First track experience!

[aboulfad]

I finally did it, thanks to all of the useful posts here by many members, I and the car were well prepared! This was a very short first track experience ~ 30mns, and aside from carting track time, no on track time with a car. (Non technical review here...)

The local club I joined (aselc.ca) is a non profit club, down to earth racers/trackers that donate their time to supervise and coach the likes of me! The instructor drives around the track in your car explaining and showing the race line, visual cues, ... When I was waiting for one, I see this super young "fast and furious" type kid (I swear he looked like a younger Paul Walker, RIP) walking to sit in my M4 driver seat. In my head, jeez what will this kid teach me

He was super nice, very easy going, took it really easy with my car and after few laps I jumped in the driver seat, and if I had the M-laptimer on, I'd probably would have clocked the slowest laptime ever in history but it didn't matter because the kid was impressed, albeit my slow speeds, that I didn't "pinch" the steering wheel. CanAutM3 thank you!

Now, we pull over, and I ask him what's in it for them, he says they get free track time and they enjoy teaching people and he points to the AY e46 M3, lowered, Porsche Caliper/brakes, sports recaro driver seat, full roll cage ala GTS. And he asks me if I want to join him in the passenger seat, I am like say what, e46 M3 was my dream car that I didn't realize until now with the F82.

Rewind 1.5 hours, I had a quick fast supper/salad and everything leading to that point was nice and relaxing... Boy, was I in for the ride of my life. I was thrown, left right, up and down , forward backwards, with g forces I never experienced before, the meal I had before was suddenly making its way up , I controlled as much as I can, and after 10-12 gruelling laps I prayed for the organizer to signal it's over. The kid drove his E46 like a rocket, DSC off, full speed, not one instance of oversteer, taking some tight turns at 80-90kph, small straights at 100-140kph, he was IMHO a rock solid driver and this is a short circuit (1.1mi with 13 turns). And the e46 M3, what a raw car...

After we pulled out, i was sweating, I don't know maybe from indigestion, excitement and/or fear, so I told the young instructor you should have gravol in your car, he goes to me he does and he always takes one when he's in the passenger seat :

Lessons learned: (
- never judge
- don't eat a big meal before
- bring gravol

I'll be heading again next Monday for another session, tires/brakes look ok (Caliper still blue) judging from my slowness at the track. I wish I had a GoPro to film his laps, I may consider getting one! Thanks for reading and sorry for no pics aside my helmet with its new club sticker.

[Gearhead999s]

Where you at St Eustache?

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

Where you at St Eustache?

Yes, a humble small circuit but perfect for my needs for now and a lot to learn that I believe once you understand the basics, you could apply them on other tracks.

[Gearhead999s]

The only time that I was there was in the early 80's where I co-drove in a Datsun 510 in the rain for a 6 hour race.it was a fun place!

[shaftwhy]

Welcome to the (noobs) family!

Originally Posted by aboulfad

I finally did it, thanks to all of the useful posts here by many members, I and the car were well prepared! This was a very short first track experience ~ 30mns, and aside from carting track time, no on track time with a car. (Non technical review here...)

The local club I joined (aselc.ca) is a non profit club, down to earth racers/trackers that donate their time to supervise and coach the likes of me! The instructor drives around the track in your car explaining and showing the race line, visual cues, ... When I was waiting for one, I see this super young "fast and furious" type kid (I swear he looked like a younger Paul Walker, RIP) walking to sit in my M4 driver seat. In my head, jeez what will this kid teach me

He was super nice, very easy going, took it really easy with my car and after few laps I jumped in the driver seat, and if I had the M-laptimer on, I'd probably would have clocked the slowest laptime ever in history but it didn't matter because the kid was impressed, albeit my slow speeds, that I didn't "pinch" the steering wheel. CanAutM3 thank you!

Now, we pull over, and I ask him what's in it for them, he says they get free track time and they enjoy teaching people and he points to the AY e46 M3, lowered, Porsche Caliper/brakes, sports recaro driver seat, full roll cage ala GTS. And he asks me if I want to join him in the passenger seat, I am like say what, e46 M3 was my dream car that I didn't realize until now with the F82.

Rewind 1.5 hours, I had a quick fast supper/salad and everything leading to that point was nice and relaxing... Boy, was I in for the ride of my life. I was thrown, left right, up and down , forward backwards, with g forces I never experienced before, the meal I had before was suddenly making its way up , I controlled as much as I can, and after 10-12 gruelling laps I prayed for the organizer to signal it's over. The kid drove his E46 like a rocket, DSC off, full speed, not one instance of oversteer, taking some tight turns at 80-90kph, small straights at 100-140kph, he was IMHO a rock solid driver and this is a short circuit (1.1mi with 13 turns). And the e46 M3, what a raw car...

After we pulled out, i was sweating, I don't know maybe from indigestion, excitement and/or fear, so I told the young instructor you should have gravol in your car, he goes to me he does and he always takes one when he's in the passenger seat :

Lessons learned: (
- never judge
- don't eat a big meal before
- bring gravol

I'll be heading again next Monday for another session, tires/brakes look ok (Caliper still blue) judging from my slowness at the track. I wish I had a GoPro to film his laps, I may consider getting one! Thanks for reading and sorry for no pics aside my helmet with its new club sticker.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

The only time that I was there was in the early 80's where I co-drove in a Datsun 510 in the rain for a 6 hour race.it was a fun place!

OMG, flashback to 1986 when I borrowed my uncle's Datsun and it broke on a busy intersection back home, never heard anyone mention this make since I emigrated here 25 year ago ... I grew up around Datsun, Peugeot, Renault, BMW, Mercedes, cars...

This track isn't long/high speed like LCMT or Calabogie as you know, but I'll make it to those two maybe next year when I develop more confidence and experience, and a bigger wallet

[CanAutM3]

Welcome to the club

[FLOSS M]

Congrats on becoming a track Junkie

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Welcome to the club

Well I am not in your club yet apparently LCMT clubs have a snobby reputation it was fun and it's great to have patient members like you and others to explain the theory as well some practical car track maintenance. Incidentally I found another site with some good videos and written material: http://driver61.com/uni/racing-line

[F80Dreamer]

Congrats that is awesome...I only had 1 track day in my older E92 M3 but was blown away by the great community and the limits of these cars.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by F80Dreamer

Congrats that is awesome...I only had 1 track day in my older E92 M3 but was blown away by the great community and the limits of these cars.

Yeah, the kid did pushed that e46 M3 to its limits and it makes you really appreciate, albeit all the complaining we do, what an amazing car we drive. You can only appreciate that either if you are a skilled driver and track or sit in the cockpit with one I don't think I will ever drive like him, he was fearless, but hope one day I start to understand and apply some basic racing techniques.

[Yessir]

I recently took my car to the track as well for the first time, Laguna Seca. Had a blast and learned so much about the limits of the car and what it is really capable of. I still have a long way to go before I can take the car to the limit but it was a great learning experience.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by Yessir

I recently took my car to the track as well for the first time, Laguna Seca. Had a blast and learned so much about the limits of the car and what it is really capable of. I still have a long way to go before I can take the car to the limit but it was a great learning experience.

Wow, so it's your first time and they let you push it, Or it's your first time with this car? The instructor encouraged me to go tiny faster but nowhere close to the limits of the car... Is this the track https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazd...ay_Laguna_Seca ? Nice.

[Yessir]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Wow, so it's your first time and they let you push it, Or it's your first time with this car? The instructor encouraged me to go tiny faster but nowhere close to the limits of the car... Is this the track https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazd...ay_Laguna_Seca ? Nice.

Second time to the track, first time with this car. I went with my track rat buddies and they ended up signing me in the advanced class so I swallowed my fear and went with it. Even though I wasn't the quickest or bravest through the turns, the car had enough power to keep me at a decent pace throughout the track with the other cars. Anyone that wanted to pass, I let them. This is actually what kept me fairly comfortable; knowing I didn't have to try and keep pace because it wasn't a race. If I felt any pressure, I moved to the side, and off the other driver went.... And yes this is the same Laguna Seca.

