12-21-2021, 09:17 PM | #1 |
///M
1615
Rep 296
Posts |
First ever track day: Laguna Seca in M4!
Featured on BIMMERPOST.com While I'm no stranger to high speeds through twisty mountain/coastal roads with both sports cars as well as sportbikes, I really wanted to get the right "training" before unleashing my car. As homework, I went through articles on track days, YouTube videos, and Laguna-specific tips. And perhaps silly: I've been playing Real Racing 3 on my iPhone for years, and have "raced" Laguna Seca a few hundred times. Well that game is no joke in some ways. I was kind of blown away at how much that game prepared me for how to know all turns and understand them. I knew what I was up against despite having never been there. The elevation changes were obviously not easy to grok from the game, so that was a surprise. After five sessions at the Beginner level (lead-follow sessions which really helped me understand braking and approach speeds), I jumped into the Intermediate class. I followed a newfound friend in a 950+ hp McLaren for about 4 laps, which was intimidating at first, but he's 70+ years old and wasn't pushing his machine as hard he could. (Maybe age has no influence, but I just think he was playing it safer than, say, a 25 year old InstaMillionaire with a supercar.) I was able to keep up pretty well, so much so that he waived me on and that's when my lead foot sank to the floor and I could just explore the track at the speed I wanted. While I don't know what that track would be like with RWD, I do feel that the xDrive really did seem to allow me to pull out of corners very aggressively, at least when compared to my experience through twisty roads (however flawed that comparison may be). From my brief time there, and from watching the videos afterward, I think one thing I could have done better is to keep on the acceleration longer while also braking much later than I had been. You can see in the video that I'm easing off the throttle too early. Besides braking too late (I think), I feel like I was turning in to the apex too early. Put a little video together to share and I'd honestly welcome any feedback on track driving tips. |
Appreciate
29
Ibiza3612.50 Usef_Afande120.50 barryc3651956.00 Dhillon63141.00 chicagofan0019192.50 bmwbrad22249.00 M3ANSPEC393.00 bigj505360.00 FreeDarko217.00 evilalien450.50 AlpineBoost3927.50 02M3ForMe4264.50 yousefnjr6171.00 Johnathanz3235.50 DocWeatherington2943.50 Seattlesquash905.00 DrePrime83.50 xbook130.50 N54sDUSTxi18.00 Sjokosaus199.50 thaalrasha621.00 NickPJT111.50 TKT2SPEED140.00 NorCalAthlete3194.00 antzcrashing1911.50 emescopa31.50 Kingpin4386.50 ajob462.00 M3anLantern249.50 |
12-21-2021, 09:37 PM | #3 |
Major
1956
Rep 1,383
Posts |
Nice job and smooth driving too. I think your analysis is spot on. You're coasting in between letting off the gas and hitting the brakes but don't worry about it. You're not going to be going bat shit crazy on your first time at the track in a new car and you probably ended up with less wear and tear as a result.
Correct on the turn in points too. Some of them you want to turn in later but more aggressively and hug the apex. Your cutting the line a little bit early which forces you wide, and you don't get on the gas as quick as you would have as a result. Great job though over all, very solid effort and looked like a lot of fun!! |
Appreciate
5
|
12-21-2021, 09:53 PM | #4 |
First Lieutenant
179
Rep 387
Posts |
Honestly I think you did it right. No need to be on throttle until threshold braking. It's your street car and you're just having fun well within a safety margin. No prizes or money be handed out. Glad you had such a great time.
__________________
|
Appreciate
6
AlpineBoost3927.50 DocWeatherington2943.50 Capt Canuck704.00 TXGrey1287.00 m.dreamin1614.50 Remonster824.00 |
12-22-2021, 12:52 AM | #5 |
salty cowboys fan
6171
Rep 3,411
Posts |
Nothing wrong with taking it easy, especially on your first time out. You did well to let off the throttle before the crest at 1, I’ve seen that catch some folks off guard as it’s an easy spot to spin when the car goes light. Line looks pretty good, the games taught you well lol. I recommended my wife to do the same before her first time out, it really does help.
What a way to learn your new car, huh? Glad you enjoyed it
__________________
she’s home! '22 M4 Comp xDrive
|
12-22-2021, 03:03 AM | #6 |
Brigadier General
3309
Rep 3,943
Posts |
Looks like lots of fun in an AWD M4 & you'll quickly improve with more sessions.
__________________
1998 E36 M3 - Totaled
2003 E39 M5 - Gone but not forgotten 2011 E90 335i M-Sport - Daily Driver 2017 F87 M2 - Sold & missed 2020 F97 X3 M Competition - Finally arrived /// |
Appreciate
1
m.dreamin1614.50 |
12-22-2021, 04:23 AM | #7 |
First Lieutenant
844
Rep 323
Posts |
Looks like a great time! Can’t give you any tips as I’m no expert in this arena. However, would love to see more pics of your car. Really like how you painted the bottom bits
|
12-22-2021, 05:48 AM | #8 |
Major
2052
Rep 1,201
Posts |
It was my first time at Laguna as well...can't thank Andy@BMW San Rafael and the Sunwise group enough! Whole event was a blast and glad you had a great time.
__________________
575RWHP F87 M2C - ECUTEK RACEROM with flex fuel tuning by Bend Calibration 1000+RWHP E46 M3, Lab22 Built Turbo S54, Bend Calibration Tuned - BMW Half Mile Record Holder |
12-22-2021, 07:35 AM | #9 |
Occasionally frequent poster
3003
Rep 2,745
Posts |
Nice of your dealership to do that. I get a free cup of coffee when I visit my BMW store.
