First HPDE event, a review (long)

Atsnow · 08-22-2011, 04:05 PM

I recently participated in my first HPDE event and I wanted to share a little bit of the experience for those who are hesitant to do it like was , the post is long so i'm sure some of you won't read it all but I wanted to really share my experience ,

First of great thanks to Kenneth, Tonybest, Nikos335i, M3 Montreal and montreal red. I met up with Tonybest and montreal red the evening prior to the event and they guided me trough what to expect, what to for the event and most importantly described the track at length, I would definitively recommend to any first timer to try and go to their first event with someone who knows the track

Couple of things I also recommend is to read Ross Bentley’s Speed Secrets and this thread http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=199661 with both you will be well prepared

DAY 1,
I’m there at 7am to make sure I get a good parking spot ( the guys told me where to park) , it’s raining a bit and I’m thinking “thank god for xDrive” , I go trough my checklist once again , everything is under control and I’m ready to learn , this will be fun I’m sure
After the tech inspection I meet up with my instructor Nicko , we spend a few minutes talking about my expectations for the day , he is very nice and has a laid back attitude that suits me perfectly we decide on what we will do and what kind of feedback he will give.
Getting ready for the first session

SESSION 1: 10h15 AM,
This is my first session ever and understandably I’m a little nervous especially since the track is a little wet, Nicko has proposed to do the first 2-3 laps at the wheels to give me a better idea of the lines afterwards I take the wheel and go for it I’m picking up the line fairly well for a first timer but I’m braking too softly and getting on gas way too soon (I’am so slowwww) I need to build the confidence , My instructor guides me well tough and I feel good about this HPDE thing
After session 1 I go for a ride with my instructor in is beautiful E92 Silverstone Metallic M3 and even though I knew it I realize WOW we can brake and accelerate much more then I believed

Nicko at the wheel

Nicko’s M3

SESSION 2: 12:30pm
Feeling much more confident in the car’s ability now so I start to push a little more and trust that the car will turn and go where I want it to go, I hit 90mph on the back straight this is fun

SESSION 3: 2 :30pm
After lunch the track has dried a lot and Nicko is helping me refine the lines I’m braking a little later and waiting a bit more to get on gas , my inputs are very smooth except for turn 7 where I jerk the steering a little , I don’t get passed as often anymore

SESSION 4: 4:30pm
Last session of the day and I can’t believe I’m the same guy driving as this morning I’m much faster everywhere on the track except maybe turn 12 at the bridge and very confident I’m learning at every lap and see well over 105mph on the back straight
After the day is over I learned that today is Nicko’s first time instructing and that at the beginning of the year he got a little too enthusiastic in the rain and put his car in the wall , good thing I learned this at the end of the day only

Day 1 pics

DAY 2,

SESSION 5: 10:15am
I come in still on a high from yesterday I’m learning fast so I’m very confident that this will be a good a day , The check engine light come on halfway trough the first lap since I don’t feel any power loss I continue with the session but it throws off my concentration and I proceed to have my worst session of the 2 days , my line are jerky I’m not shifting properly I’m getting passed by much slower cars. After the session I stop and restart the car and the check engine light goes off right away and the car seems fine

SESSION 6: 12:30pm
I start this session slowly keeping getting more aggressive every laps and I have a great session , Nicko is very happy with my progress I have much more speed everywhere and actually have to brake much harder now as my exit speeds are increasing , no check engine this time , my GF times me at 2:25 consistently
After this session I go in again with Nicko in his car he has his R comps on and treats me to some very fast laps , I feel light headed afterwards but I’m grinning

SESSION 7: 2:30pm
Ok I’m in a groove now I’m learning at every turn , the car feels good , the check engine light is off and I don’t feel as tired as in the morning I just did a few very good laps laps and nobody is passing me I’m actually gaining on a black Boxster that has been very fast all event long. I’m coming to turn 1 with a lot of speed ok a touch of brake and start to turn I have good speed into the turn light on gas line is good and I’m laser pointed to the apex at the second cone , got it, I let my speed carry me down the hill to turn 3 , no brakes, I have a smooth line brake hard and downshift for turn 4 the entry of the esses, wow nailed it, I’m parallel to the road and ready for 5 I turn sharply into it wait , wait and squeeze the gas perfectly coming out of the turn (this is good fun now) , 6 and 7 are smooth and I have a lot of speed coming in at the carrousel , Nicko says ok you have a lot of speed now better brake really hard , which I do , the last few laps I have been steadily increasing speed into this turn and this is the one I have felt the best so I get in with confidence and keep a very nice tight line and actually feel the car slingshot out of the corner, did I mention I’m having fun?, on to the back straight where I see my fastest speed of the event , over 120mph, I’m still keeping with the Boxster , turns 11, 12 and 13 goes smoothly the only tough turn left is 14 the Namerow a very tight hairpin with elevation changes (you come up to the turn and do not see the exit which is down out of the turn) and I will have my best lap I’m sure , WHAT yellow flag , hit the brakes hard look for trouble here is the Boxster he has spun out and is right in the middle of the track , damm that was the last lap of the session , on the cooling lap the check engine light is back and the car feels like it has lost power , welcome to limp mode

