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Old 07-19-2012, 06:33 AM   #1
wolferj-RIP
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Default I'm losing my track virginity...

As of Friday, July 20th. 2012, I am losing my virginity...

Track virginity, that is...


Location: Thunderhill raceway
Time: 6:30am to 5:30 pm

I am a complete track noob, but an old fart... This will be interesting!




I am unsure if I will able to provide track video, but I should be able to provide some pics afterwards, at a minimum.

My real objective is to gather tips and recommendations from track vets (young and old) regarding to what to expect on the track, what extra bits I should bring along, and whatever advice you can dispense...

Thunderhill is about 2 hours from my home and I am planning on driving the ti to the track and home again. Track will be dry and hot (forecast is for 97 degrees, with low humidity).

So, what should I bring, what should I leave behind, and what do you think of an old fart running around a racetrack in his ti?

Critiques, compliments, and comic relief is both welcomed and encouraged...

Wish me luck and good times!
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Old 07-19-2012, 06:46 AM   #2
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OK well as far as being an old guy I too would like to run mine at the track one day..

I heard if you just relax and don't fight it...You will be fine.

Then your going to want to do it all the time......and you get called a "Track whor
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Old 07-19-2012, 11:54 AM   #3
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Park near someone with an enclosed trailer.
Make friends with those in big popup tents.
A friend of mind has a big fan to keep cool.


Store your gear in something that will protect it from wind and rain.

A lot of people use tarps.
I use a tent and throw all my stuff in there.
Then I don't have to worry about wind or rain.
Peace of mind.

For tools you really don't need to get carried away.
There are always people around to give you a hand.

Air gauge, torque wrench.
Oil
Lots of Water or Gatorade.
Windshield cleaner and paper towels.
Maybe work gloves.

If you are going to shoot video, it's a good idea to be able to view your hand movement as well as car position.

First time, don't get overwhelmed.

Be safe
Learn
Have fun

For me it was overwhelming at first.
Now I find it relaxing.

bf.c has a good track forum.
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Last edited by 1996 328ti; 07-19-2012 at 11:58 AM.
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Old 07-19-2012, 12:29 PM   #4
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Sounds like fun James. Get out there and let your hair down!
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Old 07-19-2012, 05:25 PM   #5
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Good luck! Don't overdrive the first time out, just be smooth. Take care of your equipment. Remember you still have to drive home.

Most of all have fun and don't get embarrased if you make a mistake.
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Old 07-19-2012, 06:33 PM   #6
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Congrats James, I'm sure you'll have an awesome time. Sounds like you have the perfect mentality about it, not trying to go out and show off the first time. Just take it easy and remember to have fun.
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Old 07-19-2012, 07:33 PM   #7
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Rubbin is racin and if you ain't first, you're last!
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Old 07-19-2012, 09:20 PM   #8
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Just don't be this guy.

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Old 07-20-2012, 12:43 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1996 328ti View Post
Just don't be this guy.

i remember watching this, i don't know if its the computer voices or the pure idiocy of that guy but it always cracks me up,

as for track day advice all i can say is that smooth is fast
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Old 07-20-2012, 02:54 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1996 328ti View Post
Park near someone with an enclosed trailer.
Make friends with those in big popup tents.
A friend of mind has a big fan to keep cool.


Store your gear in something that will protect it from wind and rain.

A lot of people use tarps.
I use a tent and throw all my stuff in there.
Then I don't have to worry about wind or rain.
Peace of mind.

For tools you really don't need to get carried away.
There are always people around to give you a hand.

Air gauge, torque wrench.
Oil
Lots of Water or Gatorade.
Windshield cleaner and paper towels.
Maybe work gloves.

If you are going to shoot video, it's a good idea to be able to view your hand movement as well as car position.

First time, don't get overwhelmed.

Be safe
Learn
Have fun

For me it was overwhelming at first.
Now I find it relaxing.

bf.c has a good track forum.
All of that seems like very solid advice! Thanks...

Quote:
Originally Posted by teetime4one View Post
Sounds like fun James. Get out there and let your hair down!
Hair? What Hair?

Quote:
Originally Posted by cooljess76 View Post
Rubbin is racin and if you ain't first, you're last!
I expect no less from you Jesse!

Quote:
Originally Posted by spidertri View Post
Congrats James, I'm sure you'll have an awesome time. Sounds like you have the perfect mentality about it, not trying to go out and show off the first time. Just take it easy and remember to have fun.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 98318ti View Post
Good luck! Don't overdrive the first time out, just be smooth. Take care of your equipment. Remember you still have to drive home.

Most of all have fun and don't get embarrased if you make a mistake.
I suspect that I will be more worried about damaging the car than anything, so I will be cautious... I'll have an instructor with me, so that will help keep me smooth

Quote:
Originally Posted by GrandpaTuner View Post
OK well as far as being an old guy I too would like to run mine at the track one day..

I heard if you just relax and don't fight it...You will be fine.

Then your going to want to do it all the time......and you get called a "Track whor
It won't be the first time I get called that!


Thanks for the tips and smiles! See you all on the other side!
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James 95 active w/leather interior and sport interior conversion, Vaders, full M-Tech exterior conversion. Now m50 swapped* Eibach sway bars, D2 Coilovers, Depo's w/AE's, blacked-out sides and grills, LeatherZ console and door armrests, 1 series starter button mod, and custom finished Style 5's <--- in this color! Named "Roddy": *M50 6 cyl. swap with fan delete, S50 cams and chip, AFE stage 2 intake, M3 clutch and 11.5 lb Fidanza flywheel, 3.15LSD, battery relocated to rear and complete custom exhaust. Sweet! 97 318ti sport, Alaska Blue, Contours, coilovers, Dove Vaders and custom black/grey interior named "Max" 95 318ti Active in Cosmos, S50 swap in progress... named "Pit" SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE! Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW!
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Old 07-20-2012, 06:22 AM   #11
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That is a great video!...Bust me up....
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Old 07-20-2012, 09:03 AM   #12
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I like this version....This version has explicit langauge and suggestive material.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=ETmnennvBhM

Last edited by GrandpaTuner; 07-20-2012 at 09:08 AM. Reason: Warning
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Old 07-21-2012, 04:30 AM   #13
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I'm here to report that I survived in one piece and so did the ti. I'm also exhausted! Had a great time, and I wasn't even the oldest fart in the novice run group...

The ti performed flawlessly, put up with a good amount of my novice driving skills without complaint, and felt secure, solid and predictable. (I let my instructor drive it for a few laps (he's a Miata driver), and he was very complimentary of it's handling and overall performance for a street car.) Makes me feel like I made the right choices in suspension setup and engine.

I snapped a few crummy phone pics (not while driving!), but never got to fashion a video cam rig in the car ahead of time. One driver let me use his cam for a lap session, but the batteries died almost immediately. He will get me what video he has soon...

I did take some great pictures of the faster groups which I will upload soon and post.

I would recommend this experience to anyone, it was a blast!


IMAG0553 by wolfe94590, on Flickr


IMAG0554 by wolfe94590, on Flickr


IMAG0557 by wolfe94590, on Flickr


IMAG0558 by wolfe94590, on Flickr

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Old 07-21-2012, 04:35 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cooljess76 View Post
Rubbin is racin and if you ain't first, you're last!
And "second is just the first loser"
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Old 07-21-2012, 05:13 AM   #15
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Glad to hear that you had a great day and the car handled your track time. I'm jealous!
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