So I finally got to a track

[summilux]

After two decades of BMW ownership and 2 yrs and 30K km on my M3, I finally got to a track (Calabogie)! It was a very short experience, only 30 minutes, and it was a novice day with an instructor in the passenger seat. Some thoughts:

-Holy shit this was fun. Heart pumping, blood rushing excitement. It's on the level of sky diving, bungee jumping and heli-skiing. If you haven't been to a track, get there.
-Time is weird on a track. The 30 minutes felt like about 5.
-The F80 is an immensely competent car. Even being a hooligan on the streets barely scratches the surface of an M3's capabilities.
-Braking. Wow this car is good. After a few laps I could brake somewhat later than when the instructor suggested
-Torque. Torque. Torque. I have MT and I figured I would be shifting a lot, but even in the hairpins I could leave it in 3rd. 4th was for the straights and I never got it above that. I'm pretty sure I went above 100 mph in 4th but I was too busy watching the course to check. I passed one car, a Mustang GT.
-Handling. I could definitely throttle earlier out of the corners than what the instructor suggested.
-Comfort. My non-CP seats are nice and very supportive. Lots of headroom for the helmet.
-Budget. I need to find some money for this. My 30 minutes was $75 and the full day course is $375. I need to buy a helmet that fits me properly. Tires, brakes and fluid changes too. I guess there are worse things to spend money on.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by summilux

After two decades of BMW ownership and 2 yrs and 30K km on my M3, I finally got to a track (Calabogie)! It was a very short experience, only 30 minutes, and it was a novice day with an instructor in the passenger seat. Some thoughts:

-Holy shit this was fun. Heart pumping, blood rushing excitement. It's on the level of sky diving, bungee jumping and heli-skiing. If you haven't been to a track, get there.
-Time is weird on a track. The 30 minutes felt like about 5.
-The F80 is an immensely competent car. Even being a hooligan on the streets barely scratches the surface of an M3's capabilities.
-Braking. Wow this car is good. After a few laps I could brake somewhat later than when the instructor suggested
-Torque. Torque. Torque. I have MT and I figured I would be shifting a lot, but even in the hairpins I could leave it in 3rd. 4th was for the straights and I never got it above that. I'm pretty sure I went above 100 mph in 4th but I was too busy watching the course to check. I passed one car, a Mustang GT.
-Handling. I could definitely throttle earlier out of the corners than what the instructor suggested.
-Comfort. My non-CP seats are nice and very supportive. Lots of headroom for the helmet.
-Budget. I need to find some money for this. My 30 minutes was $75 and the full day course is $375. I need to buy a helmet that fits me properly. Tires, brakes and fluid changes too. I guess there are worse things to spend money on.

I've also recently done my first track day with the M3.

Mine was a bit calmer due to rain, but I agree with the rest of your list. Those who drive their cars to Starbucks and roll race them on the highway are missing out big time.

[deeldoo]

Originally Posted by summilux

After two decades of BMW ownership and 2 yrs and 30K km on my M3, I finally got to a track (Calabogie)! It was a very short experience, only 30 minutes, and it was a novice day with an instructor in the passenger seat. Some thoughts:

-Holy shit this was fun. Heart pumping, blood rushing excitement. It's on the level of sky diving, bungee jumping and heli-skiing. If you haven't been to a track, get there.
-Time is weird on a track. The 30 minutes felt like about 5.
-The F80 is an immensely competent car. Even being a hooligan on the streets barely scratches the surface of an M3's capabilities.
-Braking. Wow this car is good. After a few laps I could brake somewhat later than when the instructor suggested
-Torque. Torque. Torque. I have MT and I figured I would be shifting a lot, but even in the hairpins I could leave it in 3rd. 4th was for the straights and I never got it above that. I'm pretty sure I went above 100 mph in 4th but I was too busy watching the course to check. I passed one car, a Mustang GT.
-Handling. I could definitely throttle earlier out of the corners than what the instructor suggested.
-Comfort. My non-CP seats are nice and very supportive. Lots of headroom for the helmet.
-Budget. I need to find some money for this. My 30 minutes was $75 and the full day course is $375. I need to buy a helmet that fits me properly. Tires, brakes and fluid changes too. I guess there are worse things to spend money on.

Hey man i am from toronto, and was thinking of going to that track.

Where did you book the 30 minute session?

[NYG]

Come join us on the track sub-forum! Your experience will change as you get out of novice. The car has short-comings but the chassis is incredible. Once you get out of the novice groups and start pushing the car, street tires won't be acceptable any more, unless you like wasting a lot of money. You'll need to get a dedicated set of track pads as well, the stock M pads will melt as soon as you start pushing it a little harder.

Originally Posted by summilux

-Braking. Wow this car is good. After a few laps I could brake somewhat later than when the instructor suggested.

The F8x platform has atrocious tiny brakes and you have no brake cooling at all. Your entire front grill is loaded with radiators and coolers. This gets argued a lot on the track forum because some of the guys don't have problems but I've yet to meet someone with an F8x and stock iron rotors/brakes who can threshold brake all day. You'll start to see it as you begin to brake later, longer and harder.

EDIT: Speaking of, there was an F80 at the last event in Lime Rock Park who approached me before the last session and asked how I was braking so late because he was terrified of braking any later. (I recently switched to a BBK and it has changed everything for me)

[khoa@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by swagon

Those who drive their cars to Starbucks and roll race them on the highway are missing out big time.

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by summilux

After two decades of BMW ownership and 2 yrs and 30K km on my M3, I finally got to a track (Calabogie)! It was a very short experience, only 30 minutes, and it was a novice day with an instructor in the passenger seat. Some thoughts:

-Holy shit this was fun. Heart pumping, blood rushing excitement. It's on the level of sky diving, bungee jumping and heli-skiing. If you haven't been to a track, get there.

