My First Track Day!..

[BMWLOCO]

Fellow Enthusiasts////

After owning my fully stock 91 M3 for about 2 weeks now.. I've decided to register for our Local SCCA event here in Washington.

I would like to know if there is anything that I should be cautious about while at the event... Or if there is anything that I should do to prep this car for a successfull drive.

I already have the Sparco Brace installed (1st, Mod) and the Oil-Pan Baffle kit on order, which I don't think it'll be here and installed before Sunday/./

Please send the suggestions...

RichieM3
McChord AFB, WA..

[AlexMc]

I wouldn't track an S14 without an oil-pan baffle.. you run a serious risk of damaging the motor, and believe me the repair won't be cheap! Does the track have a lot of high-speed right handers?

[BijanH(do not do business with me)]

i dont know about going without a baffle. lets see what the track looks like first. like alex said, sweeping right handers can be a problem. however, you could just dog it through that section to keep your s14 safe.

i just did my first drivers school also. check everything before each session. oil, coolant, tire pressures, look for leaks. thats about what i was keeping an eye on, im sure there are a lot more things i should have looked at. also, have your car fully inspected before goung out for the weekend, they had it required for us. bring tools, spare parts, and extra fluid up with you.

i suggest you get some race pads and good tires. they arent a must, but they were good to have.

let your oil warm up good before you rev over 4k. and just dont beat the shit out of your car until you know more about it.

[BMWLOCO]

The course doesn't have that many Sweeping right handers... I ran it before in my cabrio.. It's a local SCCA event.. Pretty short.. mostly cones set up. IF the Oil-Pan Baffle get's here today, I might go ahead and install it on Friday/Saturday...

I really don't want to rush into getting the car on the track though... As much as I want to, I might just wait this month out and get the car inspected by an M3 Specialist here in the area...

R.

[H a n]

Here's a 3rd vote for installing the baffle before the track day.

Install it yourself, once you have the car jacked up, it's only a few
bolts. Can't take more than an hour.

Other than the baffle, you should have your brake fluid flushed,
check your tie rods, control arms, links, bushings... etc.

After every lap, check your oil temp, coolant temp.
Have fun, the stock suspension is awesome on the track!

[EVOIIIM3]

He is just doing a Auto-X and he is on street tires, don't think he will be getting any real G-Forces going on.

Plus, I know Richie, and he is a TOTAL novice driver, who needs to go to a few drivers schools!!

just over fill the oil a bit!

[M3Pilot]

Doesn't the S14 have a baffle as standard?

I really should have gotthe extra one fitted when my oil pump got done at the same time as the cams and stuff. I just totally forgot about.

To throw a spanner in the works there are plenty of guys who track there cars over here without the extra baffle, but they do recommend that you overfill the car by some way.
None of these have had any trouble.

But it has got to be a good idea and much cheaper than an engine rebuild

[BijanH(do not do business with me)]

I was just at a drivers school last weekend and a guy blew his motor. It was thought by some of us to be caused by not using a baffle. Oil was dripping from the airfilter housing, and it sounded like he blew a piston ring. His weekend was over on the first day. He had to ship the car back to the cities for $300 something, let alone whatever it will cost to fix the car.

Im not saying youll need one, I actually think youll be fine, but get one in as soon as possible.

[Mracer]

DO all what others told you and be sure not to be on te brake pedal in the pits after a hot run. It will cook your brake fluid for sure.
Just be careful and don't trash the car too much - you are not in a race and love your car enough to want to keep it and enjoy it. Other than that - spare brake pads is a good idea.

Max.

[EVOIIIM3]

Originally posted by Mracer
DO all what others told you and be sure not to be on te brake pedal in the pits after a hot run. It will cook your brake fluid for sure.
Just be careful and don't trash the car too much - you are not in a race and love your car enough to want to keep it and enjoy it. Other than that - spare brake pads is a good idea.

Max.

Spare brake pads? He is doing a Auto-x! He MAY get 2min of total track time! hopefully he will not cook the breaks that quick!

[Mracer]

oh sorry, i thought the thread said track day... if autocross, bring some snack and enjoy the day

[BMWLOCO]

Thanks for all the replies... I'll be installing the Oil-Pan Baffle today (Sunday) and changing the oil at the same time with Mobil 1 15/50 . This is my first of MANY events.

Mike, I REALLY AM a Novice Driver, you know.. I'll be sending my registration for the 30th of July Novice school in Bremerton. Hopefully I can get a few Auto-x's in by then...

I'll let you all know how the event went tommorrow PM..

Richie
'91