[Atsnow]

So I will be doing my first track experience next month at an HPDE event organize by our local BMW club ,It will be a 2 day event at Le Circuit Mont Tremblant in Quebec this is the perfect event for a beginner like me with lots of classroom instructions and 4-5 20min sessions per day and there will be no timing of the runs its really about learning to drive on a track

Now this will be the first time for my car to be on a track and I want to make sure it’s rightly prepared, however I don’t intend to spend too much money as if I decided to do much tracking or auto-x it will probably be with my other car (E36 M3 Vert)

My car is a 2008 E92 335xi

Brakes are in good shape

Suspension was replaced with Bilstein sports dampers and Eibach springs and have less than 3K miles

Wheels and tires are Front 18 X 8 ET20 235/40/18 Rear 18 X 9 ET24 265/35/18 Hankook V12s (less then 5K miles)

Any recommendation for setup and preparation would be appreciated and also what tire pressure would you run

Thanks

[MKR_DmD]

If outside temps are hot, drain your coolant and use water and water wetter. Oil cooler would be another investment, but those are expensive.

[zsapphire7]

dont worry about anything except ur tire pressures. Just bring a tire pressure gauge and ull probably want the tires 40~psi hot. it really depends on ur tires, how hard u turn, alignment settings. u just dont wanna roll over onto your sidewall or be too overinflated.

[BMWsky]

Since it is your first event, you'll probably be running in the C or D group...your car is already prepared for it. After each run, pop your hood and let the engine cool. As was mentioned, get a good tire pressure gauge and check your tires cold, then right after a run and remember the pressure. You may want to drop them a pound or two when they're cold, it depends.

After a run or two, press your DTC button once to turn off the DSC, but still keeping the DTC engaged.

Try to stay as smooth as possible, keep the death grip off the steering wheel and learn how the car responds to everything, paying particular attention to how the weight/balance shifts during braking/accelerating/cornering/combo, etc. Once you really feel that, your driving will become much smoother and faster and you'll be passing a lot more people.

You will have more fun than you can imagine!

[aus]

Torque wrench, air pressure gauge, chair, water/gatorade and a good attitude.

[e90pilot]

Here's a little something you can try. The smoother you drive the less likely you are to activate DSC. As you step up you speed try to not to activate DSC. You can actually go pretty fast with DTC only. You can go faster with it off completely, but it's a good exercise in technique. Also, activating DSC too much will destroy your brakes!

[Atsnow]

Originally Posted by aus

chair, water/gatorade .

You know I would have forgot that,

[Atsnow]

Thank you all for you advices I will take notes of everything you said ,
I'm really looking forward to this and want to make sure its a good day

another questions I have tried a few helmets and decided on the HJC AR-10 II,
it fits my my budget and is the most comfortable of all I tried , the only hesitation I have is between gloss white and matte black (they call it Rubbertone)
I think the black looks much better but I'm afraid it will scratch more easily , any thought?

[neoduffer]

Try to rent a helmet for the day so you can see if you like hpde enough to invest in a helmet.

[cb4]

Tremblant is a super fun track. Day one will be a little stressful, it's a very technical track. But once you get settled in you are going to have a blast.

I will mimic what others have said. Bring a torque wrench and watch your pressures. Other than that have fun and don't stress.

Also bring a ton of water. It gets hot out there and you want to stay hydrated.

You may want to visit the limp mode party at the track stick as well.

[kenneth]

Jack my friend, here are some tips:

Sleep early the night before the event, you will need to be well rested.

Which means, pack your car with the following 1 or 2 days before:
- water and healthy food/snacks/fruit (you want to stay hydrated and energized all day)
- chair and umbrella
- tire pressure gauge
- torque wrench (you don't really need one, others will have and can lend you, just torque all nuts before the event)
- hat or cap (for sun)
- 5-10 $ canadian tire blue tarp (to cover your things if it rains. Your things are everything that are loose items from the car: kleenex box, bobble heads, all mats, sunglasses, child seat, remote control etc)
- large ziplocks may be handy for the wet (for your wallet, etc)
- t-shirt and long sleeve t-shirt depending on temperature
- BMW Qc has a few helmets to rent, you can reserve one early
- Completed Tech inspection sheet (most important)

You don't need the added stress to find these things the morning of HPDE.

