2016 PNW Track Day Thread

[shaftwhy]

Yeah I know. Other than the horrible tires, I am also horrible at all turns.

I just need to be less horrible than the tires I guess.

Originally Posted by larryn

I think your goal is achievable.

[Donger Kim]

Hello everyone, thought this thread would be a good start for advice regarding the track scene in the PNW. I've recently attended my first Car Control Clinic, just to give you an idea of my skill level. I know the last BMW CCA of this year is next month and was wondering are there any clubs/events that I can be involved in to expand on my driving skills during the winter (mainly for fun! I did realize I am no where near of a skilled driver as I thought I was). Would love to hear your input! Thanks

-Dong

[larryn]

Originally Posted by Donger Kim

Hello everyone, thought this thread would be a good start for advice regarding the track scene in the PNW. I've recently attended my first Car Control Clinic, just to give you an idea of my skill level. I know the last BMW CCA of this year is next month and was wondering are there any clubs/events that I can be involved in to expand on my driving skills during the winter (mainly for fun! I did realize I am no where near of a skilled driver as I thought I was). Would love to hear your input! Thanks

-Dong

Hi Dong - The PCA has reciprocity with the Puget Sound chapter, and you can attend their events as well, get instructors, etc. They get more track days than the BMW Club gets. Check out motorsportsreg.com and look for events by "PCA - Pacific Northwest Region". The chair for the PCA events, Shay, is a good friend and she usually attends the BMW events in her lava orange 991 GT3-RS. You probably saw her parked next to me at the event you attended.

The PCA also runs the region's most popular autocross events, which do run year round, and teach excellent car control skills, though less seat time, and less cost. I learned car control through autocross and did 3-4 years of AX prior to doing a track day.

There are carting events that occur as well during the off-season, which help to keep your skills honed.

[Donger Kim]

Originally Posted by larryn

Hi Dong - The PCA has reciprocity with the Puget Sound chapter, and you can attend their events as well, get instructors, etc. They get more track days than the BMW Club gets. Check out motorsportsreg.com and look for events by "PCA - Pacific Northwest Region". The chair for the PCA events, Shay, is a good friend and she usually attends the BMW events in her lava orange 991 GT3-RS. You probably saw her parked next to me at the event you attended.

The PCA also runs the region's most popular autocross events, which do run year round, and teach excellent car control skills, though less seat time, and less cost. I learned car control through autocross and did 3-4 years of AX prior to doing a track day.

There are carting events that occur as well during the off-season, which help to keep your skills honed.

Thanks for the reply! How can I miss the coolest car that day 8).

I assume I can also sign up for BMW CCA Britual Columbia chapter? I see they have a winter driving CCC

[larryn]

Originally Posted by Donger Kim

Thanks for the reply! How can I miss the coolest car that day 8).

I assume I can also sign up for BMW CCA Britual Columbia chapter? I see they have a winter driving CCC

If you are talking about British Columbia, I'm unsure if BMW Car Club of America (BMW CCA) and Canada have any reciprocity. Definitely email them.

[shaftwhy]

Proformance racing school has some more frequent lapping events. But their instructors are quite expensive (Yeah, you need to pay for it).

[larryn]

Originally Posted by shaftwhy

Proformance racing school has some more frequent lapping events. But their instructors are quite expensive (Yeah, you need to pay for it).

I didn't list Proformance or Hooked On Driving, but those exist. They're quite a bit more expensive to have an instructor (as a novice, I would not recommend anything without an assigned instructor). Proformance is $555/day and HOD is $389, but those are additional options! Both require instructors unless verified to be signed-off Solo for that track.

However, if signed off solo, then you can run Cantrell days, Turn2, etc!

[shaftwhy]

Just went to Pacific Raceways for an hour. Now I am only 1.09 second away to my goal.

[ZPinhead]

Anyone heading down to The Ridge on 9/23?

[Shanh81]

Originally Posted by ZPinhead

Anyone heading down to The Ridge on 9/23?

I will be there

[larryn]

Originally Posted by ZPinhead

Anyone heading down to The Ridge on 9/23?

I'll be there as well.

[Donger Kim]

Me

[larryn]

shaftwhy You're up! Time for the Ridge!

[shaftwhy]

I am out of town unfortunately

Originally Posted by larryn

shaftwhy You're up! Time for the Ridge!

[Donger Kim]

Hello,

I will be attending a HPDE event in two days and would like your input on my situation.

For the next week, it'll be sunny in Washington everyday except on Friday, which is expected to have some rain. Unfortunately this day will be the HPDE. I currently have Continentals 5p (from factory) on my M3 but my rear tires are very close to bald. I have about 2mm from the wear tab measuring in the inner side of the tires(I think this means 6/32?). I'm not entirely sure how the physics comes together with tires but I do feel like my car has been extra squirmy in the rear since I took delivery about a year ago.

I've called around my local tire stores and no one had any of the wheels in stock but was able to put in an order for Potenza RE71r (255front/275rear) and can have them mounted on tomorrow. I couldn't find a store that could get me continental 5p rears. I was actually told they were discontinued. The HPDE event is 90 miles away so that will help towards breaking it in. The weather will be 50-60 degrees light showers all day.