SESSION 8: 4:30pm
This is going to be the last session of the event and I have e
As I accelerate to speed check engine comes back on and its obvious I don’t have full power, we stop in the pit lane and restart the car but to no avail , the car is in limp mode and idling roughIy decide to call it day

I was worried about the limp mode since the HPFP and injectors had been replaced last year, I brought the car in for service on the following Monday and the problem was a cracked turbo vacuum hose , it was replaced under warranty car is A ok now

, I also notice an increase in response and power that makes me think that I was not making full power at the event

CONCLUSION:
So in conclusion let’s just start by saying that’s it I’m hooked ! I’m already looking for another event before the end of the year (probably LCMT again with the Audi club) and surely will be doing some winter DE also

Thanks for reading

mid-corner fun · 08-22-2011, 04:24 PM

always good to read a first HPDE story, congrats and welcome to the sport.

My only advice would be to stick primarily with CCA for your first few events, mainly for the excellent instruction they provide. More instruction will make you a better driver faster, then you're off to seeking more seat time etc with other clubs.

Also, don't worry about your speed on the straights, anyone can go fast there, the fun is at the turns. If you work on consistency/smoothness and learning the line, the speed with come on its own and you'll be amazed at how fast you'll become without even trying.

Congrats again and good luck!

Tonybest · 08-22-2011, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterM1

always good to read a first HPDE story, congrats and welcome to the sport.

My only advice would be to stick primarily with CCA for your first few events, mainly for the excellent instruction they provide. More instruction will make you a better driver faster, then you're off to seeking more seat time etc with other clubs.

Also, don't worry about your speed on the straights, anyone can go fast there, the fun is at the turns. If you work on consistency/smoothness and learning the line, the speed with come on its own and you'll be amazed at how fast you'll become without even trying.

Congrats again and good luck!

^^
What he said...

Tonybest · 08-22-2011, 05:10 PM

Merci jackb

It's a good thing that you are not hooked.

You were a great neighbor in the paddocks.

See you soon at another great event.

kenneth · 08-22-2011, 05:17 PM

Yeah and I don't get any thanks?

Glad you had lotsa fun, wish I were there! Now get ready for priceless FUN.... and a dwindling bank account.

Atsnow · 08-22-2011, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenneth

Yeah and I don't get any thanks?

Glad you had lotsa fun, wish I were there! Now get ready for priceless FUN.... and a dwindling bank account.

Oups
edited

jgalaxy · 08-22-2011, 07:20 PM

Awesome read. LCMT was my first as well. I'm glad you had fun. I hope to see you at one of the next few events before the season slowly closes out. Bimmers Across the Boarder or Audi/NEQ or a Calabogie event. There are a few left.

I'm already working towards a winter beater for Meccaglisse.

M3 Montreal · 08-22-2011, 07:39 PM

Great writeup Jack!

I was soooooo bad on day 1 and finally got my groove back after the 1'st session of day 2.

Headed back to LCMT this weekend with Boston group and thinking of signing up for LCMT again in October with audi group that you mentioned.

See ya soon!

kenneth · 08-23-2011, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackb

Oups
edited

Great post btw, I was just teasing you, LOL! Now go unbold my name.

Don't you have an oil cooler with the car? Never had limp mode, but I have the OEM oil cooler + an additional oil cooler.

Also, how did your brakes and tires fare, as you were worrying about these before the event. I am suspecting they both held up fine.

kenneth · 08-23-2011, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3 Montreal

Great writeup Jack!

I was soooooo bad on day 1 and finally got my groove back after the 1'st session of day 2.

Headed back to LCMT this weekend with Boston group and thinking of signing up for LCMT again in October with audi group that you mentioned.

See ya soon!

I think Day 1 for you might have been just because your last event was quite a long time ago? But glad it all came back quickly.

dbjb · 08-23-2011, 02:41 AM

Great read. Glad to see another member enjoy their car on the track. Enjoy!

Change your coolant mix and that may help with those limp mode issues.

Atsnow · 08-23-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsbj

Great read. Glad to see another member enjoy their car on the track. Enjoy!

Change your coolant mix and that may help with those limp mode issues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenneth

Don't you have an oil cooler with the car? Never had limp mode, but I have the OEM oil cooler + an additional oil cooler.

