[aerobod]

I just did the rather excellent BMW Canada Power of ///M Track Experience at Area 27 today. It was certainly an opportunity to drive most of the ///M range and compare the vehicles.

The M2s in automatic form performed well compared with the other cars with good feel and speed (all the leads/instructors drove manual M2s). I think the only car that was faster was the M3 CS (on Cup 2 tyres) out of the M4 Comp, M2, M3 CS, X3M Comp, X5M and X6M. The manual M2 seemed to be slightly pulling away from the X3M Comp on the straight at around 200km/h.

The M2s did have some understeer, but I think this was due to the fact that the front tyres had too high pressure at around 44PSI hot, with the rears at around 40PSI hot. One of the Calgary BMW principles thought this was likely deliberate (probably to reduce risk of offs due to over exuberant use of the throttle on RWD cars, I expect).

I found the X3M was surprisingly more capable than the X5M on track, although braking from speeds up to 205km/h certainly worked the brakes hard and softened the pedal a bit.

Kudos to BMW Canada for a very well organized and enjoyable event.

[M2siast]

Nice!!!
How did you get in? (Not that it matters since I wouldn’t have been able to join today)

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by M2siast

Nice!!!
How did you get in? (Not that it matters since I wouldn’t have been able to join today)

I was chatting with the dealer management and my sales person at BMW Gallery on delivery of the M2, about cars and BMWs in general and I was lucky enough to be offered one of the places they had allocated for the event.

[M2siast]

Originally Posted by aerobod

I was chatting with the dealer management and my sales person on delivery of the M2 about cars and BMWs in general and I was lucky enough to be offered one of the places they had allocated for the event.

Very nice! Congratulations! What a blast it must’ve been. Area 27 is the best track “in the whole of the Canada”! Had you been there before?

I’m supposedly invited to an event in August at VIMC, we’ll see. Did you get the driver’s package with your car?

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by M2siast

Very nice! Congratulations! What a blast it must’ve been. Area 27 is the best track “in the whole of the Canada”! Had you been there before?

I’m supposedly invited to an event in August at VIMC, we’ll see. Did you get the driver’s package with your car?

I didn’t get the driver’s package, as I don’t expect the M2 will be on the track often, as that is the Caterham’s job. I had a couple of opportunities over the past couple of years for events at Area 27, but couldn’t make those times work, it is really a multi day trip for me to attend from Calgary, today was the first time. Some excellent elevation changes and challenging blind crests and corners that make it very interesting to find the right lines.

[M2siast]

Originally Posted by aerobod

I didn’t get the driver’s package, as I don’t expect the M2 will be on the track often, as that is the Caterham’s job. I had a couple of opportunities over the past couple of years for events at Area 27, but couldn’t make those times work, today was the first time. Some excellent elevation changes and challenging blind crests and corners that make it very interesting to find the right lines.

Cool man, I’m jealous. I asked if you got the driver’s pack because I’m finding a time to go to the US to do the M driver event, maybe we could hit it together

[Albator_IIII]

It is a very nice track. Lots or blind complex chicanes and corners with elevation variations. Definitely need to know what you are doing or else if you push it too much you are out.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by Albator_IIII

It is a very nice track. Lots or blind complex chicanes and corners with elevation variations. Definitely need to know what you are doing or else if you push it too much you are out.

Yes, there was an X5M in one session that did a bit of farming towards the vineyards, the only off of the day I know of.

[Albator_IIII]

Originally Posted by aerobod

Yes, there was an X5M in one session that did a bit of farming towards the vineyards, the only off of the day I know of.

Only one is impressive (overweight tank no doubt with massive inertia). Indicative of the maturity of the group and discipline coupled with patience or participants. Kudos for safety.

[ZPD]

Nice. I got invited to go to the event at COTA so I signed up for August 5th. Looking forward to actually driving an M2, especially since my build went back down to "Order received" status