My question is, what would be safer/more ideal to drive on the track? If it's a moot point I would prefer to use up the last bit of my tires so I don't waste them. I believe the conti's have better cold/wet traction. The new RE71s won't be "broken in" and since it is expected to rain all day, It might be extra "greasy" since the tires are new + rain. As for my track experience, I have about 2 track days under my belt with the M3. I'll likely go very conservatively anyway, but thought I'd ask the community for your input as tires are important.

Thank you!!

[larryn]

Originally Posted by Donger Kim

Hello,

I will be attending a HPDE event in two days and would like your input on my situation.

For the next week, it'll be sunny in Washington everyday except on Friday, which is expected to have some rain. Unfortunately this day will be the HPDE. I currently have Continentals 5p (from factory) on my M3 but my rear tires are very close to bald. I have about 2mm from the wear tab measuring in the inner side of the tires(I think this means 6/32?). I'm not entirely sure how the physics comes together with tires but I do feel like my car has been extra squirmy in the rear since I took delivery about a year ago.

I've called around my local tire stores and no one had any of the wheels in stock but was able to put in an order for Potenza RE71r (255front/275rear) and can have them mounted on tomorrow. I couldn't find a store that could get me continental 5p rears. I was actually told they were discontinued. The HPDE event is 90 miles away so that will help towards breaking it in. The weather will be 50-60 degrees light showers all day.

My question is, what would be safer/more ideal to drive on the track? If it's a moot point I would prefer to use up the last bit of my tires so I don't waste them. I believe the conti's have better cold/wet traction. The new RE71s won't be "broken in" and since it is expected to rain all day, It might be extra "greasy" since the tires are new + rain. As for my track experience, I have about 2 track days under my belt with the M3. I'll likely go very conservatively anyway, but thought I'd ask the community for your input as tires are important.

Thank you!!

I'll be there as well. IIRC, you did the CCC at Pacific last month. So today will be your first day at the Ridge.

I will be driving to the event with my stock Contis, and may run those if it is too wet. I'll be bringing my NT01s, in case it dries up enough or isn't that rainy.

You'll be fine to drive to the evnt in those, and even in the drizzle (if it really does rain) you'll scrub them off quickly. Don't worry about it. If it does rain hard, that CCC day will help you immensely!

Oh, and make sure you find me this event! I'll have a red canopy and will be with the rest of the instructors.

[Donger Kim]

Originally Posted by larryn

I'll be there as well. IIRC, you did the CCC at Pacific last month. So today will be your first day at the Ridge.

I will be driving to the event with my stock Contis, and may run those if it is too wet. I'll be bringing my NT01s, in case it dries up enough or isn't that rainy.

You'll be fine to drive to the evnt in those, and even in the drizzle (if it really does rain) you'll scrub them off quickly. Don't worry about it. If it does rain hard, that CCC day will help you immensely!

Oh, and make sure you find me this event! I'll have a red canopy and will be with the rest of the instructors.

Thanks for the input again! I will find you this event! I am so excited. I was curious for those who are coming from the greater Seattle area, do most of you just drive to Shelton at the crack of dawn or spend the night at a Hotel there? I considered both options but decided to just head there at 5:45-6:00am to get there for check in. Anyhow, I am excited! See you all there!

[larryn]

Originally Posted by Donger Kim

Thanks for the input again! I will find you this event! I am so excited. I was curious for those who are coming from the greater Seattle area, do most of you just drive to Shelton at the crack of dawn or spend the night at a Hotel there? I considered both options but decided to just head there at 5:45-6:00am to get there for check in. Anyhow, I am excited! See you all there!

I drive down in the morning. Since I change tires/wheels there, I try to get there around 7am. Be careful of the WSP on the drive down. I5 will have a bunch of them on patrol.

The tough part is getting home, changing tores/wheels/brakes, unpacking and washing the car in time for the Griots M car day on Saturday morning.

Are you going to that?

[Shanh81]

Leaving super early in the morning to get there in time. Probably leaving bothell around 5:20

[Donger Kim]

Originally Posted by larryn

I drive down in the morning. Since I change tires/wheels there, I try to get there around 7am. Be careful of the WSP on the drive down. I5 will have a bunch of them on patrol.

The tough part is getting home, changing tores/wheels/brakes, unpacking and washing the car in time for the Griots M car day on Saturday morning.

Are you going to that?

I would not have the energy to wash my car afterwards and would be too ashamed to bring a dirty car

[larryn]

Originally Posted by Donger Kim

I would not have the energy to wash my car afterwards and would be too ashamed to bring a dirty car

HAHAHA!!! It starts at 9:30am, but some get there by 10am, and only a 30 minute drive from Seattle. You have time on Sat AM as well...

I'm going to break out the pressure washer and rubber mark remover and be done within 45 minutes (I hope).

[larryn]

Fantastic rainy day today at the Ridge! Great to see many of you. I think there were 7 or 8 F80/82s there.