Disclaimer: We’re beginners!
I honestly don’t know what to think of “normal” people going to the track so frequently. It’s a great feeling, but going a couple times a year doesn’t cut it, which means you have to commit.
The only problem is, if you commit, your budget for the year inevitably blows out of proportion. So, what is the happy medium between the full-send, and the casual that doesn’t improve? 2018 was my first “proper” year of motorsport, I attended six track days, all at Wakefield and improved with each day. I had an S2000, relatively new consumables and was able to last an entire year without any major expenses.
I sold the car at the end of that year, but not before I dropped thousands on camber arms, new tires, wheel bearings and brakes. Last year was a bit of a non-event as I began my own business and only attended three times with the Evo and my second S2000. 2020 has had four track days packed within a four month span (albeit two were wet and on new tracks), with room for a couple more before the end of the year. Hopefully next year will be a big one with a full calendar of BMW Supersprints.
Yes, it’s costly to call motorsport your hobby, however it’s always better knowing that your mates are dumping bucketloads of cash into their car just like you are. When Josh gave me an invite to the Velocity Track Day in early November, Peter and I jumped at it.
I did an Open Pit Lane day with the boys in the middle of winter, and it was good to have the gang back and attack the rhythmic layout of Wakefield. Mac introduced RaceChrono to me, which I’m unsure if that is a blessing or a curse, and aside from Josh getting done for speeding on the way the day was trouble free.
The E46 on worn 275 RS4s felt great, it was evident from the get-go that the limiting factor was the driver and a lot more time could be eked out. I continued to struggle with low speed corners, and managed to keep the car from oversteering the entire day, which I attribute to being a lil’ bitch.
A couple laps following Josh made it evident how much time I was losing by being too conservative. Yes, the M3 is heavier, doesn’t have aero and runs on budget suspension and street tires, but two seconds is two seconds. I think the confidence needs to be built with the vehicle, unlike my S2000s the M3 is incredibly progressive and predictable, but a couple of bad experiences losing it with the AP1s have left me a little tentative with how a car reacts on the limit.
Aside from more preventative maintenance (rod bearings, VANOS and top-side sub frame), the next mod MUST be a bucket seat. All the passengers agreed, being chucked around while being seated on a sofa is not the most efficient use of a driver’s energy. A rear seat delete is planned for next year, so perhaps a fixed bucket is the way to go?
As for the other lads, Stanley managed to beat his PB in his K24 EK, which was probably the highlight of the day. Mac ran consistent times close to his PB all day, while first-timer Steven managed a great time in his AP1. Motorsport is a very individual pursuit, but treat it like a social activity and it will always be a good day.
Peter’s all geed up to get his S2000 track ready, and I’m keen to improve on the 1.11 I managed on the day. 1.10 was possible with my stock Evo on RE003s, and my S2000 on RS3s, so with a bit more balls and seat time it is definitely possible without mods.
Too bad more balls and seat time means more spending!