[aboulfad]

@yessir Nice track, and for having the guts to do it with other trackers. When I arrived at my track, there was an event and the cars were flying past so fast it was nerve racking if I would have been in there...

With the club I joined, you have to move from beginner group (red color) and the guy who went to stick a red magnet on my trunk couldn't figure out why it didn't stick : anyways, beginners are always alone on the track and no passing permitted. Once you move to intermediate (after maybe 6 visits), then it's mixed with the next level up with strict ruling passes.

I like this format because it safely and gradually builds one's confidence but if one shows skill, they move up quicker.

[shaftwhy]

Second time and you are in advanced group! Must be a record!

Originally Posted by Yessir

Second time to the track, first time with this car. I went with my track rat buddies and they ended up signing me in the advanced class so I swallowed my fear and went with it. Even though I wasn't the quickest or bravest through the turns, the car had enough power to keep me at a decent pace throughout the track with the other cars. Anyone that wanted to pass, I let them. This is actually what kept me fairly comfortable; knowing I didn't have to try and keep pace because it wasn't a race. If I felt any pressure, I moved to the side, and off the other driver went.... And yes this is the same Laguna Seca.

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

@yessir Nice track, and for having the guts to do it with other trackers. When I arrived at my track, there was an event and the cars were flying past so fast it was nerve racking if I would have been in there...

With the club I joined, you have to move from beginner group (red color) and the guy who went to stick a red magnet on my trunk couldn't figure out why it didn't stick : anyways, beginners are always alone on the track and no passing permitted. Once you move to intermediate (after maybe 6 visits), then it's mixed with the next level up with strict ruling passes.

I like this format because it safely and gradually builds one's confidence but if one shows skill, they move up quicker.

That is way it is done at a proper track day.A novice will learn nothing is he is intimidated by faster people whizzing by!

[shaftwhy]

http://driver61.com is awesome! I studied all 14 tutorials today! I haven't studies so hard since high school!

Originally Posted by aboulfad

Well I am not in your club yet apparently LCMT clubs have a snobby reputation it was fun and it's great to have patient members like you and others to explain the theory as well some practical car track maintenance. Incidentally I found another site with some good videos and written material: http://driver61.com/uni/racing-line

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by shaftwhy

http://driver61.com is awesome! I studied all 14 tutorials today! I haven't studies so hard since high school!

even knowing all this theory, once you are on track it's not that easy to apply it at high speed, but that would come with practice where one starts developing reflexes and muscle memory! its just so much to take in ...

I really enjoyed MyFragileHalogen 's thread and videos where it was the first time I hear of "pinching the steering wheel" and it was fun to apply that small bit. Every corner I took, I felt CanAutM3 voices in my head "don't pinch, don't pinch, ..." and you do have the tendency to want to accelerate when the steering wheel is still locked.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

BTW, as a tidbit, ASE is where the famed Gilles Villeneuve (yes, the father), got his first race car driving lessons in the early '70s .

An old lap of mine in my E92:

CanAutM3 , Ok after few sessions, I must admit I set an amazing record. sorry had to substitute the crappy GoPro Session sound with "Dangerous" by David Guetta in the video

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

CanAutM3 , Ok after few sessions, I must admit I set an amazing record. sorry had to substitute the crappy GoPro Session sound with "Dangerous" by David Guetta in the video

WOW, you beat me by .0001 seconds . 0:55 with the bus stop configuration is hell of a lap . I only managed 0:58s in that config on R-comps .

A few questions though:

Why is the video in slow motion ?

How did you time your lap ?

Why does the video not show a complete lap ?

[aboulfad]

I thought you may get a laugh out of it unfortunately as we were getting ready to take off, the M-laptimer didn't want to work! I just roughly measured the video segment between the start/finish line, I was a constant 1:40s , yes slow motion but give a noob a break! And I met a fellow instructor from your snobby club his name was Adam and he said you are fast!

This was my second session and even though they are short, I am learning a bit. This instructor was more chatty and guided quite a bit throughout the track!