[DVC]

I ran with BMW CCA NJ Chapter this past weekend at Thunderbolt. Haven't been there in a few years, so it was great to get back out on a fun local track. The car felt great, but my data/video logging was problematic once again... seems like either data or video capture doesn't work properly on far too many of my best sessions!! I think it's time to upgrade to either an AiM or VBOX system.

The laps below were from the first day in the Advanced run group, which had some slower cars, which impacted the flow... these two laps were among the best I actually have both video and data for; best of the weekend was 1:39ish while running with the instructors on day 2, but alas no video embedded with data to show for it!

BMW CCA likes to run Thunderbolt with the 2nd chicane open, which for most cars in our pace range seems to add about 3-5 seconds to lap times.

[Datka]

Very nice run. In my experience that chicane adds about 2 sec. to a lap time vs no chicane.
This track is my second favorite after WGI.
Took my daily driver f80 340i (auto. trans) for the first time there a few weeks ago. All stock except for the street GC camber plates set to F-3/R-1.8, SRF brake fluid, front PFC 08 pads and 255/265 R71R tires on apex wheels. Was very impressed with the car.
Well balanced, no understeer or over steer on stock susp. in sport plus mode. Best lap time was 1.34.6 no chicane.
With TC completely off was slower, as I couldn't apply too much power on corner exits because of the open diff.
Don't really see these cars during track events, would be nice to run against similar cars and share experience with other drivers.
As for the BMW CCA clubs, I only ran with them once, a few years ago at WGI, and their advanced run group was so slow, I thought I was running in the novace run group
If you don't want to be stuck behind slow cars/traffic, I would recommend CHIN, SCCA TRACK NIGHT, TRACKMASTERS, GROUP52 to name a few.

[DVC]

Originally Posted by Datka

Very nice run. In my experience that chicane adds about 2 sec. to a lap time vs no chicane.
This track is my second favorite after WGI.
Took my daily driver f80 340i (auto. trans) for the first time there a few weeks ago. All stock except for the street GC camber plates set to F-3/R-1.8, SRF brake fluid, front PFC 08 pads and 255/265 R71R tires on apex wheels. Was very impressed with the car.
Well balanced, no understeer or over steer on stock susp. in sport plus mode. Best lap time was 1.34.6 no chicane.
With TC completely off was slower, as I couldn't apply too much power on corner exits because of the open diff.
Don't really see these cars during track events, would be nice to run against similar cars and share experience with other drivers.
As for the BMW CCA clubs, I only ran with them once, a few years ago at WGI, and their advanced run group was so slow, I thought I was running in the novace run group
If you don't want to be stuck behind slow cars/traffic, I would recommend CHIN, SCCA TRACK NIGHT, TRACKMASTERS, GROUP52 to name a few.

Thanks! Would love to see video of your 1:34 if you have it...

[Datka]

No video that day, just lap times on my harrys lap timer. But here is a lap of my previous daily driver, 135i, whith some mods, on same tires:

[Datka]

Ironically, lap time is almost identical to 340i, but this is not my best lap time in 135i.
I have to say f30 platform if far superior, and with good coilovers, some weight reduction and aero, much faster laps are achievable.
Here are couple of laps of my regular track car e92m3 at WGI:

[DVC]

Originally Posted by Datka

No video that day, just lap times on my harrys lap timer. But here is a lap of my previous daily driver, 135i, whith some mods, on same tires

Thanks... Great speed through T5, and I like your line through T9 - I think I'll try that next time.

Looking at our 2 vids, the chicane seemed to cost about 4 seconds at our pace

[Datka]

lap time difference chicane/no chicane can vary due to many different factors, but generally its about 2 sec, based on my m3 runs there.
Of course I can carry a lot more speed than 135i or 340i through that chicane on hoosiers with aero.

[DVC]

Originally Posted by Datka

lap time difference chicane/no chicane can vary due to many different factors, but generally its about 2 sec, based on my m3 runs there.
Of course I can carry a lot more speed than 135i or 340i through that chicane on hoosiers with aero.

Right... The faster the car, the smaller the difference. For street cars, from the research I've done, it's typically more like 3-5 seconds depending on pace of the drivers.

[MacklinUSOB]

I really need to get down to NJMP, the surface looks great. Nice laps.

[Solidjake]

Great driving. I haven't been to Thunderbolt since last year but I'll try to go there when I have the day off for the track day. Will run in intermediate or advanced this time

[DVC]

Originally Posted by Solidjake

Great driving. I haven't been to Thunderbolt since last year but I'll try to go there when I have the day off for the track day. Will run in intermediate or advanced this time

Thanks! Thunderbolt is a blast, I think you'll enjoy it

[Solidjake]

Originally Posted by DVC

Thanks! Thunderbolt is a blast, I think you'll enjoy it

I've been on it before. A ton of fun and technical as well