Just attended the BMW event up at BIR and had a great time. Saw a few other subaru's there as well. Being my first time at BIR, I was a little scared of the track (from all the stories I had heard). I wasn't too sure what to expect, but found it to suit my car very well as I became more comfortable with it. I think my top speed was around 140 (to be honest it's hard to look when you're preparing for turn 1). As you'll see in a few pics below, I had some fun chasing down a Noble M400. He had me on the drag strip, seeing as he's lighter and carrying a bit more hp. But, strangely enough I was able to catch him by turn 4...and was on him until we hit the straight again. We were both on street tires, but I may have had the upper hand in brake pads...but still!?! Oh, he had the craziest BOV I've ever heard. Finally, there is no shortage of cool cars at these events, and this one was no exception. Check out the last picture. The GT3 and silver turbo were something to watch (and hear). This is also why I missed the BBQ. I tried to leave, but I just couldn't convince myself to leave early. Me chasing down a Noble M400. Noble and I on the straight How a Mcoupe gets it's wheels to the track One day!
Yeah, I was doing just over 140 at the end of the straight and then had to slow to 115 to enter turn 1...just couldn't get my right foot to push any faster. Maybe with R compounds I could push it a little harder...or more experience on this track. And turn 2, well, I wasn't even looking on that one, but I was exiting it at over 110ish. Anyone else on here planning to do any HPDE events this summer? If so, which ones?
cost was around $320 for two days with an additional $40 to join the BMW club...oh, and about $80 in gas. By the way, I hate my STi's fuel pump...it was cutting in the middle of the straight when around 1/4 of a tank left...grrr. Thank god it didn't cut in turn 1...eek.
Figure about 650-700 bucks for the two days total. That's entry fee, gas, food and lodging. If your pads are low add more $$$ for a fresh set. You don't want to be balls deep in to T1/T2 and discover there's no pads left. I've signed up for their next DCTC day. I'll definatly be at the October BIR event as well.
not stock anymore. Stage 2 (AP, v3 catless downpipe and Nathan built catback), some suspension goodies (RCE springs, camber plates, ALK, whiteline swaybars and kartboy endlinks) and then some upgrade pads (carbotech XP8). Fun track car, but I wouldn't mind a few more safety features and R-compounds. And webcrawlr is right, you'll probably near 700 after all is said and done...depending on your lodging and what you're willing to spend on food. I'll most likely be at the October event, but will probably go to MAM in July (7-8) rather than the next DCTC event.
Going down with Find The Line? MAM is pretty nice... uber flat though. It's like a big DCTC. If you're more in to the turns then the straight line speed you'll love MAM for sure.
1fastwagon-A fast exit on turn 10 will put the drag race in your favor. Looks like a little help on turn 10 will do you some good, my friend. That turn is very deceiving, its a HUGE arcing turn. Its a turn I do not apex (inside track), I come in late late and stay wide and start to straighten out, hammer on the gas, some times setting the right side of my wheels on the pavement outside track. See that dark black rectriangle in your picture? Use that as a apex starting reference point for turn ten. The STI in its stock form does wonders on this track. Thanks for sharing as always.
Yeah, my instructor was asking that I hit the apex, but towards the end of the day I was running the higher line...much faster indeed. I probably would have shaved a few seconds had you been there as my instructor.
yep, findtheline again. I like MAM, even though it is a bit flat. Plus there's a group of us that are going this time around...should be fun.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chicanerii/sets/72157600238706277/ Cousin of the boxer Hey Mike, what does that "D" stand for? D=Dope!
yeah some of the pictures are nice, but they didn't get me in any of the really nice action shots...the photographer had more action shots of a slow IS 300...next time I'm bringing my own photographer. Because I had never been to a track with the club they threw me in the D group. Once they realized that I was pushing the other cars in my group a bit too much, they put me in C. My instructor tried to even clear me for B, but whoever was running the show felt I should stay in C for this event. At least in B I could have compared my laps to people who were familiar with the track. It did teach me to not copy the bad lines that the guy in front of me was running...usually one of my problems at the track. Hope to see you next time! Mike