Also, your focus should be of learning, not of trying to go fast. Be smooth in all your inputs (steering, braking and throttling). No herky jerky. and both hands on steering wheel at 9:15 at all times, except when shifting.

Oh! After your session, don't use handbrake, just put your car in gear! Very important.

But you know all this, since you did do karting no?

No worries, your instructor will take good care of you.

Also if you can google LCMT or Tremblant so you can have an idea of the track layout and the sequence of curves. Your biggest challenge that day will be remembering what curve comes next. Go check the track tips. The only thing the videos won't show clearly are the elevation changes.

Tire pressure you may need to drop it by 3-4 lbs. But do this only after your session and if pressure is over 38-40

Have fun!

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by jackb

...I have tried a few helmets and decided on the HJC AR-10 II,
it fits my my budget and is the most comfortable of all I tried , the only hesitation I have is between gloss white and matte black (they call it Rubbertone)
I think the black looks much better but I'm afraid it will scratch more easily , any thought?

The rubbertone does not scratch much. However, it does get HOT during the summer months if you leave it out in the sun for even second.

[TSM330i]

One other suggestion I have would be to get track only pads.
Your car has a decent amount of HP stock, you have a modified suspension, the first upgrade you typically want to do when tracking is brakes, then suspension, then HP.
If you can't stop, all the HP in the world doesn't mean a thing.
Having the reassurance of a good set of brake pads for the entire weekend will make things MUCH better. If you end up pushing the car by the third day, you could possibly melt your stock pads or wear them down to nothing quite quickly. Then you're SOL for the rest of the time you'd have on the track and possibly have difficulties getting home.
My first track event several years ago I of course started in the beginner group. By the second day, I was bumped up to the intermediate group and really was pushing my car hard. I had my stock brakes, but upgraded my pads and was very happy I did.
Other than that, everything else everyone suggested is right on. An oil cooler would definitely pay dividends if it's hot at the track too.

[TSM330i]

Originally Posted by The HACK

The rubbertone does not scratch much. However, it does get HOT during the summer months if you leave it out in the sun for even second.

+1

I have an HJC Si-12 in white. I could have gotten the same black rubbertone, but opted for the white because of heat. I have having a hot head

[mid-corner fun]

Originally Posted by The HACK

The rubbertone does not scratch much. However, it does get HOT during the summer months if you leave it out in the sun for even second.

Ditto, on the heat, can't leave it on top of the car, it has to be kept under shade at all times.

The rubbertone paint started fading off on the rear of mine from rubbing against the headrest. Great helmet nonetheless.

[turugara]

Very useful thread. I'm also going through the same experience with my first track day coming up and I've gotten pads, fluid, and ss brake lines in anticipation. Have fun!

[turugara]

Oh, and the CDV delete or aftermarket replacement has been huge when shifting at higher RPMs. I'm pretty sure I read that the stock CDV gives your clutch additional wear and tear in the case if you have a MT. (on phone so I can't see your profile)

[mid-corner fun]

Originally Posted by kenneth

Jack my friend, here are some tips:

Sleep early the night before the event, you will need to be well rested.

Which means, pack your car with the following 1 or 2 days before:
- water and healthy food/snacks/fruit (you want to stay hydrated and energized all day)
- chair and umbrella
- tire pressure gauge
- torque wrench (you don't really need one, others will have and can lend you, just torque all nuts before the event)
- hat or cap (for sun)
- 5-10 $ canadian tire blue tarp (to cover your things if it rains. Your things are everything that are loose items from the car: kleenex box, bobble heads, all mats, sunglasses, child seat, remote control etc)
- large ziplocks may be handy for the wet (for your wallet, etc)
- t-shirt and long sleeve t-shirt depending on temperature
- BMW Qc has a few helmets to rent, you can reserve one early
- Completed Tech inspection sheet (most important)

You don't need the added stress to find these things the morning of HPDE.

Also, your focus should be of learning, not of trying to go fast. Be smooth in all your inputs (steering, braking and throttling). No herky jerky. and both hands on steering wheel at 9:15 at all times, except when shifting.

Oh! After your session, don't use handbrake, just put your car in gear! Very important.

But you know all this, since you did do karting no?

