BMW
X7 and XM
forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BIMMERPOST Universal Forums Professional Motorsport Racing Discussion (IMSA, DTM, Formula 1, Grand-AM, Le Mans, IRL, WRC, etc..) BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team Lime Rock Preview

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-21-2010, 02:48 PM   #1
Jason
Administrator
Jason's Avatar
United_States
40322
Rep
21,232
Posts

Drives: F80 M3
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team Lime Rock Preview

BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team Lime Rock Preview

July 21, 2010 | Press Release

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – July 21, 2010… The BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team has arrived in Lakeville, CT, for the July 24th Round 5 of the 2010 American Le Mans Series. The Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park will begin this Saturday at 2:05pm Eastern Time and will be broadcast live on SPEED Television.

With five podium finishes in the first four races of the season, BMW now leads the GT Manufacturer points race. BMW M3 GT co-drivers Bill Auberlen and Tommy Milner, along with Joey Hand and Dirk Müller, stand third and fourth in GT Driver points, respectively.

A proper integration of aerodynamics, suspension, powertrain, and tires is credited for the M3 GT’s tremendously high cornering speeds and stable, balanced handling behavior. Below are some details of the incremental improvements made by the team to some of the most highly-technical areas of development since the summer of 2009.


Aerodynamics.

At this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, BMW Motorsport introduced a new “aero kit” for the M3 GT as the result of a wind tunnel program conducted this past winter in Munich. The kit consists of a new front valence, side skirts, and rear diffuser section. Following a successful test of the kit at Road Atlanta in late June, the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team chose to adopt the new aero kit for Stateside competition at Lime Rock Park. The primary benefits of the new aero kit are increased front downforce and slightly reduced weight. According to Jay O’Connell, RLR’s Vice President of Technology, these benefits give the engineers more flexibility when it comes to overall vehicle setup, including management of aerodynamic center of pressure. At shorter courses like Lime Rock Park where top speeds are less crucial, the new aero kit will fortify the performance of the M3 GT.

Fans will also notice that the M3 GT sports a set of new, improved side mirrors for 2010. The new mirrors, made entirely of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), feature improved positioning, lighter weight, better mirror surfaces, and more favorable aerodynamics. The drivers report that after a short acclimatization, the new mirrors have made it easier to notice overtaking prototype traffic. On-board videos from Laguna Seca and Miller Motorsports Park demonstrate the usefulness of the new mirrors.


Suspension.

The BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team engineers have made sure suspension development has continued since before the first M3 GT’s first race in March 2009. The adjustment of dampers represents the most common opportunity to find speed, according to BMW-RLR suspension engineer Uwe Wolf. “We start with damper data collected during previous events at each track and create an overlay with the newest data coming from the car,” said Wolf. “Track surfaces and ambient conditions will be at least slightly different each time we visit a venue, so often even the smallest change to damper settings can make the handling of the car more favorable.”

In addition to damper adjustments, the rules allow the team to try different spring rates, ride heights, and to a lesser extent, attachment points. Each of these variables is constantly researched by the engineers to facilitate integrated improvements to the suspension system. The goal, in its simplest expression, is to keep each Dunlop tire firmly in contact with the track surface for as much of a lap as possible while the physical forces inherent to racing attempt to lift each tire from the surface.


Powertrain and Electronics.

Each BMW-RLR driver agrees that the biggest improvement to the M3 GT’s powertrain since 2009 is the development of the driver-adjustable traction control system. With separate settings for wet and dry operation, the BMW-developed traction control has a dual-mission: extend the life of the M3’s Dunlop tires and shorten lap times by helping the driver to perfectly modulate the throttle when exiting each corner.

“During the winter our engineers made significant strides in the usefulness of our TC system,” said Bill Auberlen, driver of the No. 92 M3 GT. “I first realized at the 2010 Sebring winter test that I can now choose the proper TC setting and go ‘flat’ on the accelerator as soon as I get near the apex of almost any turn. [Then] the car just tracks out perfectly, which allows me more ‘bandwidth’ to concentrate on setting up the next series of turns or any competitive moves I’m trying to make. It’s amazing technology and having it really differentiates ALMS from other series.”

For 2010, ALMS rules were updated to allow real-time data transmission, also known as “telemetry,” in GT cars in addition to the traditional on-board data collection. This means the M3 GT can now send packages of information about several vehicle parameters back to the engineers on pit wall during each race. While the benefits of telemetry are numerous, the immediately significant advantage is, as with traction control, reduction of the driver’s workload in the heat of battle. Procedural checks which previously were the responsibility of the driver may now be done in real-time by the engineers. Good examples of this would be reading the fuel consumption display or perhaps checking tire pressures via remote sensors mounted in each wheel.


Tires.

Dunlop has been BMW-RLR’s tire partner since the launch of the M3 GT program, and as a result the Dunlop racing tires have matured and developed in parallel with the M3 GT itself. Driver Tommy Milner (No. 92) recently remarked, “I can instantly tell when the Dunlops are at the proper temperature and pressure. If I need to take some more time to warm them up, the tires will let me know through feel and feedback.”

As the only regular points of contact between the M3 GT and the track surface, the tires bear the results of technical developments made in the car during the past year. Achievements in suspension, powertrain, and aerodynamics are all reflected in the performance of the tires. Conversely, the constant research by Dunlop in the areas of tire case construction and rubber compounds enables each change in other areas to have a more pronounced effect.


Driver Fitness.

The M3 GT is a system of components working together, and BMW-RLR considers the drivers and crew members to be integral parts of the system alongside the mechanical components. Therefore, paralleling the development of the car, the BMW-RLR drivers constantly train to make themselves stronger and more resilient to stress and heat. This year, driver Joey Hand (No. 90) is the team’s stand-out for “Most Improved Driver Fitness” among close competition. Already in good shape as an endurance racer, Hand took on a challenging new fitness program for 2010, intended to fortify his endurance and accelerate his metabolism.

