Got to take a ride with Tom Plucinsky in the #56 e92 M3 GT

[jdamore]

This past week, it was BMW CCA's Oktoberfest in my home state of NJ! Being a "First Timer" this was a real eye opener to a world of racing.

We (my lady and I) arrived at the Sea View Resort and Spa on Thursday night. CCA reserved this hotel as part of a package for discounted rates. As we turn into the driveway, to unload our luggage, I have a smile on my face and my heart starts pounding as I pass by a line of parked cars including i8s, M3s, M4s, a M235, and even a 2002.

We were greeted by a doorman but, forget the doorman everyone is wearing BMW or ///M apparel and they are all here, and I am here too! It was late so we checked into our room and called it a night.

The track events were held at NJ Motorsports Park in Millville NJ about an hour away. A long drive from the hotel but it was fun! We passed by others CCA members (we knew this because we were all given large number stickers to put on our cars) and they waved and flashed lights to say hello as we traveled down the country roads. We got to NJMP when it was early AM and quiet. We parked and walked around and watched as racers prepped their cars.

We heard announcements over the PA and a short time after, engines firing up. A few minutes after that, we heard engines rev'ing down the track. We sat and watched drivers going around the track getting faster as their cars got up to temperature. I have never really been to an event like this and was so excited!

We spent most of the day there mingling with other enthusiasts, vendors, and hardcore trackers. We headed back to the hotel, cleaned ourselves up, and headed to Resorts Casino in Atlantic City for the CCA meet n greet and dinner.

The next morning, we headed back to the track. This is when my life has changed. I signed up for the Charity Ride where we got to choose from a car and driver. I picked Tom P in the e92 M3 GT and before I knew it, I had my helmet on, and was waiting in pit lane for Tom to pick me up. He pulls up, and I barely remember getting in the passenger seat because of the adrenaline flowing through my blood. I buckle on my harness and say to Tom "this is your last laps, lets make it count!" (I was his last rider). He says "lets go!" and hits the start button and the engine cranks. He says "or not" after it failed to start. He hits the start button again and the engine fires up immediately! The rumble under my feet was the first thing I remember. He gave me a thumbs up and we started accelerating down pit lane. The car, while noisy and rattley, felt extremly stiff and the whine/vibration from the drive train could drive a woman to orgasm.

People install a new exhaust on their car and discribe it as "intoxicating". Just stop typing when you are about say that. THIS is intoxicating! Its just straight up heroin and you have no idea!

We pull out on the track and the acceleration is putting me back. Not quite up to full speed yet at the first turn, Tom uses no brakes and slightly slows the car with a small drift. We hit the next turn followed by another, then he starts ripping through gears hitting 130+mph as it straightens out.

All of Tom inputs were aggressive, yet the car was fluent and smooth. We did a total of three laps. The second lap felt faster then the first but the third lap felt MUCH faster then second. The last lap was absolutely insain. Tom was going for the gold metal

The video is the second lap. Its not a great video, but its something worth sharing. I didn't intend to take a video and holding up a phone in a racecar is not very easy. Hope you enjoy.

Hoping to get behind the wheel soon of my own car as I was encouraged by many poeple to get into tracking. Not necessarily of my SC'ed e92M but, maybe I'll find an e30 or e36 non-M to play with. I was extremely lucky to also get to ride along on the track with a buddy who is an instructor. These two rides were an experience Ill never forget.

[Yoddha]

This is an amazing story, thanks for sharing! Hopefully I will get to enjoy a similar experience soon.

[Canuckles]

Love everything about that car but the wheels. What's the story with them? Are they functional for brake cooling?

What kind of lateral g's were you guys reaching?

Cheers

[jdamore]

Originally Posted by M__3__R__A__G__E

This is an amazing story, thanks for sharing! Hopefully I will get to enjoy a similar experience soon.

Thanks M3RAGE! If you have the opportunity, Do it!

Originally Posted by Canuckles

Love everything about that car but the wheels. What's the story with them? Are they functional for brake cooling?

What kind of lateral g's were you guys reaching?

Cheers

I could barely hold my hand next to my head and I think I am a strong person! There's a part of the video where I am recording my feet that is a good example of that lol.

[buddalun]

Incredible. Just incredible. I want to experience this.

Did you feel sick or queezy at all?

[jdamore]

Originally Posted by buddalun

Incredible. Just incredible. I want to experience this.

Did you feel sick or queezy at all?

YES! hahahahaha

On turn 2a/b/c and on turns 9 through 11.

[steven_s]

Amazing. Sounds out of this world. Know if it's DCT or they put sequential in it

[bkrM3]

Great story! I was there all week as well. Really enjoyed all the events at the host hotel and seeing all the ultra-rare cars. Met a lot of heroes, including the only (known) federalized E46 M3 CSL. Of course, I think that was probably topped by seeing the stars-and-stripes M3 GTR and the actual, real-deal 3.0 CSL "Batmobile" (not to mention Brian Redman in the flesh!).

Thursday and Friday I did the Bimmerworld BMW CCA Club Racing School (I've been addicted to the race track for a while now and O'fest was the perfect opportunity to take the plunge into actual racing). Here's the video from the simulated race at the end. I'm driving a car that's going to be a Spec E46 class 2001 330i (sedan). It's full safety at the moment and otherwise very stock.

