A few Santa run pics

[Jaimecbr900]

I was running 1:10's in a stripped 325 on bilsteins?H&R's, RA1's, and software. With an extra 30-40 horse to the wheels in an M3 I'm sure a second or 2 off that is possible with a more experienced driver.

The green 325 with the M3 motor was running 1:08's I believe.

I may be wrong, but I didn't hear them announce an M3 as being in the 1:08's. I heard them say the Exige, the Benz, the 350z's, and the STI were all in that range. I timed several of them myself, and although very unscientific at all, they were all right there hovering around the 1:10 mark before their last balls out runs. I knew they'd get down below that on that last run for sure. Remember that the Benz and the STI turned their times on STREET tires and interiors. They weren't some stripped down race cars with all kinds of special goodies. They were just fast street cars. Gotta respect that.

To be honest and not meaning any disrespect to anyone, but we can all speculate what some car/suspension/power combo will possibly run....but until you get someone behind the wheel, in traffic, and on a COLD ASS DAY....it's all guessing.

I give props to all the guys that came out on a COLD ASS DAY to thrash their cars for a good cause. People ran off the track, wrecked into the trees, and even blew stuff up on their cars. Everyone still had a smile on their face and enjoyed themselves. That's what it should be about IMO.

I know that I could've probably turned a lap or two faster than some of those guys out there, but in all honesty......I DIDN'T and that's really the bottomline. So no need to down play what these guys were doing. They did their thing for a good cause and that's admirable, even if they turned 1:05 or 15:05.

[Leadfoot_mf]

I may be wrong, but I didn't hear them announce an M3 as being in the 1:08's. I heard them say the Exige, the Benz, the 350z's, and the STI were all in that range. I timed several of them myself, and although very unscientific at all, they were all right there hovering around the 1:10 mark before their last balls out runs. I knew they'd get down below that on that last run for sure. Remember that the Benz and the STI turned their times on STREET tires and interiors. They weren't some stripped down race cars with all kinds of special goodies. They were just fast street cars. Gotta respect that.



To be honest and not meaning any disrespect to anyone, but we can all speculate what some car/suspension/power combo will possibly run....but until you get someone behind the wheel, in traffic, and on a COLD ASS DAY....it's all guessing.

I give props to all the guys that came out on a COLD ASS DAY to thrash their cars for a good cause. People ran off the track, wrecked into the trees, and even blew stuff up on their cars. Everyone still had a smile on their face and enjoyed themselves. That's what it should be about IMO.

I know that I could've probably turned a lap or two faster than some of those guys out there, but in all honesty......I DIDN'T and that's really the bottomline. So no need to down play what these guys were doing. They did their thing for a good cause and that's admirable, even if they turned 1:05 or 15:05.

always on point well said.

[CHADbee]

I may be wrong, but I didn't hear them announce an M3 as being in the 1:08's. I heard them say the Exige, the Benz, the 350z's, and the STI were all in that range. I timed several of them myself, and although very unscientific at all, they were all right there hovering around the 1:10 mark before their last balls out runs. I knew they'd get down below that on that last run for sure. Remember that the Benz and the STI turned their times on STREET tires and interiors. They weren't some stripped down race cars with all kinds of special goodies. They were just fast street cars. Gotta respect that.

To be honest and not meaning any disrespect to anyone, but we can all speculate what some car/suspension/power combo will possibly run....but until you get someone behind the wheel, in traffic, and on a COLD ASS DAY....it's all guessing.

I give props to all the guys that came out on a COLD ASS DAY to thrash their cars for a good cause. People ran off the track, wrecked into the trees, and even blew stuff up on their cars. Everyone still had a smile on their face and enjoyed themselves. That's what it should be about IMO.

I know that I could've probably turned a lap or two faster than some of those guys out there, but in all honesty......I DIDN'T and that's really the bottomline. So no need to down play what these guys were doing. They did their thing for a good cause and that's admirable, even if they turned 1:05 or 15:05.

reps given.

