Going to drivers school Nov. 18 and 19 with the BMW club at Barber's Motor Sport Park in Birmingham. I'm brand new too this is there anything I should know or do before. I've got an H Sport Comp rear sway bar set in the middle hole would I want to change this before I go?

 

You may want to back off the bar to the softest setting. I have never been on the track, but this is the advise I was given when I was preparing for my first track day. Unfortunatly, it was cancled. Oh well, try again in the spring...

 

Check your insurance policy to make sure you're covered for driving school events. I've read numerous stories in the BMWCCA monthly magazine of people who participated in events like that, got into an accident on the track and then found out after the fact that their insurance wouldn't cover them.

 

I look forward to hearing about what happens. I'd like to do that and Birmingham isn't that far away.........

 

Leave the sway bar at the middle setting. Do NOT go full stiff until you get some experience with the balance, etc. Work your way up to speed and you'll bring your car home in one piece. I saw an S roll in turn 2-3 at Mid-Ohio with just a small weight shift and the sway was on the third setting. Good Luck and have fun!

 

I agree with the middle hole setting. You'll really enjoy the BMW HPDE, as it is not a race school, but it IS a school to learn what you and your car can do under controlled conditions. Just listen to the classroom talks and your passenger-side instructor when you are on the track. This is the very best thing you can do for yourself while you mod your car.

 

I'll be there working. If you have any questions I can answer while at track I'll do what I can for you. Best idea was mentioned before. Keep your current setting and start off slow till you get a feel for the track.
This will be my first time at Barber as well but I'm truly looking forward to getting to know the track!

 

Getting the car inspected today, helmet on the way just about ready to go. Something that seems strange is that the one thing that will make your Mini fast, driving school has almost no discussion, were every mod no matter how silly will get pages of discussion.

 

Slow in--Fast out and Eyes Up!

 

1.Don't Drink alcohol for at least 72 hours before your track day, it will still "be in your system" and will affect your reaction time

2. Get plenty of rest before your school, this will be the most demanding mental and physical activity you have seen in a while.

3. Complete focus on the track and instruction, leave all the "baggage" at home, Focus and learn, listen, eyes up, don't worry about letting faster drivers pass you, THIS IS NOT A RACE, repeat, THIS IS NOT A RACE

4. Don't look in the mirrors while executing a turn! Focus on where you want to go,

5. Drink plenty of water, all day long , in fact start hydrating 48 hours in advance, you should be drinking water and peeing all day long.

6. Work on being smooth first, then speed will come naturally, no erratic steering , accelerating , lifting, or braking, all inputs smooth = fast

7. Be nervous, its natural, focus, learn ,have fun!

 

perfect advice. especially #5

 

Since you're brand new, here's some other things to think about...

Let your instructor drive your car with you as the passenger for the first few laps. You won't remember all the turns anyway, but at least it will let you see the track before you drive it.

Go for a ride in an instructor's car as a passenger.

Get there early in the morning... as early as you can. There will be stuff you'll need to do in the morning, like empty out the car, go to registration, go through tech inspection, put numbers on the car, etc. The less rushed you are, the better.

If you're unsure about anything, ask the first person you see. If they've done a few events before, they'll probably know the answer. If not, they might know someone who does. There are very few people at the track who won't be happy to help.

 

And as far as #6 above, make sure DSC is off. It can be positively freightning to have the engine die just as you are trying to get some weight back on the rear wheels.

Alan

I also agree with the be nervous statement. Its only natural - just use the energy to focus on the task at hand. I always tell myself "Drive it like you have to drive it home, cause you have to drive it home."

 

I'm going to have to disagree with that one. Every time I've gone to a new track, I've run at least the first few laps, if not the entire first session, with the DSC on.

To each their own... but if you're comfortable driving with the DSC on, do not think that you have to turn it off when you get on the track.

 

Some things I've picked up as far as being at the track.

1. Bring a folding chair of some sort, an EZ Up is also nice to have if you have a way to get it there.

2. Bring one of those big rubbermaid containers so you'll have a place to store all your stuff while you're there.

3. Bring window cleaner and a roll of paper towels.

4. If you have a torque wrench, bring it. You will need to check the lugs after every track session.

5. A small cooler with water and a few snacks is nice to have.

6. A sweatshirt or light jacket just in case.

7. I bring one of those plastic folders to keep all my paperwork in.

Hope this helps,
Annette

 

Great tips, got my helmet and the car inspected yesterday just about ready to go. I was going to take a camera, my iPod ect has anybody had a problem with people stealing stuff. Think I'll paddock with the local BWM club.

 

Isn't this a really bad idea? It's my understanding that tightening your lugs after a session on the track will lead to them being greatly overtightened since the lugs and the hubs are very hot. I was always told to get them to specs when cold and leave them alone. Please help if I'm wrong.

mb

Edit - I don't mean bringing a tourque wrench is a bad idea, just tightening after each session.

 

The track works on the honor system. Everyone has to leave their stuff laying out, so it's understood that you just don't mess with it. But yet another good reason to have the rubbermaid container, I don't want to leave stuff out that may just be too tempting. Also, it's good to have a waterproof way to store stuff.
One thing I forgot, chapstick is good to have, for some reason I always get chapped lips, not sure if it's from the wind or biting them .
Wheel chocks are another handy item. It's not good for the brakes to set the parking brake when you get off the track so if you have any slope then you need to have some chocks just in case. Walmart has bright yellow ones for about $5 a piece. I like the yellow ones because I can see them and don't forget about them!
Annette

 

Well, I guess I actually check mine just before I go back out on the track, so they are probably pretty cool. So in actuality I am checking mine BEFORE each track session. I just know that at my last school one guy in a Vette almost lost a wheel which was pretty scary to be behind!

Annette

 

No, you should always check and re-torque if needed before every session on the track. Always. It's amazing how track driving can loosen things up.

 

Turn it off, unless you feel you really need it in the rain. Fact is that even when off, it's never fully off in the Mini. I could still feel it working with the brakes in Big Bend.

 

Thanks for the clarification on the lugs. I don't have DSC, but instead the ASC, and when I remember, I always turn it off. I'm a relative beginner, and the freaking ASC would scare the crap out of me going up the uphill when the front of the car gets a little light. I think it's a comfort call for the driver.

mb

 

Never had a worry about people stealing my stuff. Just make sure you clearly mark your belongings (as in a brightly colored large rubbermaid container) and that you have it all secured.

I have seen items run over and blown about.

Alan

p.s. Agree torque wrench is required equipment. I lay mine in the drivers seat so I can't forget to check the lug nuts just before going out for the next session.

 

What do you torque the wheel nuts too?

 

Even though I'm getting a cabrio, and racing is not really an option, it seems a good driving school would be worth the $ and effort for safety. Is this a realistic approach? Thanks