“I’ve lost about 17 pounds since this point last season,” says Hand. “I gave my body a little shock by starting a new routine including fresh diet and exercise components, and the results have been great when it comes to those long stints at hot-weather races. I decided to eliminate myself from the list of potential failure points in the race car.”

Official practice and qualifying both take place on Friday with two one-hour practice sessions before a 20-minute qualifying session at 4:10 p.m. Qualifying coverage will be webcast live by SPEED and ALMS. The ALMS Northeast Grand Prix is scheduled to start Saturday at 2:05 p.m Eastern Time. The two-hour-and-forty-five-minute contest will be broadcast live on SPEED Television beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET. Follow the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube for real-time updates.


Name:  P90064364.jpg
Views: 2874
Size:  173.5 KB

Name:  P90064365.jpg
Views: 2319
Size:  304.4 KB

Name:  P90064367.jpg
Views: 2229
Size:  123.7 KB

Name:  P90064368.jpg
Views: 2329
Size:  161.9 KB

Name:  P90064369.jpg
Views: 2286
Size:  178.1 KB

Name:  P90064370.jpg
Views: 2328
Size:  195.5 KB

Name:  P90064371.jpg
Views: 2289
Size:  222.6 KB

Name:  P90064372.jpg
Views: 2205
Size:  373.5 KB
__________________
Check on the Latest BMW News
Become a fan of Bimmerpost Facebook
Follow us on Bimmerpost Twitter
Subscribe to Bimmerpost Youtube Channel
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2010, 09:44 PM   #2
Oulixes
Lieutenant Colonel
Oulixes's Avatar
22
Rep
1,938
Posts

Drives: 330xi, 335i
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Terra Borealis

iTrader: (0)

A good read, thanks.
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2010, 10:23 PM   #3
Point N Shoot
Photographer
Point N Shoot's Avatar
United_States
141
Rep
1,634
Posts

Drives: 2009 Left Foot & Right Foot
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NY

iTrader: (0)

Cant wait to go, Press Passes..
__________________
ENRON = We Take Your Money and Run!!!
"Never bring a Camera to a Gun Fight, You never know who you might Point n Shoot at!!!"
"Victims, arent we all?"
http://photowithart.com/
Appreciate 0
      07-22-2010, 06:12 AM   #4
bklynbimmer
Private First Class
10
Rep
145
Posts

Drives: E90 M3
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: NYC

iTrader: (2)

This is my first time going!! Any advice/tips??
Appreciate 0
      07-22-2010, 09:48 AM   #5
badbadm
Registered
United_States
0
Rep
4
Posts

Drives: 1 jalopy
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SE USA

iTrader: (0)

Autograph session in paddock (all teams) at 11am Saturday, followed by Tech Talk at the BMW-RLR transporter at 11:45-12:15, followed by a quick auctioning of some drivers' stuff and used M3 GT parts to benefit the ALMS charity. Pre-race activities on the front straight at 1:20pm, then race start at 2:05pm.
Appreciate 0
      07-23-2010, 11:27 AM   #6
Rolitto
Second Lieutenant
Rolitto's Avatar
Lebanon
5
Rep
255
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Beirut and Canada

iTrader: (0)

BMW RLR: crush the competition.
Appreciate 0
      07-23-2010, 03:56 PM   #7
BKV122
Major
BKV122's Avatar
United_States
47
Rep
1,160
Posts

Drives: E90
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: NY

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2006 330xi  [9.50]
Quote:
Originally Posted by bklynbimmer View Post
This is my first time going!! Any advice/tips??
well its a park like atmosphere were u sit on the grass which i think is sweet, whole infield and paddok are open to walk around. Friday is the best day to go imo with less of a crowd bc its just practice/qualifying.


Looks like its gunna be a hot one too
__________________
Monaco Blue 330xi - Terra Interior/6-MT/Sport/Premium/Cold/CSL's/M3 Spoiler Lip/Black Kidney's
Appreciate 0
      07-24-2010, 04:26 AM   #8
Point N Shoot
Photographer
Point N Shoot's Avatar
United_States
141
Rep
1,634
Posts

Drives: 2009 Left Foot & Right Foot
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NY

iTrader: (0)

Yesterday was a great experience,
heading back for round 2 as I write this..
__________________
ENRON = We Take Your Money and Run!!!
"Never bring a Camera to a Gun Fight, You never know who you might Point n Shoot at!!!"
"Victims, arent we all?"
http://photowithart.com/
Appreciate 0
      07-25-2010, 09:43 AM   #9
Point N Shoot
Photographer
Point N Shoot's Avatar
United_States
141
Rep
1,634
Posts

Drives: 2009 Left Foot & Right Foot
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NY

iTrader: (0)

Le Mans= Fantastic Weekend..
__________________
ENRON = We Take Your Money and Run!!!
"Never bring a Camera to a Gun Fight, You never know who you might Point n Shoot at!!!"
"Victims, arent we all?"
http://photowithart.com/
Appreciate 0
      08-27-2010, 12:00 PM   #10
Point N Shoot
Photographer
Point N Shoot's Avatar
United_States
141
Rep
1,634
Posts

Drives: 2009 Left Foot & Right Foot
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NY

iTrader: (0)

Some teaser photos as Promised,
a lot more pics to go, A LOT..

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=424654
__________________
ENRON = We Take Your Money and Run!!!
"Never bring a Camera to a Gun Fight, You never know who you might Point n Shoot at!!!"
"Victims, arent we all?"
http://photowithart.com/
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:41 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST