[328iCoupe]

I'll be running my second HPDE in Oct. at Lime Rock. I know exactly what the DTC and DSC do. During my 1st HPDE I had both controls on (normal) and noticed the DTC icon light up at the peak of the Uphill. Because it was my first event and I was excited about the experience, it never crossed my mind to mess with the controls.

So my question is:
What do you guys do with the nannies during a HPDE?
1. Leave them at the normal setting?
2. Turn off just the DTC?
3. Turn them both off?

I should mention that I go to a large parking lot during a heavy rain or if it's covered with snow and practise car control with different settings. However, the highest speed I get to is about 30mph, which is a lot slower than track speeds.

Any help would be appreciated.
Jeff

[e90pilot]

I turn them all off. DSC will fade the rear brakes.

[GaryS]

Most clubs require novice group to leave stability controls on full DSC. When you move up to the next group, start using DTC.

[TSM330i]

Turn them off. BMWCCA doesn't require that you keep them on.

Leaving them on will cause the car to do funny things. It'll feel unnatural as the computer will fight the motions of the car. You're driving a 328 so you're not going to overwhelm the rear tires like a tuned 335 (I speak from experience with my 330).

[mid-corner fun]

Originally Posted by jhorowitz128

noticed the DTC icon light up at the peak of the Uphill.

Turning DTC off or on won't do squat for this scenario, your wheels were airborne at the uphill. You'll lose power, like everyone else and pick it up by the end of the straight. That's why ALMS in Limerock is using the chicane instead of the uphill, completely losing traction is rather dangerous at their speeds.

If you're in the beginner group, my advice is to leave the controls on and discuss with your instructor the best way to slowly turn them off. Only when both you and he/she are comfortable you should proceed. And if you're going to try that at Limerock, please test your turning limits in Big Bend or the esses, and slow down at the uphill and the downhill as there no space (ie wall!) for experimentation there.

good luck!

[satakal]

I agree that you should consult your instructor. They all have different points of view on the subject. But they all plan on returning home safely.

[3002 tii]

leave them on at least first day. once you get to know the track/lines, talk to your instructor and turn them off for the 2nd day. i usuallly do dtc day 1, and everything off day 2.

[e90pilot]

I have yet to see a good driving school that has stability control or traction control on their cars. Skip Barber Racing School even disables ABS. If you're in danger of spinning all the time, you're driving beyond your limit. The first time I went on the track, it was all off. I didn't spin or crash. In fact, I only got sideways once. Most people get themselves into trouble because they just plane drive too fast and stability control won't save you from that.

[328iCoupe]

Wow! As expected, got a variety of opinions, all of which make sense. However, taking the advice of my instructor seems to be the best course of action for the moment.
Thank you all!

[kenneth]

You should get used without any nannies right from the start. If you keep everything smooth (no sudden lift or brake in curves, brake in straights and unwinding steering wheel while accelerating out of curve and no jerking steering wheel) and build speed and confidence gradually you will be fine.

As for instructors, most of them won't tell you to remove nannies if you haven't removed it first hand, likely for liability reasons. Some will even ask you to engage nannies until they have seen you drive, or if it is raining. Occasionally an instructor will request that you to remove all nannies, but they are not the majority. It also depends which run group you are in.