTune (Mr Miata) who is also a head instructor or to that effect?

So who are the poor suckers that ride with us if all of you are instructing instructors

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Nik, so what do you do there, whip the instructors into shape? I have a feeling they're terrified of you I also met Adam@WeTune (Mr Miata) who is also a head instructor or to that effect?

So who are the poor suckers that ride with us if all of you are instructing instructors

I am by no means chief/head instructor. Way too much politics involved. I have enough of that at work and I track to get a break from it all. All I do is train new instructors. I doubt any of them are "terrified of me" because they have absolutely no reason to be .

Adam does varying "special" stuff such as classroom or skidpad training and assists Alan our chief instructor.

[aboulfad]

I was being silly, its just you are so precise and detailed oriented, but very patient and helpful, so i think you make/are a great instructor

[Ggeezer]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Thanks for clarifying that, I guess we will get handed the rule book once we are there, we just have 8 pages to read for the event and we start at 7:00 am, are we back to school mommy?

Honestly, the book is really the basic stuff like handling dynamics, weight transfer, braking, cornering, acceleration ... similar to what you'll find with any other basic racing driving techniques handbook.

I got a huge book at my first event with BMW QC that was extremely useful.

I find the BMW events I've been to to be extremely well run and since it is considered a driving school, your insurance policy will cover you in the event of an accident. This might not be the case at other organized lapping events.

[aboulfad]

@Ggeezer , i was being silly about the "rule" book as far as insurance as long there is no racing or timing then it's covered generally by insurances here.

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

@Ggeezer , i was being silly about the "rule" book as far as insurance as long there is no racing or timing then it's covered generally by insurances here.

I know this one quite well as I just had a claim settled.The only exception is Chubb who has a specific exclusion about track use.

[aboulfad]

Hi CanAutM3 , given all the stringent rules, I thought to ask if we are allowed to use the m-laptimer with the phone tucked safely in the armrest and the display off... That does not count as a chronometer, right?

[stealth70mde]

Great event, had a blast, awesome first track days ever for me!

Tires took a real beating and the brake pads also...

Also, although I'm not particularly fond of the sound of my car in a normal day, on the track it was just awesome!

Few pics (mostly of my car, of course) :

[aboulfad]

Club
First time with BMW Quebec Club, very strict, disciplined and regulated but nice bunch, especially Heny! Many procedures to follow, pre mech inspection and on site, car has to be completely empty, no cameras allowed at any time, no m-laptimers, ... At first it does feel overwhelming coming from less stringent clubs but the goal is safety and I think protecting themselves too. Indemnity form is serious... But their shining point is just below!

Instructors
Myself, stealth70mde (MRC) and another young friend we met onsite (JN) had amazing instructors. Mine was a retired older gentleman (Don) that has been instructing for 18 years to pro racers, in clubs, ... Amazingly calm, positive, funny and super nice! he was the perfect instructor as he showed me a racing line that was appropriate for my skill, comfort zone and my car! I'll dedicate a post for what I learned.

CanAutM3
Three letters to describe this guy: xXx (like VinDiesel xXx, not the other XXX)
He offered and I glady and foolishly (see last bullet) accepted to ride with him in one of his morning sessions on Day 2. I met him a year ago with his toddler son, super friendly, nice, smart, calm and patient guy. Sit with him in his M4 and he's a lean mean machine. He massacred the track, whipped almost every curb I saw, and drove his M4 like a Bull Rider in total control. I got to experience smooth but hard, and really see what this car is truly capable of. Something I doubt I will ever be able to do! I wish you GOD speed and to be safe at all times

Friends
What makes events like this super fun is to go along with some buddies (MRC) and meet some fun people. We were lucky to have a super friendly young guy park next to our two M4s with his special edition old Lotus something... He turned out to be a good driver with slalom experience and moved the second day to intermediate level. I hugely recommend that you don't go alone to events as it's fun to discuss things with other friends especially if you drive the same car and have at the end if the day (ok I had mint tea because of last bullet)

My M4
Last but not least, the car in its stock form is an absolute joy, nothing to complain about it, it delivered flawlessly, of course to a beginner demands. I don't know many cars that you can drive it to many events with zero mods and just drive away! My tires and brakes are still doing great, and this event I went faster and broke harder. I don't understand the stories about fellow member ruining their stock brakes and tires from few days of track...