Glad you enjoyed it! But you've just taken the first puff off a crack pipe! This shit is addicting!

I've had my 2016 M4 Coupe a little over 4 years and I have 26 full track days on it (that's more than six days/year!) Overall, in all cars, I have 53 full track days over the last 24 years. Recommended updates in this order:

1. High performance brake pads
2. Track tires and wheels
3. Camber plates

Definitely take a look at the "Track / Autocross / Dragstrip / Driving Techniques" sub-forum. There's lots of advice and experience there.

[Jbonly21]

Originally Posted by summilux

After two decades of BMW ownership and 2 yrs and 30K km on my M3, I finally got to a track (Calabogie)! It was a very short experience, only 30 minutes, and it was a novice day with an instructor in the passenger seat. Some thoughts:

-Holy shit this was fun. Heart pumping, blood rushing excitement. It's on the level of sky diving, bungee jumping and heli-skiing. If you haven't been to a track, get there.
-Time is weird on a track. The 30 minutes felt like about 5.
-The F80 is an immensely competent car. Even being a hooligan on the streets barely scratches the surface of an M3's capabilities.
-Braking. Wow this car is good. After a few laps I could brake somewhat later than when the instructor suggested
-Torque. Torque. Torque. I have MT and I figured I would be shifting a lot, but even in the hairpins I could leave it in 3rd. 4th was for the straights and I never got it above that. I'm pretty sure I went above 100 mph in 4th but I was too busy watching the course to check. I passed one car, a Mustang GT.
-Handling. I could definitely throttle earlier out of the corners than what the instructor suggested.
-Comfort. My non-CP seats are nice and very supportive. Lots of headroom for the helmet.
-Budget. I need to find some money for this. My 30 minutes was $75 and the full day course is $375. I need to buy a helmet that fits me properly. Tires, brakes and fluid changes too. I guess there are worse things to spend money on.

Glad to see you had a good time, I just did my first autocross as well on the weekend and boy was it fun, can't wait to do my first track day in October .

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Jbonly21

Glad to see you had a good time, I just did my first autocross as well on the weekend and boy was it fun, can't wait to do my first track day in October .

Were you at Auto Club Speedway? I think I saw your car!

[jmg]

Originally Posted by summilux

After two decades of BMW ownership and 2 yrs and 30K km on my M3, I finally got to a track (Calabogie)! It was a very short experience, only 30 minutes, and it was a novice day with an instructor in the passenger seat. Some thoughts:

-Holy shit this was fun. Heart pumping, blood rushing excitement. It's on the level of sky diving, bungee jumping and heli-skiing. If you haven't been to a track, get there.
-Time is weird on a track. The 30 minutes felt like about 5.
-The F80 is an immensely competent car. Even being a hooligan on the streets barely scratches the surface of an M3's capabilities.
-Braking. Wow this car is good. After a few laps I could brake somewhat later than when the instructor suggested
-Torque. Torque. Torque. I have MT and I figured I would be shifting a lot, but even in the hairpins I could leave it in 3rd. 4th was for the straights and I never got it above that. I'm pretty sure I went above 100 mph in 4th but I was too busy watching the course to check. I passed one car, a Mustang GT.
-Handling. I could definitely throttle earlier out of the corners than what the instructor suggested.
-Comfort. My non-CP seats are nice and very supportive. Lots of headroom for the helmet.
-Budget. I need to find some money for this. My 30 minutes was $75 and the full day course is $375. I need to buy a helmet that fits me properly. Tires, brakes and fluid changes too. I guess there are worse things to spend money on.

Congrats!!! I had my first real track experience almost 2 years ago, and I've been hooked ever since! I definitely still have a lot to learn and this can be an expensive habit, but it's also very rewarding and a lot of fun. See you at the track forum!

[Jbonly21]

Originally Posted by jmg

Were you at Auto Club Speedway? I think I saw your car!

Yes It was, what where you driving?

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Jbonly21

Yes It was, what where you driving?

My Lime Rock Grey M3 CS. Managed a 38.464.

[Jbonly21]

Originally Posted by jmg

My Lime Rock Grey M3 CS. Managed a 38.464.

Nice, I saw you too. My best run was 41.20. I am hoping to do the track day in October.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Jbonly21

Nice, I saw you too. My best run was 41.20. I am hoping to do the track day in October.

Going to Streets of Willow hopefully on the 29th. Is the October event with Speed Ventures at Auto Club Speedway too?

[Jbonly21]

Originally Posted by jmg

Going to Streets of Willow hopefully on the 29th. Is the October event with Speed Ventures at Auto Club Speedway too?

Yes

[summilux]

Originally Posted by deeldoo

Hey man i am from toronto, and was thinking of going to that track.

Where did you book the 30 minute session?

Calabogie is a nice track. It's quite a hike from TO though. I booked the lap through my local BMW car club. They have a full day event on the 31st if you are interested.

https://bmwccottawa.org/ads/

[summilux]

Originally Posted by NYG

The F8x platform has atrocious tiny brakes and you have no brake cooling at all. Your entire front grill is loaded with radiators and coolers. This gets argued a lot on the track forum because some of the guys don't have problems but I've yet to meet someone with an F8x and stock iron rotors/brakes who can threshold brake all day. You'll start to see it as you begin to brake later, longer and harder.

EDIT: Speaking of, there was an F80 at the last event in Lime Rock Park who approached me before the last session and asked how I was braking so late because he was terrified of braking any later. (I recently switched to a BBK and it has changed everything for me)

The brakes did burn up a bit in the corners but it's just the stock pads. I should just switch them out for track ones next time I go.