No worries, your instructor will take good care of you.

Also if you can google LCMT or Tremblant so you can have an idea of the track layout and the sequence of curves. Your biggest challenge that day will be remembering what curve comes next. Go check the track tips. The only thing the videos won't show clearly are the elevation changes.

Tire pressure you may need to drop it by 3-4 lbs. But do this only after your session and if pressure is over 38-40

Have fun!

+1

Focus on the advice above and skip the car upgrades. Smoothness and speed will come to you without the need to change anything in the car.

[aus]

Originally Posted by jackb

You know I would have forgot that,

You'd be surprised how easy it is to forget to drink a LOT at the track.

There's a very good thread on the M3 side track section that many have referred to there.

[Atsnow]

Originally Posted by kenneth

Jack my friend, here are some tips:

Sleep early the night before the event, you will need to be well rested.

Which means, pack your car with the following 1 or 2 days before:
- water and healthy food/snacks/fruit (you want to stay hydrated and energized all day)
- chair and umbrella
- tire pressure gauge
- torque wrench (you don't really need one, others will have and can lend you, just torque all nuts before the event)
- hat or cap (for sun)
- 5-10 $ canadian tire blue tarp (to cover your things if it rains. Your things are everything that are loose items from the car: kleenex box, bobble heads, all mats, sunglasses, child seat, remote control etc)
- large ziplocks may be handy for the wet (for your wallet, etc)
- t-shirt and long sleeve t-shirt depending on temperature
- BMW Qc has a few helmets to rent, you can reserve one early
- Completed Tech inspection sheet (most important)

You don't need the added stress to find these things the morning of HPDE.

Also, your focus should be of learning, not of trying to go fast. Be smooth in all your inputs (steering, braking and throttling). No herky jerky. and both hands on steering wheel at 9:15 at all times, except when shifting.

Oh! After your session, don't use handbrake, just put your car in gear! Very important.

But you know all this, since you did do karting no?

No worries, your instructor will take good care of you.

Also if you can google LCMT or Tremblant so you can have an idea of the track layout and the sequence of curves. Your biggest challenge that day will be remembering what curve comes next. Go check the track tips. The only thing the videos won't show clearly are the elevation changes.

Tire pressure you may need to drop it by 3-4 lbs. But do this only after your session and if pressure is over 38-40

Have fun!

Thanks Ken this is great advice,

Karting was really different as I was not putting my DD car on the track
and I have to say I was not properly prepared and did not enjoy it as much as I could have if I where

[Atsnow]

Originally Posted by The HACK

The rubbertone does not scratch much. However, it does get HOT during the summer months if you leave it out in the sun for even second.

Originally Posted by AW325xi

+1

I have an HJC Si-12 in white. I could have gotten the same black rubbertone, but opted for the white because of heat. I have having a hot head

Originally Posted by PeterM1

Ditto, on the heat, can't leave it on top of the car, it has to be kept under shade at all times.

The rubbertone paint started fading off on the rear of mine from rubbing against the headrest. Great helmet nonetheless.

Thanks
I ordered the white one, I know I could have rented one but I have this thing about using a headpiece with somebody else sweat

[Atsnow]

Originally Posted by AW325xi

One other suggestion I have would be to get track only pads.
Your car has a decent amount of HP stock, you have a modified suspension, the first upgrade you typically want to do when tracking is brakes, then suspension, then HP.
If you can't stop, all the HP in the world doesn't mean a thing.
Having the reassurance of a good set of brake pads for the entire weekend will make things MUCH better. If you end up pushing the car by the third day, you could possibly melt your stock pads or wear them down to nothing quite quickly. Then you're SOL for the rest of the time you'd have on the track and possibly have difficulties getting home.
My first track event several years ago I of course started in the beginner group. By the second day, I was bumped up to the intermediate group and really was pushing my car hard. I had my stock brakes, but upgraded my pads and was very happy I did.
Other than that, everything else everyone suggested is right on. An oil cooler would definitely pay dividends if it's hot at the track too.

You know this is one of the things I've been debating
I still have a lot of life left on the OEM pads according to the computer but I'm afraid that tracking might destroy them pretty fast

but which ones to chose , I research that a bit and it's not easy to chose the right ones and do you do front and back or front only