[OnURleft]

I may be wrong, but I didn't hear them announce an M3 as being in the 1:08's. I heard them say the Exige, the Benz, the 350z's, and the STI were all in that range. I timed several of them myself, and although very unscientific at all, they were all right there hovering around the 1:10 mark before their last balls out runs. I knew they'd get down below that on that last run for sure. Remember that the Benz and the STI turned their times on STREET tires and interiors. They weren't some stripped down race cars with all kinds of special goodies. They were just fast street cars. Gotta respect that.

To be honest and not meaning any disrespect to anyone, but we can all speculate what some car/suspension/power combo will possibly run....but until you get someone behind the wheel, in traffic, and on a COLD ASS DAY....it's all guessing.


I give props to all the guys that came out on a COLD ASS DAY to thrash their cars for a good cause. People ran off the track, wrecked into the trees, and even blew stuff up on their cars. Everyone still had a smile on their face and enjoyed themselves. That's what it should be about IMO.

I know that I could've probably turned a lap or two faster than some of those guys out there, but in all honesty......I DIDN'T and that's really the bottomline. So no need to down play what these guys were doing. They did their thing for a good cause and that's admirable, even if they turned 1:05 or 15:05.

Reps given. However, i'm not speculating anything, nor would the red 325is or Halston, as we have times from just about every track in the south via stopwatch, data logger or a hot lap.

You are not correct though as McCoy clocked 1:08's and thats a 2600lb car with stocks/springs ONLY and 200hp!
I have a hot lap and I ran several 1:08's last time I went. I ran 1:09's on street pads, on a stop watch. My car is 3200lbs + driver, shocks and springs and street tires only and it has 250whp. My car also has 140,000 miles on it.
There's not long enough straights for the black series to really take advantage of it's power and the Sti had a strong advantage because the car had 10" wide wheels and the driver was disgustingly talented.
You are underestimating what was the best handling car in American when it was out. That is, the E36 M3 and it's damn good chassis. The car was released in 1992 and the car is still Nationally Competitive in SCCA Autocross and club racing.. Matter of fact the only car raced more than an E36 these days seem to be Miata's (IIRC hearing that correctly). Go to a club race a look around if you don't believe me. IP, ITR, JP, Spec E36, etc. etc. are just a few groups that only allow E36's or where the E36 shines. Also,with brand new built Evo's and Sti's filling up the autocrossing lot, E36's are still cotendors to win on a national level.
Don't believe me, then i'd love to extend the invite to a weeked with my family and friends at a real track this spring so you can see for yourself.

Don't think Halston is B.s'ing. His car is lighter and handles better than my little 1:08 DD M3 hah.




Matt fill me in, are E36's still reigning in some classes over Sti's, Evo's, 350z's nationally this year?

[Big Baller]

Sti had a strong advantage because the car had 10" wide wheels and the driver was disgustingly talented.

Thanks, like I said I've spent a lot of time on that track. The car has a lot to do with it as well, it makes good power and torque for just a downpipe and a tune. It has its fair share of problems as well, it lifts the inside rear wheel and I had to compensate by changing the line to get the power down.

There were a lot of very talented drivers there including some new guys.

As far as the E36 M3 goes, it is possibly one of the best out of the box chassis of all time, they are very easy to drive fast at the limit. I love them and I've probably driven atleast 10 of them on track. They are always a blast to drive.

MattAPM, Those Koni shocks are fine and so are the hoosiers, you just need to be a lot more aggresive and get some heat in them. We usually see tire temps of over 180 degrees when I run my racecar on hoosiers, You might can run that specific compound even hotter, you would have to check with one of the teams. If you don't have a temp probe to check tire temps you need to get one, surface temp is totally different than the actual tire temp. You also need to be checking the inside middle and outside temp to see if you need more or less camber.