I have the OEM oil cooler, but as mentioned the limp mode was not temperature induced , a turbo vacuum hose that had dried up and cracked and under the high load of a track day it started leaking

I monitored temperature and it stayed pretty low

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenneth

Also, how did your brakes and tires fare, as you were worrying about these before the event. I am suspecting they both held up fine.

They did

I 'm sure the V12s would have been good but I'm happy I went with the squared PS2 and BBS RCs for the event ,
as soon as I put them on the car I saw a huge difference in how it behaved (I took out 9lbs per corner), on the track the car felt really balanced and i was starting to push pretty hard the last few sessions and only once when I came in way too fast into the carrousel did I experience a little understeer ( I impressed my instructor on that one as I corrected it with no drama)

For the brakes I had done a fluid change before the event

08-22-2011, 04:05 PM	#1
Atsnow Captain 82 Rep 967 Posts Drives: E92 335xi, 2010 Boxster S Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Montreal /Plattsburgh,NY iTrader: (1)	First HPDE event, a review (long) I recently participated in my first HPDE event and I wanted to share a little bit of the experience for those who are hesitant to do it like was , the post is long so i'm sure some of you won't read it all but I wanted to really share my experience , First of great thanks to Kenneth, Tonybest, Nikos335i, M3 Montreal and montreal red. I met up with Tonybest and montreal red the evening prior to the event and they guided me trough what to expect, what to for the event and most importantly described the track at length, I would definitively recommend to any first timer to try and go to their first event with someone who knows the track Couple of things I also recommend is to read Ross Bentley’s Speed Secrets and this thread http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=199661 with both you will be well prepared DAY 1, I’m there at 7am to make sure I get a good parking spot ( the guys told me where to park) , it’s raining a bit and I’m thinking “thank god for xDrive” , I go trough my checklist once again , everything is under control and I’m ready to learn , this will be fun I’m sure After the tech inspection I meet up with my instructor Nicko , we spend a few minutes talking about my expectations for the day , he is very nice and has a laid back attitude that suits me perfectly we decide on what we will do and what kind of feedback he will give. Getting ready for the first session SESSION 1: 10h15 AM, This is my first session ever and understandably I’m a little nervous especially since the track is a little wet, Nicko has proposed to do the first 2-3 laps at the wheels to give me a better idea of the lines afterwards I take the wheel and go for it I’m picking up the line fairly well for a first timer but I’m braking too softly and getting on gas way too soon (I’am so slowwww) I need to build the confidence , My instructor guides me well tough and I feel good about this HPDE thing After session 1 I go for a ride with my instructor in is beautiful E92 Silverstone Metallic M3 and even though I knew it I realize WOW we can brake and accelerate much more then I believed Nicko at the wheel Nicko’s M3 SESSION 2: 12:30pm Feeling much more confident in the car’s ability now so I start to push a little more and trust that the car will turn and go where I want it to go, I hit 90mph on the back straight this is fun SESSION 3: 2 :30pm After lunch the track has dried a lot and Nicko is helping me refine the lines I’m braking a little later and waiting a bit more to get on gas , my inputs are very smooth except for turn 7 where I jerk the steering a little , I don’t get passed as often anymore SESSION 4: 4:30pm Last session of the day and I can’t believe I’m the same guy driving as this morning I’m much faster everywhere on the track except maybe turn 12 at the bridge and very confident I’m learning at every lap and see well over 105mph on the back straight After the day is over I learned that today is Nicko’s first time instructing and that at the beginning of the year he got a little too enthusiastic in the rain and put his car in the wall , good thing I learned this at the end of the day only Day 1 pics DAY 2, SESSION 5: 10:15am I come in still on a high from yesterday I’m learning fast so I’m very confident that this will be a good a day , The check engine light come on halfway trough the first lap since I don’t feel any power loss I continue with the session but it throws off my concentration and I proceed to have my worst session of the 2 days , my line are jerky I’m not shifting properly I’m getting passed by much slower cars. After the session I stop and restart the car and the check engine light goes off right away and the car seems fine SESSION 6: 12:30pm I start this session slowly keeping getting more aggressive every laps and I have a great session , Nicko is very happy with my progress I have much more speed everywhere and actually have to brake much harder now as my exit speeds are increasing , no check engine this time , my GF times me at 2:25 consistently After this session I go in again with Nicko in his car he has his R comps on and treats me to some very fast laps , I feel light headed afterwards but I’m grinning SESSION 7: 2:30pm Ok I’m in a groove now I’m learning at every turn , the car feels good , the check engine light is off and I don’t feel as tired as in the morning I just did a few very good laps laps and nobody is passing me I’m actually gaining on a black Boxster that has been very fast all event long. I’m coming to turn 