[scollins]

Today was my first time at a HPDS (or HPDE, depending on the club I suppose). It was put on the BMW CCA PNW Chapter at Pacific Raceways in Auburn WA. It is a 10 turn track (9 turns and a "kink" in the main straight) that measures 2.25 miles long. Apparently this course is pretty brutal on right front tires.....

I was running in D group (obviously, I'm a noob), so we kept the top speed on the straight to around 120-125. I had a fantastic time, and the weather was perfect (clear, 68-72 degrees.) Each group got 4 - 20 minute sessions. My E90 335i 6MT did great, but the loose nut behind the wheel needs more work. Note: I never saw oil temps above 260 the entire day....

I can say that the hardest part is "putting it all together" on the track. Getting the line down, braking, shifting, throttle control, smooth inputs, etc. is a real mental game. It is also a little unnerving to come into a corner at 125 MPH, brake hard and setup for a sweeping left hander!! I think the corner speed was somewhere around 55? In all honesty, I rarely had a chance to look at the speedo, I was focusing on the track, traffic and the proper line.

In between run groups, I broke out my camera and snapped a bunch of pics. Not great results, but I made up for it with quantity! Lots of nice cars out there today, including a 997 GT3RS, Lambo Gallardo, Lotus Exige and a few Corvette Z06's.

97 photos posted here:
A bunch posted here (97 total)
Photos on Flickr

Here are a few teasers:

This one is mine:


Not just BMW's!


The stars of the day, the volunteers!



I'm hoping to make the HPDS next month too, but we'll see how the schedule works out. It is a little pricey at $225 for the day, plus $40 for a tech inspection (needed each time before the HPDS.) I might have to switch to the Porsche Club events. They are slightly cheaper ($205), and they only require a single annual tech inspection.

Anyway, I had a blast, learned a TON and met my two main goals for the day:
1.) Bring the car, driver and instructor home in one piece!
2.) HAVE FUN!

[longodj]

Hey,
Great work at the HPDE!

I can say that the hardest part is "putting it all together" on the track. Getting the line down, braking, shifting, throttle control, smooth inputs, etc. is a real mental game.

The best advice I ever got for putting steering, braking, and throttle control together was to imagine a string attached from your foot to your hand. That way when coming out of a turn as you bring the wheel back to center, your foot follows by pushing down on the gas. Or when you begin your turn in, you let off the brake equal with your wheel turn.

Also, if you're looking far enough ahead, you should basically be looking at the opposite side of the turn before you're making it, so that 125-55 turn shouldn't be bad at all. Looking ahead will help with the line as well. Also, brake early when you're unsure and brake later with each pass, that'll get your confidence up.

Good luck at your next event!

-Dave

[S4to335]

Yes, you shouldnt be looking at your speedometer except very rarely...keep your vision ahead..and not just at the tail of the car in front of you..think about what you are going to do ...and where you need to be 2-3 turns ahead. Vision is everything.

[scollins]

Originally Posted by S4to335

Yes, you shouldnt be looking at your speedometer except very rarely...keep your vision ahead..and not just at the tail of the car in front of you..think about what you are going to do ...and where you need to be 2-3 turns ahead. Vision is everything.

I did catch myself a few times following the car in front of me, until the instructor said something like "I have no idea where they are going, so don't follow them. Drive your car, not theirs."

By the third session, I knew the line (but that doesn't mean I was always on it!) So now I can visualize the whole track in my head. I'll "drive" the track a bunch of times between now and the next HPDS.

[nicknaz]

congrats on going to your first day!

[kenneth]

Yup, Vision is the number 1 thing to focus on. Once you start in this Sport, you are hooked for a long time. I think once you become an intermediate driver, you will find the 335 to be lacking in many departments, with heat being enemy number one.

This past Saturday my temp was over 280, reaching over 300 at one time I need to upgrade my oil cooler!

[Tonybest]

Congrats on your first event and attaining both your main objectives. Now a new objective would be to control your urges to do all events within a 500 mile radius.

I can't wait for my first event (of the season) June 20th arrgh so far away...

[kenneth]

Tony there's ointment for itches

[longodj]

Originally Posted by kenneth

Yup, Vision is the number 1 thing to focus on. Once you start in this Sport, you are hooked for a long time. I think once you become an intermediate driver, you will find the 335 to be lacking in many departments, with heat being enemy number one.