Weak Stomach *** Graphic Material Content ***
Although the overall experience with the club, instructors, track was super positive and fun, I, unfortunately experienced after lunch first day an extreme upset stomach that culminated in vomitting my lunch by end of day 1 at a garage during fill up.

I thought I was ok but next morning proved to be a horrible experience, I had one session with my instructor and felt a bit ok, Nik was waiting for me in his M4 so I jumped in and after the first lap, the monster within me started acting out. Then Nik pushed the car after few laps, the monster wanted to come out, I prayed to God that I don't puke my guts in my helmet and Nik's car, and miraculousely I was able to vomit twice in my mouth and shove it back in Nik, I am terribly sorry I asked you to exit after lap 5 or 6
Prologue: I missed 3 out 4 sessions in Day 2 as I was feeling horrible, and when I felt somewhat better to drive back, I was reminded how horrible the roads in Quebec were with a nice vomitting session on the side of the HWY.

Suggestion: always keep with you non drowsy Gravol and watch what you eat on site and when tracking... Not sure if I caught a bug, extreme motion sickness, or food poisoning...

Pictures to follow soon but here's one that JN choreographed and MRC took of me for my 4.5 years old niece

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by stealth70mde

...Tires took a real beating and the brake pads also...

Not to stress or panic other noob beginners, his tires and pads are ok, just not used to seeing his tires not perfectly shiny, flat and smooth

Surprisingly, I never had any brake fade or felt any longer brake pedal travel, and yes I was going fast this time (car completely stock)

[Benzima]

Originally Posted by stealth70mde

Great event, had a blast, awesome first track days ever for me!

Tires took a real beating and the brake pads also...

Also, although I'm not particularly fond of the sound of my car in a normal day, on the track it was just awesome!

Few pics (mostly of my car, of course) :

Thanks for sharing! Looked a lot of fun indeed!

That M2

[jgrigoros]

Originally Posted by Benzima

Thanks for sharing! Looked a lot of fun indeed!

That M2

CanAutM3 is an awesome guy!!
I rode with him a couple of times and learned a whole lot. He knows the track very well and has a lot of good pointers that u can use to improve on your skills.
Hopefully my car will come in next week and be able to squeeze one last day before winter gets here.

Ps: Nik you should be expecting my phone call next week to take a spin in the M4 CP

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by Benzima

Thanks for sharing! Looked a lot of fun indeed!

That M2

hehe, that M2 could not pass me :-p but gave it a point by as it was the car of Henry (BMW club director)!!! My instructor asked me to tease him a bit. There was another one in MG/Blk.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by jgrigoros

CanAutM3 is an awesome guy!!
I rode with him a couple of times and learned a whole lot. He knows the track very well and has a lot of good pointers that u can use to improve on your skills.
...)

Ela ! There were few E92 M3, were you there the past few days? There was an E92 M3 special blue, the owner was a giant maybe 7' ... and did very fast laps (1'56" hush we cant talk about times)

Congrats on your CP! and yeah amongst few track learning on my ride with Nik, I learned all about reverse on the straight, we went up to 210kph and down to whatever in few sec, i felt my organs were gonna leave my body !!!

[jgrigoros]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

There were few E92 M3, were you there the past few days? There was an E92 M3 special blue, the owner was a giant maybe 7' ... and did very fast laps (1'56" hush we cant talk about times)

Congrats on your CP! and yeah amongst few track learning on my ride with Nik, I learned all about reverse

The giant is Dr George, great guy!
No I haven't been there since May.
Track incident and had the car replaced.
If not this year will be there next year for sure. Looking forward to meeting some of the new guys.