1 with a lot of speed ok a touch of brake and start to turn I have good speed into the turn light on gas line is good and I’m laser pointed to the apex at the second cone , got it, I let my speed carry me down the hill to turn 3 , no brakes, I have a smooth line brake hard and downshift for turn 4 the entry of the esses, wow nailed it, I’m parallel to the road and ready for 5 I turn sharply into it wait , wait and squeeze the gas perfectly coming out of the turn (this is good fun now) , 6 and 7 are smooth and I have a lot of speed coming in at the carrousel , Nicko says ok you have a lot of speed now better brake really hard , which I do , the last few laps I have been steadily increasing speed into this turn and this is the one I have felt the best so I get in with confidence and keep a very nice tight line and actually feel the car slingshot out of the corner, did I mention I’m having fun?, on to the back straight where I see my fastest speed of the event , over 120mph, I’m still keeping with the Boxster , turns 11, 12 and 13 goes smoothly the only tough turn left is 14 the Namerow a very tight hairpin with elevation changes (you come up to the turn and do not see the exit which is down out of the turn) and I will have my best lap I’m sure , WHAT yellow flag , hit the brakes hard look for trouble here is the Boxster he has spun out and is right in the middle of the track , damm that was the last lap of the session , on the cooling lap the check engine light is back and the car feels like it has lost power , welcome to limp mode SESSION 8: 4:30pm This is going to be the last session of the event and I have e As I accelerate to speed check engine comes back on and its obvious I don’t have full power, we stop in the pit lane and restart the car but to no avail , the car is in limp mode and idling roughIy decide to call it day I was worried about the limp mode since the HPFP and injectors had been replaced last year, I brought the car in for service on the following Monday and the problem was a cracked turbo vacuum hose , it was replaced under warranty car is A ok now , I also notice an increase in response and power that makes me think that I was not making full power at the event CONCLUSION: So in conclusion let’s just start by saying that’s it I’m hooked ! I’m already looking for another event before the end of the year (probably LCMT again with the Audi club) and surely will be doing some winter DE also Thanks for reading __________________ Last edited by Atsnow; 08-22-2011 at 07:56 PM..
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08-22-2011, 04:24 PM	#2
mid-corner fun Lieutenant Colonel 89 Rep 1,513 Posts Drives: F80 M3, '22 X3MC Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NJ iTrader: (5)	always good to read a first HPDE story, congrats and welcome to the sport. My only advice would be to stick primarily with CCA for your first few events, mainly for the excellent instruction they provide. More instruction will make you a better driver faster, then you're off to seeking more seat time etc with other clubs. Also, don't worry about your speed on the straights, anyone can go fast there, the fun is at the turns. If you work on consistency/smoothness and learning the line, the speed with come on its own and you'll be amazed at how fast you'll become without even trying. Congrats again and good luck!
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08-22-2011, 05:10 PM	#4
Tonybest Enrollment Officer 117 Rep 5,014 Posts Drives: 997.2 Porsche C4S Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Montreal, Qc. iTrader: (2)	Merci jackb It's a good thing that you are not hooked. You were a great neighbor in the paddocks. See you soon at another great event.
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08-22-2011, 05:17 PM	#5
kenneth Major General 127 Rep 8,745 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montreal iTrader: (16)	Yeah and I don't get any thanks? Glad you had lotsa fun, wish I were there! Now get ready for priceless FUN.... and a dwindling bank account. __________________ SB, Terra, 6MT. Only a few mods here and there.....nothing extreme!
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08-22-2011, 07:20 PM	#7
jgalaxy Gearing 87 Rep 3,962 Posts Drives: E46 M3, F22 M240 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Out East Canada iTrader: (3)	Awesome read. LCMT was my first as well. I'm glad you had fun. I hope to see you at one of the next few events before the season slowly closes out. Bimmers Across the Boarder or Audi/NEQ or a Calabogie event. There are a few left. I'm already working towards a winter beater for Meccaglisse. __________________ If at first you don't succeed ...
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08-22-2011, 07:39 PM	#8
M3 Montreal Colonel 71 Rep 2,194 Posts Drives: 2012 M3 SG ,DCT & 2011 S4 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Montreal , Canada iTrader: (0)	Great writeup Jack! I was soooooo bad on day 1 and finally got my groove back after the 1'st session of day 2. Headed back to LCMT this weekend with Boston group and thinking of signing up for LCMT again in October with audi group that you mentioned. See ya soon! __________________ 2012 E92-M3 Space Grey on Fox Red, DCT 2011 B8 S4 S-Tronic , Black on magma red
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08-23-2011, 02:41 AM	#11
dbjb I sweat pheromones 210 Rep 2,103 Posts Drives: e92 335i, retired SLK55 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NorCal iTrader: (25)	Great read. Glad to see another member enjoy their car on the track. Enjoy! Change your coolant mix and that may help with those limp mode issues.
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