[wjones14]

First off, I consider myself somewhat of a noob when it comes to track days. I started with HPDE track days in 2007 with a stock 2005 Mustang GT, but only do one track day per year.

This year was my 10th track day overall, and first in the Intermediate group! I chose to have an instructor ride with me on the first session and went solo for the next three sessions. I'm glad I opted for the instructor - he helped me a lot with braking, and with overall confidence.

Up until this time I have had limited track time in the M235i. I ran 10 laps at Palmer Motorsports Park in 2015 and 8 laps at Watkins Glen in 2016.

I ran 70 laps at Lime Rock this time.

The car is completely stock, including the original staggered Super Sports with 9,000 miles on them. I ran the stock tire pressures 33/38 front/rear. No issues with the brakes either, though Lime Rock is not a heavy braking track at all.

I've complained a lot about the car in various sections of these forums - mostly because it's not a muscle car, and I think that's what I really want, specifically a Camaro SS 1LE. But I have to say, you can do a lot worse than an M235i when it comes to a track car. It's easy to drive, balanced, and predictable. I ran it in Sport+ mode with DSC on, and I did see the DSC light flashing quite a bit, so it was doing its thing, but not in an obtrusive way at all. Sport+ allowed plenty of wheelspin, and I had a lot of fun with it.

Again, I'm not out there to get every last tenth of a second. I treat it as a hobby, a serious one, but still just a hobby where the main goals are to keep the car undamaged and to have fun. Mission accomplished.

The best I did with the Mustang at Lime Rock was in the 1:11 range. I ran a 1:07.30 lap and got a top speed of 126 mph with the BMW (according to the M Laptimer app), so I'm quite happy with that.

There was a somewhat funny moment with a Jaguar F-Type S AWD (about $92,000 MSRP). I got it on video and posted to YouTube.

[zipphreak]

Treat this hobby like heroin. You start chasing the white dragon, and then your hooked. Keep doing the HPDE's, consider joining BMW CCA or AUDI NEQ. They have some great instructors.
Once you start doing this more, the outside shoulders of your front tires will start wearing, and you'll want more camber via Camber plates. Then look into getting a 200 treat wear class tire, like Hankook RS4, Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R, etc..

[bryan_G01]

1:07 is a very respectable time.

My fastest is a 1:02:9 with lots of work done.

As you know 5 seconds is a lifetime at LRP, but i bet you can shave a few by not lifting on downhil and getting the lefthander down properly. Tires and brakes a worth a few seconds.

https://www.facebook.com/bryanduncan...2585834664262/

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by zipphreak

Treat this hobby like heroin. You start chasing the white dragon, and then your hooked. Keep doing the HPDE's, consider joining BMW CCA or AUDI NEQ. They have some great instructors.
Once you start doing this more, the outside shoulders of your front tires will start wearing, and you'll want more camber via Camber plates. Then look into getting a 200 treat wear class tire, like Hankook RS4, Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R, etc..

I'm probably in the minority in regards to mods, but I've just never been a mod guy. My philosophy is if I'm not satisfied with the stock performance, then I'll just buy a faster car. I mean, how much would it cost in mods to equal the performance of a $45,000 Camaro 1LE, a car that beat the M2 by 7 seconds in this year's Lightning Lap at VIR?

You're right about the tires - shoulders are destroyed and rubber gobs stuck all over the place.

Originally Posted by bryan_f22

1:07 is a very respectable time.

My fastest is a 1:02:9 with lots of work done.

As you know 5 seconds is a lifetime at LRP, but i bet you can shave a few by not lifting on downhil and getting the lefthander down properly. Tires and brakes a worth a few seconds.

https://www.facebook.com/bryanduncan...2585834664262/

Thanks Bryan. You're right about the left-hander. For some reason I was slower than everyone on that turn.

[bryan_G01]

watch the video i posted. Its the best line for an AWD 235 auto so far @ LRP. I'm 1 second off the fastest m4 laptime which had a tune and dp.

For the left hander, aim for the red bathrooms, don't track so far to the right, late turn into the left and go over the rumble strips. Overall not a bad line, just need more practice.

[3002 tii]

Nice you'll be sub 1:05 soon enough. I was there this past weekend and put down a 1:03.1, and I know I can pick up another half second just by braking less lol. Keep at it!

[bryan_G01]

you have a hair to loose to beat my 1.02.9

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by bryan_f22

you have a hair to loose to beat my 1.02.9

Single hair... more like find +170hp/220ft-lb

Worst part was I only got 4 laps in the last session before the checkered flag came down but I know I could've broke 1:02 with another 1-2 laps. I'll just have to redeem myself at October NJMP. You going to that one?

[bryan_G01]

taking a break this year, wedding costs....


I coulda broke my time at LRP, but i got a fuel pump CEL, you can see it start to studder and pop in the video right before the finish on lap 16.