This past Saturday my temp was over 280, reaching over 300 at one time I need to upgrade my oil cooler!

Yes you do! Call Vince @ VK!!! Haven't brought mine on track yet with the VK but on the highway it's great. I had worse problems than that last year on track. It would hit limp every session, like a time bomb waiting to go off! leftcoastman had great luck with it http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165868

[kenneth]

VK sounds interesting, but doesn't 700$ sound steep for oil cooler, fittings etc., meaning it should not cost more than 300-$400 ?

[longodj]

Originally Posted by kenneth

VK sounds interesting, but doesn't 700$ sound steep for oil cooler, fittings etc., meaning it should not cost more than 300-$400 ?

The DINAN unit costs $1499... For me it was worth it just based on lost track time. Not to mention that heat doesn't do anything for the longevity of your turbos.

[Lowcruzr]

Great job on bringing it home in one piece!! "Putting it all together" gets the tinyest bit easier with every DE you attend.

[jaaE90]

Nice thread, with helpful reading! I'm attending my first HPDE this weekend in Pueblo, CO. Glad you had a good time, I'm really looking forward to this weekend!

[scollins]

Originally Posted by jaaE90

Nice thread, with helpful reading! I'm attending my first HPDE this weekend in Pueblo, CO. Glad you had a good time, I'm really looking forward to this weekend!

I don't know if you've been to a track event at all, but I noticed what the track students brought with them when I did the Car Control Clinic the month before. I made a note and brought it with me the next month.

Things to bring:
1.) Rubbermaid tote for all your "loose" car stuff. They wanted everything out of the car. It kept things together, and if the weather turned bad, it was protected.

2.) Lawn chair. There were grandstands to watch the other cars go by, but it was sure handy having a chair near the car.

3.) Canopy (shade!) The paddock area had zero shade, and neither did the grandstands....

4.) Water and snacks. Our HPDS fee included a box lunch, but they suggested bringing extra water and snacks.

5.) Paper towels and window cleaner

6.) Sunscreen!



Have fun!

[kenneth]

Add to that list, as a bare minimum: Tire pressure gauge, Torque wrench and air compressor!

[jaaE90]

Originally Posted by scollins

I don't know if you've been to a track event at all, but I noticed what the track students brought with them when I did the Car Control Clinic the month before. I made a note and brought it with me the next month.

Things to bring:
1.) Rubbermaid tote for all your "loose" car stuff. They wanted everything out of the car. It kept things together, and if the weather turned bad, it was protected.

2.) Lawn chair. There were grandstands to watch the other cars go by, but it was sure handy having a chair near the car.

3.) Canopy (shade!) The paddock area had zero shade, and neither did the grandstands....

4.) Water and snacks. Our HPDS fee included a box lunch, but they suggested bringing extra water and snacks.

5.) Paper towels and window cleaner

6.) Sunscreen!



Have fun!

Originally Posted by kenneth

Add to that list, as a bare minimum: Tire pressure gauge, Torque wrench and air compressor!

Thanks, guys! This will be my first time to a track, but I do autox so all of that stuff is on my list (except the compressor, which I need to buy!).

On another note, our CCC was cancelled due to poor volunteer numbers .

[scollins]

Originally Posted by kenneth

Add to that list, as a bare minimum: Tire pressure gauge, Torque wrench and air compressor!

Oh yeah, I had the TPG and compressor with me too, but not a torque wrench! Something to add to the next event, thanks!

I logged my tire pressures starting with the second session.

Tires: Bridgestone Potenza RFTs (225 & 255 stagger, stock ZSP tires)
Initial TP's that morning:
F Cold - 32 PSI
R Cold - 28 PSI

2nd Session:
RF Hot - 40
RR Hot - 44
LR Hot - 44
LF Hot - 38

3rd Session: (measured 10 minutes after session ended)
RF Hot - 39
RR Hot - 42
LR Hot - 42
LF Hot - 38

4th Session: (measured 10 minutes after session ended)
RF Hot - 40
RR Hot - 43
LR Hot - 42
LF Hot - 38


So I have no idea if my starting pressure was the right one (factory recommended spec), but at least the TP's were fairly consistent from session to session.