If anyone wants to learn more I help instruct sometimes with Siegel Racing and Driver Education at Little Tally. His classes are very reasonably priced and you will get all the track time you can stand.

If anyone wants private lessons, or would like me to help them with car setup you can always PM me.

[OnURleft]

Thanks, like I said I've spent a lot of time on that track. The car has a lot to do with it as well, it makes good power and torque for just a downpipe and a tune. It has its fair share of problems as well, it lifts the inside rear wheel and I had to compensate by changing the line to get the power down.

There were a lot of very talented drivers there including some new guys.

Good to hear someone who really knows what they are talking about. I could tell just from reading what you typed you have had tonnsss of seat time and experience!
You should come up to a BMWCCA or Chin event sometime and come hang out. I'm always up for a passenger with his or her own personal advice and opinions of my driving. I believe i'll be taking my instructor certification sometime late summer/fall time 2009 (if I can muster the cash).

As far as the E36 M3 goes, it is possibly one of the best out of the box chassis of all time, they are very easy to drive fast at the limit. I love them and I've probably driven atleast 10 of them on track. They are always a blast to drive.

Amen. Absolute blast to drive and so fast for the money spent. I clocked 43's on Road A and my car is 3200lbs w/ bilstein shocks/springs and R comps only!
McCoy clockes 45's on street tires and he has the same mods - 61whp and street tires!
Oh the rewards when Z06 owners and E46 m3 owners (on slicks or what not) would come up to the rig and ask waht all was done to my E36 lol.

MattAPM, Those Koni shocks are fine and so are the hoosiers, you just need to be a lot more aggresive and get some heat in them. We usually see tire temps of over 180 degrees when I run my racecar on hoosiers, You might can run that specific compound even hotter, you would have to check with one of the teams. If you don't have a temp probe to check tire temps you need to get one, surface temp is totally different than the actual tire temp. You also need to be checking the inside middle and outside temp to see if you need more or less camber.

If anyone wants to learn more I help instruct sometimes with Siegel Racing and Driver Education at Little Tally. His classes are very reasonably priced and you will get all the track time you can stand.

If anyone wants private lessons, or would like me to help them with car setup you can always PM me.

I've driven on Hoosiers a few times and they're damn good but lord they do need heat to be good. I had to play with pressures to get some heat (like you advised) in them but honestly, for D.E's, there are other tires that last longer, communicate better for people who may only have a few events under there belt and will stick "easier" if you get what i'm saying.

Who?

On a side note, I'm not here to bad mouth anyone's driving skills. Everyone seemed to have a good time and to be honest I'm a tad jealous I didn't get to drive this event. Will the next one for sure.

Oh i've met you and I know you'd never do that. I was just backing up what is one of the best road racing cars/chassis of all time. It seemed as if you didn't think it was possible, when in reality it's still a contenda with everything 15 years newer ..

Hopefully i'll see that sexy turbo lex out there doing some hot laps in the future.

[Big Baller]

Good to hear someone who really knows what they are talking about. I could tell just from reading what you typed you have had tonnsss of seat time and experience!
You should come up to a BMWCCA or Chin event sometime and come hang out. I'm always up for a passenger with his or her own personal advice and opinions of my driving. I believe i'll be taking my instructor certification sometime late summer/fall time 2009 (if I can muster the cash).

I've been to a couple of Chin events a couple of years ago, very well run events. I've instructed for a couple of the BMW Clubs as well as some of the Porsche Clubs but I'm not certified with either. I am certified with NASA and I was thinking about taking the PCA School, they both transfer over to just about everyone elses program.

If you ever want help just let me know Ill be happy to ride along. I'm honestly a lot better at making fast guys faster than I am at helping new guys. I tend to push really hard and its not the best technique for guys that are just starting. Some times a good push is exactly what the faster guys need....you know....faster faster....12 at Road Atlanta is Flat...GO GO GO.

LOL
Matt