[mxa121]

This is my take on my first autocross with my E92 335i.
just so this thread was not worthless..


First of all, it is a whole lot of fun! Never thought parking lot racing would be so intense.
This was a fairly large flowing course in Stockbridge, GA. I was the only E9x car there. Lots of E30s and some E36s and E46s. The most popular cars were Miatas (duh) and C5 Z06s.

With the 335i, kept it in second, it pulled great through every turn and on every straight. The handling was really a marvel. It would hold so well through the faster sweepers, allowing me to keep on the throttle without losing the balance. The BMW balance is one of the big hypes of these cars, it's true! After co piloting, an STi driver said "Man I need to get a rear wheel drive car or something!" Because he couldn't believe my times.

My best times came with DTC in the "middle" mode. (one click of the DTC button) I am sure with more practice I could improve my times with DTC fully off.
All laps had a passenger.
Lap 1 60 seconds (DTC on)
Lap 2 61 seconds (DTC on, someone spun out in front of me)
Lap 3 54.0 seconds (DTC one click)
Lap 4 54.3 seconds (DTC off, hit a cone )
Lap 5 53.3 seconds (DTC one click I was stoked)

I wish I could give you some reference times, but there was a wide variety of cars out there. I was pacing the course rather quickly I think. Quicker than the majority of cars. A few C5 Z cars were quicker, as were the really modified cars. A V8 totally insane S2000 track car got a 47. All of the mustangs were really slow. A C6 Z06 just got a 52.7 at the end of the day, could be all driver. Anyways, it handled amazing. (running Michelin PSS)

I have had my car one year and this is the first event that I participated in. I encourage you all to get out there and enjoy it! I got to push my car's and my own limits in a closed course environment. Helps you learn your car and improves your skill and car control. Besides, everyone likes to hang their ass out here and there! Did I mention FUN? 45 bucks for that? Yes, please.


Here is a lap from a phone video. Not the greatest, but it shows me running the whole track..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLHPY_ONSIU
Next time a GoPro will be a must. You cannot get a feel for the speed or track from the sidelines.

[Bamaben]

Sounds like respectable times and that you had a blast. I had as much fun as you at my first one so I can relate. I did a years worth of autox events in my e36 and one event in my 335 (e36 was just as fun and tires are much cheaper). They are a lot of fun.
Now after you get a few of these under your belt step up to a track day. One track day = 2 hours seat time vs 6 minutes at autox, and far less wear of your tires . Plus track days are 10x the fun. Try a track day and you'll never go back to autox.

[mxa121]

Originally Posted by Bamaben

Sounds like respectable times and that you had a blast. I had as much fun as you at my first one so I can relate. I did a years worth of autox events in my e36 and one event in my 335 (e36 was just as fun and tires are much cheaper). They are a lot of fun.
Now after you get a few of these under your belt step up to a track day. One track day = 2 hours seat time vs 6 minutes at autox, and far less wear of your tires . Plus track days are 10x the fun. Try a track day and you'll never go back to autox.

I'm with you, initially I was against autox and was only interested in track days. This was a last minute decision to go and it was awesome. THEN I find out that BMW CCA was at Road Atlanta this weekend, doh!

[bartles]

Damn that looks like alot of fun!

[Aubie4Pres]

Very Cool. Who put this event on? I'm in Atlanta and would interested in doing one of these in the future.

Thanks,

[MrPig]

That's a nice looking Subaru. 2.5RS?

[spencers]

Welcome to the addiction!

[oregondonor]

Love to Autocross!

[ManyMoonsAgo]

Excellent - autocrossing is a great way to spend a day. Look for the local chapter of the BMW Car Club of America or Porsche Car Club of America in your area. Mine host monthly autocross events at a nearby airport. You will meet a lot of fellow enthusiasts and learn a lot about improving your times and reading courses.

[Maestro]

Did they put the "N" on your car for Nubie

[mxa121]

Originally Posted by bartles

Damn that looks like alot of fun!

Indeed it is, you should sign up and drive one sometime!

Originally Posted by 335isCab

Very Cool. Who put this event on? I'm in Atlanta and would interested in doing one of these in the future.
Thanks,

www.motorsportreg.com has lots of events, I think for a lot of areas.

Originally Posted by MrPig

That's a nice looking Subaru. 2.5RS?

Yes! That's my friends RS, he just put wheels and coilovers on it. He also drives a 2005 WRX Sti which is very fun to drive.

Originally Posted by spencers

Welcome to the addiction!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by oregondonor

Love to Autocross!

Lots of fun for a little dough!

Originally Posted by ManyMoonsAgo

Excellent - autocrossing is a great way to spend a day. Look for the local chapter of the BMW Car Club of America or Porsche Car Club of America in your area. Mine host monthly autocross events at a nearby airport. You will meet a lot of fellow enthusiasts and learn a lot about improving your times and reading courses.

Thanks, the Porsche car club put a flier on my car (funny, not on any of the other cars around me, must be a German thing) I will check it out.

Originally Posted by Maestro

Did they put the "N" on your car for Nubie

Yes!! or Novice. I had to run that class because I was a first timer.

[WreckerX5d]

So you can literally just show up and race? I want to do some AutoX this year. I have never raced on a track other than a drag strip.

[spencers]

Originally Posted by MonkUSMC

So you can literally just show up and race? I want to do some AutoX this year. I have never raced on a track other than a drag strip.

You have to pay a fee, sign a waiver, and pass tech inspection, but yes.

However, check your regional SCCA before you just show up. Most have started to require you to register before-hand.

[just_dirty]

Awesome!! I can't wait for AutoX to start up in my area!

[bluescoupe]

Sounds great!
I've signed up for one as well.

What tires do you have and what tire pressure worked well?
Last time I did this, I had a lot of tire wear...

[mxa121]

Originally Posted by bluescoupe

Sounds great!
I've signed up for one as well.

What tires do you have and what tire pressure worked well?
Last time I did this, I had a lot of tire wear...

I have Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Running 36 psi rear and 32 psi front worked well for me. A local shop recommended putting the fronts up to 36 psi and that was worse. Next time I will try 30.

[tigermack]

DTC 1 click still holds your throttle back, right?

[mxa121]

Originally Posted by tigermack

DTC 1 click still holds your throttle back, right?

It would interfere, but will allow you to slide the car a little bit. But, it seemed to be a good compromise between on and off. Obviously, with more finesse, completely off will yield better times.