Any GP's doing the Laguna Seca BMWCCA driving school?
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3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Any GP's doing the Laguna Seca BMWCCA driving school?
I was thinking about going up - gotta make a decision quick as I'm sure this will fill up fast.
www.ggcbmwcca.org/index.php?module=calendar&calendar[view]=event&id=211 (need to cut entire link to a browser - for some reason it keeps getting split)
www.ggcbmwcca.org/index.php?module=calendar&calendar[view]=event&id=211 (need to cut entire link to a browser - for some reason it keeps getting split)
6th Gear
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 7
From: Orcutt, CA
Laguna Seca is a wonderful track and I am interested in attending but I have a few concerns with the BMWCCA event.
1. It looks like you can not self-tech your vehicle and must have a qualified mechanic perform an inspection and sign a form. I do not know what defines a qualified mechanic but there is not a MINI dealership, with certified MINI Techs, within 120 miles of my home. I know much more about MINIs than any of the mechanics within over 60 miles of my home. What does BMWCCA accept as a qualified mechanic? Can a mechanic from any repair shop or gas station inspect and sign the form or does it have to be a BMW certified mechanic? There are BMW mechanics near my home. Does the qualifed mechanic inspection need to be done prior to every BMWCCA event or is the certification good for a certain time frame (such as a year)?
2. The cost is a little high when I add paying a BMW mechanic $100 to inspect my vehicle.
3. I do not think the stock GP brakes are up the the task. I did two track days with stock brakes on my 2003 MCS before I installed Wilwoods. It is not much fun with fading stock brakes. Since there currently are not easy solutions for better pads on the JCW brakes for the GPs, I am stuck with stock pads and I suspect they are not up to the task. Someday our vendors will get the 14mm lug bolt/stud and spacer issues solved and I will be able to install my Wilwood brakes but that will not happen before this event.
1. It looks like you can not self-tech your vehicle and must have a qualified mechanic perform an inspection and sign a form. I do not know what defines a qualified mechanic but there is not a MINI dealership, with certified MINI Techs, within 120 miles of my home. I know much more about MINIs than any of the mechanics within over 60 miles of my home. What does BMWCCA accept as a qualified mechanic? Can a mechanic from any repair shop or gas station inspect and sign the form or does it have to be a BMW certified mechanic? There are BMW mechanics near my home. Does the qualifed mechanic inspection need to be done prior to every BMWCCA event or is the certification good for a certain time frame (such as a year)?
2. The cost is a little high when I add paying a BMW mechanic $100 to inspect my vehicle.
3. I do not think the stock GP brakes are up the the task. I did two track days with stock brakes on my 2003 MCS before I installed Wilwoods. It is not much fun with fading stock brakes. Since there currently are not easy solutions for better pads on the JCW brakes for the GPs, I am stuck with stock pads and I suspect they are not up to the task. Someday our vendors will get the 14mm lug bolt/stud and spacer issues solved and I will be able to install my Wilwood brakes but that will not happen before this event.
Tech Inspection
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Any reputable mechanic in your area can check your car, he does not have to be a BMW or MINI Certified. Go with somebody you trust with your car, after all you will be driving in it on a track above normal driving speeds. Instead of worrying about brakes this time, work on being smooth and consistent at a slower speed. 
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