Hello:
I'm looking to do some track work in either my SHOWROOM condition, street legal but highly modified BMW E46 330Ci, or a new Mustang GT. Tracks near me are Buttonwillow and Laguna Seca. Willow Springs and Infineon (aka Sonoma or Sears Point) are a bit further away, but still easily doable.
Speed Ventures has events at each one of these tracks and the prices are reasonable. Does anyone have any experience with Speed Ventures or similar organizations? I'm not a BMW CCA member. Anyone familiar with their events?
I am the original owner of my E46. It's never once been driven on a wet road, but still I HAND WASH the undercarriage yearly. It was never used for commuting. The only time it's out is when I WANT to drive it, and that's only on cools days on certain roads under light traffic conditions. 99% of it's life it sits covered in the garage. Yeah, yeah, I know....
I do 100% of my own maintenance and modification work (other than a couple of alignments and smog tests, the air bag recall was the first time someone else worked on it since new). I use only the finest BMW M and Group N parts and boutique tuner parts (there's not a single polyurethane bushing on the car). The engine is dead stock, it has some drive train changes, and it has heavily modified suspension and brakes. I even have a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires on it. The car really is track ready.
The only problem with the car is that it's virtually FLAWLESS. Therefore I'm a bit hesitant to use it on the track. I'm more worried about rock chips and such, not driving the car "fast". As a consequence, I'd like and environment where I'm not closely following other cars on a crowded track. I'd be happy with just 50 or 60 MILES of track time per day, most laps at 7 or 8/10ths with a few 9/10ths laps thrown in for a nice buzz. A car can be driven quickly, but smoothly. I won't hurt the car driving it like I'm capable, other than use up brake pads and tires.
Or do I keep the E46 as a garage queen and instead buy a new Mustang GT with the Performance Package and drive that snot out of that. My E46 is truly flawless. See pictures. Am I a fool to use it for track duty?
Anyway, Speed Ventures info. Which car? Other useful comments are welcome.
Scott
I'm looking to do some track work in either my SHOWROOM condition, street legal but highly modified BMW E46 330Ci, or a new Mustang GT. Tracks near me are Buttonwillow and Laguna Seca. Willow Springs and Infineon (aka Sonoma or Sears Point) are a bit further away, but still easily doable.
Speed Ventures has events at each one of these tracks and the prices are reasonable. Does anyone have any experience with Speed Ventures or similar organizations? I'm not a BMW CCA member. Anyone familiar with their events?
I am the original owner of my E46. It's never once been driven on a wet road, but still I HAND WASH the undercarriage yearly. It was never used for commuting. The only time it's out is when I WANT to drive it, and that's only on cools days on certain roads under light traffic conditions. 99% of it's life it sits covered in the garage. Yeah, yeah, I know....
I do 100% of my own maintenance and modification work (other than a couple of alignments and smog tests, the air bag recall was the first time someone else worked on it since new). I use only the finest BMW M and Group N parts and boutique tuner parts (there's not a single polyurethane bushing on the car). The engine is dead stock, it has some drive train changes, and it has heavily modified suspension and brakes. I even have a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires on it. The car really is track ready.
The only problem with the car is that it's virtually FLAWLESS. Therefore I'm a bit hesitant to use it on the track. I'm more worried about rock chips and such, not driving the car "fast". As a consequence, I'd like and environment where I'm not closely following other cars on a crowded track. I'd be happy with just 50 or 60 MILES of track time per day, most laps at 7 or 8/10ths with a few 9/10ths laps thrown in for a nice buzz. A car can be driven quickly, but smoothly. I won't hurt the car driving it like I'm capable, other than use up brake pads and tires.
Or do I keep the E46 as a garage queen and instead buy a new Mustang GT with the Performance Package and drive that snot out of that. My E46 is truly flawless. See pictures. Am I a fool to use it for track duty?
Anyway, Speed Ventures info. Which car? Other useful comments are welcome.
Scott