The club race school ended on Friday, and Saturday morning I took a ride with Bill Auberlen in the #55 M3 GT from the ALMS series, which I drooled on in person when it raced in Baltimore a few years ago. Riding with Bill has probably completely ruined my enjoyment of driving this track with my "normal" cars, but hey, it was still a blast and the proceeds went to the BMW CCA Foundation. For those who don't already know, the BMW CCA Foundation supports the Tire Rack Street Survival program, which conducts driving schools for new drivers that emphasize safe driving habits and tech emergency handling skills and vehicle dynamics. I've instructed at our local TRSS program and jumped at the chance to support that cause while checking off this bucket list item of riding with Bill. Bill, by the way, is a phenomenal guy and made time to speak with us after the ride about our silly racing aspirations with our old street cars. I can't speak highly enough about the guy. Oh yeah, he drives pretty well too. Faster hands than me, that's for sure! I suppose you'd prefer I shut up and post the video. Here it is:

[bkrM3]

Originally Posted by steven_s

Amazing. Sounds out of this world. Know if it's DCT or they put sequential in it

The #55 and #56 have a sequential gearbox with paddle shifters. In the "classics"/retired trim they're at about 475hp, which is down from 520hp in race trim.

The gearbox I would describe as "excellently violent."

[jdamore]

Originally Posted by bkrM3

Great story! I was there all week as well. Really enjoyed all the events at the host hotel and seeing all the ultra-rare cars. Met a lot of heroes, including the only (known) federalized E46 M3 CSL. Of course, I think that was probably topped by seeing the stars-and-stripes M3 GTR and the actual, real-deal 3.0 CSL "Batmobile" (not to mention Brian Redman in the flesh!).

Thursday and Friday I did the Bimmerworld BMW CCA Club Racing School (I've been addicted to the race track for a while now and O'fest was the perfect opportunity to take the plunge into actual racing). Here's the video from the simulated race at the end. I'm driving a car that's going to be a Spec E46 class 2001 330i (sedan). It's full safety at the moment and otherwise very stock.

The club race school ended on Friday, and Saturday morning I took a ride with Bill Auberlen in the #55 M3 GT from the ALMS series, which I drooled on in person when it raced in Baltimore a few years ago. Riding with Bill has probably completely ruined my enjoyment of driving this track with my "normal" cars, but hey, it was still a blast and the proceeds went to the BMW CCA Foundation. For those who don't already know, the BMW CCA Foundation supports the Tire Rack Street Survival program, which conducts driving schools for new drivers that emphasize safe driving habits and tech emergency handling skills and vehicle dynamics. I've instructed at our local TRSS program and jumped at the chance to support that cause while checking off this bucket list item of riding with Bill. Bill, by the way, is a phenomenal guy and made time to speak with us after the ride about our silly racing aspirations with our old street cars. I can't speak highly enough about the guy. Oh yeah, he drives pretty well too. Faster hands than me, that's for sure! I suppose you'd prefer I shut up and post the video. Here it is:

I was told riding in the 3.0 CSL with Brian was seriously scary. He pushes that car to the absolute max at all time.

[bkrM3]

Originally Posted by jdamore

I was told riding in the 3.0 CSL with Brian was seriously scary. He pushes that car to the absolute max at all time.

Oh I believe it. I wish I could've ridden in every car they had! At some point, I suppose, one must make responsible financial decisions

[davesaddiction]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[jdamore]

This persons looks to have taken two rides!!


A ride with Tom P:

A ride with Mike Renner in the "Joy" car:

[beats]

I'd love to experience something like this one day... very cool.

[Flying Ace]

Wow. I've witnessed this 56 car on the track at a few ALMS races, and that itself was amazing. But to sit in it, is just unbelievable.


How much did this end up costing you in donations BTW?

[jdamore]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

Wow. I've witnessed this 56 car on the track at a few ALMS races, and that itself was amazing. But to sit in it, is just unbelievable.


How much did this end up costing you in donations BTW?

Your choices were
No25 CSL driven by Brian Redman $250
No55 M3 GT (e92) driven by Bill Auberlen $250
No56 M3 GT (e92) driven by Tom Plucinsky $150
No92 Joy M3 GT-2 (e92) driven by Mike Renner $150

Your guts bouncing around in your ribcage: Priceless

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by jdamore

Your choices were
No25 CSL driven by Brian Redman $250
No55 M3 GT (e92) driven by Bill Auberlen $250
No56 M3 GT (e92) driven by Tom Plucinsky $150
No92 Joy M3 GT-2 (e92) driven by Mike Renner $150

Your guts bouncing around in your ribcage: Priceless

haha nice! I think $150 is worth every penny. How many laps?

[jdamore]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

haha nice! I think $150 is worth every penny. How many laps?

I would definitely do it again. If I get the opportunity, it will be in the CSL.

It was three laps which I think is about 6.5 - 7 miles. It was only about 5 min and I'm sure we burned close to 2 gallons of fuel in that time. Each car was only able to take 5-6 people per day (it ran 3 days).