BMW Track Days at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

[Halewafa]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Hey guys, had an amazing day yesterday at IMS and wanted to share the experience with you.

About a month ago I got an email from BMW inviting me and a guest to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to put some of the ///M models through their paces on September 7th. Space was limited, so I immediately signed up my wife and I. There wasn't much information, wasn't sure what to expect.

Got there around 12pm, parked in the center of the track. Lots of ///M cars in the lot. My SO M4, darn Ford ruining the picture!



They had a nice layout of cars at the Panasonic Pagoda where we signed in/signed waivers.

















Had an amazing lunch at the top of the pagoda. Not a bad view either There was a morning session as well, so we got to watch them for a little bit.







There were quite a few of us there, so we were split into groups of 16 to rotate through the different events. It was set up just like PCD, where the cars had walkie talkies in them instead of instructors. All cars were put in MDM mode (my first time experiencing this).

Our groups first event was the autocross in M4's with ZCP. I was feeling good since I recently picked up my M4 at PCD and had a bit of track time, but there were a few people in my group who had done some M schools. They told us that the top 2 times in each group would win a cool prize (6 people in total). We each had 3 attempts at the course to set our best time. With very limited track experience (a ton of Forza in my rig and a couple of hours during PCD) I was able to set the 2nd fastest time. I was stoked!!! 1st place beat me by 0.3 seconds, and I beat 3rd place by over a second.



Our next rotation was to the M2's. This was the event I was most looking forward to, couldn't wait to test it! We were running the Grand Prix layout at IMS, which was a blast. Our group of 16 was split into two groups of 8. So 4 M2s following the instructor in an M5. We did 4 laps, rotating the lead car (behind the instructor) after each lap. After that we would do a driver change. It was SO MUCH FUN. They really let us push these cars hard. The closer we could stay with the instructor the faster they would go. Got up to 130 on the straight.









Right after that we jumped into M3's and did the same thing. This was a good way to feel the difference's between the two cars.



I've got to say, the M2 was a blast! A lot easier to drive. With that being said, I preferred the M3. It felt better planted and could really feel the power difference. The interior of the M2 also felt a lot cheaper than I was expecting.

Now it came time for the prize for the 6 of us with the best times in the autocross. We got to ride in the M3 GT2 ALMS car for two laps! OH. MY. GOSH. this was one of the best experiences of my life. This thing was a BEAST! I've never been in something that could brake so hard and turn into a corner at speeds like that. The driver forgot to pit after the 2nd lap, so I got a 3rd I don't know how drivers do that for hours, I was exhausted after 3 laps.





Can't figure out how to imbed a YouTube video here, but this is the link:

Overall, the event was AMAZING. I didn't expect it to be so good, but they really let us push these cars hard. The rotations were great. Still not sure why I got an invite, but no complaints here!

[alz0rz]

Hey, I too got to ride along in the #56 car due to a 'winning' autocross time (25.6). I'm sure I saw you but did not recognize you pretty sure I was not in your group!

[mrmoua2u]

looks awesome.. of all cars, that ugly Ford had to ruin the shot.

[damnitBobby]

Nice! Thanks for sharing pictures.

[Halewafa]

Originally Posted by alz0rz

Hey, I too got to ride along in the #56 car due to a 'winning' autocross time (25.6). I'm sure I saw you but did not recognize you pretty sure I was not in your group!

Cool video, I was thinking about recording inside, but once we started going I totally forgot! Looks like you beat me at autocross, I got 25.67! lol

[mike@x-ph.com]

Looks fun!

[Richardzy]

Nice Pics!!

[snovi]

Great pics! It was great meeting you at Artomobilia a few weeks ago. Extremely jealous about that hot lap

-Aaron

[M3 Adjuster]

Nice to see events like this going on at Indianapolis motor speedway.

IMS is about 2 -3 decades late on having grassroots events like this at the facility.

I know that the Hoosier chapter and BMW CCA ofest have considered events there in the past but the price was too high and the facility wasn't really receptive.

[mzdial]

Nice write up! What an experience for those of you that got lucky enough to do it out there! I know of about three of you. :-)

Glad we could finally meet up in the past month! Enjoy your new car!

-- Matt

[merlinbk]

Looks like you had a lot of fun! I'm jealous you got to drive the M2's on the track. We had a BMW event at the Homestead Racetrack at the end of August. We got to drive all the M cars on the autocross track, but could only drive a 7 series and 6 series on the actual speedway (similar internal setup as you). Regardless I know how you feel! It was so much fun.

[EdR]

You can register for this experience at the BMW M Track Days site. Held at the Thermal Club 9/20-29.

[ASAP]

What a great event... I attended the Mtrackdays down in Miami a month ago...

My M2 vs M3 experiences mirror yours.

[mastermayhm]

wtf, how did i miss this?

[Halewafa]

Originally Posted by mastermayhm

wtf, how did i miss this?

You don't by any chance live in the Fishers area do you? I've seen a white M6 a few times when driving around the LA Fitness on 116th. The other day they flashed their lights as I was driving by in my SO M4, didn't have time to flash them back!

[mastermayhm]

Originally Posted by Halewafa

You don't by any chance live in the Fishers area do you? I've seen a white M6 a few times when driving around the LA Fitness on 116th. The other day they flashed their lights as I was driving by in my SO M4, didn't have time to flash them back!

thought you were stiffing me bro... haha yea thats me

[PawnStar]

I've got to say, the M2 was a blast! A lot easier to drive. With that being said, I preferred the M3. It felt better planted and could really feel the power difference. The interior of the M2 also felt a lot cheaper than I was expecting.

I thought the same thing after Lime Rock event. M4 ZCP felt and sounded best. But M3s with 19s were the workhorses of the events, taking all the hot lap abuse.

[alz0rz]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Nice to see events like this going on at Indianapolis motor speedway.

IMS is about 2 -3 decades late on having grassroots events like this at the facility.

I know that the Hoosier chapter and BMW CCA ofest have considered events there in the past but the price was too high and the facility wasn't really receptive.

The PCCA chapter hosted a club track even this year (and last year for the first time) at IMS at a cost of $795 if that tells you anything about how pricey IMS has been. At least like you say... it's a start. Interestingly enough, Ford had an event at IMS the week before we did M Track Days, it was a big track event for all Mustangs but that was another thing with corporate backing and was only $200 for about an hour of track time.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by alz0rz

The PCCA chapter hosted a club track even this year (and last year for the first time) at IMS at a cost of $795 if that tells you anything about how pricey IMS has been. At least like you say... it's a start. Interestingly enough, Ford had an event at IMS the week before we did M Track Days, it was a big track event for all Mustangs but that was another thing with corporate backing and was only $200 for about an hour of track time.

$795 for the event ( as compared to $350 -400 for the typical weekend HPDE) is on par when compared to events held at the only other fully FIA Approved course in the US ( circuit of the Americas ).

The Texas chapters all combine together to be able to rent the track in Austin because there is no way one chapter could foot the track rental.

The fall Texas trifecta event at COTA has a daily price of $399 per day.

http://msreg.com/FallTrifecta16

[merlinbk]

Originally Posted by EdR

You can register for this experience at the BMW M Track Days site. Held at the Thermal Club 9/20-29.

Could you send me the link?

Thanks!

[EINSER M]

What was the thank you gift for attending??????

[raysspl]

Awesome BMW fans support!