Well, I used to. Now with Covid, there is no free food. Laguna is one of my bucket list tracks, but as I am on the east coast, it's likely not going to happen unless I borrow a friend's car (Miata) or rent something, mostly likely a Miata. I'm not a big Miata fan, although they are fun to drive, if you don't mind a car motivated by a squirrel. If you get/got the track bug, which is a bug worth having, you need to do a real HPDE school with the BMW CCA or PCA or Audi or any decent club that has in-car instruction as well as real classroom instruction. That will help you learn the line, car control concepts, and proper braking. It will take years and years of instruction, and after you have spent most of your childrens' college funds and your retirement, you may feel like you are finally "getting it". Worth it. Congrats on the lovely car, mine is a twin. Albeit with 2WD and three pedals.
__________________
Current inventory:
F22 & G05 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing w/3 pedals Past: E24,E28(3),E34,E36,E37,E38(2),E39(4),E46,E89,E92 (obviously),F01,F06,F10,F30,F87,G12,G30(2),G82(2) |
Appreciate
3
|
12-22-2021, 07:52 AM | #10 |
Colonel
4837
Rep 2,442
Posts
Drives: 2022 M3 6MT
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: New Jersey
|
Don't be embarrassed because I've used Gran Turismo to help learn track layouts. It's a great tool!
__________________
2022 M3 6MT - Portimao Blue Metallic
2022 X3 M40i - Tanzanite Blue Metallic |
Appreciate
4
|
12-22-2021, 08:29 AM | #12 |
Colonel
969
Rep 2,434
Posts |
Good stuff!! but…..I have to say HELL YES to color matching the horrific gloss black lower portions to the color of your car. Looks so much better
|
12-22-2021, 10:35 AM | #13 |
Lieutenant Colonel
2519
Rep 1,773
Posts |
Using games/simulators to learn how the track flows is absolutely a good practice. Glad you had a good time. Welcome to the slippery slope!
watched the video and your line was pretty good but i felt like you can carry more speed through the corners. But that comes with practice. Good first job. Followed you on IG as well. I am @eurotouringcar Last edited by BMWRacer523; 12-22-2021 at 01:51 PM.. |
Appreciate
1
m.dreamin1614.50 |
12-22-2021, 12:58 PM | #15 |
Private
140
Rep 92
Posts |
So happy you guys all could make it! We had a blast hosting you all ! Will make the next one even better ! We appreciate all our clients... This is our way of saying Thank you for choosing us !
Your Lines were Awesome very impressive for your first outing....That AWD G82 is a Rocket ! |
Appreciate
3
|
12-22-2021, 01:06 PM | #16 |
New Member
112
Rep 28
Posts |
Haha, you are right about the sim racing practice.
I was at the Sunwise track day as well with my M2 comp, I had never been to Laguna Seca or any track with my car for that matter. My only experience with any sort of track day was some motorcycle track days up at Thunderhill, but over the last few years I've put at least 150 hours on Laguna Seca in sim games such as Asseto Corsa and Gran Turismo Sport, I felt so at home on the track, though I did have to change up some of my braking zones as I didn't want to risk going into the dirt for a good lap haha. I decided to go into the intermediate group and I was in aw of how amazing the track was it flows so well, the corkscrew being the best part by far. By the end of the day, I had a best lap of 1:46 lifting a bit by the sound booth as my car is pretty loud. Staying pinned over that turn 1 crest has to be one of the most amazing feelings I've ever had in a car, Overall, it was such a blast and I can't wait to go back, hoping I can get into the low 1:40s. Thank you so much Sunwise Auto Group and @BMW Of San Rafael for an amazing track day, It's very rare for an auto group to do something like this in these times and it really shows their passion for BMWs and cars in general, not many would think to go the extra mile like this and invite all of their M customers to a private track day at such a historic track. Last edited by NickPJT; 12-22-2021 at 01:14 PM.. |
Appreciate
5
|
12-22-2021, 03:25 PM | #17 | ||||||||||
///M
1615
Rep 296
Posts |
Really appreciate everyone's feedback and thoughts! I swear I'm still smiling three days later from the event.
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
And echo'ing that sentiment: Sunwise Auto Group and BMW of San Rafael really went above and beyond with this event. Can't say how much I appreciated being part of it. I'm constantly singing the praises of that group. 🙏 Last edited by m.dreamin; 12-22-2021 at 03:30 PM.. |
||||||||||
Appreciate
6
|
12-22-2021, 09:55 PM | #20 | ||
///M
1615
Rep 296
Posts |
Quote:
Quote:
|
||
Appreciate
1
antzcrashing1911.50 |
12-22-2021, 11:50 PM | #21 |
Private First Class
65
Rep 143
Posts |
Awesome video, I remember seeing your car in the first few run groups it performed beautifully. Was trying my best to keep pace I'm in the white m4 with no plates. Shoutout to Andy at BMW San Rafael and the sunwise group they're the best! Was really shocked and excited I got invited to my first track day. Event was awesome, they even had great instructors for the newbies out there like me. Enjoyed the food and all the track time, definitely get your next cars from there.
|
Appreciate
1
m.dreamin1614.50 |
12-23-2021, 11:22 AM | #22 | |
///M
1615
Rep 296
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|